ALASKA BOUNDARY, THEY WANT A WORD, HIGH COURT OF LABOR, NATHAN L. MILLER, AND DEATH CLAIM PAID

 

John Hay.

Lord Julian Pauncefote.

Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, Dec. 30, 1901.

ALASKAN BOUNDARY.

Controversies Between United States and Great Britain.

WANTS TO HAVE CLEAN SLATE.

Diplomacy Has Settled Three Important Differences, Two of Which Threatened War, and the Only One Unsettled Is the Northern Boundary.

   WASHINGTON, Dec. 30.—It is expected that efforts will be renewed before long for the settlement of the numerous controversies which have long existed between the United States and, Great Britain, growing out of relations along the Canadian border, the Atlantic fisheries, warships in the great lakes, the Alaskan boundary and other questions. Heretofore the negotiations designed to secure a settlement of the matters recited have not proved effective, largely because of the cumbersome machinery of negotiations, and this led to a belief that much more could be accomplished by direct negotiations between Secretary Hay and Lord Pauncefote on the main points and the subsequent assembling of a commission representing the United States, Great Britain and Canada to give form to the basis of agreement rendered.

   Lord Pauncefote desires to clear up all pending differences and have a clean slate before his present term of ambassador comes to a close. When he came to Washington there were four great issues between the two governments. The first of these was the Behring sea controversy which had reached an acute stage. Diplomacy disposed of this issue. The second issue was over Venezuela which like the seal question at one time threatened war. But the efforts of diplomacy were again successful. The third important issue was "isthmian canal," which has been satisfactorily disposed of by the recent Hay-Pauncefote treaty.

   This leaves only one issue remaining in order to bring about "a clean slate," namely, the border controversy, both as to Canada and Alaska. At present a modus vivendi exists as to the Alaskan boundary, chiefly for the purpose of avoiding a clash along the border and holding each side in check until a final boundary is determined upon.

   It seems to be conceded on both sides that the modus cannot be carried on indefinitely and that sooner or later the main question of establishing a permanent boundary must be settled. Lord Lansdowne's desire to take up the question was expressed clearly in his note to Secretary Hay last spring, when the British government declined to accept the senate amendment to the first Hay-Pauncefote treaty. Recently Lord Lansdowne again has expressed in speeches the need of taking up the Alaskan boundary question. These declarations by the head of the British foreign service, together with the well-known wish of Lord Pauncefote to clear away all pending differences between the two governments doubtless will lead to the formal exchanges necessary to an adjustment. Just what steps will be adopted are not disclosed, but it seems likely that direct negotiations and the subsequent assembling of a commission will commend itself to the parties concerned as the most feasible procedure.

 

Major General Adolphus W. Greely.

THEY WANT A WORD

To Tell of Messages Transmitted by Wireless Telegraphy.

   WASHINGTON, Dec. 30.—Officials of the signal service and of the navy department are looking for a word. They want a short and simple term that will stand for the laborious expression employed: "A message transmitted by wireless telegraph."

   One genius in the war department suggests ''atmospherogram," a student of natural forces in the navy believes that "etherogram" would be better. But General Greely, chief of the signal service, has not taken kindly enough to either or them to advocate its use in official reports, and therefore its adoption into the language. "Aerogram" finds most favor with the signal service as a coined word fitting the need created by the Marconi discoveries. It is short and simple, almost as convenient as "cablegram" or "telegram" and on its face shows what it means. After it is in every day employment, its pronunciation doubtless would be shortened to "airgram." Before many months have passed, it will probably be no unusual thing for one to read in his dally paper, "An aerogram from Caracas states that another revolution was started there this morning," or "General Chaffee reports to the war department by aerogram that the Island of Samar bas been pacified."

 

ANOTHER HATFIELD SHOT.

Officer Fired Two Shots to Scare and Then One to Kill.

   GLOBE, Ariz. Dec. 30.—Robert H. Hatfield, one of the last of the notorious Kentucky clan, was shot and instantly killed on Tuesday at Troy mining camp in the Pinal mountains. The slayer was Deputy Sheriff John C. Devine, who bore a warrant for Hatfield's arrest on the charge of wife-beating. Devine met Hatfield outside his room, the abused wife standing by. The man simply cursed when called upon to surrender and started for the house to secure a weapon. Devine fired two shots over his head and then shot to kill. The bullet passed through Hatfield's body. Devine was exonerated and commended by the coroner's jury.

 

Mark Hanna.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

The High Court of Labor.

   Whatever may be the practical results of the late conference of the representatives of labor and capital in New York, its avowed purpose, the establishment of industrial peace, is a pleasant thing to contemplate at this season of commemoration of the coming of him whose mission was to bring peace on earth and good will to man.

   The conference was held under the auspices of the National Civic federation and was a most remarkable gathering, embracing as it did such capitalists and captains of industry as Marcus A. Hanna, Charles M. Schwab, Charles A. Moore and a score of others of their class, such labor leaders as Samuel Gompers, John Mitchell, Frank P. Sargent and other well known representatives of organized labor, and such devotees of religion and learning as Archbishop Ireland, Bishop Potter, President Eliot of Harvard and many others occupying neutral ground whom it is fair to assume seek the well being of their fellow men. That such a representative assembly should have been convened for the candid and frank discussion of the relations of labor and capital is in itself significant, and may be taken as an indication upon the part of both employing capital and organized labor of a more substantial recognition than heretofore of the fact that industrial war is a waste and loss to both. It does not, however, by any means imply an end to industrial conflict. Nothing short of the millennium can bring that. So long as human nature remains as it is there will be selfish strife for gain, but it is not impossible that two men striving for the same dollar might be able to convince themselves that it would be more profitable to split the dollar than to fight for it.

   The outcome of the conference was the naming of a committee of thirty-six, twelve from the ranks of labor, twelve from the side of capital and twelve representing the nonpartisan general public, which may be termed the high court of labor arbitration and conciliation. It is known specifically as the industrial department of the National Civic federation. Certain general rules of procedure were adopted, though it would manifestly be beyond the scope of such a body to make an authoritative proclamation of principles. Its edicts can have no binding effect upon any one except as they may be enforced in recognition of public sentiment. A court without legal jurisdiction or power to enforce processes or compel obedience to its verdicts is apt to be rather more ornamental than useful. Such is the case with the high court of arbitration growing out of the peace congress of The Hague, before which none of the signatory powers seems inclined to bring their cases, but continue to build up their fortifications and increase their armaments and settle their disputes by the same old devastating processes of war. It may or may not be so with the new court of labor. It should, however, have a fair trial and just recognition. If capital and labor choose to submit to it their disputes and abide by its findings, as the late conference seems to indicate their willingness to do, the third party in interest, the general public, which is frequently the innocent sufferer from strikes, lockouts and tie-ups, will hail it as a blessing.

 

Nathan Lewis Miller.

NATHAN L. MILLER

APPOINTED BY GOVERNOR ODELL AS STATE COMPTROLLER

To Succeed Erastus C. Knight of Buffalo—Honor for a Cortland County Attorney as Well as for the County Itself—Appointment Unsolicited and Unexpected—Sketch of the Appointee.

   A telegram was received in Cortland this noon saying that Governor Odell had today appointed Nathan L. Miller of Cortland comptroller of the state of New York to complete the unexpired term of Erastus C. Knight who last Saturday resigned the office to undertake the duties of mayor of Buffalo, to which office he was elected in November. The office of comptroller has a term of two years, and one year of this term remains unexpired. The salary is $6,000 per year.

   The position of comptroller is considered to be the most important office in the state except that of governor, and not only is Mr. Miller highly honored by this appointment, but the whole county of Cortland is likewise honored. This is said to be the best office in point of honor and rank that has ever come to the county, and Mr. Miller's friends will most heartily offer to him their congratulations.

   A STANDARD man called upon the appointee at his office this afternoon and learned that the appointment was not only unsolicited, but unexpected. There had been some communication between the governor and Mr. Miller in regard to the vacancy upon the court of claims bench as referred to in these columns some days ago, but this appointment was an utter surprise. Mr. Miller said, however, that he should accept the appointment and expects to go to Albany tomorrow to qualify preparatory to undertaking the duties of his new office on the following day.

   Nathan L. Miller was born in Solon Oct. 10, 1868, and was graduated from the Cortland Normal school in 1887. In 1890 he entered the law office of Smith & Dickinson where he studied law and in 1893 was admitted to practice. In the fall of that year he was elected school commissioner for the First commissioner district of Cortland county and held the office for two terms of three years each. In the fall of 1898 he was made chairman of the Republican county committee which position he has held ever since. He has been three times a delegate to the Republican state convention, three times a delegate to judicial convention, twice a delegate to the congressional convention and twice a delegate to the senatorial convention. He is at present corporation counsel of the city of Cortland and is recognized as one of the most prominent members of the Cortland county bar, being the junior member of the firm of Dougherty & Miller.

   Mr. Miller was on Nov. 23, 1896, married to Miss Elizabeth M. Davern of Marathon and they have one daughter. Mr. Miller does not expect to move his family to Albany at present at least.

 

GASOLENE FIRE POT EXPLODED.

And Four Men Who Were Near It Were Burned.

   Edward Fitzgerald, Joseph Markee and Barnard Keenan of this city and Frank J. Short of Binghamton were quite seriously burned Saturday night while at work repairing a boiler at the Traction company's power house. The four men were in the fire box under the boiler at work while lying on their stomachs, when a gasolene [sic] fire pot which was used by them became disconnected and a terrific explosion followed. The four were taken at once to Dr. H. T. Dana's office, where they received medical attention. Today they are doing well, and none of them will be in any way disfigured by the occurrence.

 

Teachers' Examinations.

   Uniform examinations for teachers' certificates and Normal entrance will be held in the Second Commissioner district of Cortland county during the year 1902 as follows:

   Homer—Jan. 9, 10.

   Truxton—April 10, 11.

   Homer—Aug. 14, 15.

   Truxton—Nov. 13, 14.

   KATHARINE C. MACDIARMID, Commissioner. [First woman elected to public office in Cortland County—CC editor.]

 

A Deal in Real Estate.

   Messrs. L. M. Loope and C. W. Collins have purchased of Mr. Frederick Mantanye two houses and lots and three vacant lots on the north side of Frederick-ave. near Main-st. These lots constitute a part of the Knight tract.

 

Death Claim Paid.

   On Saturday, Dec. 28, Mrs. Anna L. Howe received a draft for $3,000 to pay the [insurance] benefit on account of the death of her husband, W. D. Howe, who was a member of Cortland Council of the Royal Arcanum. H. W. GAZLAT, Secretary.

 

BREVlTIES.

   —Norwich is to have a new passenger station upon the Lackawanna railroad. If she gets as fine one as is building in Cortland, she may well be proud of it.

   —New display advertisements today are—Bingham & Miller, Pre-Inventory clothing sale, page 8; F. Daehler, Closing out sale of overcoats, page 6; J. W. Cudworth, Optical talks, page 7; Buck & Lane, Up-to-date plumbing, page 6.

   —The Cayuga county board of supervisors has decided that it needs an attorney to whom to refer all matters of a legal character, so it has appointed one at a salary of $600 per annum. The Cortland county board has lawyer as a supervisor and chairman of its judiciary committee and he answers all the legal questions of the board to its entire satisfaction.

 

SEVEN MEN BOLOED, CHAUNCEY A BENEDICT, UNFAIR TO NEWSPAPERS, SCHOOLS OF CORTLAND, AND DEATH OF DAVID W. HODGES

 

Brig. Gen. Jacob H. Smith.

Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, Dec. 28, 1901.

SEVEN MEN BOLOED.

Later Details of Fight Near Dapado, Samar.

HAD HAND-TO-HAND STRUGGLE.

Americans Were Attacked by Large Force of Bolomen Springing From Thickets Upon Their Unsuspecting Victims—Enemy Suffered Severe Loss.

   WASHINGTON, Dec. 28.—The war department has received a cablegram from General Chaffee at Manila, giving an account of the engagement near Dapado, Samar, in which Company E, Ninth infantry lost seven men killed and a number wounded. The cablegram is as follows:

   General Jacob H. Smith reports following: During scout near Dapado, Samar, Dec. 24, Captain Francis H. Schoffel with detachment of 18 men of Company E, Ninth infantry were attacked by large force of bolomen springing from thickets. Severe hand-to-hand fight ensued. Following casualties occurred:

   Killed—Sergeant John B. Swisher, Corporal James Gaughan, Privates John Maren, Frank McAndrew, Joseph A. Weippert, George Bedford.

   Wounded—Captain Francis H. Schoffel, slightly; Corporal John H. Russell, Privates Daniel L. McPherson, George Claxton, severely; Arthur Bonnicastle, slightly. One other killed, one wounded. Names later. No property lost. Enemy driven from field; lost severely.

   Lang's detachment of Philippine scouts arrived soon after, assisted caring for and removing wounded.

 

Chauncey M. Depew.

CHAUNCEY A BENEDICT.

Senator Depew and Miss May Palmer United In Marriage in Nice at United States Consulate.

   NICE, Dec. 23.—The civil ceremony of the marriage of Senator Chauncey M. Depew and Miss May Palmer took place at 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon in the United States consulate. The bride's witnesses were Baron Von Andre and Baron DeCantalouse. The bridegroom's witnesses were James Gordon Bennett and Count De Seres.

   Senator Depew was in excellent health. The bride was charmingly dressed.

   The bride being a Catholic, there will be two religious ceremonies.

   The civil ceremony only occupied 10 minutes.

   The American flags, flying from three well-equipped carriages drawn up outside the American consulate, alone indicated that something unusual was going on inside. The shutters of the consulate were closed. The inside bright lamps were burning and a silken American flag was spread over the table, around which stood the principals, the witnesses and the other persons present at the first ceremony in the marriage of Senator Depew and Miss Palmer. Senator Depew looked 10 years younger than his real age. He was in high spirits and made a contribution to the consular charity fund. The special license for this ceremony was signed by President Roosevelt.

 

Hotel Des Britanniques, Nice, France.

HIS WEDDING DAYS.

Two Days and Three Ceremonies to Bind the Match.

   NICE, Dec. 28.—This proved to be an ideal wedding day for the Hon. Chauncey M. Depew, junior senator from the state of New York. A few clouds specked the heavens and a brilliant sunshine gave to the air that warm tinge, which feels so comfortable on the Riviera at this time of the year.

   Senator Depew's marriage to Miss May Palmer, also of New York, was celebrated amid great pomp, assuming in importance the most notable event of the Riviera season.

   The civil ceremony occurred at 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon at the American consulate and occupied ten minutes.

   It lacked only a few minutes of 11 this morning when the wedding cortege left the hotel Des Britanniques, where the bride has been stopping, and proceeded direct to the Catholic church of Notre Dame. Here the curate, Abbe Crepaux, performed the marriage ceremony according to Miss Palmer's religion. It consisted of a low mass and the actual reading of the solemn words that bound the two together. The Abbe delivered a short address to the couple after the ceremony was completed.

   When the benediction had been pronounced the wedding party reformed in the church and went to the American church, on the boulevard Victor Hugo, where a fashionable throng had assembled. The building was a literal bower of flowers, roses and greens predominating.

   As Senator Depew, handsome and stately, walked up the aisle with his fair bride, Organist G. W. Potter played the wedding march from Lohengrin and the march from Tannhauser. After Rector Adamson had performed the Protestant ceremony, Miss Tucker sang a solo, while the guests who crowded the church filed by the bride and groom, according to the French custom, offering congratulations and best wishes.

   Senator Depew's witnesses were James Gordon Bennett and the Comte De Seres; those for Miss Palmer were her brother-in-law Baron Von Andre and Baron DeCantalouse.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

The End of Yellow Fever.

   Officers of the medical department of the United States army have discovered that mosquitoes are the sole transmitting agency of yellow fever, and it is believed that this discovery will result in the conquering of this dread disease. Measures were put into effect in the city of Havana last February for the killing of infected mosquitoes in the neighborhood of each point of infection as it developed. The results have surprised even those who were most sanguine as to the good that might be accomplished. Not a single case of yellow fever has occurred in Havana since Sept. 28, although October and November in past years have been the months in which the disease was most rife in that city. Since yellow fever statistics began to be kept, the average number of deaths in Havana during November have been forty-eight. The minimum was thirteen in 1893; the maximum 246 in 1898. During November of last year there were 214 cases and fifty-four deaths. Between the months of April and December during past years the average number of deaths from yellow fever in Havana alone has been 410. This year during the same period there were only five.

   These facts are taken as a basis for an official statement just issued from Washington by the division of insular affairs of the war department that the capital of Cuba has at last been freed from the infection of yellow fever. "For the past century," says this statement, "there has never been a day during October and November when there were not many cases in Havana, and very few years can be picked out in all this time in which the record for each day during these months does not show several deaths"

   The general sanitary condition of Havana is vastly better today than it has ever been before, owing to the energetic work of those who have this matter in charge. During the past eleven years the maximum number of deaths for November from all causes, occurred in 1898 when there were 2,054; the minimum in 1900 when there were 444, average 902. In November this year there were 443. Taking the November death rate for the same period the maximum was in 1897 with a rate of 106 per thousand, the minimum in 1900, when it was twenty-one per thousand, average forty-eight. For November this year, the death rate was 19.58, which compared favorably with cities of the same size in the leading civilized countries of the world.

   And with the prevention of yellow fever in Havana it is believed that it will cease in the United States, for in nearly every instance in the past the disease has been brought into this country from abroad. The wonders of science and of discovery are indeed great.

 

UNFAIR TO NEWSPAPERS.

The Experience of Every Publisher and What It Means to Him.

   The Editor of the Tully Times is moved to relate his experience and his feelings as printed below. The Democrat finds that it can thoroughly sympathize with the Times man and reprints the item. The STANDARD is certain that these same occurrences are not peculiar to these two papers alone but it often comes in for its share of the same matters and so passes along the ideas of The Times for the consideration of the public generally.

   Few people probably realize what they are asking a publisher to do when they urge him to suppress an item. News is the publisher's stock in trade. Each item has a value to him and when a person asks him to omit a piece of news it is practically asking for a personal donation. The Times says:

   Quite frequently we are asked to omit mention of some really important news item. The person making the request often remarking: "Just leave it out this week, and next week I will give you full particulars." When next week comes they have forgotten all about the matter. Men will ask and expect an item of news to be suppressed when the entire community is already talking about it. They will ask the editors and publishers not to mention a certain occurrence when as a matter of fact, its publication would harm no one. If the paper declines to ''leave out" the item the applicant becomes very indignant; if he yields and an outside paper later publishes the news it never occurs to the gentleman that he has injured the legitimate business of a newspaper and he ought to apologize. On the contrary when a local newspaper "leaves out" an item which appears later in an out-of-town journal, the very men who ask for its suppression are the first to say, "You must read such and such a paper to get the news." Did it ever occur to the men who request a newspaper not to publish a certain item that it would be just as reasonable to ask a merchant not to make a certain sale? You are asking the newspaper to omit its most attractive feature and to become tedious and perhaps tiresome merely for your benefit. Possibly you may have business relations with the newspaper. That certainly gives you no right to make exactions which amount to the same thing as if some one demanded that you dispense with the most desirable part of our business. We truly get tired and sick of being importuned to keep things out. Readers hearing of something which ought to have appeared on time make derogatory remarks at the apparent lack of enterprise manifested by the journal that has been worked and imposed upon.

 

Albert Edward Winship.

THE SCHOOLS OF CORTLAND

As Seen by a Distinguished Educator and Editor.

   Dr. A. E. Winship, the editor of the Journal of Education, published in Boston, was in Cortland early in November and lectured at the Normal school. In the issue of Dec. 19 of his paper appeared the following references to the Cortland schools. Coming from a man who is acquainted with schools from Maine to California and with teachers throughout the whole country his comments on the Normal school, its instructors and its instruction is particularly gratifying.

   I was in Cortland when the greatest fight between educational progress and neglect of the children for the sake of saving taxes was fought to a finish. Every conceivable prejudice was appealed to to avoid the outlay of $20,000 to double the capacity and efficiency of the Central school building. Only taxpayers were privileged to vote. Parents who paid no taxes were refused a ballot, but a tax-paying bachelor was welcome. The conditions were unequal, but though the fight was waged in all the six wards, the victory was for justice to the children and for progress for the schools.

   Cortland has more students in the Normal school than she had last year, and more than 150 more than two years ago, which is unusual, as for special reasons the Normal schools of New York state are not as large as usual this year. Changes in the state examinations are responsible for this. It is the largest, with possibly one exception, in the state. The proportion and the quality of the men is somewhat surprising. About 80 per cent of the Normal department are men, and they are an able and scholarly class of young men. They play football well also. By and by, the physical culture department is one of the best I have found in any Normal school. The training is scientific, regular and adequate, and the students enter into it with zest. Miss Wright, who is in charge of this work, is an inspiring leader as well as competent director. She also has all the work in physiology, which is as it should be.

   The critic teaching, and indeed all method work, is practical to the last degree and definitely helpful. The graduates of this school have always had high rank as teachers and school administrators, and much time and energy are devoted to accomplishing this result. Science has always been a prominent feature of the school, and now biology and electricity are added to that department.

   The society life of the school is not the least enjoyable and profitable feature. The young women have three societies and the young men two, and their society rooms are beautifully fitted up and furnish luxuriant quarters for study and recreation. The success of Francis J. Cheney in the nine years he has been principal is noteworthy. He has the administrative power, the wide-awake conservatism, and social graces which count for much in combination in central New York.

 

DAVID W. HODGES

Died Very Suddenly At His Home in Blodgett Mills, N. Y.

   David W. Hodges, a respected citizen of Blodgett Mills, died very suddenly at his home in that town at about 7:30 o'clock last night. Mr. Hodges had apparently been in the most vigorous health of late, but yesterday morning complained of a severe pain in one hip. He drove to the office of Dr. Powers, but that physician was not at home. Later in the day Dr. M. R. Smith of McGraw was summoned and gave Mr. Hodges some medicine which seemed to relieve him. He did his customary chores at the barn at night including the milking and then sat down in the house while his wife was reading aloud to him. Suddenly she heard a gasping sound, and rushing to his side discovered that he was dead. The neighbors were summoned, but nothing could be done.

   Mr. Hodges was a veteran of the civil war and his age was 54 years, 11 months and 2 days. He is survived by his wife, a son Raymond Hodges of Cortland, and a daughter Mrs. Arthur W. Potter of Blodgett Mills. All are fairly prostrated by the suddenness of the shock.

   The funeral will be held at the house Monday at 1 o'clock, and at 2 o'clock at the M. E. church of Blodgett Mills.

 

Masonic Veterans' Association.

   Messrs. Delos Bauder, G. J. Mager, H. T. Dana and G. L. Warren attended the twenty-third annual feast of the Masonic Veterans' association at Syracuse last evening. They returned on the 11:48 P. M. train. The membership of the association now numbers 301. All Masons in good and regular standing who have been active members of the fraternity for at least twenty-one years are eligible to membership in the association. Mr. Mager has been a Mason forty-two years, Mr. Bauder thirty-six years, Mr. Warren thirty-five years and Dr. Dana thirty-four years. Mr. Warren has held office in some division of the fraternity ever since he became a Mason.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The benevolences are due at the Congregational church tomorrow morning.

   —New display advertisements today are—Opera House, "Lovers' Lane," page 5.

   —The Christmas music will be repeated at the morning service tomorrow at Grace Episcopal church.

   —Rev. Stephen Hopkins of Auburn will preach at the Presbyterian church tomorrow morning and evening.

   —John Doyle was given a suspended sentence in city court this morning. He was charged with public intoxication.

   —"The Eleventh Hour" company went to Binghamton this morning to fill an engagement in that city this evening.

   —The choir of the Universalist church will repeat the Christmas music rendered last Sunday at the service tomorrow morning.

   —The board of health held its regular monthly meeting at the city clerk's office last night. No business of importance excepting the auditing of bills for the month was transacted.

   —The old schedule of cars on the McGraw line will be resumed on Monday, Dec. 30, the cars leaving the Messenger House in Cortland on the hour and leaving McGraw on the half hour.

   —In this joyful Christmas season there are some homes into which sorrow has come. Rev. W. J. Howell, pastor of the First Baptist church, has been called upon to attend five funerals in six days.

   —Superintendent of Public Works E. L. Becker and a force of men have been busily engaged today in clearing out the snow from the gutters on Main-st. A road scraper and four horses were used in the work.

   —The choir of the First M. E. church will repeat their Christmas music at tomorrow's services as given last Sunday. The evening service consists entirely of the Christmas cantata "Coming of the King" by Dudley Buck. In the morning several anthems and a duet by Miss Cummings and Mr. Bowen will be sung.

 

WIRELESS TALKING, NEIGHBORING COUNTIES, LAWYERLESS HAMILTON COUNTY, AND SEVERAL DEATHS REPORTED

 

RMS Etruria.

RMS Umbria.

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, Dec. 27, 1901.

WIRELESS TALKING.

THE MARCONI SYSTEM IN OPERATION IN MID-OCEAN.

Two Steamships Converse One Hundred Miles Apart—Rich Woman Weds Convict—Trolley Car in a Blaze—Mammoth Slump in Standard Oil and Copper Stock—Election Ballots for Sale.

   NEW YORK, Dec. 24.—Further proof of the practicability of the wireless telegraph system has been afforded by the ocean liners Etruria and Umbria, which communicated with each other when a hundred miles apart.

   The Etruria left Liverpool on December 7, the same day the Umbria steamed out of New York. They were 1,630 miles east northeast of Sandy Hook when they passed each other last Wednesday, or at latitude 45.17 and longitude 51.07. Five hours before that, or when they were fully 100 miles apart, the receiver on the Etruria began to click warningly.

   The operator replied and then the word Umbria was slowly spelled out on the Etruria's instrument. Then followed the Umbria's location. The Etruria replied, giving her location, which showed her to be fully 100 miles away from the other vessel.

   The Umbria sent her number of passengers, the fact that all was well and all the latest news from New York. The Etruria sent word of the burning of the Great Liverpool Exchange Quadrangle, which occurred on December 6, while the Etruria was lying in the Mersey.

   ◘ Inspired by what she thought was the will of heaven, Miss Sarah R. Mangam, a wealthy woman and prominent as a charity and church worker in Brooklyn, was married to a former convict whom she says has converted to the Baptist church. Thomas Syron, who also lived in Brooklyn, is the bridegroom.

   Syron spent four and one-half years in Sing Sing, to which place he was sentenced on April 26, 1896, by Judge Hurd, the conviction being for grand larceny. A few months ago he was again arrested, and it was while in jail in connection with this offence that he met Miss Mangam.

   ◘ A Broadway car took fire from defective insulation last Thursday afternoon, just as it had started after taking on a crowd of passengers from a matinee. In the excitement which followed, women and children were trampled on and several fainted in the rush for safety. As the car started there was a burst of fire from the truck and a little flame shot up each side of the car. Many pedestrians shouted to the conductor, but he was too busy collecting fares to pay attention. As the car's speed increased the flames were fanned, and although scores of persons ran after it shouting for the motorman to stop, the flames were not heeded until Forty-second street was reached. Then, as the car stopped, the blaze crept up over the dry veneering on the outside and licked the windows. Some one shouted that the car was afire and the passengers rushed for the doors. The motorman, unable to understand the cause of the excitement, refused to unlock the front door until a man put his arm through the glass. Then he loosed the bolt and frightened women and children crushed through the narrow doorway, many of them falling in their haste to reach the street.

   ◘ The drop of $20 a share in Standard Oil stocks, making a total decline of than $50 per share in a week, makes a total shrinkage of $190,000,000 in the value of these securities since May last, when the stock sold at its high record figures.

   John D. Rockefeller is credited with holding one-third of the Standard Oil company's stock, so that his loss in the slump amounts to more than $63, 000,000. The shrinkage in the value of Amalgamated Copper in the same time has been $77,500,000, a total for the two companies of $267,500,000.

   ◘ John R. Voortis, president of the bureau of elections, will soon advertise for bids for the half million ballots cast at the recent election. They are to be sold as waste paper, and eventually reach the paper mill. It is expected that they [will be bought up] by small dealers in job lots who will sell them off to paper manufacturers.

 

NEIGHBORING COUNTIES.

News Gathered and Condensed From Our Wide-Awake Exchanges.

   Ten big carloads of Christmas trees were shipped from Dodgeville this week. It is estimated that about 200 carloads of Christmas trees will be used in New York city next week.

   The Deposit sled factory has sold 9,000 sleds this fall.

   They retail milk at eight cents a quart out in Albany.

   W. J. Buell of Hamilton last week sold five grade Holstein cows for $75 each for the Chenango county farm.

   J. E. Hatherington, a Cherry Valley farmer, clears between $5,000 and $6,000 on his honey bees this year.

   Gas consumers in Olean are accused of tampering with the pipes and meters in such a way as to secure unregistered service. One man was arrested on the charge of burning $285 worth through illegal connections. He had two jury trials, with a disagreement in each case. There will be no further prosecution of that case.

   George H. Welch, a well known printer, is now in the Oneida hospital, shedding his skin. Once in every four or five years his hide all comes off in large patches and leaves the surface with a new covering as delicate and high colored as that of new born babe. During the process he is in a dormant and nearly helpless state.

   It is thought that the fire which destroyed D. D. Amidon's barns in Marcellus last Saturday morning was started by a tramp, as a man's skull was found in the ruins. A one-armed man who was selling lead pencils in the vicinity last week is missing, and as he was seen near the barn Friday night, it is supposed he went to sleep therein and perished in the fire.

 

A Lawyerless County.

   Hamilton county, New York, enjoys the distinction of being a lawyerless county. The board of Canvassers has issued a certificate of election to T. D. Sullivan, the Democratic candidate for county judge, and he will be sworn in on January 1, 1902. A peculiarity of the courts in Hamilton county is that there are no lawyers within the boundaries of the county. Legal qualifications are not required, as the candidate elected on Nov. 5 has no acquaintance with law books, and has been a lumberman all his life. He acted as supervisor one term. The manner of conducting court is of necessity somewhat original, as the district attorney is not a lawyer and between himself and the judge some decisions are given which possibly are not fully up to the requirements of bar associations, but appeals are never taken. The judge relies on his "horse-sense" to carry him through, with the aid of any lawyers who may be attending court. Suggestions about legal points are freely received from the lawyers on either side and the judge generally decides which is the most apt to tell the truth.

 

THE LATE EDWIN S. CASS OF TAYLOR, N. Y.

   The Democrat presents to its readers this week a fine portrait of the late Edwin S. Cass of Taylor. Mr. Cass was born in the town of Taylor April 7, 1843, his parents being Allen and Susan Cass, his mother being formerly Susan Halbert of the same town. He resided with his parents until of age. Rufus and Ruggles of Taylor; Carrie, widow of William Skinner of Homer; and Myra, now Mrs. Sherman Vedder of Lincklaen, are still living, being brothers and sisters of Edwin S. Cass. He was married to Lydia A. Maricle of Cortland, July 4, 1868. Three children were born to them, two of whom are now living, viz.: Amelia, now Mrs. Alva Lincoln of Taylor, who resides on the old homestead, and Henry of Taylor. Some years ago Mr. Cass was injured by a stroke of lightning and was never the same man afterwards. He would be sick for some time after a thunder shower had passed over, but was thought to be getting better at the time of his death, which was due to the bursting of a blood vessel. He had been hunting the same afternoon with a nephew, and died at midnight of September 10, 1898, a month and two days after the death of his brother Joseph, whose funeral he attended. He was a very quiet man in disposition and had many friends. He was a Republican in politics and had been a member of the Pitcher Baptist church for many years. His widow married Thomas Weaver of Taylor January 8, 1901.

 

Death of Albert Potter.

   The Democrat last week briefly mentioned the death of Albert Potter, who was a former resident of Pitcher. Although it was known that he was killed in an accident, no particulars were obtainable at that time. From the Fayetteville Recorder we take the following, which fully explains the circumstances of his death:

   Albert Potter and Edward Montgomery went into the woods chopping on Henry J. Knapp's farm at Lyndon, about two and one-half miles southwest of this village Tuesday morning. They felled a tree about 10:30, when it lodged against another tree. A heavy branch was broken off in the crash, and for an instant rested upon a sapling which was bent over by its weight. The sapling sprang back, hurling the branch against Potter, striking him on the forehead and crushing his skull. Potter stood on one side and Montgomery on the opposite side of the stump of the fallen tree. Death was almost instantaneous.

   Albert Potter was about [27] years old, and leaves a wife and one child. He has worked the Knapp farm on shares since last spring. He came from the southern part of the state.

   As soon as Mr. Knapp heard of the accident he summoned Coroner Mathews, who decided that death was accidental.

   Mr. Potter was a bright, energetic and industrious young man, and his sad and sudden death when only [27] years of age is a loss as well as a great shock at all his friends. Mrs. Potter is very ill from the great shock of her husband's death. Besides the wife, there is a little child nineteen months old.

   Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at the home. Rev. Henry B. Williams officiated at the services. The remains were conveyed to Pitcher for burial this morning.

 

TAYLOR. N. Y.

   Taylor, Dec. 24.—Sackett Brooks is home from Binghamton for a two weeks stay.

   The iron bridge near the blacksmith shop, which went out during the flood, it is thought can be straightened at home and he made as good as new. In the meantime a temporary bridge has been built. The road between the village and Perry's mill is being made passable this week

   Fred Garner, wife and daughter of Triangle are the guests of her sister, Mrs. Arna Loope.

   DeWitt Smith of Willet has taken the H. Wells' farm now occupied by Bett Oliver and Samuel Bush, the one so long occupied by Lewis Sergeant.

   About 60 attended the pan-cake social at Fred Freeman's Friday sight; over $6 was realized.

   Ernest Cross and Miss May Wire of this place are to be married tomorrow.

   George and Will Potter went to Dewitt last Wednesday, being called there by the death of their brother "Dell," who was killed Tuesday while at work in the woods by a limb of a tree falling and hitting him upon the head, death being instantaneous. His remains were brought here Friday and interred by the side of those of his first wife. Adelbert Potter was a son of the late Nelson and Delia Potter of this place, having been born here June 19, 1872. Nearly all his life was spent in this place except three or four years when he lived in Otselic and Pitcher. Last spring he moved to Dewitt, where he has since resided.

   He leaves many friends here who are saddened by the sudden and distressing accident which resulted in his untimely death. He was of a genial nature which we all shall miss so much. He was twice married, his first wife being Miss Nellie Thompson, to whom he was married Nov. 7, 1894. She died April 3, 1896. His second wife was Miss May Thompson, to whom he was married in June, 1898, who survives. Besides his wife he leaves a son by his second wife, one half-brother, Frank Potter of Illinois and four brothers, George and Willard of this place, Elmer of Cincinnatus and Emmett of Lincklaen, and two sisters, Mrs. Frank Wood of this place and Mrs. Willard Brooks of Michigan.

 

DEATH'S HARVEST.

Three Aged Citizens of Cortland Pass to the Unknown.

   Death has invaded three homes the past week and removed citizens who have been well known in business circles in Cortland, and who leave behind many friends to mourn their departure.

Henry Seymour.

   On Sunday night last, Dec. 22, Mr. Henry Seymour died after an illness at several weeks at the age of 83 years, 7 months and 14 days. Mr. Seymour was at one time a prominent business man of Cortland, but for several years past ill health has prevented his taking any active part in business. He was born in Genoa, Cayuga county, and came to this county in early youth, locating at Solon. He was married Feb. 11, 1857, to Miss Zoda Eldredge of McGrawville, and one child was born to them, but he died in 1875. Since 1876 Mr. and Mrs. Seymour have lived in Cortland. Mr. Seymour was a very genial gentleman, and his friends were limited only by his acquaintances. He is survived by Mrs. Seymour, one brother and three sisters. The funeral was held on Tuesday at his late residence, No. 68 Railroad-st.

William S. Hoxie.

   William S. Hoxie died very suddenly Monday afternoon at the home of Henry Kennedy, in the same house in which Mr. Hozie resided. Mr. Hoxie was born in Summerhill, Cayuga county, in 1839, and had lived in Cortland about fifteen years. He was a member of Grover Post, G. A.R., and was for some time a member of Cortlandville grange, being its secretary one or two years. He had stepped into Mr. Kennedy's apartments to see how that gentleman was, and while there he fell and expired instantly. The funeral was held yesterday at the First Baptist church, the members of Grover Post and of the W. R. C. attending in a body.

Henry Kennedy.

   Mr. Henry Kennedy, a gentleman probably as well known as any citizen of Cortland, died at his home, 71 Railroad-st., Tuesday afternoon, at the age of 74 years, 6 months and 2 days. Mr. Kennedy was one of the oldest citizens of Cortland in point of residence, having lived here and on his farm near by [sic] for a period of 49 years.

   He was born in the town of Lapeer, his parents being Rufus and Polly Kennedy, who came from Connecticut the early part of the nineteenth century. He bought and moved on a farm a mile and a half south of Cortland in 1853, and moved to Cortland village in 1880, living on North Church-st. one year, and since then at 71 Railroad-st. where he died.

   Mr. Kennedy married Mary E. C. Davis in October, 1847. He was a gentleman of very pleasing manner, and his social disposition won him hosts of friends.

   Mr. Kennedy had been in poor health for two or three years past, though able to be about the house until a few days ago, when he fell and received a shock [stroke]. He leaves a wife and two sons, Fred H. Kennedy of Boston, Mass., and Geo. H. Kennedy, deputy postmaster at Cortland. He also leaves an adopted daughter Mrs. Chas. L. Tamlin of Connersville, Ind. He was a member of the First Baptist church, and had served as trustee. He was also a trustee from the Fourth ward in 1888-9. The funeral will be held from his late residence this afternoon at 2 o'clock.

 

HERE AND THERE.

   Aren't you rather glad Christmas is over?

   Here's hoping that 1902 will be as prosperous for Cortland as 1901 has been.

   Our obituary columns record deaths of eight persons whose average age was 79 1/2 years.

   The Lehigh Valley railroad company estimates the damage to its line from the recent flood at $1,500,000.

   The new electric sign in front of the Elk on Railroad-st. is one of the prettiest illuminated signs in the city.

   The Loyal Circle of Kings Daughters will meet with Mrs. E. R. Wright, 16 Groton-ave. this afternoon at three o'clock.

   Don't forget the great dance at the Scott Hotel next Tuesday evening. Will Roche will entertain all who attend in a royal manner, and the music will be fine.

   The interior of the waiting-room of the new Lackawanna station will be a beauty, the work of decorating being far enough advanced to allow the passing of this judgment.

   A. W. McNett received a handsome present of a music cabinet by the employees of the Palace Star laundry. That's the penalty for being good-looking, generous and kind.

   The prospect for an early ice harvest has seemed good this week, but this is a treacherous locality so far as the weather is concerned, and no man can with safety make predictions.

    About Jan 1, William Forrest, for years connected with the grocery business in this city, will open a grocery in the new Cobb store on Railroad-st. This will also be the office and headquarters of the Forrest Seed Co.

   The D., L. & W. railroad company reaped quite a harvest from Normal students leaving for their homes the past week, and ex-students coming from their several temporary places of abode to their homes in Cortland.

   The change in the organization of the Cortland Specialty company in no wise changes the management of the coal business at Nos. 18 and 30 Crawford-st., which as formerly will be conducted by Wallace & Hout, and they propose to continue the sale of the best quality of Lehigh Valley coal.

   Talk about temptation! If a man isn't tempted to invest considerable spare change upon seeing C. F. Thompson's market as it appeared before Christmas, then he must have dyspepsia in its worst form. Wm. Blaney, the gentleman in charge, fairly outdid himself in tastily and temptingly displaying the meats, poultry and fresh vegetables, for it was one of the prettiest market scenes ever viewed in Cortland.

 

[The Cortland Democrat will not be copied after this issue. Our source, fultonhistory.com, does not include 1902-1903—CC editor.]