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| Johann Beck. |
The Cortland Democrat, Friday, Dec. 13, 1901.
OUR NEW YORK NEWS.
MAN WHO CROSSED THE OCEAN IN A BOX.
Fifteen Days in Cramped Quarters—Wild Horses Chase Two Street Cars—Electricity to be Used on Elevated Roads—Paid $71,000 for Seat on Exchange—Wins Back a Fortune.
New York, Dec. 10.—A German named Johann Beck had a thrilling experience on his trip across the Atlantic on the steamship Palatia recently, being the entire fifteen days enclosed in a box. He is now in a hospital, but has recovered sufficiently to state that he is a house painter, and that in Hamburg he had come across the card of an uptown hotel in New York, the proprietors of which have German names. Though a stranger to them he wrote that he could get no work in Germany and hoped the hotel men could find him something to do. Then he fitted a packing case, paid freight charges on it, and engaged a carter to take it to the Hamburg pier at a certain time. He then returned to his lodgings and boxed himself up after he had provisioned himself with a dozen cans of condensed milk, a box of prunes, three dozen cakes of chocolate, coffee in bottles and some bread.
Beck declares he was in the box until the ship reached the Hoboken pier, a period of about 15 days. He was reported to be still exceedingly weak, but the physicians hope to pull him through. A wealthy resident of Brooklyn has interested himself in the case and has promised to give him work should he recover.
The work of equipping the elevated railroads and making ready for the installation of electric traction is almost completed and within a week experimental trains will be sent over the Second avenue line. The engineers in charge of the work hope to have the big dynamo working on Tuesday next. This is one of the battery of 8,000 horse power engines and dynamo which will furnish the power of the system. A great part of the motor equipment is already here and in a few days the delivery of several hundred cars for the near service will be begun.
To operate the road the great dynamos in the new power house will generate 100,000 horse power, nearly twice as much as that generated by the great dynamos at Niagara Falls. This immense force will be used to drive the 225 trains which will be run on the system.
Theodore Price, whose firm of Price, McCormick & Co. failed for over $10,000,000 about two years ago when Mr. Price was trying to corner the market for cotton, was one of the largest winners in the heavy advance made in that staple Tuesday. He is said to have been "long" of about 75,000 bales, on which he averaged a gain of $3 a bale. Yesterday he took profits on 25,000 bales and to-day sold part of his holdings which he bought below 7 1/2 cents a pound, above 8c.
A powerful black horse attached to one of the big delivery wagons of Browning, King & Co. became frightened at Twenty-fifth street and Third avenue last night and commenced to run down town, following a car full of people bound for a gathering at Cooper Union. At twenty-third street George Perry, the driver, was thrown out and was taken into Kalish's drug store with many scars on his face. The horse, frantic with terror, chased after the car, and the conductor, running to the forward end, told the motorman to put on all speed, for if the horse crashed into the car some one would be hurt. People in the car crowded forward and several men jumped from the platform. Cries of "Whoa!" from a crowd along the line frightened the horse still more.
At Seventeenth street one of the Wells-Fargo Express wagons crossed between the car and the runaway, and the wild horse suddenly paused, whirled around, and with the delivery wagon smashing along behind him ran up the street behind an uptown car. Again there was a race and a lot of frightened people crowded to the forward end expecting the horse to crash into the car at every leap. Now and then the wagon would sway against one of the elevated "L" pillars.
A crowd had gathered in the street and the returning runaway sped between lines of shouting people. At Twenty-seventh street a woman whose little girl hugged to her breast a toy black sheep, attempted to cross the track behind the car, not seeing the runaway. People shouted to her.
Samuel Cohen, twenty-three years old, only two weeks over from Russia and living with his brother at No. 19 Pitt street, saw the danger of the woman and child. He heard the cries of the people and understood them though he knew no English. He leaped forward, and with a push sent the woman and child sprawling out of danger, but a broken shaft struck him.
He went under the hoofs, and when they had passed he lay there. He was taken to a drug store with the unconscious woman and the crying child, whose toy sheep had been crushed. He was found to have a fractured skull.
"He will die," said the surgeon. A collection was taken up for the broken-hearted baby and a new black sheep was bought. The child went home happy and the young man who had saved her was taken unconscious to Bellevue hospital.
Another sale of a Stock Exchange seat was made yesterday at $71,000. This is $500 less than the highest price on record, which was $71,500, paid during the boom of last winter.
Theodore Roosevelt.
WASHINGTON LETTER.
(From Our Regular Correspondent.)
Washington, Dec. 9.—Almost simultaneously with the opening of congress the supreme court rendered its decision in the "'Fourteen Diamond Rings" case, declaring that the Philippine Islands are an integral part of the United States and that the provisions of the Dingley tariff law do not, therefore, apply to shipments between the islands and the United States. This, of course, leaves the trade absolutely free and threw the protectionists into paroxysms.
With this incentive in view the dilatory methods which usually attend the first weeks of a new congress have been abandoned, Speaker Henderson has already named the members of the Ways and Means committee and it has held a session with a view to reporting a bill providing for the tariff regulations between the United States and the Philippines. lt is believed that the bill will simply apply the provisions of the Dingley tariff without changing any of its rates.
The president's message was received with almost unqualified approval by the Republicans and the Democrats. While they could detect the erroneous deductions, which are the inevitable concomitant of the acceptance of t he protection fallacy in every line that dealt with economic subjects, could not but admire the frank, direct expression of the individual views of the author. Apart from the specific economic recommendations and reasoning the message is an admirable paper.
Congress has received the report of the Isthmian Canal commission and the senate is in receipt of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty. The latter has been referred to the committee on Foreign Relations and that committee has voted unanimously to report the convention for the favorable action of the senate. It will be promptly ratified. Senator Morgan has re-introduced his bill providing for the construction of the Nicaraguan canal in accordance with the recommendation of the commission, which favors that route, but to the person who reads carefully between the lines there is reason to suspect that there is, in the promptness with which all this is being done, something in the nature of a ruse and that it is the hope of the promoters of the canal to bring the owners of the Panama route to reasonable terms. They now hold out for the approximately $70,000,000 more than the commission believes their plant to be worth.
The president's advice on the tariff question quite accords with the views of the high protectionists of his party and when those congressmen who have advocated tariff revision have ventilated their opinions to an extent which they believe will satisfy their constituents, and perhaps gain for them some concessions in the way of patronage or local appropriations, they will graciously have their bills buried in committee and will soon forget that they ever contemplated the heresy of tariff revision—at least until they have to ask their friends at home to re-elect them.
The only cloud on the Republican sky is the recommendation of Mr. Roosevelt in regard to reciprocity with Cuba. The president has said that from moral reasons and national interest we are bound to grant material concession to Cuba. The sugar trust has promised to add the gentle weight of its persuasive influence to the movement, always provided that there is no reduction on refined sugar which, of course, means that the Cuban war sugar can be bought cheaper by the trust, but the consumer will have to pay just as much for the refined article, and Senator Lodge has been chosen to lead the fight in the senate.
Entirely apart from the question of the merits of the president's message as demonstrative of statements, etc., it is an exceptional success from a political standpoint. It has won the approval of the people and of the capitalists, by no means easy attainment, and that has inspired in the members of congress a respect which is not unmixed with fear. They appreciate that a president who can at once appeal to both people and vested interests is a man who is not easily downed and they are one and all anxious to stand high in the good graces of the chief executive.
It is, therefore, safe to predict that his strong recommendation on the subject of Cuban reciprocity will exact far greater consideration than it would have, had not the message proved so popular a document. After all, the only people to be sacrificed are the beet sugar growers and the cane growers and they are not either of them of sufficient weight in the matter of ballots to compel very much respect from Republican congressmen.
There is one recommendation in the president's message which should receive the cordial support of the congressmen irrespective of party, and that is his appeal for support of the Postmaster General in his efforts to remove the abuses which have come into the administration of the laws in regard to second-class mail matter. Mr. Roosevelt says that although second-class matter constitutes nearly sixty per cent of the mails, out of a total revenue of $111,631,193, the postoffice [sic] department received only $4,299,445 for the transmission of that class of mail. He goes on to say if the pound rate "were limited to the legitimate newspapers and periodicals actually contemplated by the law no just exception would be taken.''
In his annual report the postmaster-general deals with this subject extensively and cites a single instance of a publication whose admission to the pound rate was not originally contemplated by the framers of the law and which cost the government for transportation and handling $15,657.40 against which the publishers paid postage amounting to [$2,337.40] leaving a net loss to the department of $13,320 per weekly issue.
An amusing incident occurred the other day. While standing in the anteroom of the president's reception room I saw a congressman go up to the president as he and Senator Lodge came out and say, "I want to say a word for Mr. Blank who holds a small office in my district." "What," the president interrupted, ''is that infernal scoundrel still there? Yes. I knew him when I was on the Civil Service commission. Yes, I'll remember him." and he left the amazed legislator and passed out with the senator.
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MAJOR AARON SAGER
Died Suddenly in His Store Last Saturday Afternoon.
The sudden death of Major Aaron Sager last Saturday removes from the business and social circles of Cortland a gentleman who was as well known in this locality as any person within the city limits. Everybody knew Major Sager, and everybody respected him. He had a happy faculty of making friends and of keeping them. He was naturally jovial, and his humor was of an elevated character. He was a gentleman that read much and he possessed the faculty of imparting his knowledge to others in a way that could not be misunderstood. In church matters he was ever ready to give sound advice and to render substantial assistance. In the G. A. R. he was looked up to as one entitled to the respect of his fellow soldiers. He was also a loyal Mason, having attained to the thirty-second degree.
Mr. Sager was born in Guilderland. Albany county, November 25, 1833, and was one of a family of eight children, six of whom are still living. When three years old his parents moved to Albany, and in 1847 they selected Syracuse as their home. Aaron Sager acquired an education in the city schools of Syracuse and having chosen medicine as his profession, he began its study in that city. He soon, however, abandoned his selection and in 1857 he came to Cortland to close out a stock of dry goods for a Syracuse firm, and this village being to his mind a suitable place for his future, he married a young lady by the name of Nancy Fisk, and in October, 1858, he opened the first drug store in the then small village of Cortland. This was located on what is now North Main-st. about on the present site of J. M. Churchill's residence.
In 1861 Mr. Sager sold his drug business to Dr. T. C. Pomeroy and raised a regiment to engage in the Civil war. He was a loyal soldier and was promoted to the captaincy of Company G, 76th regiment. He was wounded in the second battle of Bull Run, and his condition was serious for a long time; for this reason he received an honorable discharge in 1863. He afterwards received the brevet of major.
He returned to Cortland and resumed the drug business at the corner of Main-st. and Clinton-ave., where his business interests have been ever since. In his earlier years he took great interest in firemanic [sic] affairs, and was one of the organizers of Excelsior Hook and Ladder company. He was at one time chief of the fire department.
In his religious belief he was a Methodist, and was one of the founders of the Homer-ave. church, having been a trustee ever since its organization in 1889.
His first wife died Aug. 28, I870, and on May 1, 1871, he was married to Mary F. Shaw, who died Dec. 21, 1882. On Jan. 16, 1884, he was married to Mrs. Julia Bridgford, who survives him. Mrs. Bridgford was a daughter of Major Andrew J. Grover, who went out from Cortland as captain of Co. A of the Seventy-sixth regiment and was killed at Gettysburg on the first day of the battle. Six children have been born to him, and all are living: Miss Cora A. Sager of New York, Albert F. Sager of Cortland, Mrs. D. J. Chadwick of Syracuse, Mrs. Augustus S. Perry, Aaron Sager, Jr., and Robert T. Sager, all of Cortland.
Mr. Sager had not been feeling well for some time, but on Saturday last he came to the store, and while engaged in conversation he fell to the floor, expiring instantly.
The funeral was held Monday afternoon at his late home. No. 22 Lincoln-ave., Rev. H. L. Rixon officiating, assisted by Rev. Dr. Charles E. Hamilton of Rochester, Rev. B. W. Hamilton of Homer, and Rev. O. M. Owen. The Masonic burial service was conducted at the house by Grand Master S. S. Knox. The remains were taken to Syracuse for burial.
REMINISCENCES.
J. C. THOMPSON GIVES INTERESTING BITS OF EARLY HISTORY.
Cortland as it Was Seventy Years Ago—Log Houses Were Stylish in Those Days—It Was All Homer Then—Game Was Abundant—Port Watson Was the Metropolis—Whiskey Was Cheap.
Cortland was not always the lively, hustling city that now gives it prominence as a manufacturing town. Like all other places it had its beginning. The time was when this entire locality was one vast forest, and no doubt bears, deer and other wild animals roamed over the ground where the Democrat now stands. Probably the red man occasionally paddled his canoe down the Tioughnioga river, (which was a stream of much greater proportion than it is now), little dreaming that his forest home would be invaded by the white man.
The transition from forest to city has been gradual, but the march of improvement has been resistless. First some sturdy yeoman from New England came to this locality, selected what in his judgment would make him and his family a comfortable home, secured a grant covering the land selected, returned to New England for his wife and children, making the entire journey by ox-team. Then followed a life of hardship and solitude that but few of the present day would care to experience.
It is not the province of this article to chronicle the earliest history of Cortland, but during a recent visit with James C. Thompson the writer secured many bits of history that will make interesting reading for the patrons of the Democrat. Mr. Thompson resides at 39 Railway-ave., Cortland, and he is a gentleman who is highly esteemed by everybody. Although in the 79th year of his age, he enjoys good health, and having a very retentive memory he is enabled to give names and dates with remarkable accuracy. He was born between Cortland and McGrawville June 8, 1823, his parents being Mr. and Mrs. Luther Thompson. At that time there were twelve log houses between the two places, occupied by the following people, beginning from Port Watson: Mr. Moody, L. Howe, Mr. Cravat, Mr. Kinney, Mead Merrils, Mr. Jones, Alonzo Crosby, General Brockway, Joseph Brockway, Simon Greenwood, Kinney Greenwood, Luther Thompson, John Merrill, Mr. Kellogg.
At that time the whole territory embracing Homer, Cortland city and Cortlandville was in the town of Homer, Cortlandville being taken from Homer in 1829. Nearly everybody in this section is familiar with the location of the gambled-roofed barn between Cortland and McGrawille, a structure which has been commented upon by the press all over the state. Mr. Thompson states that this barn was built in 1806, the timbers entering into its construction being cherry. The famous 1806 eclipse of the sun occurred while Mead Merrills and others were getting out the timber, and so dark did it become that they were obliged to leave the woods and return to their homes.
A walnut tree which still stands on the old homestead has quite a history. Mr. Thompson's father, Luther Thompson, lived at Chatham, N. Y., previous to locating in this section, and among his schoolmates was Martin Van Buren, who was later president of the United States. When Mr. Thompson started from Chatham he picked up a walnut, and when he reached his new home in April, 1805, he planted the nut near his habitation, and the 96-year-old tree growing from the seed has produced hundreds of bushels of nuts to the enjoyment of young and old.
Mr. Thompson remembers one circumstance of his school days which contains a flash of humor. The school building was located on his father's farm, and in those days many full-grown young men attended school, primarily to secure an education, but they often used their physical ability to putting the teacher out in the cold. The trustees of a certain district (Luther Thompson being one of them) had experienced difficulty in securing a teacher competent to handle the boys, one after another being obliged to suddenly terminate their labors, when Squire Rufus Rice of Solon applied for the position and was engaged as teacher. He was fairly successful, but even he had his tribulations. While seated by the stove one day—the stove being one of those old-fashioned open-and-shut crude affairs which would take a stick of any size—he was startled by an explosion that threw coals and ashes in all directions. Squire Rice was mad clear through. He raved and stormed and made every effort to unravel the mystery, but the boys were as usual in such cases very reticent. The true story of the affair is thus given by Mr. Thompson, who of course had no personal connection with the causes leading to the explosion. One of the boys had a percussion cap, and carefully cutting down the sides he pressed them down so that one would have but little conception of what it was. He handed it to a companion with the request that he throw it in the stove. The result is outlined above.
In those days Port Watson was the center of business, Cortland being of but little importance. The hotel at that place was the headquarters for all travelers, the first landlord that Mr. Thompson can remember being John Van Rennsalear, and afterwards Wm. Copeland who in later years managed the Messenger House and Cortland House. The Free Masons held their meetings in an upper room, Luther Thompson being a Master Mason. The hotel still stands as one of Cortland's old landmarks, being the first house west of the present Port Watson bridge, on the north side of the street.
To secure supplies the people in those days were obliged to go by team to Albany by the way of South Otselic, or to Syracuse. Potatoes and other farm produce were shipped by boat at Port Watson to points down the river.
McGrawville was a place of some importance at that time. It contained a general store, a blacksmith shop, Baptist church and a few houses. The stone mill at McGrawville, still standing, was built in 1835 by Reuben Dowd, and for a long time did a large business. There was also a mill at Port Watson and another at Homer. Harry McGraw conducted a thriving mercantile business at McGrawville, having five brothers, who with their descendants have perpetuated the name of the place. These brothers were, John, William, Marcus, Newton and Samuel. P. H. and Deloss McGraw, who will be remembered by many of the present day, were sons of Harry McGraw. Samuel McGraw built the hotel at McGrawville.
Whiskey was cheap in those days, selling for three cents a drink, while other liquors were sold for six cents. There was a distillery at Cazenovia, and at stated periods a team loaded with whiskey was sent to Cortland and other points and any one could procure it by hailing the driver and paying 25 cents a gallon. Andrew Lyman kept a store where the Samson block now stands and he also had a small distillery in the rear of the store.
Town meetings must have been tedious affairs, especially for the inspectors. They lasted three days, first at what is now South Cortland, second in Cortland, and the third at McGrawville. Mr. Thompson's father was one of the inspectors, and after sitting all day at one place he would take the little square ballot box home with him for safe keeping until the next day. Mr. Thompson remembers going to Homer to town meetings with his father on one occasion. There were about thirty voters in the town, and when they got ready to vote they would write the name of the candidate they desired upon a ballot and deposit it in the box.
In those days Cortland was a place of little importance. The court house was located upon the hill now known as court house hill, with the jail a short distance away. This was abandoned in about 1830. The lawyers were Judge Shankland, Mr. Ballard, Mr. Stevens and Mr. Thomas.
Judge Reynolds lived in a cobblestone house on the present site of T. H. Wickwire's beautiful residence. In 1825 Judge Bartlett lived in a house standing on the location of Warren, Tanner & Co's store.
A Mr. Bishop, at about 1835, built a block on the site of the present Keator block, securing the stone used in its construction from a quarry on Luther Thompson's farm. A store was conducted by Andrew Dickinson. Roswell Randall conducted a store where the Squires block now stands. Another merchant doing business on Main-st. was Tersis Ells.
Mr. Thompson states that in the present Universalist church edifice there is a stick of white elm timber 70 feet long, taken from his father's farm.
Some time in the near future we expect to give more of Mr. Thompson's reminiscences, having special reference to the early farmers in this locality.
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