NEGRO LYNCHED, POST OFFICE FRAUDS, GERMANY BARS OUR APPLES, SEA LION ESCAPING, COLLEGE GRADS, AND A BOLD HOLDUP

 

George White.

Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, June 23, 1903.

NEGRO WHITE LYNCHED.

Man Accused of Killing Helen Bishop Burned at Stake.

FOUR OF MOB SHOT BY GUARDS.

Two Thousand Men Attacked the County Workhouse and Were Resisted by the Guards, First With Guns and Then With a Stream of Water But Without Avail.

   Wilmington, Del., June 23.—A mob of a couple of thousand men last night broke into the county workhouse bent on lynching George White, the negro who was held on a charge of assaulting and killing Helen Bishop.

   The guards defended the place and a boy and a man, members of the mob, were shot and slightly injured.

   The guards played a strong stream of water from a hose into the crowd, which stubbornly held its ground and declared they would get the negro.

   The negro was taken from the workhouse by the mob who started with him for Price's Corner, the scene of the assault and murder. The mob cut all wires leading to Wilmington, which is five miles from the workhouse, so that no information could be sent out.

   The mob excitedly announced when they had possession of the negro that they would burn him to death at Price's Corners.

   There was quite a fusillade for a time between the mob and guards. Four members of the mob are said to have been shot, but in the confusion it was impossible to obtain names except that it is known that Peter Smith, aged 17, was shot in the back.

   So far as is known no one of the guards was injured.

   The negro was taken to the scene of the crime. He there confessed to having assaulted the girl. He was then burned to the stake and his 'body riddled with bullets.

   The coroner's inquest was held yesterday but the authorities fearing that harm would befall the negro he was not taken from the workhouse, and the inquest was proceeded with without his presence. The verdict of the jury was that Miss Bishop came to her death "from the effects of an assault committed upon her by one George White, a negro."

 

Eugene F. Loud.

POSTOFFICE FRAUDS.

Sensational Charges Made by the Washington Post.

PURCHASE OF LETTER DEVICES.

Second Order For 10,000 Placed Although First Order of 7,000 Were Not Used—Post Says Ex-Congressman Loud Was Active In Pressing the Device on the Department.

   Washington, June 23.—The Post says that among the' matters which Fourth Assistant Postmaster General Bristow is investigating is the purchase from a California company, the Postal Device and Improvement company, of some 17,000 letter devices for indicating the hours of collection of mail. The invention is that of the postmaster at San Francisco, it is said.

   It is also said that 7,000 of these devices originally were ordered at a cost of $4 or more each, or a profit of 100 per cent on cost, and the allegation is made that a further order for 10,000 more was placed notwithstanding the original 7,000 devices were not used but were reposing in a storehouse.

   The company controlling the device was largely made up of California postal employees and the Post says that it is informed ex-Representative Loud of California, former chairman of the house postoffice committee, took an active part in their behalf and wrote several letters urging the device in the department, and in one of them said it would be an accommodation to him if the matter was attended to.

   After the company had difficulty in securing its money for the device, Mr. Loud, the Post says, appeared at the department in its behalf, but specifically disclaimed any interest in the company other than that it was composed of his constituents.

   During his recent visit to this city, Mr. Loud, on certain of his visits to the department, took up some of these unpaid bills, making it plain, however, that he appeared only in behalf of constituents and not as one financially interested in the company.

   The allegation was made, the Post says, that $45,000 of the deficiency of $105,000 in the free delivery service with which Mr. Machen is charged, was due to purchase of the device in question, but at the postoffice department this was denied and the statement made that while the matter was under investigation the complaint might have been reactionary and intended against the investigation.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

Germany Bars Our Apples.

   The new tariff law of Germany, which will go into effect as soon as certain treaties have been made which must be negotiated in order to avoid complications that would arise under the new law, provides that between Sept. 1 and Feb 7 no apples shall be shipped into Germany in packages, boxes or barrels, or in any form except in bulk. This bars the crops of the United States and Australia. This country had begun to ship apples abroad profitably, and there was every expectation that the trade would develop this year and next to large proportions. If the new German tariff law should suddenly be put in force this summer American apples would have to go elsewhere.

   Germany is a good market, as her own supply is always scant, and England is being supplied in great part from her colonies. The Germans expect by the new law to let in apples from France, Holland, Denmark, and other nearby countries from which they can be shipped in bulk. The hard winter varieties can be shoveled into schooners, canal boats and barges, and even into the hold of a steamship and taken into Germany in a condition fit to go on the market with some care in sorting.

   Mr. Taylor of the division of pomology of the agricultural department, who has for several years had charge of the problems connected with sending fresh fruits abroad and has the facts and conditions of the world's fruit supply and market at his fingers' ends, has had the question of meeting the German law under consideration for several months. He believes American apple men should not abandon the idea of shipping to the German market just yet. It is barely possible that apples can be dumped into cold storage compartments on a trans-Atłantic steamer and shoveled onto the other side as handily as the Dutch and the French can perform the same operations in canal barges or sailing vessels. At any rate, the experiment will be tried. The idea of shipping in packages to be put in bulk form on the other side and sent into Germany has been considered. The difficulty of arranging invoices so as to fit this process seems likely to prevent its use. Actual shipment in bulk seems to be the only course that will work.

 

Hot and Long Summer Expected.

   Few persons, truly remarks the Albany Journal, save such as derive  pleasure from an opportunity to exclaim, "I told you so," will be pleased with the continuous performance that has been given by Jupiter Pluvius for about two weeks. When the drought that had afflicted the northeastern section of the United States was broken at last, the prediction was freely made that in a very short time there would be so copious a rainfall that the hope for relief from saturation would become as strong as was the hope for rainfall while the drought prevailed. Even the farmers and gardeners can see no good in continued rainfall. The ground is thoroughly saturated, even where it was driest, and what is needed more than anything else to make things grow is warm sunshine.

   Mr. Dunn, the weather observer stationed at New York, believes that higher temperature will come soon, and will remain with us for a long time. He expects to see the mercury in the 90's before this week is out, and he looks for a very hot and a very long summer. He bases his expectations on the well established fact that nature always within periods of moderate length establishes a normal average of temperature and precipitation. The excessive rainfall of the present month has gone far toward making up the previously existing deficiency, and it is reasonable to expect that temperatures above the average will come in July and August to make up the deficiency in temperature that now exists.

 

Prof. William M. Booth, Science Dept., Cortland Normal School.

CLOCK FOR PROF. BOOTH

Of the Old Dutch Style Presented by the Cortland Normal Students.

   Immediately after chapel exercises at the Normal this morning the student body presented Prof. Wm. M. Booth, who finishes his work as head of the science department this year, with a fine old Dutch clock. The presentation was made by George Hewett in behalf of the students, in a few well chosen words, in which he mentioned the regret with which the students learned that Prof. Booth was to leave and their wishes for his continued success.

   Prof. Booth responded briefly, thanking the students for their remembrance, which he said was entirely unexpected. He said the students have been a help and support to him. If he had any one thing to say in leaving it would be to urge them to couple with their energy, intelligence and perseverance.

   The clock which stands 6 1/2 feet high is a very handsome one. The frame is of solid oak, weathered finish, the face of selected quartered oak, and the dial numbers and pendulum weight of solid polished brass. The clock is 18 inches in width and 14 inches deep. It strikes the hours and half hours on a fine cathedral gong. The pendulum is 42 inches long. It is a fine present and one that will be useful and will be appreciated by Prof. and Mrs. Booth for many years.

 

Toughnioga River near Marathon, N. Y.

 

California sea lion.

SEA LION ESCAPING.

Has Already Passed Binghamton in the Susquehanna.

MANY ARE WATCHING FOR HIM.

Efforts to Capture Him at Messengerville—Binghamtonians Thought They Could Not See Straight—Net Across the River—Word Sent on in Advance to Watch Out For the Animal.

   The two sea lions which came from California a few weeks ago to add to the attractions of the Floral Trout park of Cortland now owned and conducted by Jack Boone do not seem to be very stable property. Within two or three days from the time they were deposited in the Trout ponds they had made their escape and were overtaken near the Tioughnioga river upwards of a mile away where they seemed to be looking for larger waters. They were restored to the ponds and have since escaped again and again till the word of their escape became a chestnut. Each time, however, they have been recovered till a week ago or so when only one was secured and the other started down the Tioughnioga.

   Near Messengerville he was seen and efforts were made to capture him. But the lion was crafty. Each time he would advance toward the bait till he had nearly reached it and then with a sniff would turn tail and dart away. Then he was lost sight of. Yesterday he was discovered in the Chenango river at Binghamton, and was traced into the Susquehanna [river] at that city where he again disappeared. The Binghamton Republican of this morning tells the story as follows:

Fermented Moisture.

   People who were crossing the Court and Ferry-st. bridges, a few minutes after 7 o'clock yesterday morning wondered whether they really saw something, or whether they had been dabbling with a new brand of fermented moisture.

   What they thought they saw was a sea lion, disporting himself in the river, as he rapidly floated down the Chenango. Inasmuch as sea lions are not in the habit of sporting in that stream, several of the witnesses of the strange creature were for a time thrown back on the whiskey theory.

   But when they had compared notes, and found that they all saw the strange thing in the same manner, hope revived; and they began to be certain that they really had seen something, instead of seeing things, and "having 'em again."

   But the strange animal had floated down the Chenango and into the Susquehanna before the spectators ''came to" sufficiently to be sure of themselves. Then they began to think about trying to capture the animal; but it was too late.

   After the surprise of the occurrence had worn off, people remembered that they had read in the papers about a week ago about the escape of two sea lions from a private park at Cortland, where they were held in captivity. One of the animals was captured just before it got into the Tioughnioga river, to which it had nearly made its way. The other one succeeded in reaching the river, and escaped.

   It was thought, however, that it would be possible to easily capture the animal; but this was found to be no easy task.

Net Across the River.

   When it was found that the lion was making his way down the river, an alarm was sent down stream, and a wire netting was stretched across the stream near Chenango Forks. It was thought when be reached this obstruction the animal would either be turned back, or else it would be possible to catch him.

   The rains of the past few days have brought the Susquehanna and Chenango rivers up several feet. It is thought that the high water permitted the sea lion to swim over the net some time during Sunday night. After passing that point, he evidently decided that he would lose no time in his journey toward the Chesapeake.

   An alarm was sent from this city to the Casino, Union and other places west of here. At 9 o'clock two employees at the Casino saw a strange animal swimming down the river near the south shore. It was not until after the animal had passed, that they learned about the lion.

Headed for the Chesapeake.

   It was reported during the day that attempts were made to capture the lion at different places below this city. But according to the latest reports, he was still making good time toward the Chesapeake, which he ought to reach in less than a week at the rate that he swam through Broome county.

   Last evening The Republican received the following telegram from the Cortland man who owned the lion:

   "Is sea lion captured? My property. Liberal reward for capture. Answer. Jack Boone."

   It was necessary to inform Mr. Boone that his lion was still at large on the raging Susquehanna.

   It might be well for people between this city and the Chesapeake, who have a good eye for the sea lion and rewards, to keep them open, and try and relieve Mr. Boone's anxiety in regard to his fractious pet.

 

GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE.

A Number of Cortland Young Men Complete Full Courses.

   An unusually large number of Cortland county young men are now in college in different institutions of learning, and a considerable number of them are just completing their courses. Mention has already been made of the Cortland graduates from Cornell.

   Tomorrow T. H. Wickwire, Jr., will be graduated from Yale university. Arthur Robinson of Marathon is one of the graduates from Princeton. Clyde T. Griswold and John M, Hinds of Cortland and Earl S. Wooster of Homer are among the graduates from Amherst. Ancil D. Brown of Freetown and Archibald Lindsey of Cortland are graduated from Syracuse university. Samuel B. Howe, Jr., of Schenectady, a graduate of the Normal is one of the graduates from Union college.

 

A BOLD HOLD UP

Perpetrated on the Hill West of Cincinnatus, N. Y.

A YOUNG BOY WAS THE VICTIM.

An Unknown With a Revolver Stopped Him—No Money at Hand so Boy Fled—Posse Organized to Search for Highwayman but Bird Had Flown, Though Traces Remained.

   West Hill, Cincinnatus, June 22.—A bold hołd up was attempted and carried out on this road Friday evening, just at dusk, by an unknown individual. Thomas Shippey was returning from Cincinnatus, where he had been to do some trading. He was accosted by a hard looking chap in front of the unoccupied house known as the Jimmy Harvey farm. This is an isolated spot well adapted to unlawful deeds. The fellow drew a revolver at the young lad and demanded "hands up, money or life." The boy who is only 15 years old was very badly scared, but he succeeded in convincing the highwayman that he had spent his last cent for a pair of new boots. As the man wanted money or nothing he returned to the house, where he had evidently located for the night. The boy was too well scared to stop running until completely tired out.

   He told his story to C. L. Doran, a nearby farmer, who at once procured a gun and with the boy organized a posse of well armed and determined men in the neighborhood with Deputy Sheriff Floyd Smith of Cincinnatus as leader. They surrounded the house. Deputies Wight and Doran were backed by a half dozen volunteers with orders to stop anyone trying to run the lines at any cost. The house was then rushed by Sheriff Smith backed by Officers Edwards and Stephen. But the bird had flown and, though a thorough search was made, only a few signs of the departed highwayman could be found. Deputy Sheriff Smith is making as thorough a search as can well be made with the meager description given by a very scared boy.

 

BREVITIES.

   —There will be a regular meeting of the L. C. B. A. tomorrow evening.

   —There will be a meeting of the A. O. U. W. tonight in Vesta lodge rooms at 8 p. m.

   —Cortland chapter, No. 194, R. A. M., will hołd a regular convocation Wednesday evening at 7 o'clock for transaction of business.

   —All pupils of the public schools may obtain their county fair tickets at Assembly hall in the Central school tomorrow afternoon at 1 o'clock.

   —The twelfth annual reception of the several fraternities of the Normal school to the alumni and friends will be held in the Normal parlors tomorrow evening.

   —The new display advertisements today are—M. A. Case, Suit sale, page 6; A. Mahan, Pianos sale, page 6; Bingham & Miller, Surprising prices on summer suits, straw hats, etc., page 8.