MRS. DRUSE FOUND GUILTY OF MURDERING HER HUSBAND

The Cortland News, Friday, October 9, 1885.

FIGHTING FOR THE CHILD.

Mr. and Mrs. Steele using every means Except Legal Ones to see Who Shall Have Possession of Their Offspring.

   On Monday last Mrs. Clarence Steele attempted to get forcible possession of her young son from her mother-in-law, from the latter's residence on Port Watson St., but was unsuccessful.

   There is a long story connected with the affair and the feud is of long standing. It seems that Steele and his wife were married some seven or eight years ago when Steele was less than eighteen years old. They lived together for some years until their boy was about five years old, when Steele, finding he could have no peace with his wife, took the boy and left her, going to reside with his mother in Binghamton. There he resided until last summer when Mr. Crandall, of the Crandall Rail Co., went to Binghamton and wanted to hire Steele to come here to work in his shop. Steele objected at first on the ground that he did not wish to be anywhere near his wife or her people, as they would be in a fracas continually. Mr. Crandall finally persuaded Steele to enter his employ, and the latter with his mother, brother and step-father came to Cortland and took up their residence on Port Watson street.

   He had not been in Cortland many days before Mrs. Steele had him arrested for desertion and he was placed under bonds for her support. While he was under arrest Mrs. Steele went to the residence of his mother and took the boy away with her.

   One day after his discharge while Steele was passing the house where his wife was stopping he saw his little son on the door step and he sprang over the fence and took the boy with him.

   Mrs. Steele last week swore out a warrant for the arrest of her husband tor kidnapping, which paper, however, has not yet been served.

   On Monday Mrs. Steele went to the residence of her husband's mother, Mrs. Conrad, and gained admittance to the house, where a regular fight ensued for the possession of the child, the mother coming out second best in the encounter, as Mr. Conrad appeared on the scene at an opportune moment and turned the tide in favor of the grandmother. Mrs. Steele's clothes were nearly torn off her body and she received some ugly scratches on her face and hands. She had a warrant issued for the arrest of Conrad, and made ugly threats against others.

   The sympathy of all who know the inside facts of the affair sympathize with Steele, as he is a young man of good character and upright in ever particular, while his wife bears an unsavory reputation among these who are acquainted with her, and the common report is that she is not fit to care for a young child. What the outgrowth of the affair will be, time alone can tell.

 

CORTLAND AND VICINITY.

   The Prohibitionists will open the campaign with a rally at the Cortland Opera House to-morrow evening, Oct. 10. H. Clay Bascom, their nominee for Governor, will address the meeting.

   Snow, the butter thief who was caught by Mr. Braman last week, was brought before Justice Bouton on Monday and remanded to the county jail to await the action of the Grand Jury now in session.

   A recent Supreme Court decision is to the effect that a town board of audit has no power to audit and allow claims which have been passed upon and rejected by a prior board.

   Pliny Wilson, of Willett, while on his way home from Cortland on Friday, was attacked with a partial stroke of paralysis while at the home of his son, Byron, in this village. He was taken home on Saturday.— Marathon Independent.

   Next Sunday morning Oct. 11th, Rev. George Adams will preach on "The Higher Places." In the evening his subject will be "Patterns." In the Universalist church in McLean at 3 o'clock p. m. of the same day, Mr. Adams will preach on casting out Devils.

   At the semi-annual meeting of the Young Men's Sodality of St. Mary's Catholic church, held Sept, 29, 1885, the following officers were elected:—Director, Rev. Father John McLoughlin; President, Chas. Corcoran; Vice President, Daniel Buckley; Secretary, Henry Dowd; Treasurer, John Callahan.

   A plug blew out of the water main on Orchard street Monday afternoon and the water came pouring down the hill in a torrent frightening property holders about out of their wits for fear their houses would be undermined. The water had full possession of the street for about 20 minutes until it could be turned off.

   G. I. Pruden and Lyman Jones have purchased the old Page Photograph Gallery in the Samson Block and will take possession October 21. Mr. Pruden has had charge of the Evans Branch Gallery in this place since its opening and is well and favorably known as an excellent workman. The new firm desire a share of the public patronage and will guarantee satisfaction.

  

Ladies Playing Football.

   SYRACUSE, Oct. 7.—Twelve married ladies of this city played a game of foot ball at Long Branch, a summer resort near this city, yesterday afternoon. The contest was private, and was witnessed by [women] only.

 

Corporate Proceedings.

   At a regular meeting of the board of trustees of the village of Cortland held at Firemen's Hall, Oct. 5th, 1885, at 7:30 p. m. Present—George C. Hubbard, A. M. Schermerhorn, Theo. Stevenson and Wm. B. Stoppard, trustees.

   On motion, George C. Hubbard was chosen president pro tem.

   The reading of the minutes of the last meeting was suspended.

   Petitions for location of fire hydrants on Clinton avenue and Elm street and for location of gas lamps at certain points of Greenbush street and on the Normal school grounds, were left for consideration The following bills were allowed and ordered paid: [list of bills omitted by CC editor.]

   On motion an order was made directing a reduction of wages in the pay of laborers on the street from $3.50 to $3.00 per day for team work, and from $1.50 to $1.25 per day on other laborers.

   A resolution was passed extending the warrant for the collection of the village taxes for 30 days.

   On motion meeting adjourned to Oct. 12th, at 7:30 p. m., at Firemen's Hall.

 

IN THE FIRST DEGREE.

Mrs. Druse Found Guilty of Murdering Her Husband.

   LITTLE FALLS, N. Y., Oct. 4.—The trial of Mrs. Druse for the murder of her husband closed at Herkimer at 12:20 this morning. The jury brought in a verdict of guilty of murder in the first degree. It was the most brutal murder ever known in this part of the State. It is probable that the first person ever hanged in the county will be a woman.

   ROME, Oct. 6.—The Herkimer court house was crowded this morning by people of both sexes and all ages to listen to the sentence of Mrs. Druse. At 9 o'clock Mrs. Druse was escorted into the court room by officer Wilson. She looked haggard and worn. On the opening of court counselor Luce made a motion for a new trial, which was denied by Justice Williams. The prisoner was then told to stand up. She arose and Justice Williams, sentenced her to be hanged on Wednesday, November 25th. Mrs. Druse never flinched nor showed any emotion until she was passing out of the court room, when she burst into tears. Counselor Luce will secure a stay of proceedings and appeal the case on a motion for a new trial.

 

Reference:
1) Roxana Flowers (Mrs. Druse): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roxana_Flowers
2) NYGENWEB, Roxalana Druse: http://herkimer.nygenweb.net/warren/druseroxalana.html

Butter Thief Caught and Potato Rot Discussed

Sager & Jennings, corner Main St. and Clinton Ave.

Cortland House, corner N. Main St. and Groton Ave.

The Cortland News, Friday, October 2, 1885.

Butter Thief Caught.

   DeForest Braman is a well-to-do farmer living just off the McLean road about three or four miles west of Cortland, and when he hears or sees anything that don't appear to be just right he is bound to investigate. So when on Tuesday night his dogs awoke him from a sound sleep and acted very uneasily he made up his mind something was wrong and started on a tour of investigation. It did not take long for him to discover that two tubs of butter had been taken from his cellar, by some one who did not own it, but wanted to.

   After a careful search he discovered the butter hid in a clump of bushes at the side of the road, and he rightly concluded that the thief would return to procure the butter after everything was quiet. Acting on this theory Mr. Braman removed the two packages to a place of safety, and sat himself down to await developments.

   His vigil was rewarded in a short time by seeing a horse and wagon drive up close to the bushes, and a man alight from the buggy. The personage commenced to tumble around in the bushes as if trying to find something and at this juncture Mr. Braman took a hand in. The tussle was short but full of vigor, and right triumphed.

   Evidently the culprit expected to be captured or to steal chickens somewhere as he had plenty of small ropes on his person and with these Mr. Braman tied the prisoner, loaded him into the wagon and brought him to Cortland arriving about 1 a. m., when he was placed in charge of Sheriff Borthwick to await the coming of daylight.

   Wednesday morning he was brought before Justice Bouton and gave his name as Charles Snow. On being questioned he said that he came from Ithaca, but would give no further account of himself. Justice Bouton remanded him to jail until Saturday for examination.

 

CORTLAND AND VICINITY.

   Snow has fallen in DeRuyter every month this year so far with the exception of June and July.

   The hardware stores of Smith & Bates, Hulbert, Buck & Hubbard, and H. M. Kellogg now close at 8 o'clock p. m., except Saturday evenings.

   The $10,000 Normal School bonds were sold on Thursday to Samuel Keator, he agreeing to take them at 3 5-8 per cent interest. Other bidders were numerous but were not willing to go below that figure.

   About 1:30 a. m. yesterday morning one of the night watchmen employed in the Marathon tannery discovered flames issuing from the west end of the fourth story of the building, and immediately sounded an alarm. The fire department was soon on the scene, but despite their superhuman efforts the building was entirely consumed with the exception of the office. It is estimated that there were hides to the value of $25,000 contained in the building, which was valued at about $30,000. What the amount of insurance is we have not learned, although it will not nearly cover the loss. The old tannery, on the site of the one burned Thursday morning, met a similar fate eleven years ago.

   Deputy Sheriff Burgess attempted to arrest one Will Hicks Wednesday evening, on Main street, for drunkenness but that worthy objected and refused to go. Officer Strowbridge was passing at the time and Burgess requested him to take a hand in, which he did. The trio started along, when suddenly Hicks threw himself to the ground and commenced kicking violently at the officers, using in the meantime the vilest of vile language, cursing everybody and everything. His making so much noise attracted a large crowd who immediately surrounded the prisoner and officers. Sheriff Borthwick came upon the scene at this juncture and Hicks said he would go with the sheriff if the others would keep away. So they fell off and Hicks arose to his feet, but instead of submitting quietly he became ugly and struck at officer Strowbridge two or three times. That officer sprang upon him and forced him to the ground and had throttled him when Mr. Duffey, president of the village, interfered and tore the officer away from the enraged brute, saying if they were going to take him to jail to take him, but not abuse the man. About this time Hicks kicked once or twice and it looked as if Mr. Duffey had changed his mind about something for he didn't object any longer, but left. Officer John Miller also took a hand in and the four, after putting hand-cuffs on Hicks, succeeded in getting him to jail, where he kept things in an uproar all night by his foul language and oaths. Thursday morning he was brought before Squire Bierce who fined him $18.50, in default of payment which he was sentenced to the Onondaga Penitentiary for three months. Hicks is a powerfully built man over six feet tall and as wiry as an eel, and when under the influence of liquor is a perfect demon. In the discharge of their duty the officers sometimes have hard tussles and the [muted] sympathy and interference of bystanders and onlookers make their business [much harder and much more] unpleasant.

   Prof. Wright, the great rope walker, now with Miaco's Pantomime Troupe, will give a free exhibition on Saturday at 12:30 p. m., from the top of the Cortland House to the Sager building.

   H. G. Crouch, editor of the Kingston Argus has been calling on old friends in this place the past week.

  

Residence For Sale.

   No. 137 Groton avenue, over the bridge. One-half acre lot—house 15 rooms, hall, pantry, cupboards, clothes-presses, hard and soft water, cellar under whole house. Everything in first-class order. Fruit [trees], fine garden, large barn, box stalls, cow shed and water in barn.

 W. R. HIBBARD.

 

FARMER’S CLUB.

   The Cortland County Farmer's Club met in Jerome Squires’ office on Saturday afternoon last, Sept. 26, the president in the chair. Subject for the session: "What can be done, if anything, to preserve the remnant of the potato crop in this vicinity?"

   A. D. Blodgett—-Had dug only a portion of crop, those decaying so fast that he is leaving the rest in the hill and asked the members present if they could give any preventative. Air-slaked lime sifted over the potatoes as placed in piles was recommended. .

   H. Alvord—Is digging Beauty of Hebron, planted on land manured high the preceding year and planted to corn that year, no manure applied this year, finds one-half the crop rotten.

   I. A. Beach—Has dug his plot and found but few decayed potatoes. Attributes his crop escaping damage from the rot to early planting, the crop having matured before the heavy rain fall in August.

   B. F. Tillinghast—Referred to the theory of Dr. Goodrich, that the efforts of potato raisers to secure improved varieties by experiments have weakened the stock and rendered it almost worthless on account of destruction by rot, yet that theory is refuted because of the first appearance of rot being in South America, where potatoes are raised only in their primitive state. In 1843 the potato crop was almost a total failure from rotting and the yield was light on account of the rot until 1852, and for many years preceding 1885 the yield has been good.

   H. P. Goodrich—Stated that from his experience and observation he had entertained the theory since 1836, when the rot first appeared in Massachusetts, that the loss being greatest upon old land and least upon new, that certain elements had been taken from the soil, rendering the crop unfit to withstand the ravages from rot, but as the crop is affected this year. Those raised upon new land suffering to the same extent as those raised upon old and rich land, completely dispels this theory.

   Question—Which variety of potato is best to withstand loss from rotting?

   Answer.—The Burbank.

   Question.—Is the Burbank a good variety as compared with other varieties?

   Answer by Mr. Alvord.—The Burbank, if fully ripe, is a good variety, but it does not come to maturity as soon as some other varieties.

   J. T. Calkins—Planted six acres of Hebron, White Star and Burbanks late in May upon a sward land of reddish soil, manured heavily before plowing. Have dug the crop and found but few rotten, and sold them at 30 cents. Obtained 1,000 bushels from six acres.

   Mr. Parker—Is troubled but little with crop rotting, except White Elephant; yield fair.

   L. Alexander—Had saved his crops in preceding years by digging early. This year the Late Rose show less loss from decay than other variety he raises.

   J. L. Gillett—Thinks that the damage from rotting is done for this year.

   Mr. Goodrich asked why the potato would be preserved better by using air slaked lime.

   Dr. Beach—Dryness in the atmosphere dispels mold and its accompanying fungus growth, while moisture propagates it; thinks that if lime is used to counteract rot in potatoes it will not avail very much as the pores or fungi appearing on the potato are from the inside and imparted from the vine, but it proves beneficial to the potatoes not already affected, as a disinfectant, also to promote dryness through the mass.

   Reports were received from persons present of condition of potato crop in other sections. A good crop in Delaware county, the same in Broome county but great loss from rotting in Onondaga county.

   A vote of thanks was tendered to Jerome Squires for the use of his office for the session.

   Club adjourned to Saturday, October 10, at 2 p. m., in Union Hall, Cortland, at which time the subject of "The increased benefits to be derived from an application of farm-yard manure, by extra tillage over ordinary tillage" will be taken up by Messrs. Beach, Alvord and others.

WM. A. BEAN, Sec.

 

 

Reference:

 

List of Potato Diseases: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_potato_diseases

 

Jumbo Killed by Train and Cortland Horse Railroad Management Change

The Cortland News, Friday, September 18, 1885.

JUMBO KILLED.

He Meets His Death by a Freight Train.

   BUFFALO, Sept. 16—A special from St.Thomas, Ontario, to the Evening News, says: About 9 o'clock last night as Barnum's elephant Jumbo and the little trick elephant were being taken along the track on the way from the show grounds to the car to be loaded, an incoming freight train came upon them unexpectedly and caught and killed Jumbo and broke one of Tom Thumb's legs. There was a side track on the north side of the main track which contained all of Barnum s empty cars and on either side there was an embankment about eight to ten feet high. When the keeper saw the train coming he tried to get Jumbo down the embankment at the south side, but Jumbo, seeing no danger, refused. He then attempted to get him between the side track and main line, but only partly succeeded, the locomotive obstructing Jumbo just as his fore feet had left the track, striking him in the right side and crowding him against the cars on the siding. He was carried with the engine about 100 yards and was so tightly wedged that when he could be carried no farther it crowded the locomotive to the south side, throwing it off the track. Jumbo lived only about three minutes after being struck.

   ST. THOMAS, Ont., Sept. 16—Barnum's circus exhibited here yesterday and it met with such a succession of misfortunes as seldom fails to the lot of any individual firm of showmen. The inaugural accident took place in the afternoon when one of the performers, named William Nichols, while riding a horse in the jockey race, was thrown from the animal's back and trampled upon so badly that he expired during the evening. The other accidents were the killing of Jumbo and the breaking of the baby elephant's leg by a freight train. The baby elephant will probably have to be shot.

 

A Horrible Discovery Made in a San Francisco Cellar.

   SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 15.—A horrible discovery was made in Chinatown to-day. Information was given the city coroner that a frightful stench was being emitted from a cellar on Pacific street. He went to the cellar, forced his way in. and found the floor covered with human skulls and bones partially covered with flesh in the last stage of decomposition. In an inner room the coroner found a number of Chinese engaged in boiling down the remains of other bodies, while several other Chinamen were engaged in scraping the boiled bones and packing them in boxes for shipment to China. It is estimated that the cellar contained portions of over 300 dead bodies, which have been taken secretly from various cemeteries throughout the State. As an instance of Chinese ingenuity it is stated that those in charge of these operations, fearing that the stench from the boiling pots would be so great as to attract attention outside, had procured two skunks, so that the odor of the latter might overcome that of the former. The coroner has taken charge of the remains.

 

 

TOWN CORRESPONDENCE.

PREBLE, September 16, 1885.

   Two of our sportsmen started out on a hunting expedition a short time ago. They soon saw an animal, which they called a black fox; they began firing and the chase continued nearly all day. They at last concluded it was somebody's black dog. Hard luck boys, try again.

   L. P. Norton has purchased the John Gray farm which joins his own, and will take possession the first of April next. He now has a large dairy farm.

   Fred Van Hoesen has purchased the Lewis Frederick farm, situated half a mile north of this village, and it is reported that he takes possession soon.

   Mrs. John Arnold and son, of Truxton, a former resident of this place, have been visiting her old neighbors and friends.

 

SOUTH CORTLAND, September 17, 1885.

   The leaves begin to fall.

   The new postal card is here, but it is no handsomer than its predecessors.

   Miss Jennie Watrous is dangerously ill with malaria fever. Dr. Head, of Homer, attends her.

   A young lady in this place a few mornings since, became thoroughly frightened upon discovering that she had been using "rough on rats," by mistake as a tooth powder. She will not do so again.

   A cry is going up that the potato crop is being ruined by the frequent and long continued rains. The rot is said to be already quite extensive, especially in fields on low lands and naturally heavy and wet.

 

HARFORD, September 15, 1885.

   Potatoes are rotting badly, and I understand this trouble is widely spread. Now, farmers, hold your potatoes ‘till winter and you will get a good price.

   Harford sends a very respectable delegation of teachers to the Institute at Homer this week.

   Our schools are nearly all supplied with teachers. Jane Holdridge will play the gad on Owego Hill, Lillie Pratt will scowl on the unterrified of Daisy Hollow; Florence Harrington will "make ‘em holler" in Hay Hollow; Esther Cleveland will tutor the untutored in the Givers district, and Alice Sweetland will softly curb the wayward spirit in the Brown district.

 

MARATHON, September 16, 1885.

   Potatoes are rotting here badly. Some pieces are hardly worth digging.

   Wm. Conrad, an old resident of this town, is buried here to-day.

   Baseball is the popular craze here now and the ladies have taken a hand in it and where it will end no man knoweth.

 

CORTLAND AND VICINITY.

   The street car now runs the entire length of the road so that passengers are no longer obliged to change cars at the crossing [railroad crossing between Homer and Cortland--CC editor].

   The excursion to Watkins Glen under the auspices of Excelsior Hook and Ladder Company on Friday last was not a success financially, although those who attended report a success in enjoyment.

   Battery B., of Baldwinsvilie, accompanied by Riano's band, of Syracuse, picnicked at Blodgett's trout ponds on Saturday. After dinner the band came up town and rendered some very fine selections in Randall's gardens, and serenaded several places about town.

   The highway commissioners of this town have been making much needed reforms in their department the past year and have effected a saving to the taxpayers of a number of hundred dollars notwithstanding the fact that they have built five iron bridges this summer. This has been accomplished by the Commissioners buying strictly for cash and insisting in each instance of having an itemized bill so that errors could be detected while the matters were yet fresh in the minds of all parties. We predict that at the next session of the Board of Supervisors the Highway Commissioners will present a report the like of which tor accuracy and detail has not been seen in this town since the country was new.

   On Monday last the Horse Railroad Company took charge of their property which has been under the management of Dwight Miller for the past eighteen months, and some trouble was experienced in making the transfer. It seems that last week officers of the company informed Mr. Miller that as soon as the crossing was completed they should take possession, and wanted him to appoint an appraiser and they would also appoint one; the two, if unable to agree on the price, to appoint a third one, who should set a value on the horses, harnesses, &c, belonging to Mr. Miller, and thus buy all the stock Mr. Miller had been using and not leave any of it on his hands. The appraisers failed to agree on a price and that part of the transaction fell through. Mr. Miller claims that he has an agreement or contract whereby he is entitled to the control of the road until next March, while the company claim he has none. Be that as it may, the company on Monday demanded that he unhitch his teams from the cars and upon a refusal to do so agents of the company removed them and put on their own horses. Threats were indulged in by employees of Mr. Miller that they would again get possession of the cars, and the officers of the company have deemed it advisable to have officers on each car every trip after dark. Here the matter rests although lively legal complications are liable to arise and the matter will probably be fought out in the courts.

  

 

Teacher’s Institute.

   The teacher's institute tor Cortland county is in session at Homer this week. The conductors are Prof. H. R. Sanford, of Middletown, Orange county, and Prof. C. T. Pooler, of Deansville, Oneida Co. The Institute was called to order at 2 p. m., on Monday by Commissioner Squires. Prof. Sanford took up the subject of "Thoughts and Studies of Teachers," and Prof. Pooler presented "Some Means of Improving one's Power as Teacher." The conductors and school commissioners seem to be full alive to their work and a very interesting session is being held. Monday evening Prot. Sanford formed the teachers into a circle and showed them how to get acquainted. Thursday evening the institute was favored by a lecture on '"What is Education," by Dr. Hoose, of Cortland. Wednesday evening Prof. Pooler discussed the Ocean current subject. Thursday evening Prof. Sanford delivered an interesting lecture, and Friday evening Prof. Stowell will discuss the effects of alcohol and narcotics. About 160 teachers are registered.

 

 

Reference:

Jumbo: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jumbo

Annual Cortland Fire Department Parade

The Cortland News, Friday, September 25, 1885.

Annual Fire Department Parade.

   When daylight broke Wednesday morning the weather looked anything but propitious for the annual parade of the Cortland Fire Department. The rain descended in a steady drizzle, a cold wind was blowing from the north, and the fire laddies seemed to enjoy the society of their stoves much more than the prospect of tramping five or six miles through the muddy streets. As the forenoon advanced the rain gradually ceased and the wind dried up the mud to quite an extent, although they were very muddy when the time came for the line to form. The wind of the morning had increased to a gale before noon, and as it whistled around corners it caused unpleasant reminders of a coming winter.

   Croton Hose, of Owego, accompanied by the Tioga Center Band arrived in a special train on the E. C. & N., and Ocean Hose and Excelsior Band, of Greene, arrived on the morning train over the D., L. & W. road, and were marched to their quarters in Taylor Opera House, after which they spent their time until dinner in "doing" the town.

   At 2 o'clock the line was formed on Main street in the following order:— Cortland Protective Police; Tioga Center Band; Croton Hose, Owego; Excelsior Band, Greene; Ocean Hose, Greene; W. W. Engine Company; Steamer; Mechanic's Band,;Excelsior Hook and Ladder Co., Truck; Orris Hose, No. 2; Emerald Hose, No. 4; Cortland Fire Cadets.

   Owing to the muddy streets and unpropitious weather it was decided to cut out a portion of the line of march, but there was still enough left to satisfy all the participants, and some to spare. The Excelsior Band, of Greene, carried off the laurels as far as music is concerned and received hearty applause at different points along the line.

 

CORTLAND AND VICINITY.

   The bell has rung down on white and straw hats, and those who are unfortunate in not having the necessary wherewith to buy a new one should paint over the old one.

   From the constant "hello-hello!" over at the central office we are led to believe that the telephone is a great institution. But what knocks the Bell patent all out of time is a broad-gauge-mouthed woman at a knot hole in the back fence.

   An enraged bovine made things lively on Main street yesterday forenoon tor a few minutes. The animal finally became tired of the sport and went up West Court street and quietly commenced grazing, where he was finally captured.

   W. C. Davis, of McGrawville, a student in the Normal school was the successful person in the competitive examination at Syracuse last Saturday for the appointment to a West Point cadetship.

   The Pioneer rink [Orchard Street roller-skating rink re-opened—CC editor] was opened Tuesday night by Brigden & Green. Notwithstanding the inclement weather about 150 persons took advantage of the occasion to enjoy the evening's sport. The new proprietors are young men of this place who by catering to the wants of their patrons, hope to receive a liberal support.

   A horse attached to one of Stoppard’s delivery wagons, made it extremely lively for a few minutes Tuesday afternoon by running away. The horse came out of the alleyway between Wright's shoe store and the NEWS office [18 North Main Street—CC editor] and attempted to turn up Main street, but the gait was too lively and the wagon was completely upset and the horse thrown, in which condition he was caught. The only damage was a slightly broken harness.

   The electric lights were turned on for the first time Saturday night for the purpose of testing them. The circuit was found to be all right and everything worked satisfactorily. The lamps, as now placed, are a great improvement over gas, as it is not necessary to carry a lantern to determine if they are burning. One thing, however, those situated on Main street should be elevated as much as possible in order that they throw the light the greatest distance.

   Alf. F. Miaco's Humpty Dumpty troupe who are to play in the Cortland Opera House October 1, 2, and 3 are probably the best of the kind now on the road. It is unnecessary to say anything in regard to their ability as they will be remembered as having played here last spring. Mr. Miaco holds a medal given by Tony Denier for the best clown traveling. They should meet with a crowded house.

 

General Term Decisions.

   In the matter of the attempt to disbar Michael McCarthy, an attorney at law. This was an effort on the part of Franklin Pierce, of Homer, to procure the disbarment of Mr. McCarthy and to prevent his further practice as an attorney. The case has awakened much interest among the members of the bar both in this and Onondaga county. Mr. McCarthy studied law with Judge Duell and is well and favorably known in this county, where he was born and reared. Nearly every member of the bar except those engaged in the effort to remove him felt a lively interest in the case in favor of the accused and considered the prosecution a mere persecution. The evidence taken before Judge Northrup, of Syracuse makes a larger volume. The General Term dismisses the charge, refuses to remove Mr. McCarthy or even to refer the case back to the referee to take further proof. It is a complete vindication of Mr. McCarthy and defeat of those who sought to remove him. Franklin Pierce attorney and prosecutor, M. A. Knapp, J. E. Eggleston, and John Courtney, Jr., for Mr. McCarthy.