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| Shamrock II. |
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| Columbia. |
The Cortland Democrat, Friday, Oct. 11, 1901.
CAN'T LIFT THE CUP.
THE COLUMBIA WINS THREE RACES STRAIGHT FROM SHAMROCK.
Close Shave in Each Race—The Politics of New York in Working Order--The Next Mayor Will be Either Seth Low or Edwin M. Shepard—Fight Over a $13 Strip of Land.
New York, Oct. 8.—New York, in common with the entire country, breathes easier now that the Colombia has beaten Shamrock II in the great international yacht races, thus insuring the safety of the cup, or in broader terms, sustaining the supremacy of America over the world in the matter of yacht construction and racing. The Shamrock was the best boat ever sent across the water to compete for the cup, and there has been a fear among even New York yachtsmen that the Columbia would not be able to win the races. The Shamrock, it must be confessed, came so near winning two of the races that but a few seconds was all that saved the Columbia. Sir Thomas Lipton, the English owner of the Shamrock, is a gentleman in every sense of the word, and he has made a host of friends in America by his uniform courtesy and honorable business methods.
◘ The political situation in Greater New York has become simplified by the nomination of Edward M. Shepard of Brooklyn for mayor by the Tammany organization, and of Seth Low by the combined opposition to Tammany. Both are strong men, and the outcome is one of those mysteries of politics that cannot be revealed until the votes are counted.
◘ Two well-known citizens of New York are fighting over a piece of land valued at $15, situated at picturesque Chappaqua in Westchester county. The fight is becoming a town affair, because the characters are of interest to every one in Chappaqua. In that it concerns the drinking water of New York, the city is interested.
FOUND HIS PEOPLE.
INTERESTING STORY OF JOSEPH SILVER'S CAREER.
Ran Away From His Home in Portugal Twenty-Eight Years Ago—Has Been Unable to Reach His Family by Communication Until Recently—His Grandmother is 100 Years Old.
In a small shop at No. 12 East Court-st., Cortland, Joseph Silver has for the past six years worked at his trade of boot and shoe making and mending. Mr. Silver is well known throughout the city of Cortland as an industrious citizen and a good shoemaker, though but few are familiar with his life history, which is one of the most adventurous that has ever come to our notice.
As the name indicates, Mr. Silver is a native of Portugal, though his long familiarity with American customs and the English language has so Americanized his nature that the home of his birth would scarcely recognize him as a son of sunny Portugal.
About twenty-eight years ago, when twelve years old, young Silver, in company with a cousin of the same age, conceived the idea of running away from home, and by shrewd management they secreted themselves as stowaways on board an American man-of-war, then about to sail from Portugal. The fact that they were on board ship was known to certain of the crew, who secretly provided the boys with sustenance in the way of food and water. The vessel touched at an African port before crossing the Atlantic ocean, and it was here that the boys, by advice of those in the secret, decided to make their presence known to the captain, which was done with fear and trembling, as it is a proverbial fact that stowaways are usually dealt very harshly with. The captain decided he could not return to Portugal with the boys, and as he was too humane to leave them at the African port, he concluded to make the best of the situation and to put the boys at work, Joseph being assigned as assistant to the captain's cook.
In due time they arrived in New York, where Silver attended school a part of the time and also worked in a paper mill. He afterwards went to Cochecton, from thence to Port Jervis, where he worked at shoe making, a trade he had partially learned before he left Portugal. Thereafter for several years he wandered to Syracuse, Rochester and other places, finally locating in Cortland eight years ago, having in the meantime married an estimable lady.
Now comes the most interesting portion of the story. For several years Mr. Silver has been unable to communicate with his parents or brothers and sisters in Portugal, all letters mailed to what he supposed to be their address being returned. This was annoying to Mr. Silver, who very naturally desired to hear from his near relatives. Some time the past summer John W. Suggett, the well known attorney of Cortland, was in Silver's shop on business, and during the interview between the two gentlemen Mr. Silver learned that Attorney Suggett could talk the Portuguese language quite fluently. The outcome of this knowledge was that Mr. Suggett proffered his assistance in the attempt to open communication with Silver's relatives, and in this he was subsequently successful, to the great delight of Mr. Silver.
Since then correspondence has passed between Cortland and Portugal with regularity, and Joseph was made happy by receiving the photographs of his mother, brothers and sisters, and his grandmother, Julia Gomez, who is 100 years old, and who can thread a needle and sew without the aid of glasses. His mother, three brothers and four sisters are living, their maternal home being at Funshal in the province of Maderia. These photographs, by the way, are as nicely finished as any we have ever seen in this country.
The only sad feature of this story is the news received by Mr. Silver that his father, who was a skillful decorator, died June 26 last, soon after he learned the whereabouts of his son Joseph.
Mr. Silver is to be congratulated upon becoming re-united by correspondence with his dearest friends in Portugal, after so many years of wandering in this far-away land.
M. E. CHURCH AT WILLET, CORTLAND COUNTY, N. Y.
Of all the church edifices possessed by the Methodist Episcopal societies, none in Central New York, in large or small villages at least, are of any handsomer design, finish and workmanship than the Willet church. The history of this little society reads more like a romance than a reality, its early struggles to obtain a permanent building for itself dating back to the time the society was first formed in 1860, and continuing down nearly to the present time.
The story is a singular one. The society was first formed at the breaking out of the civil war. Previous to this time its members were considered part of the Cincinnatus society, and were supplied with a minister from that place occasionally. A class was also held in 1860, and had been for many years previous on Eaton Hill, where the little band of workers met weekly for worship.
The charter members of the new society were: Mr. and Mrs. Charles Delevan, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Mooney, Mrs. David White, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Eaton, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Eaton, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. John Eaton, Mrs. John Greene, Rev. and Mrs. William Sweet, Mr. and Mrs. Jason Allen, Mr. and Mrs. Oneri Sternberg, Mrs. Randall Meacham and Mrs. Mercy Corey. Of the original members but few are living, viz: Mrs. Mercy Corey, now over 90 years old, who resides on Eaton Hill, Mr. and Mrs. John Eaton, Mr. and Mrs. Oneri Sternberg, now living in Michigan, and Mrs. Jason Allen.
The first minister was Rev. James F. Andrews, now living in Syracuse. From that time until the present, notwithstanding the numerous obstacles which have occasionally arisen, the society has enjoyed a steady growth, and now has a membership of 109. For several years the society held its services in the church now owned by the Presbyterian society. The present pastor Rev. John B. Wilson, after considerable effort, succeeded in buying the property, which had been impossible by the earlier pastors of the society. The result is that the church edifice has been thoroughly remodeled inside and outside, and is a beautiful structure.
Rev. John B. Wilson is now serving his fifth year as pastor and has done much towards building up the society to its present flourishing condition. The present board of trustees are: Austin Mooney, Fred Mooney, William Shaver, Charles Havens, George Palmer and Seymour Eaton, Superintendent of the Sabbath school, Adelbert Greene.
NEIGHBORING COUNTIES.
News Gathered and Condensed From Our Wide-Awake Exchanges.
The Binghamton, N. Y., board of education has placed fire hose in the school buildings and the students have organized a fire company.
The Seneca Falls Home Telephone company was incorporated in Albany Monday, with a capital of $100,000, to operate in Seneca county.
Conrad Torn, a Stamford man, had his pockets picked three times in one day at the Pan-American. He must have been a good subject.
Cider apples are being bought in Dutchess county by weight this year. Twenty-five cents a hundred is the price cider makers are offering.
The Endicott shoe factory at Endicott, near Binghamton, is to be started next week. It is one of the largest factories of its kind in the world.\
A Salamanca man named Ketchum is turning to stone according to a dispatch from that place. His neck is as hard and glossy as marble and his lower limbs are petrified. His brain seems to be active.
The grasshoppper invasion of Cattaraugus county has caused thousands of dollars damage to oat fields, meadows and gardeners. On one farm near Bolivar, 3,000 heads of cabbage have been stripped to the stumps.
An Evangelical clergyman who had been called to marry a couple at Utica refused to continue the service when he discovered that one of the parties had been divorced and a messenger was dispatched for another minister who finished the job.
Poker sharps at Russel have been in the habit of playing in the band stand. Recently the wife of one of the players joined the party and used a whip to such good effect that she broke up the game and left marks of her blows on several of the gamblers, including her husband.
The Ithaca Journal says: It is believed that in the event of the electrocution of the assassin of President McKinley, the brain of the criminal will be obtained by the Psychology department of Cornell University, after careful examination, be added to the collection already made by Professor Burt G. Wilder.
Every school child in Syracuse will hereafter be examined as to the condition of its health at least once a month. This is the decision of the bureau of health. Officers say that defects in eyesight will be discovered and remedied and infectious diseases will be especially watched for. The physicians will also teach the pupils how to sit in their seats and possible deformity will be guarded against.
The explosion of the boiler of a traction engine Tuesday morning in Fleming cost the life of Charles White of that town. The accident occurred on the farm of Theodore White about two miles northwest of Fleming Hill. Edward White, Charles White and a farm hand named Bowen were threshing. Charles was feeding the thresher, Edward had charge of the engine and Bowen was cutting bands. Without warning came the explosion. Edward was blown about 150 feet, badly bruised and lost the sight of one eye. Bowen was severely scalded and driven through the barn onto a straw stack. Charles White was instantly killed and the body blown into the barn which took fire and was consumed. Later the charred remains were found in the basement.
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.
Why not encourage the young men by electing Edward W. Hyatt county judge?
Isn't twelve years long enough for one man to hold the important office of county judge and surrogate?
Edward W. Hyatt is well qualified for the office of county judge. Prominent attorneys vouch for him, which is a good endorsement.
One of the rising young men of Cortland county is Edward W. Hyatt. Give him a lift on the upward journey by elevating him to the office of county judge.
What the Democrat Would Like to Know.
Why "Nate" Miller withdrew so suddenly as candidate for county judge: Was he afraid of defeat?
Why Postmaster Brown allowed the name of Theodore Wickwire to be one of the delegates to the last county convention: Is the organization growing afraid of the Independents?
Why, after all that has been said, Judge Eggleston was suffered to be the candidate for county judge this fall: Were the bosses afraid of Mantanye, Sands & Co?
Whether the office of county judge ought to be the result of political bargain or barter.
What were the terms of the bosses to give Judge Eggleston the nomination?
Why Dick Duell was kicked off the county committee.
Why Judge Davis is no longer the secretary of the Republican county committee: Were the "mighty trio" afraid of the judge's growing political popularity?
Why "Nate" Miller was made corporation counsel: Was it because the city could have the benefit of greater legal services than could be given by the Hon. O. U. Kellogg, the acknowledged leader of the Cortland county bar?
The Columbia a Great Boat.
The cup stays in America. The grand old Columbia is the best of her kind ever built. Sir Thomas Lipton's hopes are dashed. The sympathy of Americans will go out to him in his disappointment, and everybody will unite in saying that among all those who have tried to lift the cup there are none who have been so popular with Americans as Sir Thomas Lipton. He is liked because he is a thorough-going gentleman. He is a gentleman in defeat as he would be a gentleman in victory; a game sportsman who takes defeat like a man and thereby earns the plaudits of those who defeat him.
A great many people had felt that it would be no dreadful calamity should so good a man as Sir Thomas Lipton succeed in lifting the cup, but it was not to be, because the Columbia appears to be the acme of perfection in sailing sloops. She has demonstrated, not that Shamrock II is a poor boat, but that she herself is a wonder of wonders in her ability to beat a boat which the experts declared to be invincible.
HERE AND THERE.
Last Friday morning's frost was a regular chestnut opener.
Fall strawberries are becoming almost numerous enough in this locality to appear in market.
The Cortland branch of the A. O. U. W. is increasing rapidly in membership, eleven being initiated Friday evening.
The Prohibitionists of Cortland have nominated Dr. E. B. Nash for member of assembly, and Dr. A. L. Powers of Blodgett Mills for coroner.
Rev. Charles W. Walker, who is well known in Cortland county, being the son of I. W. Walker, preached in the First M. E. church last Sunday.
M. H. McGraw, James A. Nixon and H. C. Lovell were last Thursday evening elected elders of the Presbyterian church and Arthur B. Nelson was elected deacon for four years.
L. L. Gillet, formerly of Cortland, now employed at Newark Valley, has with the assistance of others arranged for the organization of a Good Templar lodge at the latter place.
The Democrats of this judicial district, in convention last Friday, endorsed the Republican candidates for supreme court justices—G. A. Forbes and Charles E. Parker. Hon. O. U. Kellogg represented Cortland county, and was secretary of the convention.
The editor of the Tully Times recently sent several statements to delinquent subscribers, and one of them refused to settle after reading the paper nine years, saying, "My first wife subscribed for the paper and I will not pay her debts." Mr. Davis jocularly comments upon the matter as follows: "How much better it would have been for the community had this poor woman lived to have been the widow of her first husband.''
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