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| Fraterville mine rescue at Thistle entrance. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, May 21, 1902.
PITIFUL LETTERS
Written by Imprisoned Miners in Tennessee.
DIED FOR LACK OF GOOD AIR.
Not Injured by the Explosion—Letters Found on Their Persons When the Bodies Were Recovered.
Coal Creek, Tenn., May 21.—It is now known that the victims of the mine explosion will reach 227. Forty more bodies were located late last night.
These letters were found on John Henden, J. L. Vowell, James Brooks, and George Hudson, whose bodies were found in entry 15 at 8 o'clock last night and indicate that they suffered a lingering death.
"We are shut up in the head of the entry with a little air and bad air coming on us fast. It is now about 12 o'clock. Dear Ellen, I have to leave you in a bad condition. Now, dear wife, put your trust in the Lord to help you and my little children. Ellen, take care of my little darling Lillie. Little Elbert said that he had trusted in the Lord: Charles Wood says that he is safe in heaven and if he never sees the outside again he will meet his mother in heaven. We are not hurt, but only perishing for want of air. There are but few of us here and I don't know where the other men are. Elbert (his son) said for you all to meet him in heaven. Tell all the children to meet with us both.
"Do the best you can with the children. We are all praying for air to support us, but it is getting so bad. Howard, Elbert said for you to wear his shoes and clothing. Ellen, I want you to live right and come to heaven. Raise the children the best you can. Oh, how I wish to be with you. Good bye, good bye. Bury me and Elbert in the same grave. My little Eddie, good bye. Jimmie good bye; good bye Horace. It is twenty-five minutes after two. There are a few of us alive yet. Oh, God, for one more breath. Ellen, remember me as long as you live. Good bye darling. J. L. Vowell.''
"Dear Wife and Baby—I want to go back home and kiss the baby, but can not, so good bye. I am going to heaven. Meet me there, James A. Brookes."
"To George Hudson's wife—If I don't see you any more, bury me with the clothing I have. I want you to meet me in heaven. Good bye. Do as you wish. George Hudson."
"Dear, Darling Mother and Sister—I am going to heaven. I want you all to meet me in heaven. Tell all your friends to meet me there and tell the church I have gone to heaven. Tell my friends not to worry over me, for I am in sight of heaven. Oh, dear, stay at home, or at your father\s, and pay all debts if possible, and bury me at Pleasant hill if it suits you all. Bury me in black. It is now about 1:30 o'clock. Good bye dear father, mother, brother and friends. I have not suffered much. Your boy. Your friend. John Hendon."
These letters had been scribbled on odd pieces of paper with stumps of lead pencils and told a mute story of tragedy that has revived the grief felt in this community to a keener degree than ever. The bodies were found huddled behind a brattice they had built with their own hands. Here they lived from about 8 a. m. to 3 p. m. Monday, torn with hopes and fears and anguish for their loved ones who were already mourning them as dead.
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| Major General Leonard Wood. |
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.
Cuba Libre.
Cuba is now a free and independent republic. The dream cherished for generations by the native Cubans has been accomplished. The change was made yesterday. The flag of the United States was pulled down at about noon by General Leonard Wood in person, and he also, assisted by General Gomez, hoisted the Cuban flag to its place above the palace in Havana. Though he Stars and Stripes came down, the flag was lowered in honor. The pledge of the United States government was fulfilled and accomplished. The people which for years had suffered at the hands of Spain had been freed and that through the intervention of this nation. This government has exercised sovereignty over Cuba since the withdrawal of the Spanish flag and of the Spanish troops till Cuba could establish its own government. The Spanish war was not fought for conquest, but to save a people that was practically enslaved. That purpose being accomplished and the Cuban government established, it was time for the United States to withdraw as sovereign, and to welcome Cuba into the ranks of sister nations.
President Palma as the head of the new republic yesterday signed the certificate of transfer, the United States flag came down, the Cuban flag was hoisted. A big gun from the Cabanas fortress boomed out a salute and continued to rifle till forty-five shots had been fired—a salute for each state in the Union.
Then General Wood was escorted to a steam launch waiting at the wharf and was taken out to the Brooklyn and the big cruiser steamed out of the harbor where the Maine was blown up four years ago.
One further step was necessary and that was accomplished from Washington when Secretary Hay cabled to every capital of the nations of the earth where there is an American ambassador or minister, instructing them to convey the information to the government to which they are accredited that the United States had withdrawn from Cuba and that Cuba is free.
The future of this island republic is now before her. There are those who believe that after a time of enjoyment of the long coveted freedom she will ask for admission to the United States. She may, on the other hand, continue successfully as a sovereign state. Whether the United States desires Cuba as one of its component parts is still another question. Time alone can tell this, but so far as the past is concerned the United States had done its duty and done it well.
CORTLAND COMMON COUNCIL
Arranges for New Hydrants at Several Places.
NEW STREET MARKERS ORDERED.
Gutter Plates on Port Watson-st. Considered—Complaint as to Bits of Broken Wire on the Streets—Invitation to Conservatory of Music Commencement Accepted.
At the regular meeting of the common council last evening at the city clerk's office, the following members were present: Alderman E. M. Yager, E. R. Wright, George F. Richards, R. S. Pettigrew and Verne W. Skeele.
Mayor Brown being absent Acting Mayor Yager presided.
The committee appointed at the last meeting to locate hydrants on Hyatt-st., reported that two hydrants should be placed on such street for the proper fire protection.
On motion of Mr. Pettigrew, such report was accepted and two hydrants ordered on such street.
Mr. Pettigrew said that a hydrant was needed on Garfield-st. for fire protection and that the Water Co. had promised to extend the water mains 1,000 feet along this street, if one hydrant were ordered.
Mr. Yager asked for a hydrant on Grace-st., between Schermerhorn-st. and Homer-ave. He said that several new houses are soon to be built on this street and that Mr. C. P. Walrad was contemplating building three or four there this season.
On motion of Mr. Richards, seconded and carried:
Resolved, That water mains be ordered from Homer-ave. along Grace-st. and a hydrant be placed on such street; also that water mains be extended along Garfield-st. from Crandall-st. to Pendleton-st. and a hydrant be placed on Garfield-st.
On motion of Mr. Skeele, seconded and carried:
Resolved, That the clerk be directed to order street signs for corners of all streets in the city.
Mr. Skeele reported that it would require about 200 markers for all the street intersections and that these would cost 18 cents each.
Mr. Richards spoke of the careless practice of linemen in throwing bits of wire to the ground or pavement, where they are run over by bicycles. Frequent punctures of tires are caused in this way, and he thought that the telephone and electric companies should be notified to have their men use care in this respect.
Mr. Skeele stated that nothing had been done as yet in reference to fixing the gutter plates that were broken some time ago at the Lackawanna crossing on Port Watson-st., although he had spoken to Mr. Becker about the plates several times. He said that the city is liable to have a damage suit on its hands if the plates are allowed to remain as they now are. He declared that if the board of public works is not willing to fix the broken plates, the common council should do it.
An invitation from the Cortland Conservatory of Music, to attend the annual commencement at the Opera House, June 19, and to occupy the boxes, was received and graciously accepted. The invitation included the council men and their wives or ladies.
FOUNDS A FELLOWSHIP.
Arranged at Syracuse University by W. J. Mantanye.
WILL YIELD $400 EACH YEAR.
Donor Does Not Care to be Named—Believes in the Work and Theory of the Former Prison Commissioner—Other Fellowships May Follow in Other Colleges.
Former Prison Commissioner William J. Mantanye has been the means of securing for Syracuse university a post-graduate fellowship in sociology which will yield $400 a year. When asked regarding it Mr. Mantanye, who is a very modest man, did not seem inclined to say much for publication affirming that he had himself done nothing worthy of public note. He finally admitted that he had become very much interested in sociology, criminology, and penology and had in recent years succeeded in interesting some of his friends in the same lines to such an extent that they had become willing to found a fellowship at Syracuse university for the further pursuit of investigations and research in this department. The friends in question do not wish to be named and he had guaranteed to the university in his own name for the present the income for the fellowship.
The gift is made without condition or restriction and is left for the university to arrange. Mr. Mantanye has been informed by the university authorities that the fellowship will be used this year for resident work, but hereafter it may be used either for a traveling or residence fellowship. It is the purpose of the university to make the fellowship competitive and open to graduates of any college or university, not restricting it to graduates of Syracuse.
Mr. Mantanye has been an annual visitor at the university for a number of years and his practical talks to the students in applied sociology have been highly prized at that institution.
He has also previously arranged for several other scholarships at the university.
Mr. Mantanye thought that another fellowship like, this would very soon be given to Cornell university, and he is looking forward to the time when these very important branches of study may be taught at all the Normal schools and in the public schools of the state.
TO SPEAK TO CHILDREN.
Prof. John W. Spencer of Cornell University Here Tomorrow.
Prof. John W. Spencer, who has charge of the department of nature study in the Agricultural college at Cornell university, is expected to be in Cortland by invitation tomorrow to talk to the school children upon subjects along the line of his work. His desire is to interest them in the care of flower and vegetable gardens, in tree planting and in general in teaching them to observe what goes on about them in the field of nature. He will speak at the Central school at some time to be arranged for in the forenoon, and in the primary department at the Normal school at 1:30 o'clock and in the intermediate department at 2:30 o'clock. Any who may be interested in the theme are invited to be present and hear Prof. Spencer.
W. C. T. U. MEETING.
Long List of New Members Added to the Cortland Union.
The regular meeting of the W. C. T. U. was held on Tuesday afternoon and opened with devotional exercises led by Mrs. Edith Cotton, the topic being, "Our Encouragements in Christian Work."
That there is much reason for encouragement was proven when twenty-six new names were presented for membership. These members were secured largely through the efforts of Mrs. Lambert, one of the state organizers, who is now doing most excellent work in our county. Eighteen of the new members gave their names after the service held at Homer-ave. church last Sunday morning, and eight at the afternoon meeting in the W. C. T. U. rooms. The list is as follows:
Mary B. Hollenbeck, Mrs. James Richardson, 9 Homer-ave., Mrs. I. Allen, 13 Halbert-st., Mrs. Clara Loepkey, 66 Groton-ave.; Mrs. L. Murphy, 95 Homer-ave.; Mrs. E. A. Whiting, 16 Cortland-ave.; Nellie Moss, 28 Fitz-ave.; Mrs. Rose Wadhams, 15 Madison-st.; Mrs. D. N. Preston, 52 Maple-ave.; Mrs. F. W. Fairbanks, Mrs. F. E. Eggleston, 87 Lincoln-ave.; Mrs. N. J. Hallock, Edith Rollson, Mrs. Thomas Rollson, Mrs. Bessie C. Watson, Gentry L. Oakley, Mrs. C. L. Day, Mrs. C. L. Davis, 15 Venette-st.
Honorary Members—Rev J. L. Rixon, Mr. George L. Martin, Mr. E. M Pittman, Mr. G. E. Ryan, Mr. Lynn Lewis, Mr. G. M. Watson, Mr. Robert Culver, Mr. F. E. Mott,
The program for the afternoon was in charge of Miss Libbie Robertson, superintendent of Sabbath school work. A brief report of what had been done in the way of temperance teaching or exercises in the Sabbath schools was given by some representative of nearly every church in the city, and these accounts were very interesting. All were of the opinion, however, that much more might profitably be done in this direction. ''It is not enough," some one remarked, "that we simply favor temperance, we should take a positive stand for it as members of the Christian church." "Begin at once," said the superintendent, "to plan for your next temperance lesson."
An invitation was extended to the union by Mrs. Charles Jones of Homer to attend a parlor meeting at her home on Saturday evening, May 17, and the meeting was held. It was in the interest of the Woman's Temple in Chicago.
Reports of superintendents of the various departments will be due at the next regular meeting, May 21.
Supt. Press Work.
Fine New Walks.
A new cement walk is being placed in front of the block at the corner of Main and Railroad-sts., owned by B. F. Taylor and Mrs. Mary Townley. The walk will extend along the entire length of the block on both streets.
In City Court.
Colonel F. Sager appeared in city court this morning, charged by his wife, Ella Sager, with being a disorderly person and abandoning her and her children. Sager promised to contribute a certain sum each week for his family's support, and was allowed to depart.
Ralph T. Horton was arraigned on the charge of fraud on a boarding house. Mrs. Jennie De Remer was the complainant. Horton paid the sum of $20.40, which was claimed, and the case was dismissed.
A FAR AWAY FIRE.
Outside of City Limits, but Fire Department Turned Out.
A fire alarm was rung in from box 214, extension Lincoln-ave., near the bridge, at about midnight last night. All the companies responded, but the fire proved to be outside of the city limits and far beyond the reach of the hose, if attached to the farthest hydrants, so their trip was in vain.
The fire was in a barn belonging to C. L. Erway on the back road to Homer, north of the brick school house. A member of the party held at the home of E. H. Wilson, which was just breaking up at the time the fire started, turned in the alarm. It is thought that the flames were started by hobos.
BREVITIES.
—Regular meeting L. O. T. M tomorrow night at 7:30 o'clock.
—The village of McGraw is trying to secure a milk condensary and seems likely to succeed. It will be a great thing for the village if it can do so. Full details are given in the McGraw letter today.
—The Men's club of Grace Episcopal church will meet this evening at 8 o'clock at the residence of Mr. S. M. Benjamin, 16 West Court-st. Rev. Grant P. Somerville, D. D., of Moravia will make an address.
—New display advertisements today are—A. S. Burgess, Clothing, page 8; Opera House, Empire Dramatic Co., page 5; F. Daehler, Clothing, page 7; C. F. Thompson, Tea, page 6; Gas Light Co., Gas ranges, page 8.
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