A GOOD DAY FOR SUCKERS

The Cortland News, Friday, July 30, 1886.

TOWN CORRESPONDENCE.

PREBLE, July 29, 1886.

   A large fox made his appearance on Monday and took a few turkeys and hens of Mr. Lang and then passed on to the next neighbor, Mr. Gay's, killed a few ducks and then went into the hog pen after a pig but found none.

   Bennett Hollow has boasted of their crops, good looks and good behavior and now they can boast of having the most skunks of any district in Preble and unless something is done soon there will not be a hen or a chicken left by winter.

   We learn that Isaac Wilbur, while on his way home the other day was thrown from the buggy. The horse ran the best part of a mile up a steep hill toward home and being nearly exhausted one of the neighbors caught him and drove back after the driver. Fortunately no one hurt, nothing broken.

   About one year ago a piece came out in the Tully Times that Devil Dick, who lives in the woods where he has a hut, was found dead in his mansion. This writer gave a long history of his life. A few days afterwards he walked into the little village of Tully and made a speech. Well what we were going to say about him is that he went into a wheat field last week with five able bodied men [cutting wheat] and led them all day long. He is over 73 years old. Does he act much like a dead man?

HARFORD, July 29, 1886.

   Blackberries are ripening. There will be a full crop.

   An agent of G. B. Olin & Co., spring harrow manufacturers, of Canandaigua, was in town last week collecting royalties of those who had bought harrows of the Chase, Taylor & Co., manufacturers. The royalties were modestly placed at $10 per harrow. When our laws sanction such things as this, it goes a long ways towards making a man believe that Louise Michel is right when she says that our system of laws is all wrong. Indeed, for a short time I thought of going to Chicago and joining the Anarchists.

   As some of the readers of the NEWS may not know the exact condition of things in Harford, I have compiled the following crop report for their enlightenment:—Hay 95, potatoes 100, mowing machine agents 172, oats 75, people who pass the hat 140, corn 80, tax collectors 104, dogs 199. These are the most important items; some things going higher than last year and others lower. On the whole I think we shall manage to get through the winter, especially if the crop of fruit tree agents and pack peddlers comes in good, later on.

HOPS UTTERLY RUINED.

The Last Hope of a Crop Vanished—Prices for Old Hops.

    CANAJOHARIE, N. Y., July 27.—The last ray of hope entertained by the great body of hop growers throughout New York State vanished this morning. During the night a heavy rain occurred. Growers thought this would have a good effect. Instead yards which yesterday appeared green and healthy are now black and utterly ruined. Many growers in this section destroyed their yards a week ago, and now slashing them down will become general. Where one week ago it was thought a quarter of an average yield would be harvested it is now believed not a pound will be picked. Growers are very much disheartened, and their predicament is only equaled by the condition of the hop pickers. Good '85 hops now bring 30 to 32 cents, against 6 and 10 cents six weeks ago.

TO BE OPENED AGAIN.

   Fred Kenyon and Charles Chidsey have leased the Pioneer Rink [roller skating rink located on Orchard Street, Cortland—CC editor] for a month with the privilege of a longer period and will open it for skating as soon as necessary repairs can be completed. They will assure people that they may come and feel perfectly contented as no one of an unsavory reputation will be allowed in the building. The floor and skates are being repaired and interior decorations are being put up. The rink will be opened three evenings in each week.

A MIDNIGHT ROW.

   About eleven o'clock last Saturday night Ansil Hopkins, his brother, and a fellow by the name of Carpenter endeavored to pick a fight with "Tom" Kelly, Randall Shaw and Charles Gaylord in Quinn & Morris' saloon in Taylor Hall Block. The three latter would have nothing to do with the others in the saloon, but when they left they were followed to the foot of the stairs where the Hopkins brothers and Carpenter commenced calling them by indecent names.

   One of the Hopkins drew a knife and attempted to stab Gaylord but the latter ran up Main street followed by his assailant until he reached a large tree in front of Pudney & Co.'s hat store. He dodged behind this, and as Hopkins made his appearance, Gaylord dealt him a stinging blow between the eyes, felling him to the sidewalk, where he was disarmed and given such a pounding as he will not be liable [sic] to forget for some time. Meanwhile Kelly and the other Hopkins were having a lively tussle in front of Smith & Bates’, Hopkins coming out second best, with a pair of black eyes and numerous bruises about the face. Carpenter made himself scarce.

   The trouble is said to have grown out of the fact that Kelly was a witness against the Carpenter girl who was recently sent to the Onondaga Penitentiary as a disorderly character, although one of the Hopkins brothers claims that Kelly had insulted his wife. No arrests were made.

A GOOD DAY FOR SUCKERS.

A Smooth Tongued Rascal Throws out Tempting Bait and Gets A Good Haul.

   Tuesday forenoon a young man drove through Main street until he reached Railroad [Central] and then switched off and stopped just on the corner. He immediately placed a traveling case on the wagon seat and from it took quantities of pinchbeck jewelry and oreide watches. He commenced his harangue by stating that he was advertising the goods and would dispose of his wares in five classes—first sleeve buttons; second, gent's watch chains; third ladies' opera chains; fourth, butter knives; and fifth, watches. The sale of sleeve buttons opened slow, at five, ten, twenty-five or fifty cents per pair, but finally a large number of pairs were sold. The “benefactor to the human race" then requested those who had purchased the buttons to hold them up, and proceeded to give back to the purchasers just double the amount of money that had been paid, that is, if a purchaser had given 50 cents he received one dollar.

   Then the "fake" opened the sale of gent's watch chains at $1, $2 or $3, as the purchaser desired. Gosh, how the money rolled in. Men who wouldn't or couldn't pay an honest debt hunted up shekels with "surprising alacrity and sweet delight" and purchased oreide chains, thinking of course they would again double their money; staid church members, a few business men, three cent dudes, and every description of humanity helped to swell the pile of cash in the wagon until it must have reached two hundred dollars. All the time he was selling the goods he kept telling his customers that he would make them all a present, and when he had found all the "suckers'* there were in the Cortland pond he quietly folded up his gripsack and made a few remarks, somewhat as follows:

   "My friends, I promised you all a present when I got through selling, and I always keep my word. I have not misrepresented this business at all. But before giving the present to you I would like to ask if anyone in the crowd knows what he is going to get?"

   Then up spoke Mr. Riley, “they speak of so highly," and [he] said "Cap, I can. They're going to get left!"

   With a smile like the Heathen Chinese, that was "childlike and bland," the tin peddler said:

   "My friend, you've guessed it pretty close, but not quite."

   Then, from the recess of his vest pocket he took out a box of oreide pens and proceeded to distribute them to the "sneakingist" looking crowd you ever saw, and then drove off.

   A more homesick or disgusted crowd were never seen. They all knew that he was a bilk, and those who dealt with him expected to quit after he got through selling watch chains, and they did, but they didn't quit quite soon enough. The moral of the thing is plain enough. Don't expect to get ahead of one of this class of sharpers, for you can't do it, unless you let them entirely alone. Of course this advice will not be heeded, as the world is full of people and always will be, who think it will be nice to get something for nothing. Adios.

FAT AND LEAN.

The Most Fun for the Least Money of any Show Yet.

   Saturday afternoon of this week the fat and lean men of Cortland will measure willows at the fairgrounds for the benefit of the building fund of Grace Church, and if there is not sufficient fun produced to more than compensate those who pay their quarters we shall deem ourselves a poor prophet.

   Both nines are practicing daily—in their minds—and the wonderful feats they are going to perform is beyond the conception of anyone.

   The lean men had calculated that they would have an easy victory, as the story was set afloat during the earlier part of the week by some unprincipled villain that the "fat" nine had been weakened by Duffy and Bradford having signed with the Detroits [professional baseball team—CC editor]. This is not so. At least, if they have signed with the Detroits they will not leave until after Saturday's game.

   The fat men were also elated over the fact that "Ab" and Jim Maybury had concluded not to play with the "leans" on account of stone bruises, but they have so far recovered that they have concluded to play this time if it takes every hair left on "Ab's" head.

   Elaborate costumes from Worth have been received for the occasion, and this will be the only time an opportunity will be afforded the people of Cortland of seeing them, and it will be only on account of the colors that it will be possible to distinguish a fat from a lean man. Bright red will be the color tor the fat, and if by chance they should win the game, the whole town will wear a roseate hue. Yellow of the most improved shade will distinguish the lean.

   The following are the players and their position:

FAT.                                   LEAN.

Duffey, c.                           Brewer, c.

J. R Schermerhorn,.p.       A. M. Schermerhorn, p.

Arnold, 1b.                         Edgcomb, s. s.

Straat, 2b.                          Woodruft, 1b.

Taylor, 3b.                          Blowers, 2b.

 Mee, l.f.                             Maybury, 3b.

 Bradford, c.f.                     Wickwire, l.f.

Calkins, r.f.                         Clark, c.f.

Jones, s.s.                          Dana, r.f.                         

   Refreshments consisting of cigars, lemonade, peanuts, &c, will be served on the grounds by the ladies. Seats will be provided for four or five hundred people. Music furnished for the occasion by the Mechanic's band.

   In case one of the players should be killed the spectators are earnestly requested to keep their seats until the arrival of the Coroner the following day. This will avoid confusion and give the [judicial] a chance to get a jury without much difficulty.

   Admission to the grounds, ladies and gentlemen, 25c; children 15. No person over forty years of age allowed to go in on a child's ticket.

Reference:

Louise Michel: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louise_Michel

1886 Cortland Normal School Commencement Exercises

The Cortland News, Friday, July 23, 1886.

SCHOOL DAYS ARE OVER.

Public Exercises Connected With the Close of the Thirty-Third Term.

   The thirty-third term of the Cortland Normal School closed, properly, on Friday last, although Commencement exercises were not held until Tuesday. The exercises all through were the best ever given in the history of the institution.

INTERMEDIATE DEPARTMENT.

   A graduating class consisting of Mabel Olmsted, Maud Hamilton, Julia Garrity, Fannie Hoffman, Minnie Wells, Anna Bushby, Augusta Allen, Will Harris, George Freer, Frank McFall, Edward Barnes, Melvin Rice, gave a good programme, consisting of vocal and instrumental music, declamations and recitations, Friday afternoon, in the intermediate department to a large audience.

CLASS DAY EXERCISES

Of the class of 1885 were held in the Normal Chapel Monday afternoon, June 28th, when the following programme was presented:

Prayer--DR. JAMES M. MILNE.

Music—Miller's Song... Zolndr.

President's Address—A Wise Conservatism, IRVING F. STETLER.

Oration—A National University, ARCH A. FREEMAN.

Music—Trio—Selected History, FLORA B. TAYLOR.

Poem—Reveries, VILLA F. PAGE.

Music (a) Serenade, Wilder  (b) Bethany, Mason

Prophecy, E. DEWITT NILES

Presentation, EDWARD R. HALL

Music—The Sparrow's Twitter, Otto

Music furnished by the Cortland Quartette.

COMMENCEMENT

Exercises at the Cortland Opera House at 10 a. m., Tuesday, June 29, drew out a large audience from all parts of the county, until the building was filled to overflowing and many were turned away. The orations and essays were admirably prepared and well delivered. The following was the programme:

Prayer REV. JOHN ARTHUR.

Music—Anthem—"Trust ye in the Mighty God."

Oration—"The Instability of the English Throne," HARRY G. HUGHES.

Essay—"Poverty the Great Producer," FANNIE SHELDON.

Oration—"The School the Place to Teach Temperance," *GRACE A. FORD

Essay—"Dickens as a Teacher of Morals," EVA JEWELL.

Oration—"The Moral Element in Art," KATE DENISON.

Oration—"The Superiority of the Public School," SARAH V. CHOLLAR.

Oration—"The Christian in Politics," LUCY M. REEVE.

Music—Instrumental Duet—"Spanish Dances."

Essay—“The Inner Life," ELIZABETH PEABODY.

Essay—"Dreaming Dreams and Doing Deeds,” *MARY A. STONE.

Oration—"The Perpetuity of Human Influence," LEONARD D. W. BALDWIN.

Essay—"First Impressions,"*ANNIE W. CLARK.

Oration—"Micawberism,"ELLEN L. MERRIMAN.

Essay—"Our Meccas," *HATTIE J. HALE.

Essay—"School Work and School Hours," *ANNA JEWELL.

Oration—"The Conquest of an Idea," IDA M. CROWELL.

Music—Chorus—“Farewell, the Days are Fleeting."

Presentation of diplomas to graduates.

Benediction.

*Excused.

   We regret that our space is so small that we cannot publish the remarks of each one in their entirety, as they were all of such merit, that an outline of them would be an injustice to the writers. Miss Sheldon's essay, and Miss Merriman's oration on "Micawberism" deserve especial mention, as being out of the general run of articles prepared on such occasions and showing a train of thoughts entirely original with the author.

   The class song composed by Miss Peabody was as follows:

I.

Pause, true hearts, the doors unfold,

   A mighty work appears;

Glorious fields and paths untold;

   Hopes rise and banish fears.

The shadows falling o'er the way,

   Come not with treasures rife,

They only shroud the goal of toil,—

   The grander things of life.

II.

Tho' patient toil reap no reward

   That human eye can see,

Discouragements shall not o'erwhelm,

   But ever firm and free.

We'll joyful sieze the mighty Real,

   With heart and mind renewed,

And enter life's great battle field

   With heaven's own light endued.

III.

Phantoms claim not manly strength,

   No shadowy foe we fight.

Young hearts are to be lifted up

   From darkness into light;

From unhewn stone a shrine we carve,

   To beauty of the soul.

Vain shadow-fighting is long past,

   Minds grander things control.

   In presenting diplomas to Normal graduates Dr. Hoose said:

FELLOW TEACHERS:

   You join the fraternity of teachers by receiving these diplomas. Our profession needs men and women who will pursue their labors with the ardor of him who wins a race and with the spirit of him who finds out the hidden things of nature. The profound portions of professional study are to discern practical facts as they appear in the class room, and to estimate intelligently the value of these facts to extend the scope of professional knowledge. Every field of research has its typical phenomena; the teacher must discover those that appear in his field. You enjoy rare opportunities to enlarge the boundaries of scientific and historical knowledge in our field of labor; these times are characterized by vigorous discussions, by an examination of so-called methods of teaching, and by educational experiments that might be termed in considerable part only educational ventures.

   But with all this activity and hurly-burly of attempts, educational thought is too superficial. The profound heights of science and the art of education are travelled by few; they await the presence of the explorer who can measure their heights and depths—who can discover the methods by which the human powers increase in knowledge, and by which the faculties expand into powers. He has attained sublime elevations in our profession who has the capability to follow with critical sight—the processes of mind as it grows from infancy to manhood— to discover the modes by which spontaneous actions of childhood are transmitted into noble deeds and heroic conduct and Christian character that constitute the full measures of exalted manhood.

   Fellow teachers, your field lies before you, ascend into it with courage, perseverance, and intelligence, trusting in God who is your strength.

   His remarks to the two academic graduates were as follows:

FELLOW STUDENTS:

   You step out from school as you receive these diplomas; you have acquired some information of the world at large, during your progress through school which you now leave, you stand at the threshold of active life as it surges about all who enter into its currents. The important question is this: Have you acquired sufficient power of self-control and discernment to enter with safety into the affairs of our busy world? The act of graduating is a simple thing; but the act of living well after graduation is far more complicated. You have had a career in school that has done no more than indicate to you some of the complicated affairs of life; you will meet manifold ways as you travel down the coming years. If the school has assisted you in any measure to estimate somewhat correctly the probabilities of life and of events, as you look forward to them, the stay within its walls has served a high purpose. Noble womanhood and manhood have claims upon you; may your career from this time continue to reflect honor upon American citizenship.

   The twelfth public exercises of the Alumni was held at the Opera House, Tuesday evening, the following programme was rendered:

Music—"Hark, the Trumpet Calleth.”

Prayer, REV. H. A. CORDO.

Music— "Hear Our Prayer."

President's Address—"The Ultimate Mission of our Alma Mater," W. S. WASHBOURNE, '84.

Essay—"Some Phases of Modern Culture, MARGARET A. EMERSON, '80.

Music—"The Swedish March."

Oration—"Politics in the Public Schools," HAMILTON TERRY, '79.

Recitation—Selected, Miss L. FAIRCHILD, '83

Music—"Annie Laurie."

Music was furnished by the Ithaca Quartette.

   More of the Alumni were present than at any previous meeting, and after the exercises all attended the banquet at the Cortland House, and enjoyed themselves in bringing up reminiscences of school days and in comparing notes in regard to life since school days were ended.

The Moon Has No Influence Upon Our Crops

The Cortland News, Friday, July 23, 1886.

 

[ADVERTISEMENT]

TO CLOSE.

Below the Market Price.

Summer Silks, Dress Goods. White

Dress Goods, Lawns, Sateens, Shawls,

Skirts, Black Dress Goods and Black

Shawls.  J. M. SAMSON, 52 N. Main Street.

 

TOWN CORRESPONDENCE.

East Homer, July 22, 1886.

   The daily average of milk taken in at the Paradise cheese factory, during the month of June was 11,000 lbs. On account of the warm, dry weather it diminished to nearly 9,000 lbs. No sales either of butter or cheese have been made as yet this summer.

   The farmers in this section, most of them find their hay crop much better than anticipated four weeks ago; some inform us that they are cutting more hay than they did last season. Many are cutting their wheat, which is an average yield.

   Strawberries have entirely disappeared and the raspberries are ripening and very abundant. In consequence the pickers go about the fields.

   There are three events notable and prophetic that are announced to take place on corresponding days of the month of July, August and September, the excursion to Oneida Lake July 29, the total eclipse of the sun August 29th, and Prof. Wiggins' great storm September 29, prox. They are all events worthy and enjoyable and should be taken in—far enough apart so they will not conflict.

 

PREBLE, July 22, 1886.

   The city bugs are recognizing their country cousins about these days.

   It is reported that Mr. Fred Cummings and Miss Ada Seely were married last week.

   Grace Woolston has been obliged to give up teaching on account of her health. She is suffering from rheumatism.

   Sweet flag root is being sought for in this vicinity.

   Bennett Hollow is favored with music every night in the week except Sunday by five young hounds. The neighbors think that dogs will be dogs another year.

   A few of our farmers are obliged to feed their cows hay once a day, as there is no feed in the pastures.

   Mr. East Homer correspondent, we did not pretend to be an astronomer, so that we can tell the causes and effects of the sun, moon and stars, but I claim that common sense will teach us reason to believe that the moon has no influence upon our crops. We claim these are superstitious rites for they have no foundation. These old whims were started thousands of years ago, when people lived in ignorance. But in this day and age of the world, it is about forgotten, (or at least it ought to be.) Some people will not begin a new piece of work on Friday; they will not sow peas in the new of the moon and others will not go fishing till the sign is somewhere. Away with such nonsense! It looks too much like children's play. I have learned to go ahead with work. If it come on Friday it’s just as well and I go fishing when I can find the time, and about sowing peas, I have three pieces of peas sowed at different times. The first was sown in the new of the moon, second in the old, and the third in the new, and the new moon peas are loaded with pods and scarcely any on the old moon. Again I have had them yield right to the reverse. So I claim that the seasons and the condition of the soil have the influence upon us and ours and no one can dispute it.

 

 

CORTLAND AND VICINITY.

   Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Hitchcock are rejoicing over the arrival of a daughter.

   Go to George Nye's, for cherries, four cents a quart on the tree.

   According to I. W. Brown, who has just completed a census of Cortland village, our population now is 7,792, against 7,137 one year ago — a gain of 655.

   The fat and lean men will play a game of ball on the fairgrounds next Saturday afternoon for the benefit of the building fund of Grace church.

   Colin Campbell in his advertisement on the first page of this week’s NEWS calls attention to an exterminator for the “Buffalo Carpet Bug." He has at his store several of the little "cusses" which he shows under a powerful microscope.

   The trial of Mattie Carpenter and Ida Wilcox for vagrancy, before Justice Bierce [concluded] on Friday last. They were convicted and sentenced, the Carpenter girl to four months. and the Wilcox girl to seventy days in the Onondaga Penitentiary.

   Seymour & Brown, proprietors of the steam mill on Port Watson street have dissolved partnership, Mr. Brown retiring. Mr. Seymour will continue the business. Mr. Brown has purchased of J. L. Watrous the barns on Groton avenue used as a livery, and will open a feed and flour store.

   Tuesday night of last week thieves broke into Arthur Goddard's liquor store on Railroad street and stole several gallons of whisky. Thursday morning the store was again broken into, and besides about eight gallons of whisky, a couple boxes of cigars were taken. Although enough evidence has not been procured to warrant any arrests, the officers are certain who the guilty parties are.

   The new iron roller ordered by the Board of Trustees a year or so since made its appearance on the streets Wednesday morning, from the Hitchcock shops. It is made of cast iron in four sections and weighs 8,000 pounds. The idea of those ordering it was that it would crush the stones on the street as it rolled over them, thus doing away with picking them up. It is quite needless to say that in this respect the roller is a mammoth failure.

   At the fire near Polkville last Friday, after the frame of the barn had all burned down and it was too hot to stand within four rods of the burning hay, a cat came from the midst of the ruins and ran into and out of sight as if life depended on every jump. One could not tell that it was frightened by the hair standing on its back for every hair was gone, its feet were apparently burned raw and the whole body looked as if it were cooked alive. Cats may have ten lives but if this one has to go through nine more similar ordeals its lot is truly pitiable— McGrawville Sentinel.

   Out buildings on the Warner farm, owned by Albert McGraw, two and one-fourth mile south-east of Cortland, were discovered to be on fire about ten o'clock last Friday morning. The large hay barn, hennery and a small building used for storing farming utensils were entirely destroyed together with about twenty tons of baled hay and seventy tons of new hay. It is supposed that the fire was the result of spontaneous combustion from the heating of the new hay. There was an insurance of about $1,600 on the building and contents. The only live stock that was burned was one calf. The farming implements were nearly all saved.

   The new iron bridge over the Tioughnioga at Blodgett's Mills was opened for traffic to-day.

   Someone has discovered that one fly on the 20th of March is represented by 300 on the 24th of April, by 300 times 300, equaling 90,000 on the 28th of May, and 8,100,000 on the 8th of August.

   Sergt. David L. Brainard, who was one of the members of the recent Greely arctic expedition, was recently awarded the Back premium by the Royal Geographical Society of Great Britain, a very rare prize only awarded when unusual results are attained. To Sergeant Brainard's labor and judgment Capt. Greely ascribes in a large degree the salvation of even the few of the party who were rescued.

   The citizens of Cortland decided by vote at their charter election last spring not to pay rent for the hydrants of the water works company for fire purposes. Things run along until July 3d when the Arnold House caught fire and of course the hydrants were attached and the conflagration squelched. The water company served notice on the board of trustees demanding six month’s rent of hydrants amounting to $1,225 and it looks as if they would get it.—Moravia Republican.

 

Carrie Goodrich Discharged.

   Judge Northrup handed down a decision Tuesday in the habeas corpus case of the people, respondents against Carrie M. Goodrich, appellant. In the October Court of Sessions the woman was convicted of keeping a disorderly house, and was sentenced to the Onondaga Penitentiary for one year. An appeal was taken to the General term and the judgment of the lower court was affirmed. Last week a motion for the woman's discharge was made before Judge Northrup, the application bring based upon the theory that, no entry of the General term judgment having been made, all proceedings subsequent thereto were irregular and without warrant of law. The Judge finds this ground to have been well taken and orders the release of the accused.

   While this decision gives the appellant her liberty for a time, the final result will not be changed.


Reference:
Adolphus Greely: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolphus_Greely