WAR REMINISCENCES: CHAPTER 22

 

Captain William Saxton, Company C, 157th Regiment, New York Volunteers.

Wikipedia map.

Cortland Semi-Weekly Standard, Tuesday, June 16, 1903.

WAR REMINISCENCES.

By Captain Saxton of the 157th Regiment, N. Y. Vols.

THE SPRING CAMPAIGN OPENS.

Roads Lined With Surplus Baggage—The Geographical Location Near Chancellorsville—A Captured Rebel’s Diary—General Hooker’s Fatal Error, Thought There Was Time Enough—Preparations for Battle of Chancellorsville.

CHAPTER 22.

   To the Editor of the Standard:

   Sir—April 27, 1863.— Our company had been sent on picket the night before, but we took everything with us, besides eight days’ rations in our haversacks and knapsacks.

   This morning the pickets were called together and joined the column as it marched by. We marched west and camped at Hartwood church.

Throwing Away Baggage.

   We had just come out of comfortable winter quarters and the boys had taken along overcoats, blankets, and a good many other things they did not like to abandon. Then too we had eight days’ rations, eighty rounds of cartridges to carry, a sufficient load in itself. The day was very warm, and as we trudged along the load seemed heavier and heavier. When we stopped to rest the time was occupied by the men in looking over their belongings and seeing what could be dispensed with, and when we marched on, the roadside was lined with all sorts of abandoned articles that the soldiers upon second consideration had decided they could get along without and were not actually obliged to have. This culling process continued all that day and the next, and I do not think I exaggerate a particle in saying that I saw more overcoats, blankets, clothing and trinkets thrown away on the first two days of that march than could be stored in all the store rooms in this town. When the army had passed by, this abandoned property in most part was gathered up by the few inhabitants in wagon loads and a great part of it eventually found its way into the rebel army. I clung to my overcoat, wool blanket and rubber blanket and our boys roasted me for carrying such a load, but I can assure you that when the all night cold rain of May 5 came, the same boys who had not been killed or wounded and were with the regiment, were wonderfully glad to share the protection that these blankets and overcoat afforded.

Strategic Position.

   At this time General Lee’s lines extended from Port Royal fifteen miles below Fredericksburg to a few miles above, along the Rappahannock [river]. Jackson’s corps occupied the extreme right, but the bulk of Lee’s army was behind entrenchments south of Fredericksburg. Longstreet with two of his divisions, Hood’s and Picket’s, and some artillery was away south of Petersburg. Lee had 60,000 men and 170 pieces of artillery. Stuart’s cavalry was mostly on the upper Rappahannock guarding the fords and scouting. General Hooker had seven infantry corps with accompanying artillery and one corps of cavalry. His force of all arms amounted to about 120,000. These men were encamped within a radius of ten miles around Falmouth, a little hamlet half a mile up the river from opposite Fredericksburg.

Proposed Movement.

   It was General Hooker’s intention to send General Sedgwick and the Sixth Corps together with the First Corps (Reynolds’) and the Third Corps (Sickles’) below Fredericksburg, cross the river and make strong demonstrations as though the whole army were to cross there and make the main attack. While this was being done he would march the Eleventh Corps (Howard’s), the Twelfth Corps (Slocum’s) and the Fifth Corps (Mead’s) rapidly west on different roads back out of sight of the enemy at Kelley’s ford, twenty miles above Falmouth, there to cross the Rappahannock, then march east twelve miles, cross the Rapidan river at Germania ford and concentrate at  Chancellorsville; Couch with two divisions of the Second Corps, Hancock’s and French’s, was to march to the rear of Bank’s ford ready to cross when Hooker’s move had uncovered it. Reynolds’ and Sickles’ Corps to be taken from Sedgwick and marched to United States ford to join Hooker as soon as that crossing would be uncovered. General Stoneman with two brigades of cavalry, Averill’s and Beauford’s was to cross at Kelley’s ford, move south and capture Gordonsville and Culpepper, then move east and cut the railroad between Lee and Richmond. Stoneman’s other brigade of cavalry, Pleasanton’s, was to accompany Hooker. This movement, as I have previously noted, commenced on the part of the right wing on Monday morning, the 27.

The Lay of the Land.

   In order to clearly understand the movements that led up to the battle of Chancellorsville it will be necessary to study the map of this part of Virginia somewhat. The Rappahannock at its usual stage is fordable at several points. Bank’s ford is about five miles above Falmouth. The United States ford is about five miles above Bank’s and one mile below the junction of the Rapidan with the Rappahannock, which joins from the southwest. Kelley’s ford is ten miles above the United States ford. The Rapidan has two fords—Germania at Germania Mills, twelve miles southeast from Kelley’s ford, and Ely’s ford, two mile further down the stream. From each of these fords there is a road leading to Chancellorsville, distant about ten miles. Chancellorsville, which consists of the Chancellor houses and buildings only, is about ten miles west of Fredericksburg, and five miles south of United States ford.

   April 28, Tuesday.—Reveille sounded at 3 a. m. with orders to move at 4, but we did not go till daylight. Passed by Grovewood church. It commenced to rain before noon and we had a hard march.

   Camped two miles north of Kelley’s ford on the Rappahannock. I hunted up the One Hundred and Fifty-four New York and found my cousin Henry Gould.

The Army on the Move.

   When I got back I found our regiment was striking tents. We marched down near the ford and lay down till the pontoon bridge was completed.

   One brigade was already guarding the ford since Stoneman’s first move. The pontoons were unloaded in a creek behind a bluff out of sight. Part of the One Hundred Fifty-fourth New York and the Seventy-third Pennsylvania pushed across the river in boats and drove away the pickets; then the balance of the two regiments crossed over and held the banks while the pontoons were being laid.

   We crossed the Rappahannock about midnight expecting to run amuck Mr. “Johnny Reb” but did not. We marched until 3 a. m., then lay down till daylight.

   That night the left wing moved from its camp and took up a position two miles below Fredericksburg where Franklin had crossed in December.

   April 29, Wednesday.—Got breakfast at 6. Saw a squad of rebel cavalry on a hill to the right taking observations. The colonel galloped toward them about half way, took out his field glass and looked them over, when they made a dash and chased him back.

A Captured Rebel’s Diary.

   The Twelfth Corps crossed over, followed by Stoneman’s cavalry and the Fifth Corps. The wagon trains were sent back and parked near Bank’s and United States fords. Pleasanton with two regiments of cavalry and one battery of horse artillery marched directly to Germania ford on the Rapidan, surprised and captured a picket of fifty of Stuart’s cavalry boys. Among them was an engineer officer in whose diary it was stated that Jackson, Hill, Early and Stuart had had a council previously and concluded that the next battle would be fought at Chancellorsville and that that place must be prepared.

   We marched on at noon, struck a plank road toward night, passed a few houses where women stood in the doorways and told us we would be marching the other way in less than a week. Crossed the Rapidan at 11 p. m. on some timbers that had been laid from rock to rock.

   The Fifth Corps (Mead’s), preceded by one regiment of cavalry, crossed the Rapidan at Ely’s ford nearer the Rappahannock. General Couch marched two divisions of his Corps (the Second) from their camp to the rear of Bank’s ford. Stoneman’s cavalry, with the exception of Pleasanton’s brigade, started on their raid.

   Down on the left wing before daylight Brook’s division of the Sixth Corps crossed the Rappahannock in boats two miles below Fredericksburg and Wadsworth’s division of the First crossed a mile further down at Pollock’s Mills in the same manner. Bridges were ready by daylight and the remainder of the two corps were marched over and some entrenchments thrown up on the plain protected by artillery from the north side.

The Halt at Chancellorsville.

   April 30, Thursday.—It rained during the night and we got quite wet. We marched on at 11 a. m. My feet got dreadfully sore and blistered. Halted for the night in an open field about two miles west of Chancellorsville and eight or ten from the ford.

   The three corps were massed around Chancellorsville that night where Hooker made his headquarters and said “I have Lee’s army in one hand and Richmond in the other.” He promulgated the following order:

   “General Order No. 47, Headquarters Army of the Potomac, camp near Falmouth, Va., April 30, 1863. It is with heartfelt satisfaction that the commanding general announces to the army that the operations of the last three days have determined that our enemy must either ingloriously fly or come out from behind his defenses and give us battle on our own ground where certain destruction awaits him.

   “The operations of the Fifth, Eleventh and Twelfth corps have been a succession of splendid achievements.

   “By command of Maj. Gen. Hooker, S. Williams, Asst. Adj. Gen.”

Didn’t Read His Bible.

   Probably General Hooker had not read the twentieth chapter of Kings for his lesson that morning. In the eleventh verse it says, “Let not him that girdeth up his harness, boast himself as he that putteth it off.”

   We had marched in between Stuart’s cavalry and Lee, and Stoneman’s raid had prevented their communication.

   Pleasanton captured a courier from Lee to McLaws saying he (Lee) had heard that the Union army had concentrated around Chancellorsville and asked why McLaws did not send him word and ordered him to report at headquarters.  

Procrastination the Fatal Error.

   Pleasanton gave Hooker the engineer’s diary and this message from Lee at 2 p. m. and advised him to anticipate Lee’s attack and march three or four miles on towards Fredericksburg which would take him out of the woods into more open country. This move also would have uncovered Bank’s ford, which would shorten the distance to Sedgwick ten miles. Hooker considered it would be time enough to make the move in the morning. When morning came the conditions had changed and Hooker had lost a great opportunity. At night Pleasanton agin went to him and suggested that he move the Eleventh Corps out of its miserable position in the woods and send them to Spotsylvania 8 miles south in more open country and form a line of battle from there to Chancellorsville, to which he did not acquiesce. Pleasanton then suggested that he send some cavalry there and see what was going on outside, to which he consented, and the Sixth New York, under Lt. Col. McVicar, was sent there after dark. They met nothing in going, but in coming back they found the Fifth Virginia cavalry with Stuart and his staff thrown across their patch to prevent their returning. The charge was immediately sounded and they cut their way through and returned to camp, losing their commander—killed. The result of this reconnaissance was reported to Hooker in the morning.

   General Couch with two divisions of his (Second) corps moved up to the United States ford and crossed. At night the Third Corps under Sickles was detached from Sedgwick’s left wing and ordered to march via the United States ford and join Hooker.

A Study in Geography.

   The country around Chancellorsville is uneven and covered with stunted underbrush, in some places very difficult of penetrating—a veritable wilderness with here and there an opening or a small farm. To the north is an opening named White House. Looking south around Chancellorsville is an open space called Fairview. This opening extends to the southwest and connects with another on somewhat higher ground called Hazel Grove. Two miles west of Chancellorsville there are three or four small farms; in the south part is Dowdal’s tavern, at that time occupied by Melzi Chancellor and family. General Howard had his headquarters here. A little further north of Dowdal’s is the Wilderness church, and Hawkins’ farm is a little northwest of this. To the west of Dowdal’s is Tally’s. We camped on Hawkins’ farm near te church. The openings were altogether too small to handle the army of the Potomac. A turnpike road comes in at Dowdal’s from the direction of Germania ford and continues through Chancellorsville to Fredericksburg. The Orange Plank road from the southwest comes into this pike at Dowdal’s and continues to Chancellorsville, then turns south through Fairview and bends around to the southeast coming in again near Tabernacle church about 3 miles east of Chancellorsville and 7 miles west of Fredericksburg. A road also comes in to Chancellorsville from the northeast from Bank’s ford. On the north of Chancellorsville a road comes in from Ely’s ford and one from United States ford which unites at White House and running on through Chancellorsville and Fairview, and continues southwest through Hazel Grove to the Catherine furnace a mile and a half south. Here was an east and a west road which came into the plank road farther east. Still Farther south was another parallel road at Wolford’s farm.

   I speak of these roads and openings because they were utilized to a great extent during the next few days. So please reread and get them properly located in your mind. W. S.

 

ASSASSINATED, MERCILESS MISCREANT, AND PHILLIPS FREE LIBRARY

 

Cortland Semi-Weekly Standard, Tuesday, June 16, 1903.

ASSASSINATED.

King Alexander and Queen Draga Machen.

MURDERED BY MILITARY MOB.

Murmurings in the Evening—Mob of Soldiers Rushed to Palace and Killed the Rulers—Others Also Put to Death—New Government Proclaimed.

   Belgrade, June 11.— King Alexander and Queen Draga Machen were assassinated during a military revolution which broke out at 2 o’clock this morning in the streets of Belgrade. A proclamation was posted in the streets shortly after, stating that their majesties had been shot.

   This morning’s trouble was precipitated by Alexander’s high-handedness under the influence of Queen Draga. Public opinion, especially in army circles, has been seething for months past and the king’s act in stifling the popular voice at the recent election by a forced ministerial success was the last straw.

   The first intimation of serious trouble, however, was not manifest until last night, when murmurings began to be heard, which gradually increased in volume until, with a roar, the army at 2 o’clock this morning, broke all bounds and started a revolution. The palace was their first point of attack and thither the military mob rushed.

   Various reports are current as to the manner in which the king and queen died. One has it that both were shot by members of the military, while another story has it that the king, seeing the end was inevitable, first shot the queen and then turned his revolver on himself, committing suicide.

   The mob, made thirsty by their taste of blood, then made its way to the apartments of Premier Zinzar, and Colonel Markovitch, the commander of the king’s guard. Both with their wives were shot down in cold blood. In all eight persons lost their lives.

   Immediately after the assassination of the king, the mob proclaimed Prince Kara-Georgovitch, the pretender, in Alexander’s stead.

   A new government was also installed by the military authority, with M. Avakomovitch, of the Independent Liberal party, as premier. With the proverbial speed of Servian [sic] politics, the new premier immediately convoked the National representatives, who were elected under the constitution of 1901, to meet here immediately and arrange a new government and constitution.

   The city of Belgrade, after the assassination of the monarchs, quickly returned to a state of comparative quiet. While immense crowds were gathered in the streets discussing the news and arguing the right and wrong of the revolutionists’ acts, there were no signs of further disturbances. The general public, who have been lashed by the whip of Alexander’s intolerant and high-handed way of carrying things his own way, did not appear to feel any particular sorrow for his untimely end, but on the other hand, generally expressed a feeling of relief. Despite the comparative quiet, however, a strong guard has been posted about the palace to preclude any further attacks there.

   A notable coincidence of the affair is that on this date, in 1868, Alexander’s great uncle was also assassinated.

The Final Chapter.

   This morning’s tragedy is the final chapter in an eighty year contest between the Kara-Georgovitch and Obrenovitch families. The Kara-Georgovitch family came into power in 1807, when Kara-George, “Black George” who, beginning his life a peasant, gathered his own class about him in an insurrection, drove the Turks from the country, and had himself recognized as prince. He held the throne until 1817 when the Turks again secured control of the country, and placed Miloch, the first of the Obrenovitchs on the throne. Miloch was ruler until 1839, when he, in turn, was deposed by Black George, and forced to flee to the country. After a few years the Obrenovitch family again secured the upper hand and Black George was murdered. After the Obrenovitch rule had lasted for some years, the people became tired of their rule and elected Prince Alexander, the son of Black George, to the throne. His rule lasted for seventeen years, during which time in 1865, by the treaty of Paris, Servia was taken under the collective protection of the European powers. King Milan, of the Obrenovitch family, secured the throne in 1878, but abdicated in favor of his son King Alexander in 1889. Alexander was the last of his race.

Cause of the Revolution.

   The causes precipitated this morning’s revolution were many, but back of it all could be seen popular hatred for Queen Draga. Ever since her marriage to Alexander her hand has been manifested in the rule of the country, and inasmuch as she was but one of the ladies of the court, and held a more or less subservient position at that, jealousy got in its work among the other court dignitaries, and quickly spread to the common people. Added to this was effort on several occasions to have one of her brothers appointed successor to the throne. While the Servian people had no serious objections to a change in dynasty now and then they did object strenuously to any of Draga’s family ruling them.

   To add to the irritation growing in the popular mind, Alexander, on several occasions, took things completely away from the hands of the Skuptschina, the Servian parliament, even going so far recently as to completely abolish that body. He discovered his mistake in this matter however, and immediately reinstated the body. This salved the sore feelings of this country for a time, but urged on by Queen Draga, the King again took things in his own hands at the recent elections to parliament and by coercion and forged ballots secured a body which was purely ministerial. This, as has already been said, was the last straw and the outcome was appalling tragedy of the early morning.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

“A Merciless Miscreant Among Nations.”

    “A merciless miscreant among nations” is the term which the Brooklyn Eagle uses to characterize Servia [sic] in commenting upon the terrible atrocity that occurred in that country on Thursday night, and the appellation is well chosen. Continuing The Eagle says: A great deal is required to shock the world. It was, however, tremendously shocked by the assassinations at Belgrade on Thursday. A king, a queen, her two brothers, the ministry or cabinet of the kingdom, and the guards defending the persons of the rulers were killed in the national capital. The broken accounts to not agree as to the numbers slain. The estimate varies between twelve and twenty. News is history in the making. History will eventually give the correct details of the terrible event of which the accounts now naturally differ.

   Agreement will be universal that the deed was as murderous, as thorough, and will be as profitless as cruel. It is called a revolution. It was really wholesale slaughter. It had none of the remedial character of a revolution. It changed no form of government. It executed no national mandate. It acted upon no progressive or reformatory, or even reactionary principle. It sought to affect a change of rulers which could have been done by exile. Extermination was substituted in defiance of every precedent of the nineteenth century and the twentieth in civilized Europe. Charles X was bowed out. Louis Philippe found exit easy. The life of the first Napoleon was not taken, and the third Napoleon died in his bed in the order of nature.

   One has to go back to the Roman Empire or to recall the early period of the Romanoffs, or to recur to the palace intrigues by the Bosporus to find parallels of what was done at Belgrade on Thursday. The only compensation statesmen, journalists, moralists, and historians can find in the affair will be the full reporting of it. It will be advertised to an immortality of infamy. It already has been. All the world is incensed as well as amazed. Servia has written “outlaw” among nations on her own forehead.

   The discrimination which opinion shows is suggestive. Concession that the King and Queen who were killed were a bad lot, admission that they came from a worse lot, conclusion that the dynastic set to be bayoneted in are no better, are not more marked than the conviction that none of those facts amounts to an extenuating circumstance in the fearful battue. That conviction is a gain. It stamps murder as no remedy, and misrule as no justification for murder. It stamps murder as n necessary or tolerable element in the right of revolution. It brands assassination as the crime of crimes, personal or public, political or individual. A recurrence to the fifteenth century in the twentieth arouses an indignation which shows that the moral opinion of mankind is sound.

 

PHILLIPS LIBRARY.

The Gift of the Late Hon. George W. Phillips of Homer, N. Y.

DEDICATED IN HOMER THURSDAY.

The Father's Plans Carried Forward by the Daughter—Impressive Ceremonies— The Presentation—The Acceptance—Remarks by Library Inspector—The Dedicatory Address by Rev. Wm. A. Robinson, D, D., of Middletown, N. Y.

   Homer, June 12.—Although the weather last evening was not propitious, the citizens of Homer were present in large numbers at the dedicatory ceremonies of the Phillips Free library held in the Congregational church. The body of the church was well filled, while many were seated in the galleries. After the organ prelude by Mrs. W. H. Forster, Rev. Cyrus W. Negus, pastor of the Baptist church, offered prayer, taking the place upon the program of Rev. B. W. Hamilton, D. D., pastor of the M. E. church, who was unable to be present.

   Mrs. A. L. Knight followed with a contralto solo, Longfellow’s “The Day is Done,” which she sang in a very effective and pleasing manner.

The Library Presented.

   Rev. W. F. Kettle, pastor of the Congregational church in a few words then made the formal presentation of building to the board of trustees. He recalled how, some five years ago at the close of a Sunday service, during which he had pointed out the good men of wealth might to their fellow men, George W. Phillips came to him and requested an interview the following day. During the interview Mr. Phillips disclosed his lifelong ambition of giving to Homer a good public library. As Mr. Phillips’ wealth was not as great as it was generally thought to be it seemed impossible for him to erect a suitable building, and at the same time provide for its permanent maintenance. The matter was discussed for a time and then dropped from the public notice. About this time Mr. and Mrs. C. O. Newton, desiring to give some worthy institution to the town as a memorial for their son, Frank M. Newton, decided that they would like to build a library and present it to the town. When Mr. Phillips learned of their intention,  he declared that if they erected the building, the cherished ambition of his lifetime would be crushed. Accordingly he went ahead and made plans for the structure, which his daughter Miss Ellen Phillips has bought to a successful ending. In behalf of Miss Phillips he presented the board of trustees of the library building, giving the key to the president of the board, C. O. Newton.

The Acceptance.

   Mr. Newton, in behalf of District No. 1, Union Free School, accepted the gift in a few happy remarks. His words of acceptance follow.

  Ladies and Gentlemen, Girls and Boys:

   Standing her as your representative, I, for the trustees of the Phillips Free library association, accept the gift made by Miss Ellen Phillips in the name of her father George W. Phillips. It is the intent that it be opened to the use of the whole community and, being a free gift, it is hoped and desired that it may be used freely.

   In accepting the gift we do so with the understanding that we assume all of the responsibilities that go with it, one of which is the endeavor to procure means of support. That in part has been done by the liberality of the taxpayers who have consented to give $750 each year until a permanent endowment fund is provided. The people of Homer have always been generous in their response for promoting instruction, and it is hoped and not doubted that this call will be fully met.

   From small things greater ones grow. This library which we are here to dedicate to public use is the legitimate outgrowth of early beginnings. This town was  settled largely by people from New England—the Keeps, the Hobarts, Hitchcocks, Bennetts, the Kingsburys, Samsons, and Bradfords, the Stones, Carpenters, and Barbers, the Pierces, Chamberlains and many others—and they brought with them the idea of free schools and free libraries—and soon both were established. Each school district had its small library. Among others there was one in the district at the north end of Main-st. This is the case in which the books were kept. (The case was shown on the platform.) Sixty years ago S. D. Newton was librarian, and the library at his home just opposite the schoolhouse was often visited by girls and boys. The difference between this case and the present new building is significant, and nothing shows more clearly the growth of the demand of library extension than this comparison. The seed has grown.

   And now what is to be the fruit of this early planting? The answer lies in the hearts of our girls and boys for, if they use the privileges here opened for them—as it is expected they will—it will do much to help them fit themselves for future usefulness.

   In the name of the trustees of the Phillips Free Library association, I return thanks to Miss Ellen Phillips who has so generously and successfully finished the plans begun by her father, and the people of Homer, and the girls and boys can in no way show their appreciation of so worthy a gift than by using it for purposes intended by the donors. Long may it stand in their remembrance with increasing helpfulness in the years to come.

Letters of Regrets.

   At the close of these remarks Mr. Newton read a few letters of regrets at their inability to be present from former “Homerians,” including one from Theodore T. Munger, and one from Andrew D. White.

   Herman W. Carver sang Bevan’s “The Flight of Ages” with fine effect.

Library Inspector Eastman.

   Rev. W. F. Kettle then introduced William R. Eastman, M. A., library inspector of the board of regents, whom he had previously met while inspecting the library at Newark, N. Y.

   Mr. Eastman, in a short address, said that he joined most heartily in the rejoicings over the library. He thought the location of the new structure opposite the time-honored academy a happy one, as one institution is the complement of the other, and neither is complete in itself.

Dr. Robinson’s Address.

   At the conclusion of the address, President Newton introduced Rev. W. A. Robinson, D. D., of Middletown, N. Y., formerly of Homer, who made the dedicatory address. An outline of his impressive address follows.

   Ladies and Gentlemen, Girls and Boys:

   Permit me at the beginning of this address to congratulate most heartily the people of Homer upon the possession of this building. When this address was prepared I thought it was to be delivered in the library building. Standing here, where I stood for nearly twenty-one years, (not continuously but occasionally) seems like standing in one’s home and talking. Many changes have taken place since I last stood here. A new organ is in place, new windows have been put in; one thing remains the same and that is that there are good folks in Homer.

   To return to the subject, I rejoice with you that the donor and his like-minded daughter have translated into so stately and attractive a reality those ideals and plans of by-gone days. Regret and sorrow are felt by us all, that he who planned and worked to make this dedication possible, in God’s ordering, is not permitted to be present.

   There are three modern types of monuments to the memory of public benefactors: the memorial of a large endowment of school or college; the founding or endowing a hospital, or the providing for a public library. More durable than marble or brass are such monuments. Is it not a noble monument to the memory of Hon. George W. Phillips which his large-hearted public spirit and the generous and filial fidelity of his daughter have here erected? There is a striking fitness in the fact that in this place such a memorial should help to perpetuate the name of this public benefactor. Dr. Robinson then gave a little outline of Mr. Phillips’ career as teacher, superintendent of schools, successful business man, trustee of both village and academy, supervisor of this town, and [state] assemblyman. An earnest tribute was paid to the donor’s life and character, the speaker summing it up in the words, “One who feared God and kept his commandments.”

   There is inwrought in this munificent gift, the profound convictions and noble ideals which the giver had gathered from his long and useful life. There is a value in dead building material, yet that value is small by the side of that material when touched by the genius of the architect and shaped by the skill of the builder. But a building like this has, not only such value, it has that other more inestimable and priceless value of the generous purpose, the noble intention and ideal, the broadminded aims, and the intelligent and well considered plans of the giver.

   Let us then, as is fitting today, give attention to some of the benefits that flow from the existence and generous maintenance of a good free library in a community.

   Such an institution at least helps to protect society from many evils. It provides the means of occupying the time and interest of many, and especially the young, with that which is wholesome and nutritious instead of that which is unhealthful and dissipating. If as David Harum intimates, it is better for a dog to have a few fleas than to brood over being a dog, it is bad for men or women to have nothing to take their attention from the routine and treadmill weariness and monotonous and unillumined life. People in this day will read something. Shall it be the poor trash which a teeming press casts out for the public? Or shall there be the ready opportunity and public intelligence which may set the fashion of reading the books which benefit and enrich the life? Then, further, I count it one of the great advantages of a good free library that it furnishes ample books of reference and treasures of systemized knowledge for the use of all.

   Then again, a good library helps give range, and outlook and inspiration to many. Schiller has said well, “In a narrow circle the mind grows narrow. The more a man expands the larger his aims.” The quaint writer William Byrd declares the practical realm of fact, good reading, offers such a glass to the humblest and most shut in of its disciples.

“My minde to me a kingdom is;

Such perfect joy therein I finde

As fain exceeds all earthly blisse

That God or nature hath assigned;

Though much I want that most would have,

Yet still my minde forbids to crave.”

   At the door or window of this building one may look forth across Main-st. upon the green, the schoolhouse, and the churches of one of the fairest of villages in Central New York. But the intelligent reader, who shall avail himself of the outlook furnished even by a small library, can bring within the range of his mental vision all ages and all lands.

   And all which I have tried to say signifies this, that the Phillips Free Library will promote intelligent, broadminded, and true manhood and womanhood. Because of the assured worth of the Phillips Free Library in the better training of manhood and womanhood, we may well recognize the debt of gratitude due from this attractive building, and heartily may we join in unfeigned appreciation of this noble gift of Hon. George W. Phillips and family.

   The benediction was pronounced by Dr. Robinson at the close of his address. At the close of the services large numbers availed themselves of the privilege of inspecting the Library building.  

 

BREVITIES.

   —Greenport, L. I ., is about to build a $25,000 addition to its high school. Frank J. Squires, formerly of Cortland, is the principle of this school.

    —Sixteen Cortland ladies enjoyed a trip to Solon, N. Y., Thursday in two of Alderman Yager’s carryalls to visit the home of Miss Elizabeth Hatheway and to inspect her rare collection of paintings and curios.

 

EMBANKMENTS BROKE, AID DECLINED, SPELLING, DANCE AT CORTLAND PARK, BUSINESS TRIP, MISS RATHBUN'S CLASS, AND A LIVELY CHASE

 

Mississippi river flooding in 1903. Steamboats moored. 

Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, June 11, 1903.

EMBANKMENTS BROKE.

Two-Thirds of East St. Louis Is Under Water.

EFFORTS TO KEEP BACK FLOOD.

Five Thousand Men Working Day and Night to Strengthen Levees With Sand Bags—Rescuing People From Flooded Houses—Looters Reported Shot—Eleven Persons Drowned.

   St. Louis, June 11.—Almost two-thirds of the territory of East St. Louis is under from two to ten feet of water. Between sunset last night and dawn 11 lives were lost and damage which no one attempted to estimate has been done to property.

   When the Mississippi began to threaten the city last Thursday morning, Mayor Cook ordered men to work to construct sand bag levees at once. Since that time 5,000 men under the leadership of the mayor, without sleep, with little rest, and food snatched at intervals, have toiled unceasingly to strengthen levees. Not a wheel of industry is turning in East St. Louis and the vast railroad yards are outlined by hundreds of half-submerged cars.

   To the south, beyond the railway yards, are thousands of homes submerged to the eaves. In northern East St. Louis the description is repeated, but not on so large a scale.

   The business portion of the city and the district containing the better residences is still intact.

   More than ten feet of water is pressing against Broadway from the south and in some places is sweeping through in streams as thick as a man's body.

   Along the river front to the west a levee of sand bags from two to six feet high and two miles long keeps the river out.

   Word was received that the Illinois Central [railroad] embankment skirting the river along the southern boundary of the city was threatening to give away. Couriers were sent to shout warnings and carloads of sand bags were rushed to the place. High and higher crept the water until a thin stream began pouring over the embankment and suddenly it broke.

   It is known that numbers of people fled to the Central hotel and to the Washington and Franklin high schools. But none of these buildings today contained more than 250 persons, and although the rescue boats found many people in second stories and on house tops there are rows upon rows of cottages that did not show a sign of life. From the most reliable sources it is believed that 11 persons were drowned.

   It was currently reported that seven negroes caught in the act of looting houses were shot to death.

   While this was not confirmed it is known that there was heavy firing on the north side where these negroes are said to have been killed.

   The deaths of a Polish carpenter and his three children were caused by trying to save three kegs of beer.

   As fast as scows could be secured they were launched and volunteers started on' rescue missions.

   When boats were rowed alongside homes where the occupants were marooned in second stories and on roofs, in the great majority of cases the occupants could not be induced to leave. They said that to leave meant that their belongings would be left to the mercy of the river thieves. Strangely the women were the most unwilling to be rescued. After being assured that thieves would be shot on sight the unwilling householders were persuaded to go to land.

 

MANY LIVES LOST.

Lower Part of East St. Louis Suddenly Submerged.

   St. Louis, June 11.—The water which has submerged the lower half of East St. Louis is rapidly filling the depressions between Broadway and Missouri avenue, the next street north. It was pouring through the Broadway embankment between Eighth and Ninth streets, and all along from Seventh to Eighteenth streets.

   All the dwellings between Broadway and Missouri avenue were being vacated as fast a s possible.

   A break occurred in the Baltimore and Ohio [railroad] levee, which protects the city on the north and water was flowing into the low ground to the north and northeast of the city. The water got behind the levee below the viaduct along Cahokia creek and a cross levee was thrown up under the viaduct to check it.

   The levee directly in front of the business section from the viaduct past the Relay depot to Cohn station held.

   There is good reason for believing that many lives were lost when the water rushed upon the lower part of the city early this morning.

   The greatest number of fatalities probably occurred in the district around Denverside. There was nobody to give warning there, it is thought, and the water rushed over that part of the city quickly.

   United States District Attorney Dyer called upon the steamboat inspectors to confiscate all lifeboats on the steamers in the St. Louis harbor and send them to East St. Louis for use in the relief work.

   Food is imperatively needed in East St Louis. Secretary Thomas L. Fekets of the relief committee said:  "We have 10,000 people to feed and there is little or nothing for them to eat."

 

OFFERS OF AID DECLINED.

Foreign Representations Regarding Kishineff Displeasing to Russia.

   Washington, June 11.—Numerous offers have reached the Russian government from American sources to help the families of sufferers in the recent Kishineff incident. All such offers have been declined for the reason that Russia is entirely capable of extending relief and under the circumstances cannot accept outside aid.

   The Russian position in the matter, in brief, is as follows:

   Russia has not been unappreciative of the generous offers which have come to her from America since the affair at Kishineff nor of the humanitarian motive which may have prompted these offers. In view of the fact that the emperor has the means at hand to relieve suffering wherever it appears in his empire, outside aid is unnecessary and all offers of such must be declined.

   Nor will it be possible for Russia to receive any representations regarding the Kishineff incident from a foreign power. The Russian government takes the same position as that long held by the American government namely, that it refrains from interference in the internal affairs of another power and must insist on similar treatment for itself.

   Should any foreign power take steps to restrict immigration of Russian Jews on the ground that they are undesirable, Russia will not protest. She admits the right of every nation to say who shall come through its gates and who shall not. Should any country, as a result of the Kishineff incident, adopt measures restricting immigration of Russian Jews, Russia will regard such a step only as a defensive measure on the part of the power taking it and not in the light of a reflection on the Russian government.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

Spelling in School.

   The board of education of the city of Utica is agitating the subject of more careful training in matter of spelling. The complaint is made that this important branch of education is being most lamentably neglected, and there is promise of a reform. The move is a wise one. The bad speller is an unfortunate being. He is subject to mortification all his life. His blunders stand in his way as he goes on. They come up at important times. He writes a letter of application for a place, and if the desired position has anything to do with clerical work a misspelled word in the letter is likely to be fatal to his aspirations. Correct spelling, correct capitalization and correct punctuation, together with a plain and legible hand writing, are essentials, and should be conscientiously and persistently cultivated. The measure of many a man or woman is taken by these and on these features often depend the question of whether a would be employer cares to know more of an applicant. Spelling, capitalization and punctuation have been passed over too lightly in many schools in recent years, and it is a glad day now that a reaction has set in.

   The Utica Observer commenting on the situation in that city says: The subject of spelling in our public schools is never up without calling to mind an incident in The Observer office several years ago. We think we have told it before, but not recently. A young man came into the office to be a reporter. He could write good matter on occasions; but he couldn't spell. One day he handed up an item in which occurred the word "income." His attention was called to the word, which he had misspelled "incum." "Oh, yes," he said, brightly,—"I left off the 'b', didn't I?"

 

Dance at Park June 19.

   Dillon Brothers will give a party to the married and young people at the Cortland park on Friday evening, June 19. They have engaged the Cortland orchestra to furnish music for their parties at the park during the summer and for their dancing classes and all receptions for the season of 1903 and 1904. [Street] cars will make their usual trips for the evening of 19th.

 

Business and Pleasure Trip.

   Stephen E. Dillon left Tuesday night on the late train for New York and will this week join the National Dancing School association, whose convention is being held at Asbury park. He will familiarize himself with all the up-to-date and improved methods of popular dances for the coming season. This convention will not only bring the best instructors in the United States and Canada, but from Europe as well, and the meeting is to be the most important ever held. Dillon Bros. are also members of the Normal school association. Mr. Dillon was accompanied by his mother and they will later be the guests of John and Harry Dillon at their summer home at Centerport, L. I.

 

MISS RATHBUN'S CLASS

Takes an Outing at Little York Lake Yesterday.

   The members of Miss Amie Rathbun's class of young men in the First M. E. Sundayschool [sic] enjoyed their fifth annual picnic at Little York lake yesterday afternoon.

   This picnic, which has become one of the regular features of the class, becomes of more interest from year to year. The membership of the class is large and is composed of many of the most popular young men of the city and of the Normal school.

   The class accompanied by an equal number of young ladies left yesterday afternoon in single rigs, and carryalls. They had chartered the boats at the lake and supper was served at the Raymond House. It goes without saying that all enjoyed the usual good time.

   The toast list was as follows:

   Toastmaster, R. Guy Leonard.

   Our Teacher, Carey C. D. Briggs.

   The Class, Miss Rathbun.

   The Meeting Place, Ernest Conrad.

   The Ladies, H, L. Bostwick.

   Reminiscences of Former Gatherings, Miss Wright.

   The Sundayschool, Elmer McCarthy.

   Faces Old and New, R. Paul Higgins.

   Among the members of the class are: Carey C. Briggs, Stuart Dye, R. Guy Leonard, Lynn Brown, Ralph Ames, Charles Hammond, Albert Brown, Ford White, Charles Sanders, Ernest Conine, Harry Huling, Eugene McAllister, H. L. Bostwick, Ernest Mudge, Merton Pearce, Seward Harris, Elmer McCarthy, Glenn Persons, Willis Greenfield, LeRoy Finn, Vernon Peck, R. Paul Higgins, Dr. Joseph E. Burchall, Edward McCullough, Earl Phelps, Truman Thompson, Collins Holcomb, Earl Conrad, Ernest Conrad, Floyd Relyea, Smith Van Marter and Edward Vincent.

 

Farewell Party.

   The students of the Cortland Business Institute will give their friends a farewell party at the Cortland park, Friday evening, June 12. Those attending may take any regular car which will run one half hour schedule on that night. Dancing and light refreshments. Music by the Cortland orchestra. Admission by ticket. Present your invitations at the door.

 

Free! Free! Free!

   Friday and Saturday, a handsome china salad dish with 50 cents worth of tea, coffee, spices, baking powder or extracts. Great A. & P. Tea Co., 10 Main-st., John P. Mack, Mgr. [Paid ad.]

 

The Ithaca Epidemic.

   Careful statistics are being compiled of the number of people in Ithaca who were ill with typhoid fever during the recent epidemic. It appears that the number will slightly exceed 1,300. Dr. Soper, the representative of the state board of health, is compiling the statistics.

 

NEW NORMAL TEACHERS.

One Vacancy Filled—Two Additional Teachers Appointed.

   At a meeting of the local board of the Cortland Normal school held yesterday afternoon, Prof. Chas. B. Robertson, instructor in science in the Pennsylvania Normal school at Indiana, Pa., was chosen to succeed Prof. W. M. Booth, resigned; Miss Mary M. Conway, now training class instructor in the Springville, N. Y., High school, was chosen as an additional critic in the Intermediate department, and Miss Ella M. Van Hoesen, now a primary teacher in the Central school in this city, was chosen an additional critic in the Primary department. Both the ladies are graduates of the Cortland Normal in the classical course, Miss Conway in '95 and Miss Van Hoesen in '89.

 

Photo credit Cortland County Historical Society.

A LIVELY CHASE

Revolver Fired Before Prisoner Would Halt—Officers Busy.

   Four officers and a citizen had a lively time last night in securing the arrest of fleet-footed James Fairchild. On April 27 be was sentenced to six months in Onondaga penitentiary for public intoxication and between police court and the jail he gave the slip to Officer James Edwards, who is no sprinter, and disappeared across the Normal school grounds going at a 2:40 [horse racing] gait while the best speed the officer could put in the pursuit would not exceed a three minute clip. All trace of him was lost, but several times since he is known to have been at his home in the east side of the city.

   Last night word came that he was there and Night Captain Baker, Patrolmen Bowker and Townsend, Deputy Sheriff Jas. E. Edwards and B. O. Van Buren, a citizen, went down to get him. The house was surrounded and Officer Edwards was sent inside to get the man. Fairchild rushed up stairs and came out on a piazza roof, not knowing that the others were in the yard. When he saw them he remained on the roof. He was told to come down but refused. Officer Bowker was then sent in and up to the roof to make the arrest. He went out through one window and at the same moment Fairchild went in through another window and locked both windows on the inside leaving the officer standing on the outside. He finally broke a glass and unlocked the window.

   Fairchild then ran into the cellar and the three men on the ground tried to guard four sides of the house. Officer Bowker followed into the cellar and Fairchild escaped through an outside hatchway on the east side of the house. Officer Townsend had just stepped to the other side of the house to guard a window. Van Buren saw him go and shouted "There he goes." Officer Townsend at once gave chase and the race was a hot one toward Port Watson bridge. The officer was simply holding his own. He called to him to stop, but he ran the faster. The officer then fired one shot past him from his revolver. This had no effect and a second ball followed the first one. This kicked up a dust pretty close to the fugitive's heels and he halted for a moment, but as he saw the officer approaching dashed on again. Just at the approach to the bridge, however, his wind gave out and the officer got him by the collar.

   He was soon behind barred doors.

   This morning in police court he was resentenced to Onondaga for six months. Officer Edwards was detailed to take him up tomorrow and he says if the prisoner gets away from him this time no one will ever see him in Cortland again.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The new display advertisements today are—Mrs. Everts, Fashionable millinery, page 6; J. B. Kellogg, Half price special sale of ladies' tailored suits, page 8.