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| Leon Czolgosz. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, Oct. 28, 1901.
RETRIBUTION IS NEAR.
Assassin Czolgosz to Die at Seven Tomorrow.
BODY MAY NOT BE SURRENDERED.
Said That Unrepealed Law Has Been Found Giving Warden Full Power of Disposal—If So Body Will Be Consigned to Quicklime Within Two Hours.
AUBURN, Oct. 28.—The time that Leon F. Czolgosz, assassin of President McKinley, has to live is reckoned by hours now, but there has been no relaxation of stringent rules under which the prisoner has been secluded since his confinement. Auburn prison was closed yesterday to all who sought the assassin and so it will remain until the prisoner has paid the penalty which the law exacts. In fact the plan to deprive Czolgosz living of any notoriety has been extended to deprive Czolgosz dead of notoriety.
Immediately after the execution the clothing of the murderer, with the vast accumulation of mail that came to the prison for him, will be burned and, if possible, the request of the parents of the dead man for his remains will be evaded. It is feared that the removal of his body to Cleveland would lead to scenes of an undesirable nature and the prison officials are very anxious to avoid anything of the kind. The plan of burning the clothing and letters of the murderer will prevent the exhibition of relics by those who pander to the morbid.
The hour of 7 a.m. Tuesday morning is the time set by Warden J. Warren Meade for the execution. Various reports changing that time have gone through Auburn, but are discredited by the fact that Superintendent of State Prisons Cornelius V. Collins will not arrive until 3 o'clock this afternoon and none of the regularly summoned witnesses have yet reached Auburn.
The chair in which Czolgosz will sit to receive the deadly electrical shock was examined and tested yesterday by State Electrician E. F. Davis and is ready for the part that it is to play in the final scenes of the great national tragedy. Davis carefully examined the wiring, switchboard and electrodes and satisfied himself that they were in good condition. He also inspected the dynamos in the prison shop, where the current is generated and at his direction the current was for a brief period sent pulsating into the death house as it will go on Tuesday morning, carrying final punishment to the murderer.
Electrician Davis will look the apparatus over again today and review with the prison officials the plan under which the sentence of death is to be carried out. Czolgosz will be the 59th man in the state and the 15th at Auburn prison at whose electrocution Davis has applied the current.
Death Warrant Will Be Read Today.
The death warrant has not yet been read to the prisoner but it is believed that it will be this afternoon. The general practice is to read this paper some time after the commencement of the period for execution designated by the court. That period in this case commenced at midnight last night.
The firm purpose of Superintendent Collins and Warden Meade to avoid even sensationalism in this case, is demonstrated by an incident in connection with one of the principal witnesses. Dr. Carlos F. MacDonald of New York city, a former president of the state lunacy commission, is to be the principal attending physician at the execution. He was one of the alienists who examined Czolgosz in Buffalo and pronounced the prisoner sane. He has been very anxious to take away with him from the autopsy the assassin's brain for purposes of microscopical [sic] examination. A few days ago Dr. MacDonald had a talk with Superintendent Collins and asked him to allow him, after the autopsy, to take the brain to New York city for examination. Mr. Collins said to him:
"Doctor, I have planned to make this execution an example of mystery that will forestall any attempt at sensationalism. I cannot allow anything to go away from the prison that will in any way continue this man's identity or notoriety. You may stay at the prison for a week if you will and examine any portion of the anatomy you please but my present plan is not to allow any portion of the man, his clothing or even the letters he received to leave this place."
Dr. MacDonald replied; "I would like to have taken the brain away but I am frank to say that you are absolutely right in the matter. If I desire to make any examination I will do it at the prison."
Body May Not Be Surrendered.
The plan of Superintendent Collins is heartily acquiesced in by Warden Meade and it is understood that an unrepealed law has been found that will allow the warden to refuse any request for Czolgosz' body from even his relatives and will give the warden the privilege of disposing of it. In that event, within two hours of the execution, unless Dr. MacDonald cares to make an analysis of the brain, Czolgosz's body, clothes, letters and everything reminiscent of him in the prison will be disposed of; the body of the assassin will be buried in quicklime and the [clothes, letters] and packages will be consumed by fire.
And this is not all. Warden Meade, with Superintendent Collins' approval, has decided that from now until the execution of Czolgosz not one word of his condition or actions shall be given out [from the prison]. In other words the man is practically dead, so far as the public is concerned.
When his death is accomplished Warden Meade will give out a brief statement of the prisoner's last hours, including any confession he may make. The result of the autopsy will also be given out by the warden.
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| Ellen Maria Stone. |
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.
Foreign and Home Missions.
The case of Miss Stone, following the experiences of Christian missionaries in Turkey and China and the international complications which have directly or indirectly resulted from their propaganda, revives the question whether it is wise to continue missionary efforts in wild, remote and semi-barbaric parts of the earth. While recognizing the force of the Scriptural injunction, "Go ye into all the world," there are a good many devout and thoughtful Christians who doubt whether "'peace on earth" is being enhanced by its literal and complete enforcement under existing conditions. In view of the present and other recent incidents of the peril to life and the expenditure of treasure, it is well for the churches to reckon up the relative cost and gain of foreign missions. Viewed by all human standards, the results of the efforts put forth in Turkey and China do not justify the cost.
While it is perhaps impossible to estimate how much good Miss Stone has done in Bulgaria and how much other missionaries may accomplish in other foreign lands, it is reasonable to suppose that they could do vastly more at home, where their lives would be safe, without the payment of ransom or the interposition of political or military force. The conditions of our own land have not yet grown so perfect that it does not furnish ample field for Christian ministration. While there exist here want and suffering, ignorance, vice and degradation, almost appalling examples of which are seen in all our great cities, would it not be wise to employ much of the effort and money now directed toward the conversion of the heathen in the uplifting of the unfortunate, the degraded and the vicious within our own borders?
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| Rev. W. Jasper Howell. |
CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
First Baptist Church Rounded Out a Hundred Years on October 3, 1901.
Four Days' Celebration in Progress—Historical Sermon by the Pastor, Rev. W. Jasper Howell—Especial Attention Given to the Earlier Days—All the Former Pastors who are Living are Present with one Exception.
The celebration of the centennial anniversary of the First Baptist church of the city of Cortland began on Sunday morning, Oct. 27, and will continue, according to the program published, through Thursday evening. The church was founded on Oct. 3, 1801, and the anniversary would of course naturally fallen upon that date, but was postponed till this week for reasons of convenience to the church. The occasion is of unusual interest. The celebration of one hundred years of active service for the Master, in endeavoring to lead his people heavenward, is an event of more than ordinary importance.
The church was tastefully decorated for the occasion with palms, roses and chrysanthemums, while upon one side of the platform was a large portrait of Rev. Alfred Bennett, who was the first pastor of the church and who served in that capacity for twenty years.
Special music had been prepared by the quartet composed of Messrs. Geo. Long, W. D. Hunt, C. R. Doolittle and A. W. McNett.
The services were conducted by the pastor, Rev. W. Jasper Howell. Following the responsive reading of Psalm xcvi, and xcvii, the prayer of Thanksgiving was offered by Rev. J. W. Putnam of New York City, a former pastor of the church. This was followed by congregational reading of the church covenant, and the historical sermon by the pastor. The closing hymn, "How Sweet, How Heavenly is the Sight," was then sung and the benediction pronounced by Rev. W. Jasper Howell.
The historical sermon was helpful and inspiring. The speaker said in part:
I take for my text Psalm cxiv, 4. "One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts."
Fathers and Brethren of this church—We rejoice to see this good hour by the Providence of our God. Who can write the history of a century? Who could comprehend the triumphs of faith and holy living through 100 years? Neither the historian nor the prophet can ever reach the boundary lines of the spiritual career of any church that testifies for her living Head in the land of the living by the space of 100 years of continuous life. O Zion! truly thy labors do follow thee. None but the recording angel himself and thine exalted Lord have observed thy journey from the beginning until now and could fittingly commend thy faith. Today a great cloud of witnesses encompass us and hold us in full survey. The church triumphant cheers the church militant.
The year 1801 that opened this century was an epoch making year. It was a year of beginnings. It marked the beginning of things. It was a year of pioneer settlements. It was the beginning of our nation. The war of revolution had just closed less than twenty years before. Our national government was just established. It was the beginning of foreign missions. In 1792, nine years before this church was founded, Carey preached at a Baptist association in Nottingham, England, his historic sermon. Its two divisions have long been the motto words for Christian enterprise: "Expect great things from God, and attempt great things for God." The church building in which he preached that sermon is still standing, though for many years not used for religious worship, but as a furniture store. I was glad to reverently visit it this past summer. In that same year be published "An Inquiry into the Obligations of Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathen." In that same year, at Kettering, England, was formed the first foreign missionary society among Baptists. In 1795 the London Missionary society was formed by the Congregationalists. In 1799 the church missionary society was formed by the church of England. In that same year, the Religious Tract society was formed for the purpose of sending colporteurs into all the world. Seven years before this church was organized, Carey went to India as a missionary, and in 1801, when our sixteen charter members met in the home of Asahel Minor, Carey was translating sanscrit in India. Today there are over 100 foreign missionary societies in Christendom.
That year was near the beginnings of other great movements. The first rise of Methodism, when John Wesley and three others met together at Oxford was only seventy-two years before the founding of this church. In the year 1801, the second president of the United States, John Adams, was in office, Jefferson being inaugurated in March, 1801. At that time there was but one theological seminary in the United States for the training of the ministry. Seven years later, the first theological seminary in New England was established at Andover, Mass. The Baptists had no seminary and only one college. Princeton and Yale seminaries have been founded since then.
Taking the year 1801, memorable to us as a starting point, let us note that it was the forerunner of many important events and preceded many inventions. It was two years before the Louisiana purchase, that more than doubled the area of our country at one stroke. Before that purchase our western boundary did not reach as far as the Mississippi river. In 1801 the area of our country was only one-fourth of what it is today, then having only sixteen states.
The founding of this church was six years before Fulton's steamboat and also six years before the founding of our Baptist state convention. It preceded the following events and inventions by the number of years that I will give: The establishment of our American Baptist Missionary union by thirteen years, twenty-four years before the first Baptist Theological seminary at Newton, Mass., twenty-six years before the first railway built in the United States, twenty-eight years before the first type writer was invented in the United States, forty-five years before Howe's sewing machine, and Morse's telegraphic message, forty-six years before the United States government printed postage stamps and seventy-five years before Bell's telephone.
So much for the contemporary period in the world at large at the opening of the century. Let us now glance briefly at Cortland county. Then I will speak of the first thirty years of our church history, being most important for this occasion, the life and times of Alfred Bennett, the building enterprises of the century and their leaders and then a brief survey of the church in recent years.
It is the duty of each generation to know the pioneer history of its own locality. Along our Tioughnioga [river], swarthy Indians trailed their way to this church. Joseph Beebe, one of our sixteen charter members was one of the first pioneers to settle in this valley. His home was in Homer village. He came ten years before the organization of this church. And in that interval, many other immigrants came from New England.
At that time this territory was in Onondaga county. The site of the present city of Cortland was in the township of Homer till 1829. In 1797 the population of the township of Homer was ninety-two. In 1810, John Keep was appointed the first county judge. He was a Baptist. Baptists were forerunners in this county. This church is the oldest church organization in this county, being organized nine days before the Congregational church of Homer.
There are now five Baptist churches in this association that were organized between 1801 and 1810. They are Etna, Freetown, Lansing and Groton, Solon and Truxton.
I have the minutes for ninety consecutive years of the three associations in which this church has been a member, namely Otsego, Madison and Cortland. The church records from 1801 to 1901 are preserved and invaluable. It is difficult reading, notwithstanding a saint of this congregation now over 90 years of age, said when she saw them: "How much plainer people used to write then than they do now." Though agreeing entirely with this saint in Israel on matters of faith and practice, yet in this matter, I must be granted my inalienable privilege as a Baptist to have the right of private judgment. Henceforth I sympathize with those who decipher the hieroglyphics of the ancients to bring to light longed for information.
This historical discourse has been written within the hearing of the noise of many hammers during the recent restoration of this temple, not to mention arranging the program for centennial week.
This church was organized Oct.8, 1801, as the Homer Baptist church. At this time the township of Homer and Cortlandville were included in the town of Homer. The first recorded meeting of persons who afterwards organized this church was held on April 24, 1801, at the home of Asahel Minor in Homer. Those present agreed to meet regularly for public worship. The number in attendance at that meeting is not given. The Lord's day following they met in the same place and appointed the next Friday for a fast day, thus laying the foundation of the church by prayer and fasting. Joseph Beebe is mentioned as their first moderator and John Keep as their first church clerk. Within a few weeks after their first meeting, they met in the house of Wm. E. Bishop "for the purpose of hearing those who wished to join in fellowship relate what the Lord had done for their souls." Three persons "gave satisfaction" to the church and were received. Their names were John Morse, Mary Bishop and Rhoda Beebe.
I desire to perpetuate their names as the first who joined this church. Yet at this time they did not regard themselves as a church, nor do we know how few or many there were thus banded together. Within two months from the first meeting. The records say they assembled in occasional prayer and conference meetings. In Julv they voted to "attend covenant statedly [sic] Saturday before the third Sunday in each month." July 18 is the first recorded preaching. Rev. James Bacon of New Woodstock preached from Gen. xxii, 14—"In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed." On Aug. 21, the following resolution was passed: "Vote to call a council to give us fellowship as a church in sister relation, to consist of the churches, Hamilton, DeRuyter and New Woodstock." They also voted to write to the Otsego association. Sept. 19, at covenant meeting it was voted "to consider ourselves a church of Christ and act accordingly." On Oct. 3 a council convened at the home of John Keep in Homer at the request of the Baptists in Homer. Rev. Jas. Bacon, pastor from New Woodstock, Rev. Nathan Parker, pastor in DeRuyter and Daniel Page from DeRuyter were present. Rev. Joseph Cornell was asked to take a seat with the council. The council examined the articles and covenant of the members, now numbering sixteen, seven brethren and nine sisters. "The council then retired and after deliberate consideration advised them to persevere as a church, and after solemn prayer gave them the right hand of fellowship as a church of Christ." Signed in behalf of the council, Jas. Cornell, moderator, and Daniel Page, clerk. The next Lord's day they observed the ordinance of the Lord's Supper for the first time.
In October at a covenant meeting, they "solemnly renewed their covenant engagement to be the Lord's." At this time they voted not to have a stated moderator but to elect one at each meeting. At this time also, their first deacon, Joseph Beebe, was elected by ballot. Oct. 20, a sermon was preached at John Keep's house, after which Susannah Andrews was baptized. This is the first recorded baptism. At this time it was voted to write Rev. Jas. Cornell asking him to spend a few Sabbaths with them. "The meeting house" is referred to in this first year, though undoubtedly the private house of John Keep is meant. In December at a conference meeting the propriety of giving the hand of fellowship to each member when received was discussed. This is the history of the first year. The first method of raising money was by "equality" or assessment. There were only seven male members in January, 1802, when the first assessment was made, amounting to $7.02. The highest assessment of any member was $2.36 and the least was 13 cents.
Although small in numbers the church covered a large territory. In March of the same year the church voted to meet at Tully one quarter of the time. In August of the same year they voted to join the Otsego association, Brethren Thomas Keep and Peleg Babcock being appointed as the first messengers. The Homer church appears in the minutes of that year. They disciplined their members in those days. A member is appointed to visit one long absent from the services and report the reason. The church had no regular pastor for the first six years. But the names of visiting ministers [are] given. Rev. Mr. Bacon came from Woodstock to administer a church ordinance. Father Kinney, Elders Lesner, Freeman, Lawton, Roots and Ashbel Hosmer preached at times. In 1804 it was voted that the Virgil brethren be allowed to hold meetings for public worship whenever they chose except at the monthly meetings of the Homer church.
Frequency in the records it is stated that a letter of commendation is given a member "for the benefit of a journey." April 29, Alfred Bennett joined the church by letter.
In 1805 the assessment method of raising money was done away and it was decided to support the gospel by voluntary contributions quarterly. Oct. 19, 1805, the Virgil brethren were dismissed to form a church by themselves. In this same year Alfred Bennett was licensed to preach within the bounds of the church. But March 15, 1806, he was licensed to preach whenever called, being given "liberty to improve his gifts, where God in his providence shall open the door." In 1808 the church sent Alfred Bennett and John Keep as "messengers" to meet with delegates from sister churches at Cazenovia to consider a division of the Otsego association. The Madison association was organized in 1808 and the Homer church joined that year and the names of Alfred Bennett and John Keep appear in the minutes as delegates. They left Otsego association. Feb. 14, 1807, Alfred Bennett was called as pastor. On June 18, 1807, at the home of John Keep, Alfred Bennett was ordained as an evangelist.
Some times their meetings are described as "comfortable unions." The "moderator" at their covenant meetings always "inquires the minds of the people." The term "baptized church" is used often instead of the Baptist church. Through all those years, like the apostle, the historian of this church, "salutes the church which is in thy house." For many church meetings were held in the house of John Keep. On Jan. 8, 1810, in his house "the First Baptist society in the town of Homer was incorporated." At this meeting it was proposed to build a house of worship. Later it was "voted that the southeast corner of John Stillman's land shall be the spot to set the meetinghouse, in the corner west of Elisha Crosby's and north of the road leading from E. Crosby's to Stephen Wilcox's." The site described was a little north of the intersection of Homer-ave. and Fitz-ave. [West Main Street, Cortland] in our present city. This house of worship was used by the church until 1833. In 1812 Asahel Minor was baptized. It was in his house the church was organized eleven years earlier. On April 14, 1827 thirty-four persons were dismissed by letter, to form the McGrawville church. Aug. 18, 1827 twenty-five persons were dismissed by letter to form the Homer church. In 1828 the Cortland association was formed. In 1830 the name of the church was changed to "The First Baptist church in Cortlandville." On Oct. 9, 1833, their new Baptist meetinghouse was dedicated. At that time there were over 200 members in the church. That building is now used by the Baptist church in Blodgett Mills. There was a flourishing Sunday school in 1834. In the following year the school numbered 247 scholars.
Then the preacher spoke of the life and times of Alfred Bennett at some length. Dr. A. H. Strong on the occasion of the semi-centennial of Rochester seminary said of Alfred Bennett that he was an "old fashioned pioneer preacher, whose lack of early education was more than made up by sturdy sense, a deep Christian experience and a mighty grip upon the doctrines of grace. No man ever did more for the Baptist cause and for the cause of Christ in the state of New York than did he, in those early days when under his preaching thousands of people in our new settlements were made to feel first a deep concern for their own souls and then for the souls of others. If our churches believe in revivals and in missions today, they owe it largely to the labors, sixty and eighty years ago, of Alfred Bennett.
Then reference was made to the Missionary Day who was a member of this church at the time he founded that ever memorable work among the Telugu. The "Lone Star Mission" has filled the world with rejoicing. Thousands were baptized in one single year. A member of this church was under God a forerunner in that Pentecostal movement.
The last half century of church life, being more familiar, was not treated at length.
The present house of worship was dedicated Feb, 18, 1874, Rev. A. H. Strong, D. D., president of Rochester theological seminary preached the sermon.
Then reference was made to some of the sons of this church who had gone out into the ministry and were now pillars and leaders in our great denomination. It is gratifying that one of her sons had served the denomination for many years as president of our state convention. His presence with us today is one of the delights of this occasion.
All our living pastors except Rev. William Kincaid of Honolulu will be present in these services. Their coming back to us again gladdens all our hearts.
Whether former pastors or Christian workers in this church, let us face the coming year with this prayer in verse as the impulse for our toll.
Mr. Howell passed lightly over some of the more recent history. There are, however, a few matters which will be of interest in connection with the new church. The old church was moved off in August, 1872, and building was commenced at once. The builders were Straat & Keeler of Cortland. The architect was M. F. Cummings of Troy. The cornerstone was laid Oct. 10, 1872. The exterior was finished about Oct. 20, 1873. The interior was completed in February, 1874, and the dedication occurred on Feb. 18, 1874. The entire cost of the church was $31,165.96, of which all but about $3,000 was provided for when the church was dedicated.
The following is a complete list of the pastors of the church:
On account of the pressure of other copy the account of the exercises in the Sundayschool and the service of last night had to be omitted till tomorrow. Tonight there will be a rollcall for members of the church which will be continued tomorrow afternoon.
THE PHYSICIANS' LEAGUE.
Arrangements In Progress for Enforcing Collection of Bills.
Since many questions have been asked in regard to the Physicians' League we have obtained an interview with one of the officers of the league with the object of finding out what were its provisions. It appears that with the exception of only two or three all the physicians in the county have entered into an agreement among themselves not to treat a family who do not pay their previous medical attendant. This arrangement goes into effect Nov. 1. At that time lists of delinquents will be handed in by the physicians which will be combined into a list published for each. The sole object of the league is to lead to the payment of doctors' bills by those who are able to do so but do not. Each physician suffers a penalty if he attends a person who is on the list. This is no hardship to any one since ample notice is sent to each person before his name is handed in. Any arrangement made by him that is satisfactory to his creditors takes his name from the list which is revised monthly. As an additional precaution a committee of three physicians exists, who must see to it that no name of the worthy poor is included and to whom any question in dispute is referred.
BREVITIES.
—Cortland Tent, No. 304, K. O. T. M., will hold a review tomorrow night. There will be initiation. All members are requested to be present.
—The Church Protective union will hold its regular meeting this evening. Members are urgently requested to be present. A literary program will be given.
—The W. C. T. U. will hold a parlor meeting on Tuesday evening, Oct. 29, at the home of Mrs. E. R. Wright, 16 Groton-ave. All are most cordially invited. Large parlors and a good program.
—Pauline L., infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel L. Reed, 90 East Court-st., died at about 9 o'clock this morning, aged 1 year and 1 month. The funeral will be held from the house at 2 o'clock next Wednesday afternoon, burial in Cortland.
—New display advertisements today are—Cortland Howe ventilating Stove Co., Testimonial from Rev. Frank P. Severance, Boonville, N. Y., page 8; McKinney & Doubleday, Imperial Reference Library, page 6; Mitch's Market, Meats, etc., page 5; J. W. Cudworth, Optical talks, page 5; Opera House, "Egypta," page 5.
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