Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, June 1, 1903.
FLOOD AT KANSAS CITY.
Heavy Losses to Packing Houses—Several Small Fires.
Kansas City, Mo., June 1.—Eight distinct fires are burning in the flooded district between three blocks west of the Union depot and Toad-a-Loup, the latter a settlement near Armourdale. It is impossible to reach any of the fires, as communication is cut off. The fires were viewed through a field glass from the top of a high building on the bluff.
All the fires appear to be isolated except one at 11th and Bluff streets which started in a lime warehouse and spread to a fruit warehouse. Close to the fruit house, which is still burning, is a shed containing oil.
At Toad-a-Loup, three blocks of small buildings appear to be burning, while at another point a string of box cars is on fire.
In the valley of the Kaw or Kansas river between this city and Kansas City, Kansas, a number of lives have been lost.
Twelve bodies were counted as they floated past during the day. In nearly every instance they were lying across pieces of wreckage. On the roof of a cabin that came swirling down could be seen the body of a woman and her child.
The heaviest financial loss is at Armourdale where the losses to the packing industry and others are placed at $2,500,000. Argentine, another suburb, has suffered losses estimated at $500,000. When all the returns are in the total will be increased materially.
Armourdale, with a population of 16,000 people is deserted and its site marked only by the tops of buildings and a number of fires.
The refugees from Armourdale for the most part are huddled together in the immense auditorium of the Convention hall, although several hundred found refuge with friends in more fortunate parts of the city. All bridges over the Kaw river are down and the only communication with Armourdale is by boat.
Kansas City is without a water supply, the flood having disabled the pumping station and the utmost care is being taken that no fires shall break out. Even a small fire it is feared would start a conflagration. Only one street car line in the city is running owing to the disabling of the power plants by the floods. The railroad yards are blockaded with trains unable to get out.
Two-thirds of Argentine, a railroad and manufacturing town of the south bank of the Kansas river, six miles from Kansas City, is inundated by 10 to 20 feet of water and probably $500,000 of damages has been done. Forty-five hundred of the 6,500 inhabitants are homeless, and nearly 3,000 are destitute. Five bridges have been swept away, all the railroad tracks and factories are under water.
FLOOD RECEDING.
Ground for Hope That the Worst of the Situation Has Passed.
Topeka, Kan., June 1.—There is ground for hope that the worst of the flood situation has passed. The treacherous Kansas river is slowly receding and the five-mile wide stream is settling back into its rightful channel. The official gauge was fluctuated up and down all Sunday. City Engineer McCable has issued a bulletin giving out the cheering intelligence that the waters had subsided to the extent of 7 1/2 inches. It may become hours before another drop is noticed.
With 175 to 200 lives lost; millions of dollars of property destroyed; with hundreds of pistol shots as signals of distress, blended with the agonizing cries of unwilling inhabitants of tree tops and roofs of houses and the waters creeping upward and then slowly subsiding, and alternately changing hope to despair, the capital city passed the most memorable Sabbath day of its existence. Through all this discomforting condition of affairs was added the presence of a cold, dismal rain.
The arduous work of the heroic rescuers was not abandoned in the least by the conditions which confronted them. For long, dreary hours, knee deep in water and some times up to their necks, they worked with might and main. They can point to 300 or more rescued persons who otherwise might have been swept away in the current.
Briefly stated the present condition of the flood is this: 170 to 200 people drowned; 8,000 people without homes; $4,000,000 loss of property.
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.
Deserves Worldwide Condemnation.
The government of Russia is before the bar of the civilized world under popular indictment for permitting, if not aiding and abetting, a wholesale slaughter of Jews in Bessarabia which would have shamed the dark ages. When the first information of the massacre at Kishineff was made public the story was given but scant credence. It seemed incredible that, even in autocratic and reactionary Russia, such an atrocity could take place in the twentieth century. When the American ambassador called the attention of the Russian minister of foreign affairs to the report of the outrages it was denied that such outrages had occurred. Later and authentic details, however, not only gave the lie to Russia's denials but clearly proved that the outrages were even more ruthless and extensive than the first information indicated.
It is now beyond dispute that on the days following Easter Sunday the Jewish residents of the populous and thriving city of Kishineff were attacked in the streets and in their houses by a partly organized mob, that some two hundred or more of them were killed or mortally wounded, that large numbers were brutally beaten, that atrocities of inconceivable cruelty and savagery—beyond the tolerance of actual savages—were committed, that the police either failed to check or directly incited the mob, that soldiers took part in the slaughter and outrages and that violence was accompanied by extensive robbery and destruction of property and by desecration of the synagogues. Everything that civilized government exists to protect was loosed to the passions of the rioters, and the forces that should have controlled the rioters aided or upheld them.
The nation which permits or condones such a flagrant offense against civilization cannot be called civilized or ask the respect or consideration of any decent government. It is true under ordinary conditions that one nation has not the right to suggest or dictate to another nation how it shall conduct its internal affairs when only its subjects are concerned, but the circumstances are not ordinary, and they justify unusual treatment. They fully warrant the civilized powers of the world expressing to Russia in formal and explicit terms their deep detestation of the Bessarabian brutality and demanding the prompt and condign punishment of the perpetrators of the outrages and the officials who permitted and apparently abetted them. Only by such punishment can Russia purge itself of the national disgrace. Failing of this, the civilized powers would be justified in regarding Russia as outside the pale of civilization and acting accordingly.
That Russia realizes its culpability in this matter is evinced by the fact that the governor of Bessarabia and the chief of police of Kishineff have been withdrawn from their posts. But something more drastic and effective than this must be done before Russia is rehabilitated in the esteem of the world.
There can be but little doubt that the real responsibility for the Kishineff massacre, like the responsibility for those of 1881 and 1891, rests on the government of Russia rather than on the populace, who apparently acted upon a hint from the authorities. Indeed, the responsibility comes very near to the Russian throne. Nicholas II, as the responsible head of a professedly civilized nation, has much to answer for before the bar of enlightened public sentiment.
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| Cortland Opera House. |
MEMORIAL DAY.
Impressive Program by Grover Post and Relief Corps.
FINE ADDRESS BY B. T. WRIGHT.
Exercises at the Opera House, the Soldiers' Monument and the Cemetery—Singing by the School Children—Graves Decorated in the Forenoon.
Between seventy-five and 100 members of the G. A. R. and W. R. C assembled on Memorial Day in honor of the soldier dead.
The day was bright and clear, while the air was cool and invigorating, an ideal Memorial Day. The men who carried this country safely through its greatest crisis are now all past middle age and marching through dust is very enervating, so that this day was very favorable to them.
All the exercises of the day were well attended. At the Opera House every seat was occupied and many were standing. At the soldiers' monument a large number of citizens were awaiting the arrival of the procession, and another large crowd greeted them at the cemetery.
The line of march formed on Main-st. in front of G. A. R. hall at 1:30 o'clock and headed by the Cortland City band preceded at once to the Opera House, where the principal exercises of the day were conducted.
After a selection by the band there was a salute to the flag by the school children, after which a song, "Hail, Starry Banner," was sung by seventy-five children from the Normal [school] under the direction of Miss Minnie M. Alger. Lincoln's Gettysburg address was read by Past Commander G. W. Edgecomb, after which prayer was offered by Rev. D. D. King. "The Blue and the Gray," was sung by the school children in a very pleasing manner. A selection, "The Mustering of Company G," was recited by Winifred Higgins, and was especially well received. Grenville Bowker sung "All Quiet Along the Potomac Tonight," in an approvea1 manner, after which the address of the day was made by Past Commander B. T. Wright. His address was a masterly effort and was received with marked attention. After the singing of "America" by the whole congregation, the benediction was pronounced by Rev. J. C. Auringer.
The column then reformed and marched to the monument. After a selection by the band, prayer was offered by Rev. James Rain. An address was made by Commander O. P. Miner, which was frequently interrupted by applause. After the address there was a floral offering in memory of the absent dead.
The line of march was again taken up to the cemetery, where the special services of the order were conducted at the Grover Post burial plot. The services there were among the most interesting of the day. There was a selection by the band, and prayer was offered by Chaplain H. M. Kellogg. Short addresses were made by the officer of the day, G. W. Edgcomb, Commander O. P. Miner and Chaplain Kellogg. A salute to the dead was fired by the gun squad and "Taps" was sounded by the bugler, after which the benediction was pronounced by Rey. W. H. Davis and the Memorial exercises of another year were concluded.
B. T. Wright's Address.
Did space permit it would be well to publish in full the able and forcible speech of Comrade B. T. Wright, but as it is we are able to give only extracts from it. Mr. Wright said in part:
During the entire period covered by authentic history, profane and sacred, memorials and monuments have been honored and esteemed among men and sanctioned by the Almighty.
The deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage was instituted by the celebration of the Passover which they were commanded to keep as a memorial forever; a memorial day not only for deliverance from bondage, but for the birth of a nation as well. When the Jordan parted its waters and stood upon an heap and permitted this new nation to pass over dry shod, Joshua, by divine direction, commanded twelve men, one from each tribe, to take up a stone upon his shoulder from the midst of Jordan and these twelve stones were piled up at the first camping ground as a memorial monument forever, that it might be a sign among them, that when the children should ask their fathers, "What mean ye by these stones?" the fathers might tell to the children the great history of their nation and the providence of God towards it.
Mighty events vitally affecting the human race, crises in the life of a nation, the sacrifices and unselfish devotion of the great heroes are well perpetuated in the memory of mankind by memorial days and monuments. The events call for one, the heroes deserve the other.
Some one has properly and patriotically said, "If the men who fought at Gettysburg do not deserve them the world has no use for monuments or other memorials." I heartily concur in this sentiment, but I would extend the application of it to every man living or dead who fought for the preservation of the union at any time in any battle on land or sea. If these do not deserve them, the world has no use for monuments or other memorials. The heart of this reunited, rejuvenated nation beats in unison with this thought and our land is dotted with monuments commemorating the heroism of its defenders and this day is set apart as a memorial to the nation's dead. Eloquent words of Webster at the laying the corner stone of the monument at Bunker Hill, addressed to a remnant of the participants of that battle and other soldiers of the war of independence could well apply to you, my comrades: "Venerable men! you have come down to us from a former generation. Heaven has bounteously lengthened your lives that you might behold this day. Veterans, you are the remnant of many a well-fought field. You bring with you marks of honor.'' Then in graphic language he pictured to them the national progress, prosperity and glory all made possible by their patriotic devotion and courage.
But, comrades, suppose this immortal orator could be here today before you, the survivors of the greatest war of modern times, the preservers of that nation which the others founded, and witness the wonderful advance made by this people in everything that goes to make a great nation, what might his gigantic brain conceive and his eloquent tongue express concerning the prosperity, power, influence and destiny of this republic What great eulogies he could pronounce on the "boys in blue," who by their love of liberty, their loyalty to country, and fidelity to the trust transmitted to them by the fathers made all this possible. The republic of his day was as a lusty child. The republic of today is as a hale and stalwart youth just stepping into the arena and appointed, under the providence of God, to achieve mightier things for humanity than has hitherto been vouchsafed unto man.
We should be extremely grateful to the Giver of All Good that we, in His Providence, have been permitted to live to see this day; the war ended, the nation reunited—her sons, the sons of the blue and the sons of the gray, submitting to one constitution, recognizing one government, marching together under the Stars and Stripes, and vying one with the other in zeal and courage to advance and defend it. Peace and prosperity within our borders, honored and respected by the world, the arbiter of nations, the first to espouse the cause of the oppressed and uphold the standard of civilization; what may we not accomplish for the world and humanity with the wealth, power and influence of this united, mighty people to command respect for our desires in this behalf?
For this unity and resulting wealth, power and influence this nation, by permission of a kind Providence, is indebted to our comrades living and dead. To them belongs the honor. Without their bravery, loyalty and fidelity our nation today would be but a group of warring states, shorn of a strength and the name of our great Republic a byword.
It is a matter of congratulation that this day is set apart to honor all of our soldier dead without distinction. Today we shall reverently lay our floral offerings on the last resting places of all who fell in our country's defense.
Our forefathers for eight long years fought for the inalienable rights with which they believed they had been endowed by their Creator, among which was life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and to found this nation on these principles they patiently marched and triumphantly fought from Lexington and Bunker Bill to Saratoga and Yorktown.
The soldiers in the civil war, for four long years, fought to preserve this inheritance, and to maintain this they marched without ceasing and fought valiantly from Philippi, and Bull Run to Appomattox and Raleigh; fought till victory perched on their banners, the Union was saved and 4,000,000 slaves were set at liberty.
"The children of Israel in their journey from bondage to freedom passed through the Red Sea. So the slaves of America passed from their servitude to liberty through a red sea—red with the blood of our brothers; and as that dusky host stepped to that crimson stream—the nation's sacrifice of blood—the manacles fell from their lacerated limbs as fell the scales from the blind man's eyes in the pool of Siloam.
Mr. Wright then spoke of the great sacrifice in life, suffering and cost of the great conflict, of the wearysomeness and discouragements of it, and paid a glowing tribute to the loyal women and men of the North who held up the hands of our great President Lincoln, when they were heavy, and likened these to Aaron and Hur who stayed up the hands of Moses when Amalek fought against Israel [at] Rephidim.
He also spoke in warm commendation "of the boys of 1898" and of their courage and victories in the Spanish-American war, and of the patriotism shown by them in it, and spoke feelingly of the evidences of unity now existing throughout the entire nation, and depicted the great possibilities before us as a united people. He eulogized the flag and called attention to what it represented and closed with an earnest protest in behalf of the Grand Army and his comrades, living and dead against the desecration of the day which has been especially set aside as a memorial to the heroes who have defended the nation in all its wars from the Revolution to the present.
CORTLAND SPECIALTY CO.
Buys Property on Railroad-st. West of Lehigh Valley Tracks.
The Cortland Specialty Co. this afternoon bought and paid for the large storehouse on Railroad-st next to the Lehigh Valley tracks, which was built by the Cortland Howe Ventilating Stove Co. and the lot adjoining the same on the west. The storehouse is 60 x 168 feet in size. The lot west is 50 x 169 feet.
The company has just been reorganized with the following officers and directors:
President—W. W. Hout.
Vice-President—Dr. F. S. Jennings.
Secretary—C. J. Hout.
Treasurer—C. M. Jennings.
Directors—W. W. Hout, C. J. Hout, Dr. F. S. Jennings and C. M. Jennings, all of this city.
The company will begin manufacturing as soon as possible, but will not be able to turn out their full line of goods till about Sept. 1. They will manufacture some of the specialties made by the company heretofore, besides a number recently patented by W. W. Hout.
Mrs. Harrison Albright.
The death of Mrs. Harrison Albright occurred at her home, 122 Tompkins-st., at 2 o'clock Saturday morning as a result of consumption. Mrs. Albright, whose maiden name was Esther Pamela Holden, was born in Harford July 20, 1837. She lived in Harford until Jan. 15, 1859, at which time she was married to Harrison Albright of Dryden. They made their home at McLean until seven years ago, at which time they moved to Cortland where they have since resided. Their union was blessed by one child, a daughter, Louise, who died May 15, 1894.
Mrs. Albright is survived by one brother, S. N. Holden of Cortland, and one sister, Mrs. George Stilson of Dundee, as well as by her husband.
The funeral will be held from her late residence, 122 Tompkins-st., Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Interment will be made at Cortland.
BREVITIES.
—A regular meeting of the W. R. C. will be held Tuesday at 3 p. m.
—The executive committee of the First Baptist Sunday school will meet this evening at Dr. Sornberger's, North Church-st. at 8 o'clock.
—The regular meeting of the Church Protective union which was to have been held tomorrow evening has been postponed until July 7.
—Cortlandville Lodge, No. 470, F. A. M., will confer the third degree in full form at its regular communication Tuesday evening at 7:30 o'clock.
—The new display advertisements today are—G. H. Wiltsie, Tailored suits, etc., page 5; Buck & Lane, Ice cream freezers, page 5; Warren, Tanner & Co., Muslin underwear sale, page 5; C. F. Brown, Paints, page 5.
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