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| Cornelius Vanderbilt. |
The Cortland Democrat, Friday, Dec. 6, 1901.
SIX ACRES BURNED.
GREAT CONFLAGRATION DESTROYS THREE LUMBER YARDS.
Loss Roughly Estimated at Half a Million—A $17,000,000 Gift to Stockholders—Heavy Inheritance Tax—Almost a Milk Famine, Price Goes Up—Mayor's Salary—Other New York News.
New York, Dec. 2.—Millions of feet of blazing lumber and thousands of gallons of blazing benzine and oil made a tremendous bonfire Wednesday night at Tenth street and the East River that Manhattan fire-fighters won't forget in many a day. While the men from twenty engines, seven hook and ladder trucks, three fireboats, two insurance patrols and a water-tower fought the flames, their lives were in momentary danger from the three great gas tanks of the Mutual Gas Light company, not fifty feet away from the flames.
More than once the fire seemed to lick the sides of the giant gasometers hungrily, only to be beaten back each time. More than once the cry went up: "They're going!" but each time the firemen won.
As it was, $500,000 damage was done and some six acres of business property laid in ruins. The seven story woodworking and veneering factory of William E. Uptegrove & Bros. was gutted and its walls laid flat. The plant, offices and stock of the Standard Oil company in East Eleventh street was completely burned out. All the work houses of the Gas company were burned up. The lumber yards of George Hagemeyer & Sons were left in ashes. The Mahogany Lumber company and the Cedar Lumber company were completely destroyed.
◘ The General Electric company, it is said upon good authority, is preparing to distribute a handsome bonus to its stockholders in the shape of a large issue of new common stock. It is said that the issue will be about $17,000,000, which will bring the stock up to about $42,000,000. It is said each stockholder will receive 66 2/3 a per cent of the holdings. The distribution will probably be made in the early spring.
Last year the company had a surplus profit above its 8 per cent dividend on its common stock of $6,600,000. It has a surplus now of $17,000,000 which is becoming burdensome. According to its officers its earnings for the last five years have been more than 9 per cent on the proposed increased capitalization of $42,000,000. Dividends of 8 per cent on the new capitalization will require earnings of only $3,360,000, or a little more than one-third of the earnings of 1901.
◘ The inheritance tax is the one tax that cannot be dodged, sworn off or evaded. Heirs of the late Cornelius Vanderbilt must pay $361,803.43 into the coffers of Uncle Sam. This is the total of the inheritance tax fixed by the Federal government against the estate. News of the decision was sent to the Vanderbilt attorneys in this city. The heirs have already been compelled to pay a state tax of $520,998. The Federal tax just fixed brings the total up to $882,801. The legal expenses of fighting the tax, which has been carried into the highest courts of the state and nation will bring the grand total up to $1,000,000.
◘ The Consolidated Milk Exchange Friday made another advance in the price of milk. A week ago the price at the farms increased from 3 cents to 3 1/4 cents, and to-day another quarter of a cent was added, making the price after Dec. 1, 3 1/2 cents a quart or $1.40 a can. To this is added the freight charge which averages 31 cents a can, making the price at the cars in this city $1.71 a can.
This will make the wholesale price in this city from 4 1/2 to 5 cents a quart, but it was not thought by the members of the exchange that it will affect the retail price, which runs from 6 to 8 cents a quart.
It is not improbable, however, that there may be another advance next month. The reason given for the advance is that production has decreased 20 per cent, owing to the high price of feed.
Few persons are aware of the fact that the mayor of New York city draws a salary of $15,000, or $5,000 a year more than the governor of the state. And there are several other positions at the disposal of the mayor which rank well in proportion. The corporation counsel also gets $15,000, the city chamberlain $12,000. President of the tax department $8,000, commissioner of water supply $7,500, commissioner of street cleaning $7,500, commissioner of public charities $7,500, fire commissioner $7,500 and a score of others more than $5,000.
◘ Thomas L. Feitner, president of the Tax Board, printed in the City Record yesterday his report for the quarter ending Sept. 30. Mr. Feitner made known what property does not have to pay any taxes in this city. The total amount of exemptions reaches $579,510,150, of which $406,785,200 is in Manhattan. Property of churches and religious organizations exempt from taxation amounts to $162,008,550.
◘ Miss Fannie McComb, braving the adverse stipulation of her father's will, has announced to her relatives that she is engaged to marry Lewis Herzog, a Philadelphia artist and that the wedding will occur in the near future. This means that Miss McComb will forfeit about $2,500,000 for the love of her artist suitor in case the special codicil in her father's will stands. He left her only an annuity of $15,000 if she marries the artist, with a bequest of $300,000 to her children at her death.
That Truxton, N. Y., Stolen Whiskey Yarn.
Some days ago the Syracuse Herald published a story under a sensational heading purporting to be the clearing up of a twenty year old mystery, viz: The disappearance of a barrel of whiskey from the railroad station at Truxton, making the startling headlines read: "Prominent Citizens Who Never Went to Hotels, Reeled Through the Streets, and Farmers Who Went to the Field Sober Came Home Staggering."
A friend of the Democrat, residing at Truxton, has written a statement of the facts in the case which entirely refutes the Herald's sensational article. He says:
"How any paper of the standing of the Herald could print such an article without giving more facts, I fail to understand, there being scarcely one word of truth in the entire article. I will try and give the particulars as near as I can and confine myself to the truth.
"About 25 years ago, when the N. Y. & O. Midland company was running the railroad through Truxton with Henry S. Bliss (now of Cortland) in charge of the depot, a barrel of whiskey was shipped to parties in Truxton and put in the freight house until called for, together with some fine cigars.
"Burglars made unsuccessful attempts to bore through the door of the freight house to gain entrance, each time striking a staple and hook with which the door was fastened. They finally broke through the transom over the door and thus effected an entrance into the freight house, opened the door and carried away the barrel of whiskey and cigars. They loaded the whiskey on a handcar and went south to near the trestle on what is called the Mike O'Brien farm (formerly the Emory Bennett farm), here tapped the barrel and all got gloriously drunk; too drunk in fact to take care of the whiskey remaining in the barrel, which was hid under said trestle, and arrangements made to remove it the following night.
"One of the section men walking along the track discovered the barrel and reported the fact to Agent H. S. Bliss. Dep. Sheriff J. H. Connic was sent for, and he laid plans for the capture of the thieves, but he made so much bluster over it that nearly every person in town knew what was going on. The thieves very naturally did not go for their hidden treasure, which was taken back to the depot and delivered to the consignee, minus the two gallons which had been drawn out.
"There was, therefore, but little chance for the whole town of Truxton to get drunk on stolen whiskey. The thieves did not have enough to make them drunk a second time, and had to derive consolation from the stolen cigars, which, it is said, were very fine ones.
"About two weeks later suspicion began to point to James Lansing, on account of the choice cigars he was smoking. Charles Wilcox, one of J. H. Connic's men, in a confidential manner obtained the whole secret from Lansing, and gave the information to Deputy Connic, who arrested James Lansing and Ed. Root for the burglary. They were tried in Cortland, I. H. Palmer securing the acquittal of Root, but Lansing was convicted and was kept in jail until the whiskey and cigars were settled for."
HON. WILBER HOLMES OF CINCINNATUS, N. Y.
Hon. Wilber Holmes was born in Rhode Island in 1838 and with his parents, Peleg and Mary A. Holmes, removed to Cincinnatus in 1849 where he was educated in the district schools and academy and where he has since continued to reside with the exception of three years, when he was engaged in the grocery business in Earlville. Upon his return from Earlville he, in company with his father, engaged in the live stock business and later formed a partnership with his brother, and they, under the firm name of W. & G. H. Holmes did an extensive drug and grocery business for 18 years. During this entire period Mr. Holmes was in charge of the postoffice—more than one-half the time he himself being postmaster. In politics he is a Republican and for a term served Cortland Co. as its member of assembly, to which office he was elected in 1894. He was married to Miss Nettie D. Dunton in 1867.
Mr. Holmes has always taken a most active interest in the welfare of his town, and especially in its schools. In 1867 he was elected a trustee of Cincinnatus academy and has ever since served in that capacity, being president of the board of education since 1895 when the school became a Union school. In that position he has labored faithfully, without remuneration, ever striving for the best interests of the school. The success of his efforts, which have been ably seconded by the other members of the board, is shown by the rank which Cincinnatus Union school takes among other institutions of its kind.
THE LADY REPORTER.
Musings and Suggestions Appropriate to the Season.
In about seventy-five years from now the young people of the present day will be numbered among the "oldest inhabitants" in 1975, and could we take advantage of some elixir of life that would prolong our days until that remote period we would be amused at the stories of the old people in recounting the customs and events of 1901. They will doubtless say to their children and their children's children that the month of November, 1901, was known as the storm period, when either snow or rain fell on nearly every day of the month; they will tell how people were transported over the country in cars drawn by steam locomotives, an antiquated method in 1975; they will no doubt amaze the young people with stories about how we traveled in wagons drawn by horses, instead of using vehicles propelled through the air. There will be many other startling inventions by that time, but few of the present generation will have the privilege of witnessing the innovations.
I frequently wonder what genius invented the title to the municipal building of this city. Over the door is a beautiful sign conveying the information that it is "Fireman's Hall'' and the query comes home to me why is the singular number used? If the building is for one fireman only, why are others allowed to use it? If it was designed for the firemen in general, why not have it called "Firemen's Hall?" I wish someone would enlighten me.
Cortland church goers should feel grateful for the privilege of listening to the excellent music given in the churches, for it is conceded that Cortland has some of the finest musicians in the state. I recently dropped into an out-of-town church, and probably to while away the time before the service the organ was playing an "interlude" of her own impromptu composition. I was much struck with some of the organ's prominent features. She was evidently on a hunt for some of its imperfections and judging the effect upon my nerves I should say that she found them. Whether the impromptu was her own feelings in the matter I was unable to judge, but I was carried from a degree of ecstasy as she ran her fingers trippingly over the "wee, willy winkle" keys down to that basso profundo "that would jar you" as she appeared to have struck the keynote of her surroundings. At least when that particular note was struck it produced a v-r-r-r in my ears and there was that peculiar sensation up and down my spinal chord [sic] that seemed as if some one was endeavoring to tickle it with a horse rasp.
NEIGHBORING COUNTIES.
News Gathered and Condensed From Our Wide-Awake Exchanges.
Oranges are cheaper than apples at the fruit stands in Dunkirk.
Cows in Delaware county are selling for from $60 to $75 per head.
An eagle with a spread of wings more than 7 feet was killed in the town of Stockton last week. It had a chicken in its talons when killed.
It is reported that buyers are traveling Western New York in quest of cats, paying for them according to size and color. The pelts are being used by fur manufacturers.
Windsor people are indignant over the marriage of Marcus Macom, aged 60, to Clara Leipe, aged 13, and threaten arrest. The minister who married the couple should be the first to feel the law.
The bean crop in Schuyler county is one of the most profitable the farmers have grown this year. The average yield is upwards of twenty bushels [per acre] and the prices range from $2 to $2.10 per bushel.
Thirteen Buffalonians have just returned from a hunting trip. They brought with them 13 deer killed by the members of the party. No one can convince them that "13" is an unlucky number.
The Remington Arms company of Ilion has received a government order for 20,000 single barrel shotguns for use in the Philippines. They are known as "riot guns," being effective for close range work.
Potato buyers of Palmrya are having trouble with the farmers,, many of whom contracted to sell at 50 cents a bushel and when the price advanced to 60 cents refused to deliver at contract price. It is expected several [law]suits will result.
The tree which for fifteen years has adorned the tower of the Universalist church at Utica, was blown down in Sunday's gale. It grew from a seed dropped in a crevice of the stone wall by a bird and flourished until the roof was recently covered with tin which kept the water from its roots.
Erie trains were delayed near Meadville a few days since for a couple of hours by a house which some parties were moving across the tracks. Some of the equipment gave out, and the workmen went home and left the house on the track. A train crew with the aid of the engine succeeded in getting the building out of the way.
Jerry D. Hurley, one of Vernon's young business men, has skipped and at this time his address is not known. For two years past he had conducted a grocery store in the Archer block and in the face of brisk competition had established a good trade and was generally looked upon as one of that village's most reliable business men.
Niagara county farmers who have been using tomato cans, soap, cracker and pasteboard boxes as receptacles for mails since rural free delivery was inaugurated will be brought up with a round turn. Postmaster Hatch says he will not stand for that sort of thing. He declares they must provide themselves with metal boxes as prescribed by the postoffice regulations.
Elmer Butler, a guide well known in the Adirondacks, killed on Wednesday the king of bears. The bear weighed 515 pounds, measured 17 inches from the top of the head to the tip of the nose, 12 inches from eye to eye, 7 feet 1 inches from tip to tip, and 5 feet 4 inches around the body. It was apparently about four years old, jet black and is the largest bear killed in the Adirondacks.
A new code of by-laws and rules were adopted by the board of education at Watertown. It provides that teachers shall not send their pupils on errands; that any pupil guilty of throwing stones or snowballs, of being disrespectful to citizens or strangers, of using vile, abusive, indecent or profane language or quarreling on the way to and from school shall be punished or expelled from school, while all except special teachers are prohibited from trafficking in pencils, pads and other school supplies.
An Orleans county farmer bought a package of gunpowder in Medina one day last week. He placed it in the inside pocket of his coat. Later he put a partially smoked cigar in the same pocket, supposing he had extinguished the fire. Soon after as he was walking along the street, he suddenly blew up with a loud report, and burst of flame shot from his chest. His coat was on fire and he was considerably burned before the flames could be put out by the bystanders. He had failed to thoroughly extinguish the cigar, and the cigar had set off the powder.
HERE AND THERE.
Not many supervisors in the state are more expeditious than the Cortland county solons.
The Cortland County W. C. T. U. held an exceedingly fine convention in the Congregational church in this city.
Now we can buckle down to work and earn enough to buy Christmas gifts. The turkey question is disposed of for a year.
Visitors to the poultry show next week can find excellent meals at the Grand Central restaurant, 17 Railroad-st., for only 25 cents.
On account of heavy advertising we are obliged to condense some of our correspondence this week. Sorry to do it, but our advertisers must have a holiday chance.
W. S. Freer will give one of his popular Christmas parties Wednesday evening, Dec. 25, at his [dancing] hall in Higginsville, with music by Kane's orchestra. Select your partners now.
Twenty Jersey cows sold at auction by William Hyde in Lapeer last Saturday brought an average of $32.90 per head. With the present price of butter and milk these figures seem very low.
Quarterly meeting services at the Free Methodist church Saturday and Sunday. District Elder M. H. Kendrick will preach Saturday and Sunday at 11 a. m. and 7 p. m. Love feast at 10 a. m.
One of the prettiest and most appropriate Thanksgiving windows in town last week was in the front of C. F. Thompson's store on Railroad-st. A sight of it would make the most dyspeptic man on earth sigh for a Thanksgiving dinner.
The Morse Clothing company of Cortland, B. A. Welch manager, have purchased the remaining stock of E. L. Page, Greene. N. Y., and will continue a sale at the Page store until December 2nd, when the stock will be removed to Cortland.
Gen. Albert W. Bishop, whose death at Buffalo is announced elsewhere, was formerly a resident of Cortland and was the father of Miss Mina W. Bishop, a teacher in the Normal school. Gen. Bishop once studied law with the late Horatio Ballard and was principal of the Cortland academy for a time. He left this place for Buffalo in 1860.
Word reached Cortland Sunday of the death of Wm. D. Howe at Gaffney, S. C., where he had gone to spend the winter for his health. He was 38 years old and was a stockholder in the Taughhannock Emery Wheel company, being until recently the secretary and treasurer of the company. The remains were brought to Cortland for burial.
Sig Sautelle received two lions and an antelope by express one cold day last week. The animals were enclosed in boxes tight except on one end. One of the lions appeared in bad humor and would jump forward at anyone who had the presumption to peek through the bars at him. The animals were quickly loaded upon a sleigh and taken to the Westcott building on South Main street where their winters quarters will be.—Homer Republican.
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