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| West Virginia coal miners wearing oil headlamps. |
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| 1902 anthracite coal strike commissioners. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, November 1, 1902.
WORK UNDERGROUND.
Strike Commissioners Continue Inspection of Mines.
ASKED NUMEROUS QUESTIONS.
Saw One of the Poor Mines—Walked in Stooping Position—Crawled Into Three-Feet Opening—May Soon Make a Report as to Wages, Hours and Weighing Coal.
Scranton, Nov. 1.—The commissioners spent the entire day in continuing their inspection of the mines and the mining region about Scranton. They visited the Manville colliery, operated jointly by the Delaware & Hudson and the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western companies in the forenoon, and the afternoon was spent in riding through the region on a special trolley car. The commission will spend Saturday in the vicinity of Wilkes-Barre, returning here in the evening.
It is possible the commission may make a preliminary report on three of the principal strike questions. They are the increase in wages, a shorter work day and the weighing of coal. After these have been decided the commission can take up all other questions without undue haste. It is known the commissioners have this feature under consideration.
The commissioners were underground for two hours and a half. The party consisted of 13 persons, and included six commissioners, the two assistant recorders, General Superintendent Rose of the Delaware & Hudson company, General Superintendent Phillips of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western, District President Nichols of the miners' union, a miner employed in the Manville and a newspaper correspondent.
The party which visited the Forest City mines was too large and for this reason the number of persons permitted in the mine at one time was cut down. Recorder Wright did not accompany the party owing to a pressure of work in connection with the investigation.
Asked Numerous Questions.
The arbitrators inspected practically the entire underground workings, and as on the day before found much to interest them. They asked numerous questions of all men they encountered in the gangways or chambers, and did not seem to mind the discomforts of the trip.
The Manville is said to be one of the worst mines in this region for the miners to work. The veins of coal are not more than three feet thick. The commissioners walked several miles through the gangways and owing to the exceedingly low roof they had to do their tramping almost continually in a stooping position.
The visitors were then taken 4,000 feet in another direction to where a miner was working in an accumulation of water. This miner was questioned principally regarding the water. He told of how he takes it out every morning before doing any mining, and also told the commissioners what compensation he received for doing it.
He called attention to the loose rock overhead which made bad roofing, it often falling and compelling him to spend considerable time in improving conditions about the breast. In reply to a question as to how much he got for removing the rocks, he said: "We take it out for the good of our souls."
After the arbitrators had been in the workings an hour, Judge Gray decided that his back ached enough and he came to the surface, accompanied by Bishop Spalding.
Altogether the commissioners inspected three chambers where miners were at work at the face of the breasts blasting coal. The first breast visited was 2,000 feet from the foot of the shaft. There the investigators found a miner and his helper at work.
General Wilson and Messrs. Clark and Parker crawled into the three feet horizontal opening between the rock out of which the coal was being taken. The commissioners presented a novel picture as they sat around with flaming lamps in their hands listening to the grimy digger giving his testimony.
The miner was asked how much he made a day, how many cars of coal he was able to get out, how many hours he worked, what he paid his helper, how much he made per month before the strike, and numerous other questions that might give the commissioners some idea of how to proceed. General Wilson was the chief inquisitor and was ably assisted by his colleagues.
Alleged Slighting of Work.
On the way to the first breast, immediately after being lowered to the bottom of the shaft, which is about 315 feet from the surface, Superintendent Rose called the commissioners attention to a train of mine cars filled with coal. The rules of the company require that there must be six inches of topping on each car. The cars exhibited were filled only to top edge of the sides. In commenting on this Mr. Rose said: "This is a sample of how the company is imposed upon by some of the men."
In the afternoon the commission took a ride around the region in a special trolley car. They visited Taylor, Dunmore and Throop, three small mining towns outside of Scranton.
The commission went to Wilkes-Barre this morning and left here on the Delaware & Hudson railroad at 8 o'clock. The Prospect colliery of the Lehigh Valley Coal company, located in North Wilkes-Barre, was inspected and a trip to Plymouth and other mining towns in that vicinity will be made.
Sunday will be spent in this city. The commission has not yet decided when the taking of testimony shall begin. Chairman Gray said it may be nearly a week before the hearings are begun. Recorder Wright sent out letters to the 67 individual operators in the coal fields, giving them the same privilege of appearing before the commissioners as the larger operators.
Trying to Settle Strike.
Paris, Nov. 1.—President Loubet, following the example set by President Roosevelt, is taking an active part in settling the French coal miners' strike. He held an extended conference with M. Vincent, prefect of the department Du Nord, who has been acting as intermediary between the strikers and the mine owners in that department. The mine owners have given the prefect the names of four persons who are to represent them in a conference with an equal number of strikers. In a semi-official statement President Loubet expresses the hope for an early settlement of the strike and declares that this would be a political accomplishment beyond precedent.
THE WILD MAN OF RAMAPO.
Silas Youmans Arrested in His Mountain Cave and Sent to Insane Hospital.
Nyack, N. Y., Nov. 1.—Silas Youmans, known as "The Wild Man" and for a long time the terror of the Ramapo mountains, was captured in his cave by Deputy Sheriff Gillette, aided by the Rev. C. B. White, and after an examination by physicians, Judge A. M. Falłon yesterday committed him to the State Hospital for the insane at Middletown. Youmans was born in a small hut in the mountains near Johnstown some fifty years ago, and has there spent nearly all his life. He was a woodchopper, and earned his living by that, together with herb gathering and hunting.
About five years ago, after a few years of married life, he quarreled with his wife and she and their only child left him. Shortly afterward his house was burned. The shock of this double loss unbalanced his mind and caused him to leave his friends and all his belongings and become a wanderer in the woods, where he lived like a hermit in a small cave. Recently Youmans became dangerous threatening to set fire to the woods, to the schoolhouse and other buildings. He resisted arrest in his cave, but was soon overpowered.
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| Cortland City Judge Rowland Davis. |
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.
The City Judgeship.
In both the civil and criminal departments, the city court is an important court. It has a larger jurisdiction than justice's courts, both civilly and criminally, for its civil jurisdiction is to the amount of $600 where justices can acquire jurisdiction only to the amount of $200. Criminally, any grade of the offense of misdemeanor can be tried in city court, whereas only certain specified misdemeanors are triable before justices of the peace. Any elector may be a justice of the peace, but the city charter properly provides that only an admitted attorney of at least one year's practice is qualified to hold the office of city judge. As Judge Davis said in his speech accepting the nomination, this is the court of the plain people. It is a court where business men and working men can bring their suits without the great expense and the long delays incident to actions in the supreme court. It requires a magistrate who is well qualified in the principles of law and practice. In the criminal department, there is a necessity, not only of legal knowledge, but also of good judgment. It requires that the public peace and welfare shall be preserved. And it is also important that unusually severe sentences should not be imposed, which would tend to throw a large expense upon the taxpayers for keeping prisoners confined on minor charges in the jail and penitentiary; and where the offenders are men of family, that their families should not be deprived of the support and maintenance of the bread winner and they become the subject of public or private charity. It is a matter of common observation that law and order have been excellently maintained in this city for the past two years; and at the same time, the amounts paid out by the commissioner of charities for supporting poor people have been steadily decreasing. It is often true that a reprimand, kind word, or a light sentence is much more efficacious and sensible than the imposition of the extreme penalty. The office of city judge is not one to make money for the city, but rather, to save it, and to regulate and control crime and vice.
Since Judge Davis has been in office, the police records have been open to the inspection of the public and sessions of court have been held publicly and the people have been kept informed, through the newspapers, as to just what was going on and just how their interests were being protected and looked after. Judge Davis is very regular in his attendance at his office and his courts, having held the criminal court promptly at 9 o'clock and the civil court at 10 o'clock every morning, when there was business to do. People having complaints at any time have always been able to find him at his office and ready to listen and advise and act, except when he was incapacitated by sickness or where he was disqualified by relationship or otherwise, or by unavoidable absence from the city. He has given the office as close attention as it is possible for any man to give. Whenever he has had a duty to perform, questions of friendship, enmity or favor have not been regarded, but he has performed his duty faithfully and fairly.
Such an administration deserves the support of not only Republicans, but of all citizens who believe in the fearless discharge of a public duty and integrity in office.
HALLOWEEN PARTY
Given by Miss Holden to Alpha Deltas and Delphics.
About seventy Delphics and sister Alpha Deltas of the Cortland Normal school were most pleasantly entertained last evening at a Hallowe'en party given by Miss Louise A. Holden at her pleasant home, 5 Union-st. The young men gathered at the home of one of their members and the young ladies met at the home of one of theirs and all robed themselves in sheets, with pillow cases for caps, and each wore white masks.
As they entered the house each was given a number and a card with a Hallowe'en verse upon it, and in the dimly lighted rooms, which were made doubly ghost-like in appearance by the substitution of Jack-o-lanterns for gas jet shades, the young people guessed who each other were. A fortune teller also told magic and uncanny tales of the future of each of the party.
After unmasking the guests were entertained by all kinds of Hallowe'en sports. Elaborate refreshments were served and in all the young people spent a most enjoyable evening. Miss Holden entertained her guests most delightfully, and the Normal students will hold the remembrance of the occasion for a long time to come.
Mrs. Hawkins and Miss Alger were guests of honor.
ELECTION DAY GAME.
Onondaga Indians Play the Cortland Normals Next Tuesday.
The Onondaga Indians will play the Normal football team next Tuesday afternoon. This team is brought here at a great expense that a good game may be had on election day when shopmen and clerks can get out to the game. A liberal patronage should be given the team in this undertaking.
RIXON-THOMAS.
A Former Cortland Pastor Married at Moravia, N. Y.
The Moravia Republican-Register of Oct. 31, says: A company to the number of 114 assembled at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Thomas of Church-st., Wednesday afternoon to witness the marriage of their daughter, Floy May, to Rev. Howard L. Rixon of Tully
The wedding was a very informal affair. At 4 o'clock Presiding Elder Theron Cooper pronounced the marriage ceremony. The bride's dress was white Persian lawn, trimmed with lace and ribbon. The couple were unattended. After the ceremony and congratulations the company enjoyed a wedding supper.
The bridal gifts showed a choice array of silver, cut glass, etc. The honeymoon trip will embrace Philadelphia and New York, after which Mr. and Mrs. Rixon will be at home in Tully.
The bride is a graduate of Moravia High school and of Syracuse University. She was for a time one of the faculty of the High school. The groom was formerly pastor of the M. E. church of this village, later of the Homer-ave. church of Cortland and now of Tully.
Among the guests from out of town were Rev. and Mrs. Theron Cooper, Mrs. Northrup, Miss Northrup, Syracuse; Rev. W. L. Bates, Deposit; Rev. and Mrs. William Garrett, Fleming; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Seaman, Denver; J. Knox Oakley and family, Miss Ella Hale, Miss Clara Hale, Cortland; R. W. Vincent and wife, of New York; Misses Forna and Nevia Thomas, Auburn.
"Faust" on Tuesday Night.
The Gounod quartet numbers Jeanne Elbin, the noted prima donna soprano, Lawrence Whitham, formerly tenor of the New York Castle Square opera company, and Henri Schlotter, the bass soloist, who has appeared by royal command before the present Emperor William of Germany. Music lovers will have an opportunity of hearing this noted quartet when it visits this city with Alan Tabor's magnificent production of "Faust" which will be at the Cortland Opera House, Tuesday, Nov 4. Shipman Brothers have the direction of the tour in their care.
FORTNIGHTLY CLUB
Consults the Fates at the Home of Mrs. MacDowell.
The Fortnightly club courted the Fates last night at a Hallowe'en party held at the home of Mrs. F. L. MacDowell on Tompkins-st. Every arrangement had been made by the entertainment committee of the club to furnish the proper environment for drawing out the secrets of the sprites and goblins who appear to mortals on this mystic night and to put the members of the club in receptive mood for their revelations. The house was lighted by candles only, except where Jack o'lanterns leered from dark and ghostly corners. The dining room where refreshments were served was particularly fantastic and suggestive in its decorations, and many a jest passed around the festive board,
Fortunes were told in teacups and apple parings and the thimble and ring gave forth their hidden secrets in the merriest manner known to Hallowe'en.
ROWE RECAPTURED.
Threw the Wheel Away and Left it Under a Bridge.
Fred Rowe was captured by Sheriff Overton between Willet and Upper Lisle at about 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon and was brought back to Cortland at 7:29 o'clock. He was at his uncle's, who it is believed was about to start for Cortland to deliver the boy to the authorities.
Rowe admits that he rode F. J. Peck's wheel away from Cortland. He wheeled through McGraw to Solon and on to Cincinnatus that night. A little out of Cincinnatus he threw the wheel under a bridge, and trudged on without it.
TRUXTON, N. Y.
A Marriage and a Death in This North Town of the County.
Truxton, Oct. 31.—A pretty wedding was solemnized at St. Patrick's church at 10:30 o'clock yesterday morning when Miss Mary, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Case was united in marriage to Mr. William Donahey of Perryville, N. Y. The ceremony was performed by Rev. A. J. Logan in the presence of a large company of relatives and friends. After the ceremony an elaborate wedding breakfast was served at the home of the bride's parents on the North road. After a short wedding tour Mr. and Mrs. Donahey will make their home in Perryville.
Hazel, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Law, died at her home yesterday at 12 o'clock of erysipelas. The child has been sick but a few days and her sudden death is a great shock to her parents who have the sympathy of the entire community. The funeral will be held from her late home Saturday at 2 o'clock.
Great preparations are being made for the hallowe'en social which is to be held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. William Bell this evening. A fine program has been arranged and a fine time is assured. Light refreshments will be served. The proceeds are for the benefit of the Young People's society of Christian Endeavor of the Methodist church.
Mr. Myron H. Crosley has been offered and accepted a fine position with the D. M. Osborne company of Auburn. Mr. Crosby will have general supervision of all the local agencies in central New York.
W. Ray Woodward and Frank L. Hilton attended the Ancient Order of United Workmen banquet at Cortland Tuesday evening.
BREVITIES.
—The East Syracuse foot ball team arrived in Cortland this forenoon to meet the Normals at Athletic field this afternoon.
—A full grown and fully ripened strawberry of large size is one of the curiosities of M. L. Decker's strawberry patch in November.
—District Attorney and Mrs. Thomas H. Dowd have moved from the Dr. Johnson house on Port Watson-st. to 44 Church-st., the residence recently vacated by Mr. Charles Mason and family.
—Rev. W. J. Howell of the First Baptist church will tomorrow exchange with Rev. Mr. DeWoody of Geneva. The communion service at the church which was announced for tomorrow will be postponed for one week.
—A splendid likeness of Conroy, who formerly played at shortstop on the Cortland team, and now the shortstop on the winning Pittsburg team, may be seen in Sanders' tobacco store windows in a group of Pittsburg ballplayers.
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