ICE BARRIERS BROKEN, A SECOND FLOOD, CHANGE OR NO CHANGE, MILKMEN HAVE TROUBLES, AND FOLLETT LIBRARY

 

Lehigh Valley R. R. trestle collapse at Bridgeport, Pa.

Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, March 1, 1902.

ICE BARRIERS BROKEN.

Many Rivers Overflowing and Causing Destruction.

A DOZEN BRIDGES WASHED AWAY.

Livestock Carried Down Stream—Fires Put Out and People Fleeing From Houses—Collieries Closed—Tracks Washed Away—Few Fatalities Are Reported.

   Scranton, Pa., March 1.—Heavy rain and warm weather changed the insignificant Lackawanna into a mighty river and at nightfall it was the highest in the memory of the oldest inhabitant.

   All along its route the banks have been overflowed in many places and all lowlands from Forest City to the Susquehanna at Pittston are inundated.

   At Carbondale large timbers washed violently against the foundations of partially submerged houses, breaking them down and allowing the superstructures to sink aslant into the water.

   In all the collieries along the river edge, the men and mules were taken out and the entrances to slopes and muleways walled up. Water got into the boiler rooms and put out the fires at a number of breakers. The river overflowed at Bellevue, at the southern end of the city and flooded the lower veins. Forty miners had to wade through water up to their necks to an air shaft and climb 358 feet on ladders to the surface.

   The Washington avenue flats at the conflux of the Lackawanna and Roaring Brook are under six feet of water. The people had to be taken from their homes in boats. An Italian family named Rossa, who were driven to the roof of their low house, were rescued by a life line stretched across 70 yards of swirling water by the life saving corps of the William Connel Hose company.

   A dozen small bridges on the Lackawanna were washed away and there was danger of the big Carbon street bridge going at any moment. The water was up to the dock of the bridge at 8 o'clock and the water was still rising.

   Two fatalities have so far been reported. Thomas Naughton, a 7-year old boy, fell into Leggott's creek while playing about the bank and his body has not yet been recovered.

   Evan Williams, a miner, attempted to cross Keyser creek by climbing along a big steam pipe which stretched across the creek from the Hampton boiler room to the breaker and falling in was swept away.

   The Delaware and Hudson, Ontario and Western and Jersey Central tracks are washed out at various points and trains are stalled all along the valley. Trolley cars are running only as far as the city line.

   Hundreds of persons who live in the suburbs could not get home and as a consequence the hotels were jammed to the garrets.

 

Floods In Central New York.

   Syracuse, March 1.—A heavy rain storm has sent the water in Onondaga creek above the danger line and fears of a flood more serious than that of last fall are entertained by the residents of the southern part of the city.

   Last night the people in Onondaga valley were busy building rafts and moving their household goods to places of safety. The water already surrounds the houses and is rising fast. Should the ice barriers in the hills give way, an immense volume of water would rush down into the valley and cause untold damage in the residence and manufacturing parts of the city. Reports received by the Post Standard from surrounding towns and villages of Central New York show that continued rain will cause much damage.

   Already many streams are out of their banks and people are making ready for the worst.

 

Flood at Ithaca.

   Ithaca, March 1.—Another disastrous flood visited Ithaca and damage to property was considerable. The entire lower part of the city is under water and traffic on the Lehigh Valley railroad south of Ithaca is cut off, while that on the Lackawanna is greatly impeded. The lowlands in the neighborhood of the fair grounds are completely inundated and property has suffered much damage. Along Six Mile creek the effect of the flood was felt most seriously.

 

D. L. & W. train near Blodgett Mills, N. Y., between Cortland and Marathon.

A SECOND FŁOOD.

RAILROADS TIED UP AND COUNTRY SUBMERGED.

Railroad Bridges Washed Away—Roadbeds Washed Out—Roads Overflowed—Cellars Full of Water—Great Damage Done by the Hard Rain and Continued Thaw.

   The whole country is again having trouble with too much water. Two floods in one winter is decidedly unusual and is two too many. Rain fell nearly all day yesterday, and last night it simply poured. Today the air is soft and balmy, the skies blue, and no one would ever imagine there could be trouble of any kind on such a day. But the railroads are in difficulty clear up to their ears.

   The Lackawanna tracks are largely overflowed between Cortland and Binghamton. New York passengers got in last night at about 8:30 o'clock, their train having run slowly through water almost up to the locomotive fire boxes. At Binghamton four long passenger trains from the west were stalled, not daring to start to the east.

   The 7:09 train south last night got as far as Marathon and remained till morning. The 11:48 train remained in Cortland over night. North of Cortland trains are now having little trouble, but they are moving with care south of this city.

   It is thought that the Lehigh Valley railroad has suffered more from the high water of yesterday and today than it did from the flood in December. On the main line there are three large bridges gone, one at Philipsburg, another at White Haven Junction, while the location of the third is not yet known to the officials here in Cortland. The Philipsburg, N. J., bridge, which connects that place with Easton, Pa., was nearly a half mile long and was thought to be far above all danger of high water. Such, however, did not prove to be the case. The large bridge of the Central railroad of New Jersey, which is just below the Lehigh bridge at that place is also out, therefore communication between the two cities by rail is cut off. Both will be very expensive bridges to rebuild.

   The White Haven Junction bridge was taken out by the flood in December and had been replaced.

   The Elmira and Cortland branch of the Lehigh is open from Cortland to Van Etten. From Van Etten to Elmira there are several small bridges out and the track is washed out quite badly. The road is open from Canastota to Truxton, but in the vicinity of East Homer there are several rods of track washed out, which cuts off Cortland's connection with Canastota. No trains have run on the east end of the line since early yesterday morning.

   The Erie & Central New York has a washout between McGraw and Solon. It does not dare risk its trains on the Wellington bridge or the Tioughnioga bridge between McGraw and Cortland. A train is at McGraw and cannot now get either way in consequence.

   The Traction company has not been able to run its cars beyond the Bean bridge since yesterday morning. Transfers were made on foot over the bridge till night and then traffic ceased for the time. Today men have been at work on that bridge all day, and it is thought that by night traffic can be resumed. All through the day the cars have ran through deep water at the foot of the park hill. At 3 o'clock this afternoon the water there was nearly a foot deep. There is no trouble on the Homer line.

   The water is over the road east of Port Watson-st. bridge and is nearly up to the axles of a wagon. On the carriage road to McGraw the water is over the road for a distance of about ten rods near the home of Reuben Brown.

   In the village of McGraw Dr. Forshee's house is nearly surrounded by water and there is a stream a foot deep between Fred Graves' and the barber shop.

   Dry creek in this city is over its banks and many cellars in the vicinity are flooded.

   This will be a winter long to be remembered, for its flood at the beginning, for its three blizzards and then for its second flood—it would hardly do to say to end the winter with, for there is time for two or three more blizzards yet before June.

 

CHANGE AND NO CHANGE.

A. F. Sager Buys His Father's Interest—Firm Name Remains the Same.

   Mr. A. F. Sager has purchased the interest of his father, the late Maj. Aaron Sager, in the drug store of Sager & Jennings, and took possession of the same this morning. The firm name will not be changed, although Mr. Jennings is now the senior partner. The firm name, however, has become so thoroughly well known during the past twenty-seven years which it has been in existence that it has been decided not to change it around.

   Mr. Sager is well qualified to take a hand in the running of the business. He has for many years been connected with the store as drug clerk. He has been a careful and painstaking prescription clerk, and will without any doubt be the right man for a member in the firm for the business that was instituted by his father over thirty-six years ago.

 

MILKMEN HAVE TROUBLES.

They Loaded Wagons Upon Sleighs for Use in the City.

   A number of the milkmen who deliver milk in the city had trouble getting through the snow banks and high water to reach their customers this morning. The country roads are still full of snow so that it is impossible to get through with a wagon, while here in the city a wagon is the proper vehicle. Some of the men started out this morning with sleighs and changed to wagons, borrowed for the occasion, when they neared the city. Messrs. Marvin Wadsworth and Bert Dickinson, who come down from the gulf road, loaded their milk wagons on to their sleighs and started out with both. Charles Gamel came near floating off in the water, but finally managed to get through. If some one will invent a practical, interchangeable milk wagon and sleigh combined, Cortland milkmen will furnish a market for a number of vehicles.

   E. C. Rindge's men drove through water up to the axles of their wagons near the countyhouse [sic] bridge to get to the city.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

The Follett Library.

   Mrs. Jeanie Randall Follett of Norwich, N. Y., the widow of the late Judge David L. Follett, and the daughter of the late Hon. Henry S. Randall of Cortland, has given the law library of her late husband as a public library for the Sixth judicial district of this state. Judge Follett's library exceeded 6,000 volumes and was valued at $20,000. It was classed as one of the three or four largest private law libraries in the United States. Governor Odell has just signed a bill, "To establish a law library in the Sixth judicial district to be known as the David L. Follet Memorial Library." The library is to be under the care of the trustees who shall be members of the Chenango county bar and who shall have practiced law for at least ten years. The trustees are to be appointed by the governor for terms of five years each, and the term of one member is to expire each year. It is the plan to place this library in the Guernsey Memorial library building in Norwich. Mrs. Follett's generosity will be greatly appreciated, not only by the bar of this judicial district, but by the public generally.

    ◘ Cortland extends greetings to the infant city of Fulton which on Thursday joined the ranks of the cities of New York state by virtue of the signature of Governor Odell. It includes the former villages of Fulton and Oswego Falls. The combined population of the two places according to the census of I900 is 8,206.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The air is warm and balmy and it is time for the robin editor to get in his work.

   —A rainbow in February is one of the novelties. There was a very beautiful one yesterday.

   —New display advertisements today are—Glann & Clark, Shoes, page 6; C. F. Brown, Huyler's candy, page 6.

   —There will be a regular meeting of Grover Post, No. 98, G. A. R., on Monday evening, March 3, at 7:30 o'clock.

   —Spring has surely come. The walks are now clear of ice and snow and the small boys have begun the customary game of marbles.

   —A regular meeting of the board of managers of the hospital will be held at 8 o'clock Monday afternoon at the home of Mrs. J. E. Hyatt.

   —The proposition to acquire its own water works system was voted upon at the city of Ithaca on Thursday and was defeated by a vote of 718 to 583.

   —The STANDARD is indebted to Senator George E. Green for a copy of the New York Red Book for 1902 and of the Report of the State Factory Inspector.

   —Mr. and Mrs. Geo. B. Christenat of Wełlsboro, Pa., are rejoicing over the birth of a nine pound girl. Mr. and Mrs. Christenat were formerly of Cortland. Mrs. Christenat is the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Chaffee of 118 Railroad-st.

 

APPRECIATED IN GERMANY, INVITATION TO DEWEY, AND ROUGH GAME OF BASKETBALL

 

Prince Heinrich.

Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, Feb. 28, 1902.

Appreciated in Germany.

   Berlin, Feb. 28.—"One of the most beautiful pages in our international relations is the record of these festivities," says the Cologne Gazette, referring to Prince Henry's visit to the United States.

   "President Roosevelt, the members of both houses of congress, Mayor Low of New York and representatives of the government, army and navy of the United States have shown the brother of our emperor not only official honors, but have everywhere manifested such open hearted cordiality that the impression in Germany is most agreeable and permanent. Prince Henry's journey West and South will undoubtedly take the same pleasant course.

   "What deserves most to be emphasized, however, is the unanimous participation of the American people in the festivities which their highest representatives have given in excellent taste. The inhabitants of the imperial city of New York and of Washington, the capital, have shown in their demonstration in honor of the German prince and German people that they feel themselves to be taking part with the president and his national staff in the hospitality which in every respect is worthy of a great people.

   "We hope that the wish of President Roosevelt to be a guest, sometime, on a German battleship will be fulfilled in the most pleasant way. If this visit could be made in German waters, the German people could take part in honoring that sympathetic personality representing the great American nation. The president's official duties prevent this. But even though years pass before President Roosevelt as a private citizen can visit our country, the remembrance of the splendid February days will continue to live within us and the German people will prepare a hearty welcome.

   "May his countrymen, the American citizens living among us, carry home the impression that the German people are equally hospitable and appreciative of international courtesies and honors."

 

Married 21 Years.

   Berlin, Feb. 28.—Emperor William and the Empress celebrated the 21st anniversary of their wedding Thursday with a large dinner at the Schloss at which Count Von Buelow, the Imperial chancellor, and the members of the cabinet were present. Arthur Van Eweyk of Milwaukee, the baritone singer, sang American songs after the dinner.

 

Admiral George Dewey.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

Von Holleben's Invitation to Dewey.

   We have no doubt that Admiral Dewey was entirely sincere in his statement of the reason why he could not accept the imitation to dine with the German ambassador and meet Prince Henry of Prussia, though there had been no previous reports or even rumors that the health of Mrs. Dewey was such as to excite grave apprehension or require the constant attendance of her husband.

   However, the phrasing of Ambassador von Holleben's invitation was not such as to inspire in the admiral any special desire to accept it. It was sent by telegraph from Florida and read: "Will you dine with me on Feb. 28 at 7 p. m., to have the honor to meet his royal highness Prince Henry of Prussia?"

   The clause "to have the honor" used in this connection grates somewhat harshly on the American ear, and both Admiral Dewey's ears are thoroughly American. According to our notions, it is not, nor ought it to be, the height of courtesy to ask a man of Admiral Dewey's eminence "to have the honor" of meeting Prince Henry or any one else. Had the invitation read simply "to meet" the German prince and admiral and had Admiral Dewey accepted it he no doubt would have regarded the opportunity as both an honor and a pleasure. But that is an entirely different matter.

   Unquestionably the German ambassador was wholly guiltless of any intent to display that spirit of condescension which his telegram indicates and which is so objectionable to true Americans, but simply worded his invitation according to the rules of the social game as played in Germany. The formula employed by Ambassador von Holleben is, at least, not a pleasing one in this country, and it is hardly possible that Prince Henry, as host, would have asked a man more distinguished than himself in his own profession to have the honor of dining with him.

   But the incident is not likely to mar in any degree the prevailing good feeling and courtesy extended to the German prince and the Germans generally, as Admiral Dewey undoubtedly gave the true reason for declining the invitation. It can by no means be construed as a slight to the nation's guest, but is rather an exhibition of the admiral's high sense of marital duty and devotion.

 

Some Bargains in Real Estate.

   When we compare the price paid for the Danish West Indies and that which we gave for the vast territory embraced in the Louisiana purchase, we must conclude that there has been a marvelous increase in the value of real estate on this continent during the past hundred years. Under the treaty with Denmark, lately ratified by the United States senate, we pay $5,000,000 for the little bunch of islands in the Antilles, which, all told, have an area of scarcely more than 150 square miles, while under the treaty with France in 1803 we got 1,182,000 square miles of territory for $15,000,000. Of course the value of the West Indian islands to the United States lies in their peculiar location, and they are no doubt worth all they cost us. At all events, there is no inclination to criticize the act of purchase, as the treaty was ratified practically without opposition.

   However, as a bargain in real estate it is not to be compared with that made by Thomas Jefferson nearly a hundred years ago, though there were people at the time who thought he was paying too much for the land, a good portion of it being regarded as valueless. Nor was this wholly a land deal. Whether the fathers realized it or not, the purchase was a strategic movement of the greatest importance as giving us the control of the mouth of the Mississippi river. If the Louisiana purchase territory were French. Spanish or British today, there would not be money enough in the United States treasury to buy it. But, of course, this is pure speculation, as it can now hardly be conceived what the United States would have been without that vast and rich area which was acquired through the wisdom and foresight of Thomas Jefferson and his associates.

   Compared with the transaction with Denmark, the trade with Russia in 1867, by which we acquired Alaska, was also a pretty clever real estate deal. In that transaction we got 537,000 square miles of territory for $7,200,000. It is true that a great proportion of the land is not of much value for agricultural or grazing purposes, but we have already got back from its goldfields and seal and salmon fisheries a good many times its first cost, while it is apparent that we have only just tapped the practically inexhaustible store of mineral wealth it contains.

 

A ROUGH GAME.

Cortland Won from Syracuse Though Syracusians Tried to Rattle Visitors.

   The Cortland basket ball team won from the Syracuse Y. M. C. A. team at Syracuse last night in a hard fought and extremely rough game. The score was very close, and Cortland won by one point, made by Mills in throwing a goal from a foul after the third trial had been given him, on account of the wild yelling of the crowd in its efforts to rattle him. The Post-Standard gives the following view of the game:

   Cortland's Y. M. C. A. basket ball team defeated the local Y. M. C. A. five before a good sized audience in the South Warren-st. gymnasium last evening by a score of 20 to 19.

   The game ended in a most unsatisfactory manner. With the score a tie, 19 to 19, a double foul was called. Miller made the throw for Syracuse and failed. ''Bogey" Mills walked down to the lane to throw for Cortland and as he did so the crowd began to yell in an effort to rattle him. He threw and missed, being visibly affected by the crowd's yelling.

   Referee Betzler gave him another throw and as he did so time was called. The crowd still continued to yell and another throw was allowed Mills. He succeeded in getting the ball in the basket on the third trial. This was the point that won the game.

   Captain Kinney of the local team protested to Referee Betzler and Umpire Pearse said the decision should not go. The three got together in Physical Instructor Hurst's office, where Mr. Betzler said he would not change his decision. The local boys held that the crowd only yelled after the ball had left Mills' hand and made their protest on that point.

   Mr. Pearse wanted the score announced as a tie, but Official Scorer Snyder said he was governed by the referee.

   The rules state specifically that the home team shall be held to account for the crowd. Any discourteous treatment or yelling by the home crowd is sufficient cause for the referee to forfeit the game to the visiting team, according to the basket ball rules of 1901 and 1902, which were brought out after the protest had been made.

   Percy Pearse of the Y. M. C. A. and Stacy Betzler of Cortland were both severely criticized for their decisions.

   In the very first part of the game Betzler called foul upon a play which to the crowd and the Y. M. C. A. partisans did not appear to be a foul. From that time to the finish it was merely a question of which official should call the most fouls.

   In the second hold Mr. Pearse did not call a foul on Syracuse. In the entire game seventeen fouls were called on Cortland and fifteen on Syracuse.

   The game was a rough one. The local players were handicapped by their lighter weight and youth. Cortland's usually good team work and fine passing was all broken up by the fast work of their opponents. The locals did better passing and goal throwing from the field than has been seen here in a long time.

   It was merely a question of which team had the best goal thrower on fouls and at this sort of game Mills of the visitors excelled. He landed eight goals in the basket.

   Syracuse had a good sized lead until the middle part of the second half, when Cortland got two goals from field in quick succession.

   Last night's game makes the second defeat that Cortland has administered to the Syracuse Y. M. C. A. this year.

THE LINEUP.

 

BREVITIES.

   —Vesta lodge will hold a hop at the lodgerooms tomorrow night.

   —All Lackawanna freight except carload lots is now loaded or unloaded at the new freight house.

   —Mr. T. Łewis of Allegheny, Pa., will give a free discourse on the "Devine Plan of the Ages" at the W. C. T. U. rooms this evening.

   —The Epworth league of the Homer-ave. church will hold a farewell reception for Mrs. A. Sager and Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln Seeber and Miss Lillian Seeber in the church parlor, Saturday evening, March 1. All the friends are invited and every one will be welcome.

 

Editor's Note.

   Due to numerous copy errors and time involved in corrections, we did not copy the report of the dedication of the McGraw Presbyterian Church.—CC ed.]

 

EARLY STREET SCENES IN CHICAGO, VIDEO AND STILLS

 

ORDERS TO COLLECTOR, SLOW WATCH, SPLENDID GIFT TO HOMER, AND PITCHHOLES IN CUYLER, N. Y.

 

Killing fur seals on St. Paul's Island.

Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, Feb. 27, 1902.

ORDERS TO COLLECTOR.

Sharp Letter to the Secretary of the Treasury

ABOUT ILLEGAL SEAL FISHING.

Collector Claims His Acts Were Misunderstood by Department—Has Sent Canadian Official at Skagway Out of the Country—New Collector Appointed.

   Washington, Feb. 27.—Some time ago the secretary of the treasury received unofficial information to the effect that J. W. Ivey, the collector of customs at Sitka, had instructed his deputy at Unalaska not to permit Canadian vessels, presumably about to engage in pelagic sealing, to obtain supplies at that port. The collector was directed to send a statement of the facts to the department and was informed that if such orders had been given they must be rescinded. The department received a telegram from Ivey saying:

   "My instructions were not against vessels engaged in alleged legal seal fishing, but against Canadian vessels actually engaged in pelagic sealing, which is illegal and criminal, when committed within the marine jurisdiction of the United States. If there is an ancient treaty between the United States and Great Britain by which British subjects can commit depredations destroying American property and depleting our revenue of tens of thousands of dollars annually, the sooner such treaty is abrogated the better. Your solicitude regarding international complications with Great Britain need cause you no uneasiness as the poaching season is not yet opened. Your new collector will arrive in time to enforce your orders. My Americanism will not allow me to rescind an order which gives British subjects privileges within our marine jurisdiction which are denied our own people.

   "There is another matter that may attract your attention. I have recently issued orders to the deputy at Skagway, a copy of which has been sent you, which has put the Canadian officers located there out of business and sent them to their own territory. You are aware of the fact that the chief Canadian officer there became so offensive that he interfered with American officers in their discharge of their official duties, opened United States customs mail, dominated over the railway officials, discriminated in the order of shipment in favor of Canadian merchandise against that shipped from Seattle, established a Canadian quarantine at Skagway, collected moneys and performed other acts of British sovereignty in a port of the United States, such as hoisting with bravado the cross of St. George from the flagstaff of his custom house.

   "I have sent the concern, bag, baggage, flag and other paraphernalia flying out of the country. You may fear the shadow of international complications and rescind this order but a Reed, an Olney or a Blaine would not."

 

Signed Anti-Pigeon Shooting Bill.

   Albany, Feb. 27.—Governor Odell has signed the bill prohibiting pigeon shooting in the state. He presented the pen with which he affixed his signature to the measure to John D. Raines, president of the state society for the prevention of cruelty to animals.

 

DUE TO SLOW WATCH.

Conductor of Wrecked Train Said His Watch Was 20 Minutes Slow.

   Auburn, N. Y., Feb. 27.—The blame for the wreck on the New York Central and Hudson River railroad near Aurelius station Monday night is laid by Conductor G. W. Butler of East Syracuse to his watch. Butler was the chief witness at the coroner's inquest. He was in charge of the wrecking train which is held accountable for the tragedy.

   Butler declares that his train barely came to a stop at Cayuga, and that Engineer Durrand continued without any order from him. By his watch the train had 11 minutes, ample time to reach Aurelius before the passenger train left.

   After the collision he said he compared his watch with others and found that he was 20 minutes behind. He did not attempt to account for the loss of time by his watch between Canandaigua when it was correct and the scene of the wreck, nor did he advance any theory regarding the action of Engineer Durrand in leaving Cayuga when he knew he was on time of the passenger train.

   The other witnesses called were telegraph operators who told of the orders on which the trains were running and trainmen, whose testimony was not important.

 

SPLENDID GIFT TO HOMER, N. Y.

Mr. and Mrs. C. O. Newton Present Water Works Plant to Village. Village was Planning to Purchase of the Bond Holders—When Price was Agreed upon at $30,000 Mr. and Mrs. Newton made Purchase and Presented it without Condition or Restriction to Village.

   Mr. and Mrs. C. O. Newton of Homer this morning completed negotiations for the purchase of the plant and property of the Homer Waterworks Co. at a cost of $30,000 and presented them as a free gift without condition or restriction to the village of Homer. The people in general were taken completely by surprise by this munificent gift, but appreciate it very highly just the same.

   The waterworks plant was put in about sixteen years ago. The company was capitalized at $100,000 and the stock was all owned by out-of-town parties. Some six years ago the company was closed out at receiver's sale, and the bonds were then reduced to $40,000. These were held by eastern parties who were represented by H. M. Verrill, an attorney of Portland, Me. In recent weeks the subject was agitated of the purchase of the plant by the village and a committee of citizens was appointed to conduct negotiations. A price was finally agreed upon of $30,000. The committee was planning to submit the price to the village officers and they would have made arrangements for a special election to vote upon the purchase, when Mr. and Mrs. Newton stepped in and made the purchase at the price agreed upon and have presented the entire plant to the village.

   The plant includes about 7 miles of street main pipe and fifty-one hydrants. There are a large number of renters, but there is no doubt but that the number will soon be greatly increased. The village has paid an annual rental of $2,000 for the use of its hydrants. This will all be saved. The rental fees will more than pay for the expense of conducting the affairs of the plant.

   Plans for the future will now have to be appointed. It is expected that a water board will be appointed who will make the regulations in accordance with the necessities of the case. Mr. E. J. Bockes has been for a number of years the very efficient and acceptable local representative of the owners, and of course knows much more about the system than any other man in Homer.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

A City Improvement Society.

   The Ladies' Literary club of Cortland has taken preliminary steps toward the organizing in this city of a Civic Housekeeping club, of which some three hundred have been instituted in different cities and villages of the country. The object of the club will be the beautifying of the city in one way and another and in general performing those duties which seem to belong to no one in particular to do, and which as a consequence usually go undone. In New England there are many such clubs and they usually go under the name of the village or city improvement society. The work which they have accomplished in the last decade is something marvelous. They have sometimes started with such simple tasks as seeing that loose papers are picked up from the streets. They have offered incentives in one way and another to bring it about that lawns are kept mowed, that streets are curbed uniformly, that unsightly objects are removed. Some of these duties belong to private individuals to perform, some of them to municipal authorities. They in no way interfere with municipal jurisdiction or run counter to it, but in every way seek to hold up the hands of the authorities and aid them in benefitting the place in general. In the village of Norwich the Civic club has recently put a handsome fountain upon the public park and has built a $9,000 chapel at the cemetery. Various means have been employed for raising the money for the purpose, but the object was one in which the whole village was interested. All the ladies of the town were behind it and the purpose was accomplished.

   The Ladies' Literary club is to be congratulated upon being the organization to start such a move in Cortland. It is a purpose worthy of commendation and will undoubtedly meet with popular approval. A committee has been appointed to confer with the mayor and with other clubs in the city to secure a general co-operation in the founding of the new society. Just what steps will be taken yet remains to be decided upon, but the desire is to interest the ladies of the city generally in the enterprise, and if this is accomplished there is no doubt that many satisfactory results will be obtained in the course of a few years.

 

The Gift to Homer.

   In another column will be found today the statement of the generous gift of Mr. and Mrs. C. O. Newton to the village of Homer. That village has for some time been considering the purchase of the system of waterworks which has been owned by a private corporation. Mr. and Mrs. Newton have bought the entire plant and property at a cost of $30,000 and have presented it a free gift without condition or restriction to the village, What better monument could two people erect to themselves than to do such an act? They have been lifelong residents of that village. Its interests have been their interests, and now they are abundantly able to give it assistance and aid. It will be aid too that will touch every property holder in the village. The annual rental for hydrants of $2,000, which was formerly raised by tax, will be saved. It is probable, too, that there may be some reduction in rates, but that remains to be seen. The rents must cover expenses and an allowance for extensions and improvements. But it is a generous gift in any event and one that will be highly appreciated by every resident. The village is to be congratulated as the recipient, and Mr. and Mrs. Newton are to be congratulated upon their public spirit and generosity.

 

PITCHHOLES IN CUYLER, N. Y.

Discouraging to Try to Drive—Town Has a Railroad Again.

   CUYLER, Feb. 25.— We have a railroad again but expect the next little flurry of snow will cover it so that we will have bid goodbye to it again for another week.

   Quite a number attended the Goodwin-Picket wedding at the hotel Thursday evening, Feb. 20.

   Mr. and Mrs. John McAllister of Cortland are visiting Mrs. McAllister's parents Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Morse.

   Supervisor Barber is in Syracuse today.

   Miss Rena Lee and Miss Ethel Potter of Syracuse are visiting at B. F. Lee's.

   Mr. Vella Allen of Chicago, Ill., who for the last three weeks has been calling on old friends in town will return to his home this coming week.

   Bert Theobald and Henry Spicer were in the city last Friday.

   Mrs. Hannah Gates is very sick and at this time her recovery is very doubtful.

   Last Saturday a party of sixteen drove from here over to Apulia station to give the Rev. S. W. Andrews and family a surprise, but according to reports they were somewhat surprised themselves before they got there. Talk about pitchholes, well it takes that party to tell about them. When they came home they did not dare to try those pitchholes again so they came home another way. Well somewhere up that way the side hill is covered with hot bricks, tin horns and other remnants but they do say that there is a track down … by the Labrador pond so that other travelers need not be afraid to try that route now.

   Mrs. Baldwin at the hotel remains about the same.

   This morning Millard Davenport unloaded a car of fine registered Holstein cattle. Mr. C. P. Burr of Auburn sent them to be put on his farm occupied by Davenport.

   George Abbot of Cuyler Hill is drawing with teams his registered stock that he bought at the Foster auction.

    

BREVITIES.

   —New display advertisements today are—Baker & Angell, Shoes, page 8; S. P. Smith, Meats, page 7.

   —A. L. Niver of Dryden has bought a half interest in P. J. Peckham's barber shop and has taken possession.

   —The Y. M. C. A. basket ball team left this afternoon for Syracuse where they will play this evening. Tomorrow they play the Watertown team.

   —The dedication of the new Presbyterian church at McGraw occurs tonight at 7:30 o'clock. The installation of Rev. E. J. Noble as pastor of that church occurs tomorrow night at the same hour. Many Cortland people will attend both services.