TERMS OF PEACE, THE BOER WAR, LADIES' LITERARY CLUB, EARLY PIONEER, HOLDEN SELLS OUT, AND TWO FUNERALS

 

King Edward VII.

Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, June 5, 1902.

TERMS OF PEACE.

Said to Be Generous in Personal Matters But Firm on Political issues.

   London, June 5.—In a dispatch from Pretoria on the terms of peace, the correspondent there of the Times says he believes the fact that the Boers, who are a very law abiding people, have through their leaders formally acknowledged the sovereignty of King Edward, [which] may mean a great deal.

   The terms of peace, continued the correspondent, are best described as generous in all personal matters but firm on the main political issues affecting the future government. The grant of £3,000,000 ($15,000,000) is equal to about £100 ($500) to each farmer in the two colonies.

   It is important to remember that the Cape rebels may still continue operations in the northwest but neither these nor irreconcilable Boers are likely to give much trouble.

   Although certain that the enemy were in his grasp, continues the Times correspondent, no one was more eager than Lord Kitchener to secure the success of the peace negotiations and Lord Kitchener's great personal influence over the Boer leaders played no small part in determining their attitude. The great task which Lord Kitchener has accomplished will in retrospect appear to be one of the greatest military achievements in the history of Great Britain.

 

Lord Herbert Kitchener.

Kitchener Has Much to Do.

   London, June 6. — Although it is recognized that the rapid advancement made by Lord Kitchener has not been paralleled since the times of Nelson and Wellington and that in the course of his life Lord Kitchener is likely to attain to the greatest possible distinction the sovereign can confer, almost all the morning newspapers in London comment upon the grant of £50,000 ($250,000) to Lord Kitchener as unnecessarily niggardly.

   The report that Lord Kitchener will come home for the coronation of King Edward is incorrect. He has much to do in South Africa and it is not likely that he will leave there before the middle of July. The South African commands will then be divided, General Lyttleton taking charge of the Transvaal and the Orange River Colony, and General Ian Hamilton relieving General French in command of the forces in the Cape Colony.

   In spite of opinion expressed by Sir Michael Hicks-Beach In the house of commons last night there is a general idea that it would be dangerous to leave too small garrisons in the new colonies for some [time] to come.

 

Small Fish.

   An Englishman walking through a certain part of Scotland with rod and reel came upon a tiny loch which he thought held out promise of good sport. Patiently he fished for three hours, moving steadily from spot to spot along the borders of the little pond, but no success came to him.

  At last he accosted a boy who had stood for ten minutes watching him with mingled surprise and curiosity on his face. "My little lad," said the Englishman, "can you tell me whether there are any fish in this pond?"

   "If there be ony, they must be vera wee ones, sir," returned the boy, "for there was nae water here until it rained yesterday!"

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

The Boer War.

   The Boer war in South Africa began Oct. 11, 1899, and lasted until May 31, 1902. Its duration, therefore, was two years and 232 days. The British lost 1,063 officers and 21,138 men, a total of 22,201, while there were sent home invalided in addition 3,030 officers and 70,942 men, a total of 73,972. The Boer loss is not known.

   It is estimated that altogether the British had 250,000 men engaged in the war and the Boers 70,000. At the end the Boer force in the field had become reduced to 8,000, while 40,000 of their prisoners were at Ceylon, St. Helena, Bermuda, and at different points in South Africa. The cost in money to Great Britain is estimated at $1,250,000,000. The area gained by Great Britain as a result of the war is about 167,465 square miles, a tract equivalent to all of the New England states, New York and Pennsylvania, and having a population before the war of about 350,000.

 

LADIES' LITERARY CLUB

Holds its President's Day Gathering Mrs. W. A. Cornish.

   Yesterday was president's day with the Ladies' Literary club, the last meeting before the summer recess, and in accordance with the usual custom the club met at 4:30 o'clock at the home of the retiring president, who this year was Mrs. W. A. Cornish of 2 Stewart Place, Cortland. Tea was served at an early hour and then the program of the evening began. It consisted of the reading of a club newspaper, the different parts of which were original and were contributed by the several members of the club. All of the usual columns and divisions of an up-to-date paper were introduced, and some parts that would no doubt surprise a publisher, to say nothing of a reader.

   The customary exercises of president's day were introduced as parts of this paper, for instance the presentation of the gavel by the retiring to the incoming president came in under the heading of a president's message; the secretary's report came in as special correspondence. There were also letters from absent members, and Mrs. A. G. Henry contributed a poem that was listened to with much enjoyment.

   "Heart to heart talks with girls" was a division which created much amusement, and the "girls" who listened were no doubt greatly profited by the same as well as instructed as to proper decorum and bearing in company.

   The advertisements, for no paper with any circulation can be without advertisements, came in as charades for the ladies to guess upon, and among the best of these were the Gibson girl, Perfection cake tins, Sozodont, cream of wheat and Baker's chocolate.

   Mrs. D. L. Bardwell and Mrs. J. E. Banta of Binghamton, and Mrs. Mary J. Messenger of Ithaca, three former members, were present by special invitation and enjoyed the evening with the others.

   The officers for next year are to be as follows:

   President—Mrs. J. A. Jayne.

   First Vice-President—Mrs. C. W. Collins.

   Second Vice-President—Mrs. D. J. Apgar.

   Secretary and Treasurer—Mrs. N. H. Gillette.

   Corresponding Secretary—Mrs. A. J. Murray.

   The next meeting will be on Sept. 10.

 

Old Cortland County farmhouse, possibly Judge Keep's house.

AN EARLY PIONEER.

Gen. Daniel Miller who Settled at Lorings in 1792.

AN INCIDENT OF JUDGE KEEP

Who Used to Live where the County Farm is now Located—His Prayer and its Answer—The Deserted Burying Ground and Suggestions Concerning its Care.

   To the Editor of The Standard:

   Dear Sir—I have been much interested of late in reading as published in The Standard articles of reminiscences written by Daughters of the Revolution, and also the accounts of Decoration day exercises as performed in your vicinity. Although there may be some who went out for mercenary motives merely, yet we should give all honor to those noble men who left home and friends to stand in defense of our country, either in the Revolutionary, the war of 1812, or still later in our civil war.

   While reading the articles my mind goes back to one whom I knew in childhood and whose face and appearance is indelibly photographed on my memory—a man of very genial turn of mind, and no end to his jokes and anecdotes, whose grave I think deserves a notice. I refer to General Daniel Miller who settled at what is known as Loring's in the year 1792, being about the third family to make a home in what is now Cortland county. In 1813 I think he led a brigade of soldiers from Port Watson, their rendezvous, to the Canadian line near Queenstown to repel the enemy. He says they left Port Watson about 3 o'clock p. m., and marching up the valley camped the first night on the farm now owned by H. F. Benton, then known as "M. Butterfield's inn." As they neared the place one of his officers said he read that Paul thanked God when he came in sight of "Three Taverns," but thought himself a better man than St. Paul as he thanked God when he came in sight of "One Tavern."

   In my opinion this same General Miller did as much in developing the country in civil, military and religious affairs as did almost any other man. Traditions say that as a farmer he was not a success, but just how he managed to pay for his whole farm twice over and part the third time before securing a valid title would be quite a conundrum for some modern farmers, besides giving much time to the public.

   His body now lies in the small burial grounds a little east and south of the county house together with four generations—all his descendants.

   Not far from his grave lies the remains of Judge John Keep and wife, the former the man who gave the land to the public for a burying ground, the only condition being that it should be well kept and fenced. Just how well this contract is being fulfilled only a short visit to the grounds will show. The fencing has been done by the occupant of the county farm for many years. It may not be generally known that in an early day Judge Keep owned as a home what is now the county farm where he built for that date a very large house, so as he said he could give the poor and unfortunate a temporary shelter. Unfortunately, he signed a note for $3,000 to accommodate a man who wished to buy a drove of cattle for the Philadelphia market. The latter never reappeared and Judge Keep's farm had to be sold to pay the claim. This incident was told me by an eye witness a few years ago who said he could never forget the day Judge Keep moved out. At family prayers in the morning he said, that it was not for himself he cared, but he said as he had built the house to accommodate the poor he prayed God that if possible its doors might always be open to give temporary shelter to the unfortunate. How well that prayer has been answered we know when we remember that for fifty years that same house was not only a temporary stopping place, but a permanent home for the unfortunate in all the county. Then it was replaced by a larger and a better one. About two years ago the writer with another spent part of a day resetting Mr. and Mrs. Keep's head stones, as they were lying flat on the ground, where they had apparently rested for years. The remains of other pioneers also lay there, among whom we noticed Moses Butterfield and wife, Moses Edmonds and wife, Deacon Ward Woodward and wife, Jabez Keep and wife, the Abbotts, Cards, Snows, Knights and others. Many of these families are extinct and no one is interested to look after their graves.

   My object is not to write a eulogy on any one, but only to call attention to these neglected grounds, and I would ask if there is a law requiring the supervisor to look after such places when his attention is called to it and to put the grounds in decent shape at the expense of the township where so located. As I remember, it is now about eleven years since the last interment was made there. The south one-third of these grounds belongs to the county farm and not to the general public.

   Hoping something may soon be done in the matter, I remain yours, etc., A. D. K.

 

Holden & Sons coal yard.

S. N. HOLDEN SELLS OUT.

Henry L. Peckham Purchases Interest in Coal Business.

   Mr. S. N. Holden, senior member of the firm of S. N. Holden & Co., coal dealers, has sold his interest in the business to Assistant Cashier Henry L. Peckham of the National bank of Cortland and Mr. Harry W. Chaplin his present partner, who will take possession and continue the business. The firm name will be Chaplin & Peckham.

   Mr. Holden's health for the past few months has made it seem advisable for him to give up active business for a time at least, and Mr. Peckham has felt that it is imperative for him to give up the confining duties of banking and spend more time in the open air.

   Both the young men are known to possess excellent business capacity and the firm will be a strong one.

 

Funeral of Mrs. O'Leary.

   The funeral of Mrs. Johanna O'Leary was held from the home of her son, Mr. J. H. O'Leary, 35 Union-st., at 9 o'clock this morning and from St. Mary's church at 9:30 o'clock. Very large numbers of people attended both services. At the church solemn high mass was celebrated and in this Rev. J. J. McLoghlin, pastor of the church, was assisted by Rev. Father Mulheron of Auburn and Rev. Father McLoghlin of East Syracuse. Mr. John O'Leary, a son of Mrs. O'Leary, and his family were here from Auburn to attend the funeral.

 

W. S. Barker

Died Suddenly at the Home of His Daughter in Syracuse, N. Y.

   Word was received in Cortland this morning by Mr. C. W. Barker that his father, Mr. W. S. Barker, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. C. C. Truesdell, in Syracuse at 1:30 o'clock this morning. Mr. Barker has gone to Syracuse to assist in the funeral arrangements. It is not known in Cortland as yet when the funeral services will be held.

   Mr. Barker was for eight years and until Sept 1, 1900, superintendent and manager of the Homer & Cortland Gas Co. He had lived in Syracuse since his resignation of that position. About a year ago his wife died in Syracuse, and since that time he has made his home with Mrs. Truesdell. He also leaves a son Robert of Syracuse. Mr. Barker was a veteran of the civil war, serving with distinction in the Twelfth New York Volunteer infantry. He participated in the first battle of Bull Run. He was also a Mason, but never belonged to the Cortland lodge.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The Cloyes błock is being treated to a fresh coat of paint. Red with green trimmings are the colors used.

   —The Dryden Agricultural society gets $2,481.25 from the state money this year and Ithaca $2,489.60. Cortland's share was $3,101.

   —The wicker fish trap used by the Italians in Otter Creek has been placed on exhibition in the windows of the Grand Central restaurant.

   —Mrs. F. Daehler entertained a number of ladies yesterday afternoon at whist at her home on Tompkins-st., and a pleasant afternoon was spent.

   —The Woman's Foreign Mission circle of the First Baptist church will meet with Mrs. Damon Conger, 9 Charles-st., Friday afternoon at 2:30.

   —New display advertisements today are—Hollister Hardware Co., Refrigerators, etc., page 6; Gas Light Co., Gas ranges, page 6; F. Daehler, Tailor made clothing, page 6; W. W. Bennett, Oil stoves, etc., page 8.