Sig. Sautelle, Weather and DeRuyter Reservoir History

Sig. Sautelle's Circus Wagon

 

 

Transcribed from Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, December 20, 1899.

 

 

POSSIBLE REAL ESTATE CHANGE.

Sig. Sautelle Erecting a Fine Barn and Running an Excellent Hotel.

   Sig. Sautelle, the well-known showman of DeRuyter has the lumber on the ground for the erection of a large barn, 40 by 80 feet, on a farm recently purchased by him just east of that village. The barn is being built to shelter a large number of the fine circus horses owned by the popular showman who has his winter quarters in that village. Mr. Sautelle is also proprietor of one of the handsomest and best equipped hotels in central New York which is located at DeRuyter. The rooms are all finished and furnished in up-to-date style and are heated by hot air and steam and no pains are spared for the entertainment and comfort of guests. There is a widespread rumor afloat in the northern part of the county and in DeRuyter that Mr. Sautelle is making an effort to exchange a certain parcel of real estate in the village of DeRuyter with parties in Cortland for a fine piece of property here. The deal has not been consummated as yet, but if the report proves to be true valuable property in both villages will change hands.

 

 

Hotel Windsor, DeRuyter, N.Y.
 

Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, July 10, 1903.

Sig Sautelle Sued.

For Damages Because Wind Blew Down His Tent.

THE CLAIMS AMOUNT TO $38,000.

Seventeen Plaintiffs Asking Damage from $130 to $5,000 Each—Deputy Sheriff

Appointed as Keeper of the Show Till Bond Can be Executed—Sig will Fight the Suits—Claims Wind Was so Strong it Was Beyond all Power to Prevent the Accident.

   The blowing down of Sig. Sautelle's tent in Machias, Me., on July 2 last as detailed in these dispatches at the time promises to make a host of trouble for the Cortland showman.

   On Wednesday at Calais, not far from Bangor, attachments aggregating about $38,000 were put on the personal property, tents and animals of Sautelle's circus by the sheriff on actions brought by seventeen persons who were injured by the collapse of the tent at Machias. The following plaintiffs and amounts for which each has brought suit are: Grace White, Emery Maynard, Catherine D. 0'Donnell, Teressa 0'Donnell, James Clement, $5,000 each; Hannah Thurlough, Edward Pearl $2,000 each; Grant Scott, Nellie Hoyt, Annie Donovan, $1,000 each; Lena Nash, Lottie Clark, Nellie Rafter, $500; Susie Crowley, Nellie Mollar, $200; Elmer Bryan, Harriet Parker $100.

   By arrangement, Sheriff Tarbox put in as keeper of the attached property Deputy Sheriff George W. Ross, who will accompany the circus on its tour until the required bond is secured from a surety company.

   The proprietors of the circus deny all liability, claiming that the wind storm that caused the tent to collapse came so suddenly upon them that the accident could not be avoided by any means in their power. They say the tent was made especially for use in the West and is what is called a windproof tent, and that all necessary precautions for the safety of the people who were present had been taken. After the accident they did everything possible for the relief and care of the injured and there their duty ceased.

   The velocity of the wind at the time of the accident jumped from eight miles to forty miles an hour in almost an instant, and this they say, could not be foreseen by them and comes under that class of cases under which they would not be liable. They express a determination to fight the suits.

THE  DERUYTER  RESERVOIR.

Something of its History and Use—Very Low This Year.

 

   Lucius Hathaway of the extreme northern part of the town of Cuyler recently informed a STANDARD man that the DeRuyter reservoir has been lower this season than at any time during the past thirty years. Mr. Hathaway said he could well remember when what is now the reservoir proper was only a large never failing spring covering an area of nearly five acres. About forty years ago the state purchased the farms of Merchant, Britton Allen, Reed and John Pope at a nominal price for the purpose of flooding the same and making head water for a state feeder for the Erie canal. The reservoir is still used for that end. Its outlet is near Fayetteville and Manlius. The state authorities built a large dam 70 feet high and the four farms besides other adjoining lands were submerged and a body of water covering over 800 acres has been maintained by the state ever since. When at high water mark, the surface measures 2 miles in length and 1 mile wide. Last season a steam launch of about thirty passenger capacity was placed upon the reservoir for the accommodation of summer visitors and all others who wished to avail themselves of a ride, affording much pleasure to the people of that section of country. The craft was purchased by John McAllister of parties in Freeville and was transferred over land on trucks last spring to DeRuyter. Many will recollect seeing it pass through this village.

 

MENTIONS.

 

"David Harum" and "Richard Carvel" the most popular books of the year reduced to 89 cents at Smith & Beaudry's.



Railroad Street (Central Avenue), east from Main Street

 

Zithers! Zithers! Look at the fine guitar zithers for Christmas presents at Harrington's music house, 20 Railroad St., sole agent for Cortland. You can buy one for cash or weekly payments. Anyone can play them. Come and see them before you buy.

Concert every evening this week between 7 and 8 o'clock by the Peerless Piano Player at Walter's music store, Cortland House block.

A new line of footrests, footstools, ottomans, ladies' work baskets, scrap baskets,

music racks and music cabinets just received at Beard&Peck's. If you are looking for handkerchiefs for Christmas go to Mrs. J. T. Davern & Co.

Special prices on candy all this week, 8 cents up at Beaudry's.

Tickle your wife under the chin and ask her how she would like a nice piece of furniture from Beard & Peck's for a Christmas present and see what she will say.

Free.

   For Friday and Saturday, Dec. 22 and 23, the Grand Union Tea Co.'s Christmas souvenir, a beautiful screen calendar photo receiver. This beautifully decorated and unique art novelty of threefold usefulness is undoubtedly the most artistic as well as the handsomest souvenir we have ever presented to our patrons. It will be presented absolutely free to purchasers of goods amounting to 25 cents or more during the period mentioned. See them in our windows. Tickets given as usual.

GRAND UNION TEA CO., 32 Main St., Cortland, N. Y.

RAINFALL IS LIGHT

Little Water in the Ground as the Winter Comes On.

   From every side come unusual complaints of springs and creeks dry. In some sections of Cortland county farmers are now drawing water upwards of a mile in barrels from creeks to furnish water for their stock. The water in Cayuga lake is said to be eight inches lower than it was Sept.1. A resident of DeRuyter living alongside the reservoir says he has not seen the water there so low in thirty years. Wells all through the country are low. The secret of the matter is that the rain has not fallen. The STANDARD has been looking up the record of the rainfall In Cortland for the past four years and presents herewith the statement by months. The record is taken from a United States weather bureau standard rain gauge which is placed upon the roof of the Standard building, and the record in consequence is accurate and authentic. In making up the record snow is counted as rain, a special measure being used for it as directed by the weather bureau. It will be noticed that the rainfall for 1898 was the greatest of the four years. The record of 1899 la not yet complete and only includes Dec. 19. The total to that date for this year is 25.49 inches, only 1.35 less than the total for 1897. One or two good rains between now and Jan.1 would carry the record above that of 1897.

The record complete to Dec. 19 is as follows:

1896.

Total for January 1.86 inches

February 4.50
March 4.54
April .93
May 2.73
June 3.44
July 4.36
August 2.15
September 3.70
October 3.32
November 3.17
December 2.32

Total 37.02

1897.

Total for January 2.68 inches

February 1.11
March 1.51
April .67
May 4.30
June 1.68
July 4.74
August 1.52
September 2.05
October .74
November 2.90
December 2.94

Total 26.84

1898.

Total for January 2.96

February .70
March 2.07
April 3.43
May 4.27
June 2.80
July 3.44
August 9.44
September 3.46
October 6.27
November 3.10
December 2.09

Total 44.03

1899.

Total for January 1.83

February .69
March 1.83
April .56
May 3.09
June 2.25
July 2.69
August 1.50
September 2.40
October 2.99
November 2.99
Dec. 1-19 2.67

Total 25.49

Annual rainfall records, Ithaca, N.Y. Slide mouse cursor across precipitation graph and read annual rainfall in space below graph.

 

 






 

Kremlin Hotel, Cortland, N.Y.

 

 

  
   Grip's Historical Souvenir of Cortland in 1899 describes the Kremlin Hotel on Court Street:

   The Kremlin was opened as a first-class hotel by Wickwire Brothers, who had recently purchased the property, about three years ago, and was placed under the management of Lyman Carns. On May 1, 1899, the property was sold to Mr. Albert Allen, who at once took possession and now conducts the hotel on a strictly high class order.
   It is three stories high, and has thirty rooms at the disposal of guests. The furnishings are comparatively new and of the most approved class, including velvet carpets, pretty chamber suites, etc. It is located on Court Street, just a few doors from Main Street, and a few steps from the trolley line, which leads hence directly to both railroad stations, the house being the nearest to the Lackawanna station of all the hotels. Mr. Allen is the purchasing agent for the Manhattan Beach hotel, and is familiar with the best manner of conducting a hotel. He also has charge of the Sunny Side Plantation in Arkansas, belonging to the Austin Corbet estate, where he spends a part of the winters. He is an experienced executive officer in the operation of railroads and a practical railroad man. He is high in the order of Masonry, being a Shriner and a Sir Knight.
   Mr. Allen was born in New York City in October 1837, and for fifteen years was a passenger conductor on the Morris and Essex railroad. In 1877  he was made the superintendent of the Syracuse and Chenango Valley railroad, and in 1887 he moved to Elmira, being then the superintendent of the E., C. and N. railroad. In March, 1889, he moved to Cortland, where he has since resided.
   The Kremlin is a very popular house, and under Mr. Allen's management it has been his aim to improve the accommodations in every way. He was married to Jennie Kenyon of Earlville Jan. 11, 1882.

Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, October 15, 1896.

To Conduct the Kremlin.

   The handsome new hotel in Cortland on Court-st., named "The Kremlin" is about completed and is now being finished in elegant style. The many friends of Mr. L. D. Carns of Slaterville Springs will be pleased to learn that he has leased the hotel and will conduct it personally after the 1st of November. The Messrs. Carns offer for sale the Magnetic Springs House at Slaterville Springs. This is the all year house and has always been conducted profitably, and can be purchased at a bargain.—Ithaca Journal.

   TheSTANDARD intends to give a full and complete description of this fine hotel which its owners, Messrs. Wickwire Brothers, are fitting up in such elegant style for Mr. Carns, but has delayed at the request of the owners and managers until the arrangements are completed so that the facts may be given accurately and in full detail.

 

Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, October 24, 1896.

THE KREMLIN.

The Elegantly Furnished Hotel Soon to be Opened on Court-st.

   The repairs which have been going on all summer at the old Central hotel on Court-st. are now nearly completed and the house will in a few days be opened to the public under the management of Mr. L. D. Carns of Slaterville Springs. Mr. Carns has for several years conducted two hotels at Slaterville Springs, the Magnetic Springs House and the Fountain House. He will continue these two popular hotels the same as before, but will personally have charge of The Kremlin in Cortland. Mr. Carns is one of that kind of men who are peculiarly adapted to the hotel business, as his success in the past shows.

   The Kremlin is practically a new hotel, only the outward form of the building remaining. In front a broad cement walk has been laid. The hotel is painted white. A railing has been placed along the front of the spacious new veranda, which extends the whole length of the front. Double doors open into the office, also double doors into the ladies' sitting room. The hotel has been papered throughout with entirely new paper of the latest style and designs and of different colors in the different rooms. All the woodwork has been refinished. The reading room will be the same as before, at the right of the office, and back of the reading room will be the sample room. A nice velvet carpet will be put down in the reading room. The carpeting throughout the building is of velvet and is of a variety of colors harmonizing nicely with the shades of paper.

   There are forty rooms in the hotel for guests and all are richly furnished with the most approved style of furniture. Every room is connected with the office by electric bells, and speaking tubes. The entire hotel is heated with steam. The dining room has received its share of attention and with new carpet, paper and furnishings is much pleasanter than before. The kitchen, too, is now a model of neatness and convenience.

   The entire hotel from cellar to roof is one of the most richly furnished and conveniently arranged hotels in this part of the state. Mr. Carns has not yet decided when he will open the house to the public, but it will be in a few days. When it is opened he purposes to throw open the whole house to the public some afternoon and evening for inspection.

Editor's note:
   In Cora Edgcomb Higgins' book Growing Up in Cortland, the location given for her family's house was 22 Court Street (north side) opposite the Fire Station (south side). The Franklin Hatch library was nearby, and the Kremlin Hotel was located at 26 Court Street. Miss Ormsby's private preparatory school was located at 18 Court Street. The Garrison and Hulbert houses were located on the south side of Court between the Episcopal Church and City Hall. The Hulbert house was used as city hall until 1968.
Cora "Aunt Cody" Higgins' book may be obtained at the Cortland County Historical Society.

What You Should Know

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz

32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

Tel. 718-991-3161

To My Enemies: Take a Number and Get on Line

You should know that when Rudy Giuliani was the U.S Attorney for the Southern District, he was practically an unknown until he decided to go after elected officials, mostly in Bronx County. Former U.S Attorney Giuliani indicted Bronx Congressman Robert Garcia, Bronx Borough President Stanley Simon, Bronx County leader Stanley Friedman, and many others.


Now, U.S. District Attorney Preet Bharara is following in Giuliani’s footsteps and has decided to go after elected officials – but contrary to Mr. Giuliani, Mr. Bharara has expanded his investigation beyond Bronx County.


You should also know that there is a lot of concern almost everywhere you go about who is going to be the next elected official to be indicted.


In that regard, there are some of my enemies who are going to different radio stations and television programs claiming to know everything, and in their way, bragging and saying that the next one will be me, Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz.


The first one of these people and the most vocal of them is Mr. “Know-It-All” Gerson Borrero. The hatred and bad will he has for me is well known. He refers to me as Satan, as Lucifer, as a viper, and he certainly does not need any opportunity to try to paint me as a crook.


You should know that this hostile individual, Mr. Borrero, has been unable to hold a steady job for many years due to his outbursts and lack of self-control. His lack of professionalism was on display for the public on NY1 a few years ago, when he walked right off the set during an interview with Andrew Kirtzman. He’s been fired and dismissed from many jobs, and he can’t control himself when someone questions him. Whoever questions him, he goes after, and I have to believe that this is the case with me.


Another person who claims to be an expert on who will be indicted next is former State Senator Israel Ruiz, who was a guest today on Fred Dicker’s “Live from the State Capitol” daily radio program. Disgraced politician Israel Ruiz publicly announced that I will probably be the next one who will be indicted.


I don’t know why Fred Dicker or anyone else would believe someone who was indicted and sentenced and has the history that Israel Ruiz does. We all know that Israel Ruiz went to jail and had to resign from his seat in the State Senate many years ago for being crooked. There is an old saying in Puerto Rico that goes like this: “A crooked person thinks that everyone is crooked.”


There are others who proudly proclaim to be among my enemies, and who refuse to give me credit for being an outspoken fighter who is dedicated to the service of my constituents. My job, my integrity, my transparency, and my clean record have already been proven by so many investigations.


Those who want to take me down and continue to ask the FBI and the Attorney General and anybody else to investigate me, have been unsuccessful. So ladies and gentlemen you should know that, yes, I have been investigated all my life. People keep accusing me of this and that, and people keep praying for me to go down.


And so to all of those who are losing sleep because they are so anxious waiting for time for me to go down, I must say: Take a number and stand in line because I am in the business of giving not in the business of taking.


I am Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

[Editor's note: Read blog post Hall of Shame.]

Graffiti Art

 

 

 

 

 

This is the amazing work of graffiti artist Sainer. See more at: http://abominableink.wordpress.com/tag/polish-graffiti-artist/
http://www.etamcru.com/

Remember the Maine

Transcribed from the December 29, 1899  Cortland Evening Standard.

 Niagara Courier's Comments on Mr. Mantanye’s Tramp Theory.

The Niagara Courier of Dec. 23 says:

Hon. W. J. Mantanye of Cortland, one of the state prison commissioners, has given his opinion in an interview published in the Syracuse Post-Standard, of the operations of the law regarding tramps. He disapproves of the present law as applicable to counties that have not made special provisions for sentencing tramps to the county jail and to work. He says the law is not a success, as it requires tramps to be sentenced to the nearest penitentiary, involving liberal fees for justices and officers, sometimes amounting to from $10 to $25 in each case. Tramps have come to know of this law and they flock into this state as cold weather comes on, and often ask to be sent up until spring, when they go forth on a summer campaign of beggary. The state pays for penitentiary charges, but this really falls upon the tax-payers of the state. St. Lawerance [St. Lawrence], Oneida, Tioga, Orange and some other counties have provided to care for tramps by making them work under the sheriff, and they are pretty careful to avoid those counties. Work doesn't agree with them. Mr. Mantanye advocates the re-enactment of the law that for fifty years was successful, requiring tramps to be sent to the county jail, and compelled to work. He is a lawyer of standing in Cortland, and enjoys a wide acquaintance in the state. We know him to be a gentleman who has become well informed on this and kindred subject, that come under his observation us a prison commissioner. We presume he will press the matter upon the attention of the legislature, several of its members having served with him in the last constitutional convention.

 

 

Cortland House, N. Main Street

 

Cortland House, corner of Main Street and Groton Ave. Opera House was on left in old Barber block at 8-12 Groton Avenue. Later it was called the Cortland Theatre and still later it became the site for a small Sears Roebuck store.(old postcard)

Opera House, Groton Avenue west from Main Street

Restored Smith Opera House, Geneva, N.Y.
 

CORTLAND OPERA HOUSE.

WALIACE & GlLMORE Managers
WM. W. WALLACE, BUS. Manager.
MONDAY EVENING, JAN. 1st,
Lincoln J. Carter's
Monster scenic surprise,
Remember the Maine
By HAL REID.
A gigantic reproduction of the mimic
stage of the most stirring events of the late war.
SEE The arrival of the Maine, Havana Harbor
at night, Corregidor Fort, Cavite
Fort, the working of the Batteries controlling
the Mines in the Harbor.
See the destruction of the Maine.
See the Battle of Manila.
The greatest battle scene ever shown on
any stage.
Prices 35c, 50c and 75c.
Seats on sale at Rood & Co.'s Saturday at 9 a.m.
[2013 equivalent prices: $30, $42, and $64--ed.]

Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, January 2, 1900.

An Excellent Entertainment

There was a large audience at the Opera House last night to see "Remember the Maine" and all were well pleased. The company was a strong one and the electrical and mechanical effects were very fine.

 

Ann Arbor Argus Democrat, December 1, 1899


 

[Advertisements]

Grain-O Brings Relief

To the coffee drinker. Coffee drinking is
a habit that is universally indulged in
and almost as universally injurious.
Have you tried Grain-O?
It is almost like coffee but the effects are just the opposite.
Coffee upsets the stomach, ruins the digestion,
effects the heart and disturbs the whole nervous system.
Grain-O tones up the stomach, aids digestion and
strengthens the nerves. 15c and 25c per package.

HOW IT’S BACKED

Undoubted Reliability is Expressed
in Cortland Endorsement.
What you want is home endorsement, the backing of people you know. Cortland proof for Cortland people. That's what follows here. Surely no better backing can be bad than the following statement from Mr. J. A. Townsend of 8 Railroad Ave:
"I learned of the value of Doan's Kidney Pills through my brother-in-law residing near Dresserville. My wife only gave him a portion of a box but those few benefited him so much that the next time he was in Cortland he went to C. F. Brown's drug store and bought two boxes. He had had considerable pain in the back and excessive secretions of the kidneys so much so that his rest was greatly broken at nights on this account. He told us the pills did him a great deal of good. Others we know have spoken very highly of this remedy."
For sale by all dealers. Price 50 cents a box. Foster-Milburn Co., Buffalo, N.Y., sole agents for the United States. Remember the name, Doan's, and take no substitute.

Editor's note: Thanks and appreciation to blogger inthewild for corrections.

Bible and Constitution Should Be Revised

Transcribed from the Friday, December 29, 1899 Cortland Evening Standard.

 

BIBLE AND CONSTITUTION

SHOULD BE REVISED, SAYS DR. MARY WALKER.

 

 

 

To Expunge All References to Polygamy and Concubines in the Former and to Religious Liberty In the Latter—Petition to be Sent to Congress by Dr. Walker Asking for Revision.

Dr. Mary Walker of Oswego, who is spending the week in town, hands to The STANDARD for publication the full text of a bill which she expects soon to send to congress for introduction to revise the Bible and the constitution of the United States along the lines which she indicates in the bill and for reasons there stated. The bill Is as follows:
WHEREAS, All religious bodies claim the Bible as their standard, that book being the same as was revised by order of King James of England; and,
WHEREAS, Rights and liberties to worship God according to dictates of individual conscience are clearly guaranteed by the constitution of the United States, in accordance with the understanding of such Bible; and,
WHEREAS, Every member of the house of representatives, has placed his hand on said Bible, and solemnly sworn to support the United States constitution and, therefore,
WHEREAS, A large number of people, belonging to religious denominations, outside of the Mormon church, have sent petitions to the house of representatives asking to have a duly elected Mormon prevented from taking his seat because of his religious belief, when such religionist bases such belief and life on the same Bible as said petitioners; and WHEREAS, Equality before the law in all rights, and duties, is one of the cardinal principles of a Republican form of government, therefore,
RESOLVED, That It Is the duty of the members of the house, under their oath of office, to seat Representative Elect Roberts, and then proceed to revise the Bible, and to amend the religious liberty clause in accordance with Bible revision of 1900: Be it enacted etc.
Sec. 1. That the standard Bible as handed down by King James of England, and officially recognized by the republic of the United States of America, as the religious guide of the people, shall be so revised as to expunge all things relating to polygamy and concubinage.
Sec. 2. That the religious liberty clause, in the constitution of the United States, shall be so amended, as to read in accordance with the revision of the standard Bible as revised in 1900, by act of congress, ratified by three-fourths of the United States in legislature assembled.

Editor's note: Dr. Mary Walker was awarded the Medal of Honor for service in the American Civil War. See: First Union Army Lady Doctor. Congress refused to seat B. H. Roberts because he was a bigamist.

State Court Strikes Down 1867 Local Law

  

   Cortland County's Local Law No. 3 of 1867 was struck down last Thursday in a delayed decision by Supreme Court Justice Robert Melvin in 6th Judicial District Court at Binghamton, New York. The Cortland County local law established conditions and procedures for confiscation and sale of real and personal property under the old state sodomy statute dated 1828.

   The identity of the plaintiffs-petitioners was sealed in the decision.

   The state sodomy law of 1828 allowed forfeiture of property after trial and conviction but gave counties the right of  procedure to secure the property. Justice Melvin noted that the Cortland County local law was enacted almost 150 years ago by a majority of county supervisors who were dairy farmers and cattle breeders. The local law, Justice Melvin wrote in the decision, was used arbitrarily against farmers raising sheep in Cortland County. “In this respect,” wrote Justice Melvin, “Cortland County’s Local Law No. 3 of 1867 resembles asset confiscation statutes of early frontier states. These laws were often applied by circuit judges who were under the influence of wealthy ranchers who wanted to eliminate competition.”

   The plaintiffs-petitioners, who have a working farm in Cortland County, are owners of goats, dairy cows and a large herd of sheep. Evidence of the local law and its arbitrary and capricious application surfaced during a real property deed search and related genealogical search by the plaintiffs-petitioners. The complaint did not allege actual damages or claim criminal or civil charges had been filed against the plaintiff’s or their property. Plaintiffs-petitioners requested that Cortland County’s law be enjoined and ruled “of no legal effect or legal authority” because the state criminal code for sodomy no longer includes a provision for confiscation of property.

   “The court has read the complaint and particulars… The court rules that Cortland County’s Local Law No. 3 of 1867 has no legal foundation or binding force , and the court permanently enjoins Cortland County from applying it.” Justice Melvin wrote.

   The court’s decision included a detailed history of relevant state and local law.

   In 1787 New York adopted a sodomy law which was based on English common law. It expressly excluded two women and any acts other than anal sex or bestiality between others. It retained the common law death penalty upon conviction. The sodomy law was revised in 1788 to include forfeiture of all property. In 1796 the sodomy law was revised again to reduce the penalty from death to fourteen years at hard labor. In 1801 the penalty for this crime was changed to life in prison. A comprehensive criminal code revision in 1828 reduced the sentence to ten years in prison.

   The first reported sodomy case in New York was Lambertson v. People in 1861. The Dutchess County Supreme Court sustained a conviction following an indictment that Lambertson “ in and upon the body of Peter Cohen, in the peace of God and of the said people, then and there being with force and arms, did feloniously make an assault, and him, the said Peter Cohen, then and there feloniously, wickedly, diabolically, and against the order of nature, with the said Peter Cohen, did commit and perpetrate the detestable and abominable crime of buggery, against the statute in such case made and provided, to the evil example of all others in like case offending, and against the peace of the People of the State of New York, and their dignity.”

   Justice Melvin noted that the Cortland County sodomy-related local law with its confiscation provisions was applied in April 1867 on the Lapeer property of Albert J. and Mary L. Pryce. The Pryce family raised sheep on their farm in Lapeer. Albert, age 47, was brought up on charges of sodomy and “depraved and wicked assault” upon the family’s sheep and was convicted on April 1, 1867. Albert Pryce was sent to state prison for ten years. The Homer Republican weekly newspaper carried a report of the trial and sentence. The Pryce’s livestock and farm were confiscated by the sheriff and sold at public auction. The high bidder was Clyde Parker of Marathon, who was also the person who filed the complaint and one of two witnesses against Albert Pryce.

   The county attorney's office declined to comment on the recent Supreme Court decision.

Editor's note, April 2. By now many readers have discovered that Supreme Court Justice Melvin was a fictional character, and that yesterday's post was an April Fool's Day prank. We contemplated an alternative ending for this story, but it would have exposed the flatulent fraud that it is, and spoiled the intended effect.
Some parts of the story are true. See the History of Sodomy Laws, New York.