 |
| Kinzua Viaduct, McKean County, Pennsylvania. |
The Cortland Democrat, Friday, August
15, 1890.
RAILROAD FACTS.
Well Worth Knowing and Pasting in Your Hat.
The
publishers of Scribner's Magazine advertise their series of railroad articles
with a catechism of twenty questions and answers, to wit:
QUESTIONS.
1. How
many miles of railway in the United States?
2. How much have they cost?
3. How
many people are employed by them?
4. What
is the fastest time made by a train?
5. What
is the cost of a high-class eight-wheel passenger locomotive?
6. What
is the longest mileage operated by a single system?
7. What
is the cost of a palace sleeping car?
8. What
is the longest railway bridge-span in the United States?
9. What is
the highest railroad bridge in the United States?
10. Who built
the first locomotive in the United States?
11. What
road carries the largest number of passengers?
12. What
is the average daily earning of an American locomotive?
13. What
is the longest American railway tunnel?
14. What
is the average cost of constructing a mile of railroad?
15. What
is the highest railroad in the United States?
16. What are
the chances of fatal accident in railway travel?
17. What
line of railway extends furthest east and west?
18. How
long does a steel rail
last, with average wear?
19. What
road carries the largest number of commuters?
20. What
is the fastest time made between Jersey City and San Francisco?
ANSWERS.
1.
150,000 miles; about half the mileage of the world.
2. $9,000,000,000.
3. More
than 1,000,000.
4. 92
miles in 93 minutes; one mile being made in 60.6 seconds, on the Phila. & Reading
R. R.
5. About
$8,500.
6. Atchison,
Topeka & Santa Fe system, about 8,000 miles.
7. About $15,000,
or $17,000 if "vestibuled."
8. Cantilever
span in Poughkeepsie Bridge, 548 feet.
9. Kinzua Viaduct on the Erie road 305 feet high.
10. Peter
Cooper.
11.
Manhattan Elevated railroad, New York. 525,000 per day or 191,625,000 yearly.
12. About
$100.
13. Hoosac Tunnel, on the Fitchburg Railway
(4 3/4 miles.)
14. At the present time about $30,000.
15. Denver & Rio Grande; Marshall Pass,
10,852 feet.
16. One killed in ten million. Statistics
show more are killed by falling out of windows than in railway accidents.
17. Canadian Pacific railway, running from Quebec
to the Pacific ocean.
18. About eighteen years.
19. The Illinois Central, 4,828,128 in 1887.
20. 3
days, 7 hours, 39 minutes and 16 seconds. Special theatrical train, June, 1886.
 |
| Frontenac docked at Cayuga Lake. |
NEIGHBORING
COUNTIES.
CHENANGO.—Alex Ross of Sherburne has sold
his trotter, "Loretta," to Col. Kipp of New York, for $1,000, and has
also sold the young stallion, "Dudley Wilkes," for $1,500.
David Shattuck took possession of the Eagle
Hotel, Friday, as proprietor. He is assisted by William W. Clark, long
connected with the Eagle, and a popular hotel man. Johnnie Ferguson presides at
the bar.
A turtle weighing 34 pounds is now on exhibition
at a Washington street saloon in Binghamton. This turtle was caught in one of
the ponds near Smithville Flats, last week, and is said to be the largest land turtle
ever captured in this State. This turtle was caught with a spoon hook, and by a
fisherman trolling for pickerel.
Afton was treated to an electrical demonstration
Sunday afternoon about four o'clock,
the like of which has never been seen in that village. The program commenced with
bright flashes followed by heavy peals of thunder like the report of a cannon.
The first stroke struck the steeple of St. Ann's Episcopal church, shattering the
bell and setting the church on fire. The men fought valiantly to save the building
from destruction, but the water supply soon gave out and they were obliged to
let it go to destruction. However, all the seats, furniture, carpets, etc.,
inside were saved and nothing was lost but a few benches and a quantity of
stove wood in the basement. The building cost about $3,000 and was insured for
$1,500. The church services will be held at Grange Hall for the present. Quite
a number residing in the vicinity of the church were prostrated for several
minutes by the shock and there is hardly a person in the village but what was
more or less dazed. Lightning also struck a hickory tree in front of Charles
Landers' residence, tearing off the bark and leaves and making a deep hole at the
foot of the tree. Likewise in John Carr's woods and also the horse sheds of the
Methodist church at North Afton.
MADISON.—Usebus Sweet, of Canastota, is
raising 7,500 cabbages.
It is estimated that there are nearly 450 nets
in Oneida lake.
The Canastota Knitting Mill has an order
from the Government for 1,000 dozen pairs of hose for the Indians.
Wilfred Sennecks, a colored barber of Norwich,
died of delirium tremens at Oneida,
Friday. He leaves two children destitute.
The DeRuyter Driving Park Association have
issued entry cards for their Fall races, which will be held on Wednesday and Thursday,
August 27 and 28. First afternoon, 2:50 class, $100; 2:30 class, $150; named
race, $50. Thursday afternoon, 2:40 class, $150; 2:25 class, $200; running
race, $100.
TOMPKINS.—An Ithaca merchant serves iced tea
to his customers during hot days.
The Crandall Machine Co. of Groton has shut
down the works for a month.
The katydids have been heard in this
locality. According to the old rule frost will appear in six weeks.
Land along the lake which a few year ago
could have been bought for fifty to seventy-five dollars an acre now commands $3.50
per foot.
George and Charles Hoover, father and son,
of Applegate's Corners, were convicted of chicken stealing at Ithaca, Tuesday, and
both sent to the county penitentiary for terms of six months.
A boy teased a ragman at the Inlet a day or two
ago by pulling his coat tail, whereupon the ragman pulled a revolver and fired over
the boy's head. There was no complaint and the carrier of concealed weapons is
still at large.
A sailboat containing five young men capsized
off Sheldrake, Monday, and after they had clung to the overturned boat for over
an hour they were picked up by the Frontenac.
Two of the men were about exhausted when rescued.
HERE AND
THERE.
The fall term of the Normal school will open
at 8:45 A. M., Wednesday, September 3.
Emerald Hose Company's picnic at Floral
Trout Park Saturday afternoon. Admission ten cents.
Sham Battle at Sylvan Beach, Aug. 20 and 21,
participated in by six Separate companies and three batteries of artillery.
The King's Daughters will meet at the
residence of Mrs. Susie Holden, corner of Elm and Greenbush streets, Saturday at
3 P. M.
Messrs. Hopkins & Son, have a handsome
specimen of the Star cactus in full blossom at their green houses, on Groton Ave.
Messrs. J. L. Marritt and M. Edgcomb will
open a shoe store on the south side of the store occupied by Isaac Edgcomb, about
the first of next month.
E. M. Hulbert is making great improvements
at his residence on Tompkins street. The new
conservatory on the west side, greatly improves the appearance of his place.
The fifteenth annual picnic of the Hammond
family will be held at Freetown Corners, Friday Aug. 22nd, at the home of S. S.
Hammond. All the family and friends are
invited.
One of the handsomest blossoms we have seen
in many a day is in Mr. M. F. Cleary's yard. Last spring he constructed an
artificial pond in his yard in which he planted several Egyptian Lotus, one of
which is now in bloom. It is a very rare plant and is handsome and fragrant.
Lovers of the beautiful are invited to call and see it.
The Semi-Monthly Mothers' Meeting, (feast)
will be held at the residence of Mrs. Homer Smith, 22 Hubbard street, on
Wednesday, August 20, at 3 P. M. Subject: "Character Building, the
Mothers' Special Work " The great question, "How shall We Build"
will be presented and discussed. All ladies are most cordially invited.
The open air concert given by the Cortland Hitchcock
band in this place
Thursday
evening was a very enjoyable one and all who heard the selections given speak
in the most commendable terms. The Hose company are also eliciting much praise
for their exhibition drill. Come again, boys, our gates are open to you.—Sentinel.
The latest fad in sociables and evening
parties comes from a town in the Keystone state, and is quite liable to be
inaugurated in this vicinity before the snow falls. A number of young ladies
personate slaves by draping themselves in sheets so as to unrecognizable. They
are then put up at auction. It is incumbent upon each purchaser to buy for his
slave all the ice cream cake and lemonade she may demand and to escort her home
after the entertainment. [Hmmm…seems the purchaser's treat was under a sheet—CC
editor.]
State Firemens' Convention at Watertown opens
next Tuesday, and continues for four days.
Readers who desire to learn the cause of the
recent strike on the Central road, will find the alleged reason in an article
on our third page under the title "There'll be no Strike."
Last Saturday night the post office in Homer
was moved from the Porter block to the Wheadon block. The shooting gallery that
had been occupying the last named location, took possession of the building vacated
by the post office. The new location of the post office being more central than
the old one gives better satisfaction to the public.
Last Saturday evening the large farm barn of
Geo. M. Trapp, two miles west of Virgil, was struck by lightning and burned to
the ground together with its contents. Only a top
wagon that stood near the door was saved. The building was full of hay and
nearly all the farm tools were stored therein. A lot of fowls and a dog were burned.
The building was insured for $500 in the Grange Insurance Company. Loss $900.
Annual
Parade C. F. D.
The annual parade of the Cortland Fire Department
will occur Saturday afternoon Aug. 16th. The column will move promptly at 2 P.
M. Line of march is as follows: form on Main street, right resting on Clinton
avenue, down Clinton to Church, to Port Watson, to Tompkins to Owego, countermarch
to Main, to Court (reviewed by Village Trustees from the south front of Court
House where the Hitchcock Hose will give an exhibition of their proficiency in
drill) to Church, to Railroad, to Main disbanding in front of Engine house.
JOHN H. PHELPS,
Chief Engineer.
 |
| Floral Trout Park (twin bridges and ponds) was located between East and Owen Avenues, right side of 1894 map. |
An
Evening's Enjoyment.
Last Monday evening a small party of ladies
and gentlemen of this village, had a very enjoyable time at the Floral Trout
Park. An excellent lunch was served by the ladies and dancing was the order of
the evening until a late hour.
Among those present were Mr. and Mrs. C. F.
Wickwire, Mr. and Mrs. Fitz Boynton, Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Rogers, Mrs. D. S.
Lamont, Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Wickwire, Mr. and Mrs. Jas. H. Turner, Mr. and Mrs.
B. A. Benedict, Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Stillson, Prof. and Mrs. D. E. Smith, Dr.
and Mrs. C. W. Sanders and daughters Grace, Mamie and Ethel, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh
Duffy, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest M. Hulbert, Mr. and Mrs. S. M. Ballard, Mr. and Mrs.
F. D. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Nourse, Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Edgcomb, Mrs. Bryant
and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Squires, the Misses Lena, Belle and Maud
Fitzgerald, Miss Mary D. Rogers, Miss Mattie Collins, and Messrs. Ed. Stillson,
C. H. V. Elliot, Ed. Duffy and Frank C. Leighton.
FROM EVERYWHERE.
 |
| Balloon farm, Carl and Carlotta Myers, Frankfort, N. Y. |
 |
| "Carlotta" Myers |
The first
regular train passed over the new railroad from Union Springs to Auburn, Monday
afternoon.
A man in Jefferson county, Pa. has lost his sight from drinking too much ice water while heated. [ice or man heated?--CC editor.]
Charles G. Cross has been the D. L. & W. station agent at Earlville for 22 years, ever since the road was built.
A new electric brake recently experimented with in England stopped a car traveling at a rate of 30 miles an hour in 200 feet.
A man in Jefferson county, Pa. has lost his sight from drinking too much ice water while heated. [ice or man heated?--CC editor.]
Charles G. Cross has been the D. L. & W. station agent at Earlville for 22 years, ever since the road was built.
A new electric brake recently experimented with in England stopped a car traveling at a rate of 30 miles an hour in 200 feet.
A new
female pursuit in the larger cities is collecting bills. This is encouraging. The old female pursuit in the larger cities was to
run 'em up.
Authorities
show that July, 1890, was the hottest month in 25 years. The northern portion
of this state was considerably warmer than the lower portion.
There are
5,000 insane people in the city of New York, and experts on insanity say that
the ratio of lunatics is increasing much faster than that of the [general] population.
Dr.
Justin's new gun has been in position, about 300 feet southeast from where the
other gun was bursted, and he expects to give it a private test on or about August
20.
While
Thomas Huntley of Manlius was digging a well he found a chunk of hardpan as large
as a brick, in the center of which a toad was imbedded. He thought it was
petrified, but after lying in the sun awhile it hopped away.
Carlotta,
the aeronaut, of Frankfort, N. Y., made the fastest time on record during her
last ascension from Congress Spring Park, Saratoga. It was her 17th flight from
the park, and her 350th hydrogenic gas ascension. She rose to a height of about
1 1/2 miles in the face of a thunder storm, and flew eight miles in just six
minutes, landing in the Greenland mountains.
On
Saturday last a party of boys while playing at Whitney's Point, decided to make
some birch beer, and went to an oil still in the woods near that village owned by
W. Howard, and obtained a quantity of the dregs of birch oil. This they took and
putting sugar and water with it, drank the same. They were soon after taken seriously
ill, and one of the number, the son of James O'Neil, died in less than an hour afterwards.
He was the first to partake of the mixture, and it is thought he got most of
the birch oil, which floated on top. Another boy, named Beach, it was thought at
one time would not recover. The dead boy was about seven years of age.—Marathon
Independent.
Highly
recommended: http://herkimer.nygenweb.net/frankfort/balloonfarm.html
