TROOPS IN MINDANAO, TRIAL OF LT. DAY, CORNER IN EGGS, HOMER'S NEW GRANGE HALL, AND DEATH OF MRS. LANAN

 

Major General Adna Chaffee.

Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, April 18, 1902.

TROOPS IN MINDANAO.

General Chaffee Will Send a Force to Lanao.

MOROS MUST GIVE UP ASSASSINS.

General Expects Resistance—Transport to Be Sent—Natives Are Fanatics Who Regard Death While Fighting as a Passport to Heaven. Different From Tagals.

   Manila, April 18.—General Chaffee has returned here from Malabang, island of Mindanao. He says the Dattos have not responded to his invitation to take part in a conference, but the Datto grande came to the American camp and through him General Chaffee sent a message to the other Dattos assuring them of the friendly intentions of the United States, but warning them that they must deliver up the assassins of the American soldiers.

   The general reminded the Dattos that the island of Mindanao had passed into the possession of the United States by the treaty of Paris, and that the Americans intend to explore the country and build roads, etc., peaceably, if possible, but that they will not brook interference on the part of the native chiefs. The general added that the Americans would not interfere with religion, but will unfailingly enforce law and order and protect the American civil and military officials in the discharge of their duty.

   A force of 1,200 men, under Colonel Baldwin, will start April 25 from Malabang for Lanao, leaving behind a reserve of 600 men.

   General Chaffee is sending the transport Hancock to Mindanao, in case the Dattos resist, which seems probable, as they muster a total of 20,000 men, of whom 600 are armed with rifles. The remainder are spearmen and bolomen.

   These natives are a different breed of fighters from the Tagals of Luzon. They are religious fanatics to whom death while fighting is regarded as being a passport to Heaven. The American officials hope, however, to avert a crisis.

 

TRIAL OF LIEUTENANT DAY.

In Defense He Says He Obeyed Order of Major Waller.

   Manila, April 18.—The mixed court martial, which tried Major Littleton W. T. Waller of the marine corps on the charge of executing natives of Samar without trial, began the trial of Lieutenant John H. A. Day of the marine corps on the same charge. Lieutenant Day testified in his own defense. He said the man shot Jan. 19 was a spy who was shot by Major Waller's orders, and added:

   "I ordered Private Kresge to fire at his head and ordered Megee to fire at the center of his back. After the shooting I saw a convulsive shudder of the man's shoulders, placed my own revolver to his forehead and shot him dead. I ordered the police to leave the body on the ground as an example to the natives."

   Major Waller testified that he ordered the shooting of 11 men Jan. 29, but denied ordering the execution of a man Jan. 19. He admitted he was very ill at that time.

   Surgeon Love testified that Major Waller's temperature Jan. 19 was 105. His illness then was such that he was not fitted to command. It was likely he might have given the order and forgot all about it. He thought an officer would have been justified in disobeying the order.

 

To Buy Constitution Island.

   Washington, April 18.—A favorable report was authorized by the senate committee on military affairs on the bill providing for the purchase of the historic bit of ground in the Hudson river near West Point known as Constitution Island. It is believed that the island will cost about $150,000 but the secretary of war is given the discretion as to the amount to be paid.

 

A CORNER IN EGGS.

Swift & Co. Have put Millions of Dozens in Cold Storage.

   New York, April 18.—The statement is made here today that Swift & Co., not satisfied with enormous profits in beef, have determined to corner the market in eggs. This concern, it is said, has secretly placed 43,200,000 eggs in cold storage in Jersey City to dole out to dealers or hold as suits their convenience in manipulating the market. Increased demand for eggs by persons unable to pay the high prices demanded for beef, has opened the vista of a fortune, the report says. An increase of 3 cents a dozen would net Swift & Co. $108,000 additional profit on the single lot held.

 

HOMER'S GRANGE HALL

Dedicated Wednesday With Appropriate Ceremonies.

GIFT FROM AN UNKNOWN DONOR.

Mrs. Harry Hull Gives an Interesting History of the Wonderful Growth of this Grange, Also of the Grange Hall—An Energetic Organization—Many Granges of the County Present at the Dedication.

   One of the most enjoyable occasions of the season and one which will long be remembered by those privileged to be present was the dedication of the new grange hall on the Scott road last Wednesday evening. Great preparations had been made for this occasion and all were carried out to the letter with but one exception. Some of the state grange officers had been expected, but on account of illness were prevented from attending.

   A large commodious farm house, beautifully located, had been transformed into a hall for the accommodation of Homer grange, No. 834, and had been furnished throughout with the paraphernalia and given to them by a friend who was in sympathy with them and their glorious work. By the time the exercises were to commence ninety guests were present and all enjoyably seated waiting for the excellent program which was to follow in this order:

Address of Welcome...Mr. L. F. Rice

 

   Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Ranney of Homer were present and Mr. Ranney made a very interesting informal address.

   At the close of this most entertaining program an elaborate banquet was served and the remainder of the evening was spent in a social way.

   The granges were represented as follows:

   Preble ten members, East Homer seven, Chicago five, Cortlandville three, Dresserville two. The Homer grange is the youngest organization of the kind in the county, but it is strictly up to date and booming. It has among its members more young people than is generally the case with others and this is one of the principal things which make interest. Visitors from other granges had to admit that this grange seemed to lead them all for hustling and sociability and they thought they had gained many points to take back to their own meetings to help build them up.

History of this Grange.

   The following extracts taken from the paper of Mrs. Harry Hull on the history of this grange will be of interest to many especially the members of other granges:

   On the evening of May 28, 1891, several persons interested in the formation of a grange met at the home of Harry Hull, where Mr. Lloyd Rice, then county deputy, gave an address upon grange work. At this meeting it was decided to organize. Twenty-two people were enrolled as charter members Regular officers were elected and the organization was henceforth to be known as Homer grange, No. 834. Not having any hall in which to hold meetings they were held at the homes of the different members.

   From Aug. 11, 1897, to Sept. 1, 1901, meetings were held at the home of Mary Alvord, but since that time at T. D. Keep's. Before the first year had closed six more members had been added. In 1898 fifteen new members were admitted and six in 1899. The year 1900 did not show very rapid growth of the order. From its institution the members had always looked forward for a hall of their own and committees were appointed to investigate the matter, but the grange was in no financial position to purchase or erect what was needed. It was thought wise to ask other granges to assist financially in this work and some aid was secured, especially from the Little York grange who responded liberally.

   In 1901 sixteen more members were added, mostly young people, and it is this young material which we think is responsible for much of our flourishing condition. It was learned that a friend of the grange wished to be present at an open meeting, as he had a matter to talk over with the members which would be of unusual interest soon. On July 10, 1901, this meeting was held. This friend said that he was in sympathy with the grange, although he was not a member himself, but he wished to do something for the cause and he had concluded to lease to Homer grange a tenement house, barn, and a certain amount of land. He would repair these buildings for the grange and they could be held by them as long as the organization should exist. This was a complete surprise to the members and they felt overwhelmed with joy as this was just what they had desired. The offer was accepted and a unanimous vote of thanks tendered the donor. Committees were appointed to make the necessary arrangements. Now, having a hall promised, it was concluded to have each sister of the grange earn $1 towards a few of the furnishings. This scheme worked well. The year 1902 came and the grange was incorporated. Eighteen applications for membership have already been secured.

   During its existence death has removed from our ranks Elizabeth Rice, William Devoe, Eva Fairbanks, and Williston Rice.

   Our hall is now completed and I have found a little history surrounding the place which was at one time a tenement house. It was built by Charles Ałvord in 1795. In removing the bricks from the fireplace three 4-cent pieces were found bearing the dates 1798, 1802, 1803. It is said the notorious John Truck once lived in this dwelling, but then it was before he became famous. Now we have the hall—a place to meet for business and sociability—what can we do individually to maintain the grange?

   We will leave the question as a moral to a story told by Rev. Henry Ward Beecher. He saw a beautiful horse standing in the street near his residence. He regarded the horse admiringly and remarked to the owner, "That's a fine looking animal, is he as good as he looks?" The owner replied, "Mr. Beecher, that horse will work in any place you put him and do all any horse can do." The great preacher eyed the horse more admiringly and humorously remarked, "I wish to goodness he was a member of our church."

 

Franklin Hatch Library, Court Street, Cortland, N. Y.

MAY USE LIBRARY

Till it is Needed for More Book Shelves, Second Floor.

   A conference has been held between the trustees of the Franklin Hatch library: Messrs. Edward Webb, O. U. Kellogg, A. Mahan, C. F. Wickwire and A. B. Nelson, and Messrs. A. J. Murray, G. H. Smith and F. W. Higgins, the committee of the Cortland Science club, to consider the place for the museum which it is proposed to establish. The trustees granted to the committee the use of the second floor of the library building till it is needed for library purposes or till the museum outgrows the space there afforded. The offer was made very gladly by the trustees and was as gladly accepted by the committee. Steps will be taken at once to start the collection of articles.

 

Death of Mrs. Lanan.

   Mrs. Mary Lanan died yesterday at the home of her son, Mr. John Lanan, 73 River-st., at the age of 81 years. She had lived in Cortland more than fifty years. Aside from this son she is survived by three nieces, Mrs. Eugene Buckley of Cortland, Mrs. Daniel Layhe of Binghamton, and Mrs. Frank Herbig of Syracuse; also by four nephews, Michael and James Kennedy of Cortland, Thomas Kennedy of Buffalo and Michael Kennedy of Kalamazoo, Mich.

   The funeral will be held at the house, 73 River-st., Cortland, Saturday morning at 1 o'clock and at 9:30 o'clock at St. Mary's church.

 

BREVITIES.

   —Miss Agnes Dowd entertained a small party of friends at her home on Lincoln-ave. Wednesday evening.

—A special meeting of the Daughters of the American Revolution will be held at the home of Mrs. N. H. Gillette, 20 West Court-st. on Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock.

   —New display advertisements today are—Syracuse Music Festival, page 4; Glann & Clark, Shoes, page 4; New York Store, Dry goods, millinery, etc., page 6; Opera House, "Frankie Stock Co.," page 6; Geo. Ripley, The Palace Amusement Parlor, page 5: C. F. Thompson, Lettuce, strawberries, etc., page 6.