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| El Presidente Cipriano Castro and Herbert Bowen. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, December 19, 1902.
"WAR BLOCKADE."
It Will Be Recognized by the United States Government.
Washington, Dec. 19.—As understood here the blockade to be declared by the allies against Venezuela on Saturday is to be a "war blockade," as contrasted with the "peace blockade'' which has been in operation since the trouble with Venezuela assumed an acute stage.
Ordinarily a legal blockade is preceded by a declaration of war, but at times this formality is dispensed with and a blockade maintained just as though war had been formally declared.
To all intents and purposes war has existed and such condition has been recognized by the governments of the allies.
A formal declaration that a blockade has been established will be sent to all the powers and it will be recognized by the United States government.
Following the practice in such case, this government will maintain an attitude of neutrality against the belligerents, which they practically become by the establishment of the blockade, although whether a presidential proclamation announcing our neutrality to the world will be issued has not yet been decided upon. The matter will come up for definite determination very soon.
Our government is fully informed of the intention of the allies in the movements they are making in the operations against Venezuela.
The notice about to issue of the formal blockade of Venezuelan ports is not understood here to mean that Minister Bowen's efforts to adjust the Venezuelan difficulties have failed.
It was conceived that the naval commanders of the powers were acting under explicit instructions which included the establishment of a blockade and it was not expected that these instructions would be suspended until the negotiations through diplomatic channels had assumed a phase indicative of a final and satisfactory adjustment
As Minister Bowen was only yesterday appealed to, to endeavor to effect such an adjustment, he has had as yet no opportunity of moving forward in his negotiations to a point where he might reasonably expect the allied powers to cancel completely the remainder of their punitive program.
It is to be expected that the threatened blockade will be duly published next Saturday unless in the meantime Minister Bowen is able to offer sufficient assurances that the Venezuelan government is ready to meet the terms of their ultimatums.
It can be stated positively that these assurances will not include a direct guarantee by the United States of Venezuela's liabilities.
ADMIRAL DEWEY'S FLEET.
Principal Fighting Ships Will Rendezvous at Trinidad.
Washington, Dec. 19.—According to the approved plans the principal fighting ships of Admiral Dewey's fleet will rendezvous at the island of Trinidad, off the coast of Venezuela, and at St. Thomas near Porto Rico.
Rear Admiral Higginson, commanding the North Atlantic squadron, will have command of the battleship fleet at Trinidad on his flagship Kearsarge, with Rear Admiral Sumner commanding the South Atlantic squadron on his flagship Iowa, as second in command.
The fleet at St. Thomas, which includes two battleships, will be under the command of Rear Admiral Crowninshield, commanding the European squadron on his flagship Illinois.
The fleet of cruisers and smaller vessels, which will anchor at St. Kitts, will be in command of Rear Admiral Coghlan, commanding the Caribbean division on his flagship Olympia. Although not so stated it is expected that Admiral Dewey will retain the converted cruiser Mayflower as his flagship and will spend most of the 10 days holiday at San Juan. He is now at Culebra with the bulk of his immense fleet. The Texas and Topeka have arrived at Culebra.
ANSWERS UNSATISFACTORY.
That of Great Britain is Most Favorable to Arbitration.
Washington, Dec. 19.—It was announced at the state department this morning that answers had been received from Great Britain, Germany and Italy, to the proposal of arbitration made by President Castro and forwarded by this government. The answer, while admitting the correctness of the principal of arbitration, are not regarded as satisfactory on account of the conditions laid down. The answer of Great Britain is the most favorable. Germany admits that arbitration is the proper manner of settlement, but she interposes so many conditions as to make her answer anything but a. consent to arbitration. Italy says that inasmuch as she is the youngest of the three parties to the alliance, she will be willing to abide by any disposition of the matter agreed upon by the other Iwo. Even Great Britain's answer, which is the most promising of all, stipulates a number of considerations which will take time for adjustment before arbitration could be entered into.
DR. BRADFORD APPOINTED
To Fill Vacancy Caused by Death of Dr. Green.
Albany, Dec. 19.—Governor Odell has appointed Dr. George D. Bradford of Homer a coroner for Cortland county to fill the vacancy created by the death of Coroner Frank H. Green.
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| Grip's Historical Souvenir was published in 1900. |
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FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Annual Report of Secretary M. Eastman.
SMALL FIRE LOSS FOR YEAR 1902.
The Department in Good Condition—Some Improvements Suggested—A Total of Seventeen Alarms During the Year—Estimated Loss Above Insurance Only $500—The Record for the Year.
The following report was given by Secretary E. M. Eastman at the annual meeting of the Cortland Fire department held Wednesday evening, Dec. 16. It shows the fire department of the city to be in good condition and the loss by fire during the year to have been remarkably slight:
The time has again arrived when it is the duty of the officers of the department to render an account of their stewardship and as your secretary I would offer the following report:
The Cortland Fire department, under the able leadership of Chief Sherwood and Assistants Lane and Horton, has made for itself a record for promptness and efficiency during the year just passed that has not been surpassed and we doubt if it has been equaled during the history of the department.
With the department organized as it is at present, with officers and members that are always ready to give their best efforts and their time voluntarily to the work, we believe that we are furnishing to the city of Cortland a fire department that is the equal of any volunteer organization in the state, who work under the same conditions as ourselves.
Some Improvements Needed.
There are some improvements that we believe would be of great benefit to the city. One of these is a chemical and hose wagon, which if placed in some central location where it could reach the fire at the beginning would extinguish a majority of the fires without the great loss by water which is sometimes the case at present. We hope this may be a reality in the near future.
The Hooks are still handicapped by a lack of room to keep team and truck in the same building, but are doing remarkably good work.
The Fire Alarm System.
During the past year the fire commissioners have completed an improvement that is of the greatest benefit to the members of the department. This consists of the complete overhauling and rewiring of the electric fire alarm system which was begun in 1901 and finished early in the present year. Under their direction the wires have been placed on the top of the high telephone poles out of the way of all electric wires, the system has been divided into three circuits each independent of the other.
The engine house has been entirely rewired, an up-to-date switch board has been installed, the old battery system has been replaced by storage batteries, and the entire system placed in first-class condition.
Telephone Fire Calls.
Another up-to-date feature this year is the telephone fire call service. Every officer of the department and about fifty of the members have private telephones in their homes, and by special arrangement with the manager of the Home Telephone Co., whenever there is an alarm of fire, each of these 'phones is rung from the central office and the firemen are notified at once of the location of the fire.
These improvements are responsible in a large measure for the prompt and efficient manner in which the department has preformed its work in the past year.
During the past few weeks the steamer has been thoroughly overhauled and is now in good condition.
We are indeed fortunate in not being called upon to place on record the death of any fireman during the year 1902.
Board of Engineers.
The board of engineers has held eleven regular and no special meetings during the year with an average attendance of eight.
All matters affecting the good and welfare of the department has received their unanimous support.
The department was represented at State Fireman's convention at Hudson by First Assistant M. V. Lane and at Central New York convention at Moravia by Treasurer M. E. Sarvay.
Annual Inspection.
The annual parade and inspection was held Aug. 31 at 2 p. m. The department appearing in full uniform with such apparatus as they had in charge, and were inspected by the mayor, common council and fire commissioners. A novel feature of the inspection was the ex-chiefs of the department in automobiles at the head of the line.
The Companies.
The department at present consists of Waterwitch Steamer & Hose Co. No. 1, thirty-six men, steamer and hose cart; Orris Hose Co. No. 2, thirty men hose cart; Excelsior Hook & Ladder Co. No. 3, thirty-seven men, team and truck; D. F. Waters, driver; Emerald Hose Co. No. 4, thirty men, hose cart; Hitchcock Hose Co. No. 6, thirty men, horse and hose wagon; making a total of 163 men in the department.
The Year's Fires.
The following alarms have been responded to during the year:
Jan. 14 at 9:45 p. m. fire was discovered in the basement of the Universalist church, the wooden ceiling, which is low, having caught fire from a gas jet. An alarm was sent in and the companies responded but were not needed as the fire was extinguished by the members of the church who were holding a meeting in an adjoining room. Loss small, covered by insurance.
Door and Window Screen Co.
Jan. 29 at 8:30 p. m. the varnish building of the Cortland Door & Window Screen Co. was found to be on fire. The factory whistle was blown and box 413 corner of Port Watson and Pomeroy-sts. was rung in; the companies responded but before they arrived a stream had been turned on from a steam pump in the engine room. Owing to distance from city hydrant but one stream of water could be used by the department. The two streams were sufficient to confine the fire to this building which was small and thus save the remainder of the plant and a large quantity of lumber which was piled close by. Several barrels of varnish, benzene, etc., were saved. Loss about $250, with no insurance. Origin of fire not known.
A Still Alarm.
A still alarm was given at 7:30 a. m. Feb. 14. A telephone call was answered by Superintendent Waters and No. 3's team. The fire caused by a defective oil stove in the residence of the Misses Cole, Reynolds-ave., was extinguished without calling out the department. The loss was small.
March 28, at 9 a. m. there was a telephone call for a fire in an ash box in the rear of the Grand Union Tea Co. This was extinguished by the chemical operated by Superintendent Waters. No loss.
Fire on Railroad-st.
April 13, at 12:10 a. m., fire was discovered in the second floor of the old wooden building of the north side of Railroad-st. owned by Wickwire Bros. and occupied by Lynn Lewis in the manufacture of milk coolers. The fire is supposed to have caught from a stove. Box 333 was turned in and the companies soon had the flames under control. Mr. Lewis' loss was estimated at $600, which was covered by insurance. The Idle Hour billiard parlor and Parmiter repair shops were somewhat damaged by water.
At Wallace Wallpaper Co.
April 15, at 8 p. m. box 334 was rung in for a fire on the second floor of the Wallace Wallpaper Co.'s factory. The department was not needed, the fire being extinguished by employees with pails of water.
Several Small Fires.
April 30, at 7:40 p. m. box 333 was rung in for a fire in the rear of Antonio Natoli's fruit store caused by explosion of gasoline. The department responded promptly and the fire was extinguished with small loss.
May 9, at 11:30 a. m., fire was discovered in the second story of the dwelling house located at 66 Lincoln-ave. in rooms occupied by Mrs. Kate Ryan. Box 214 was rung in and department responded, no water was used, fire being extinguished by the chemical. Loss small.
May 20, at about midnight box 214 was rung in and the companies responded but the fire proved to be in a barn outside the city limits and far beyond the reach of hose.
Fire, But No Alarm Given.
At 12 o'clock midnight, June 9, the failing of a lighted lamp at the home of N. O'Brien, 22 North Church-st., started what came near being a serious fire. Mr. O'Brien was not able to subdue the flames and called for help. Chief Sherwood, who lives close by, responded and by hard work the fire was extinguished with pails of water. Loss covered by insurance.
False Alarm.
Aug. 12, in testing a defective fire alarm, box 132 appeared on the indicator. The department responded to Box 132, but found it a false alarm.
Palace Star Laundry.
Aug. 26, at 6:30 p. m. fire was discovered on the roof of the Palace Star laundry. The department responded promptly and fire was extinguished with small loss.
Cortland Specialty Co.
Oct. 18, at 11:45 p. m. the plant of the Cortland Specialty Co. was found to be on fire, the whistle of the Lehigh Valley car shop was blown and an alarm was turned in from box 333.
The department was soon at the fire and with the help of the employees of the Wickwire Bros.' factory who had three streams from their pumps, the fire was confined to the plant of the Specialty Co. but this factory was entirely destroyed.
The origin of the fire is unknown. There was an insurance of $4,500 on the building and $23,000 on stock and equipment, which is estimated to cover the loss.
The Central School Fire.
At 11:40 a. m., Oct. 28, fire was discovered in a waste paper box in the basement of the Central school building on Railroad-st. An alarm was telephoned to the engine house and box 333 was rung in, the companies responded promptly and the fire was extinguished with small loss.
This fire showed the importance of the fire drill in public schools, when the signal for drill was sounded the entire school marched out in perfect order and in a remarkable short space of time the building was empty.
An Overheated Furnace Pipe.
Nov. 7, at 1:30 p. m. an alarm was telephoned in from the residence of T. T. Bates at 37 Maple-ave. Fire was caused by an overheated furnace pipe. The department responded but their services were not needed. The loss was small.
In the Squires Block.
Nov. 10, at 5:45 p. m., fire was discovered in a coal closet on the third floor of the Squires block in rooms occupied by Edith Rice. Box 432 was rung in and the department responded. No water was used by the department. The fire was extinguished by pails of water and chemical. Loss very small.
Fire at Pearson Bros.
Dec. 4, at 10 p. m. box 333 was rung in for a fire in the finishing room of Pearson Bros.' furniture store located on west side of Main-st.
The department responded and after a few minutes of hard work the fire, which at first promised to be a serious affair, was extinguished, but not until a large amount of damage had been done by smoke and water. The loss was estimated at $5,000, and was covered by insurance.
This ends the record of 1902. The estimate loss above insurance is less than $500 for the year. The total number of alarms and fires was seventeen.
Three of these were still alarms where the department was not called out. One was a false alarm and thirteen were fires to which the department responded.
E. M. Eastman, Secretary.
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| M. F. Cleary in uniform. |
EMERALD HOSE COMPANY.
Annual Meeting and Election of Officers.
At the annual meeting of the Emerald Hose Co. held last evening the following officers were elected:
President—M. F. Cleary,
Vice President—W. J. McAuliffe.
Foreman—Thomas Kane.
First Ass't Foreman—Maurice Lane.
Second Ass't. Foreman—Edward Kane.
Recording Secretary—Frank J. Donegan.
Financial Secretary—M. B. Burns.
Treasurer—Henry Corcoran.
Pipemen—Thomas Murray, John D. Kieley, James Riley.
Property Clerk—Emmet Kane.
Rep. Board of Engineers—W. J. McAuliffe.
Delegate to State Fireman's Convention—William P. Masterson.
Alternate—John W. Phelps.
Delegate to Central N. Y. Fireman's Convention—Thomas Kernan.
Alternate—John Whalen.
THE CANNING FACTORY.
Price for Corn Increased—May Purchase Plant.
The price of corn for next year's crop has been advanced by the Cortland Canning factory proprietors, Messrs. Yager and Halstead, and by this the raisers will receive for their product 55 and 60 cents per 100 pounds, or an increase of from 10 to 20 per cent.
The hustling proprietors are now negotiating for the purchase of the plant that they occupy, and this will probably be completed by the first of January.
FOUND ARSENIC.
Prof. Chamot So Testifies at Coroner's Inquest.
KIEHL INVESTIGATION RESUMED.
The Cornell Chemist Reports Result of His Examination—Mrs. Maude Kiehl is Called as a Witness—Upon Advice of Her Counsel She Refuses to Answer Questions Put by District Attorney—Dr. Higgins' Testimony.
The inquest in the matter of the death of William Kiehl was resumed at the grand jurors' room at the courthouse this morning and is attracting more interest even than formerly. The room has been packed all day with interested spectators, and many cannot get nearer the scene of the investigation than the main corridor.
Maude Kiehl, widow of William Kiehl, who was charged with giving strychnine to her brother-in-law Adam Kiehl, arrived here from South Onondaga this morning to testify in regard to the death of her husband. In all she exhibits the same quiet composure and seeming indifference that she showed when here to answer to the charge of the coroner in reference to the death of Adam Kiehl.
Attorney Rowland L. Davis appeared before the coroner in behalf of Mrs. Kiehl and interposed objections to having Mrs. Kiehl sworn as a witness. Coroner Santee said that Mrs. Kiehl was there to tell what she knew about the facts concerning her husband's death and overruled the objections made by Mr. Davis.
In response to questions by the district attorney, Mrs. Kiehl, upon advice of her counsel, said that she declined to answer.
It has been shown today by Prof. E. M. Chamot, who examined the viscera of William Kiehl, and by Dr. Dana and Dr. Higgins, who performed the autopsy, that William Kiehl died from arsenic poisoning.
Prof. Chamot's Testimony.
Prof. Chamot was the first witness called this morning. He testified that on Nov. 5, 1902, he received parts of the viscera of William Kiehl, of which he made an analysis. The parts sent to him were the lungs, kidney and part of the small intestine, spleen, liver and stomach. These he examined chemically and found arsenic in large amount in all of them. In the stomach were found 7.01 grains of metallic arsenic, equivalent to 9.26 grains of white or commercial arsenic. In 15 grams of the liver were found an equivalent of .4 of a grain of white arsenic. He also received the comfortable that was used under William Kiehl just prior to his death and this was also examined by him. Pieces containing 12 square inches, taken from the outer edges of the comfortable contained each .01 of a grain of arsenic. Portions taken from the center of it did not contain so much arsenic.
A Lively Tilt.
Before the examination of Maude Kiehl, a lively scene transpired in the court room. Attorney Rowland L. Davis appeared with Mrs. Kiehl, and interceded in her behalf, and in behalf of her immediate family that none of them be subjected to the humiliation of being sworn. He said the motive of the coroner was to fasten a suspicion of a crime upon her or some member of her family, and while she was not entitled to any counsel, at this time, he wished to save her this embarrassment.
The coroner overruled the objection upon the ground that in the first place, Mr. Davis had no right to be there at all, and in the second place, Mrs. Kiehl was called there to tell what she knew in regard to her husband's death and not to incriminate herself in any way. Therefore they would examine the witness.
Mrs. Kiehl Called.
Maude C. Kiehl, the widow of William Kiehl was sworn, and said: "My age is 18. I was married in November, 1900. I remember the date of my husband's death. It was Feb. 9, 1902. My home previous to my marriage was South Onondaga. My mother's name is Adelaide Fenner. My brothers' names [are] George and Bob. My sister's, Minnie. I was at my mother's home about the first of February. There were living there at the time my two brothers, sister and mother. My brother George was a clerk in a store. Bob aged 9, and Minnie aged 12, were attending school. I cannot remember of any one visiting there at the time but myself. My home at the time was at Preble on the Hiscock farm. I returned to my home before my husband died. My husband was at South Onondaga on Saturday, a week before his death and returned on Sunday afternoon, about 3 o'clock. Dr. Gregg came in just as we were eating dinner, about 1 o'clock Sunday. I cannot remember of anyone else partaking of the dinner outside of the immediate family. I cannot remember who prepared the dinner, nor who served it. I had never been in Cortland in my life until I was brought here.
Witness Declines to Answer.
District Attorney T. H. Dowd asked the question if witness had been to Syracuse during the month of January prior to her husband's death and upon advice of her attorney, the witness declined to answer the question and made the following statement:
"While I am innocent of any crime connected with the death of my husband, William Kiehl, upon the advice of counsel I decline to answer the question, on the ground that the answer might tend to criminate me or furnish evidence to put me in jeopardy or expose me to danger of a criminal prosecution. And on the further ground, that I am privileged from answering such question, under the constitution and the statutes of this state."
The district attorney then proceeded and asked the following questions:
"During your visit at your mother's home did your mother go away?"
"I decline to answer."
"Do you decline to answer upon the ground that it will tend to criminate your mother?"
"I decline to answer."
"Did your mother visit you at Preble during the month of December?"
"I decline to answer."
"On what ground?"
"On the same ground as before."
"Was Lillian Kiehl a sister of William Kiehl?"
"Yes."
"Where did she reside?"
"I decline to answer."
"Do you decline to answer any questions in regard to the death of your husband, or any circumstances connected with it?"
"I do."
"On the same grounds you have already stated?"
"Yes."
Dr. F. W. Higgins.
Dr. F. W. Higgins, a physician and resident of Cortland, was next sworn and said in part: "I have had experience in about thirty post mortem examinations. In company with Drs. Santee and Dana I made an examination of a body in E. R. Wright's undertaking rooms in the city of Cortland Nov. 3, 1902. Dr. Dana and I made an examination of the body after removing it from a wooden box. We found the face dark in color, the external skin easily removed, the eyeballs and nose sunken. Hands were decomposed, flesh dropping off at a touch, exposing the bones, which easily fell apart. Upon the body, skin was dark and quite intact. The body was that of a male, medium size, hair dark brown. The abdomen was punctured as if by an undertaker's needle.
Both lungs were removed and found to be in normal condition. There were no evidences of pneumonia. The heart was removed and both auricles were filled with dark clotted blood. All its valves were normal. The walls of normal thickness. The liver was removed. It was normal both in its external surface and upon section. Both kidneys were removed, the capsule was not adherent, structure firm, slightly paler than normal in color.
The following specimens were preserved in quart glass jars which had previously been boiled and cleaned and placed in hands of coroner. Stomach, liver, spleen, kidneys, a portion of small intestine nearest stomach and both lungs. I made a very careful examination of both lungs in every lobe to determine whether or not there was pneumonia. Had this man died of pneumonia there would have been evidences at this time to show it. I am positive he did not die of pneumonia. If he had had a case of well developed pneumonia three days before his death there would have been evidences of it when I made the examination. I could not determine the cause of death from this examination. The preservation of the organs after this remarkable length of time is always found in cases of arsenical poisoning. The symptoms of poisoning from arsenic are vomiting, diarrhea, pains in stomach and bowels, weakness, great thirst, restlessness from pain. Symptoms vary greatly according to the amount of poisoning.
The inquest was still in progress when The Standard went to press. There are several other witnesses to be sworn but Coroner Santee hopes to be able to get the evidence all in before the close of the session tomorrow.
BREVITIES.
—The lack of coal is becoming a serious question with Ithaca schools.
—A conundrum social will be held at the Homer-ave. parsonage this evening.
—This is the season of the year when every one is sorry that our currency isn't more elastic.
—The Twentieth Century Whist club will meet at the home of Mr. and Mrs. D. E. Stanford, 10 Charles-st. this evening.
—The Lehigh Valley officials announce that after Dec. 20 no applications will be filed for clergymen's tickets on that road.
—The new display advertisements today are—M. A. Case, Dry goods, page 6; C. W. Walters, Pianos to burn, page 5; R. W. Mitchell, Meats for your Christmas dinner, page 5; G H. Ames, Holiday shoes and rubbers.
— A deed filed in the county clerk's office at Ithaca records the sale of all that tract of land in Groton which was formerly the property of the Groton Bridge and Manufacturing company, from the Empire Bridge company to E. A. Landon. The consideration was $15,000.
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