LIGHTNING FREAKS

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, June 10, 1892.

Lightning Freaks.

   Lightning struck a tree in front of J. D. Doran's barn No. 134 Clinton-ave., last Thursday afternoon, and glancing, struck a corner of the barn tearing off the boards and making a big hole in the floor as it passed down and into the ground.
   The telephones at the Cortland Steam Laundry, the Arlington house and at the residence of A. H. Winchell were burned out. The line crossing Tompkins street was cut in two and the direct line between this place and Auburn and the local line from here to Syracuse were both down.

   The telephones in the offices at Homer, Marathon and Whitney's Point, were burned out. The big elm in front of the Elm Tree house in McLean was shattered by lightning. The storm was a severe one and the only wonder is that more damage was not done.

An Immense Aerolite.

   ST. PETERSBURG, June 3.—What is believed to be the largest aerolite ever known to have fallen is lying in the Caspian sea, a short distance from the peninsula of Apsheron. In falling, the aerolite made a most terrific noise, as it rushed through the air with incredible speed, and the white hot mass made a light that illuminated the country and sea around about for a great distance. Those who saw it were struck dumb with consternation. When it struck the water, immense clouds of steam arose and the hissing could be heard for a great distance. Huge masses of water were thrown upward and the sight to those who were not frightened was a most beautiful one.

   So enormous is the aerolite that it projects twelve feet above the water, and save for its fused black crust, which gives it the appearance of having been varnished, it has every appearance of being one of the usual rocky formations met with along the coast. Scientists are deeply interested in the phenomenon and a number of them are making preparations to visit the peninsula to examine the aerolite.

Wheelmen's Tournament.

   The Cortland Wheel club of Cortland, N. Y., will hold their second annual tournament at the Cortland Driving Park on Monday, June 13. The morning will be taken up with a grand street parade in which 500 uniformed wheelmen take part.

   Beginning at 1 o'clock in the afternoon there are thirteen different but almost continuous events, including a 16 mile road race to Little York and return, finishing four laps on the track.

   Most of the fastest racing men in the country will be present and compete, as Cortland is in the regular L. A. W. racing circuit, and one of the State Championships will be run. The half-mile track at the Driving Park has been put in prime condition and it is confidently expected that there will be some magnificent contests for the $1200 worth of prizes offered by the club. Those interested in the relative merits of the horse as against a bicycle will be glad to note that one of the best horses in Cortland county with a mark of 3:24 will trot a mile against a speedy rider for a $50 purse.

   A prize worth $150 has been offered to the wheelman making the best mile under 2:23 which will stimulate the riders to their best efforts.

   The admission is only 25 cents and those attending will be sure of getting the worth of their money.

   The prizes are now on exhibition in the large window of Mr. F. D. Smith on Main street.

   A large delegation of the Cortland boys will go to Syracuse, Saturday, to boom things and escort the racers and visitors to Cortland.

   The Hitchcock band and orchestra will furnish music day and evening. Prizes will be distributed at the Floral Trout Park at 8 o'clock in the evening and a dance will follow.

Mahan's Music Festival.

   Mahan's annual music festival opened on Monday, with a very large chorus. Additions have come from day to day until it has proved to be the largest in its history. The attendance every afternoon and evening has been large, showing that the interest in these annuals is not decreasing. The concert on Thursday evening was listened to by a crowded house, and the frequent encores testified that the entertainment was highly appreciated. The following are the programmes for Friday:

Copy of programs.

HERE AND THERE.

   Mr. D. M. Roberts, employed in the Cortland Desk factory, had one of his thumbs taken off by a buzz saw he was operating last Friday. Dr. Hughes dressed the injury.

   The summer meeting of the Cortland Driving Park Association opens June 28th and lasts four days. This promises to be one of the grandest meetings in the history the Association.

   Mr. Wade Stevenson, of Homer, received the State scholarship at Cornell University, his percentage footing up 330 out of a possible 350. The examination was held Saturday last, in the Normal building.

   Mr. A. H. Schwartz, who has been assistant superintendent of the Oswego and Binghamton branch of the D., L. & W. for some years past, has been promoted to the office of superintendent. The appointment will please the patrons of the road and the recipient has richly earned his promotion.

   The meeting of the Music Teachers' Association, 28th to 30th, at Syracuse, promises to outdo all its predecessors in merit and in interest. Grand concerts will be given by great artists. Essays on vital subjects, new ideas, improved methods, important inventions, will be offered to all, and subjected to discussion and criticism.

   Rev. Ure Mitchell, the former pastor of the Universalist church in this town, who a year ago changed his denominational relations and joined the Baptist church, has written to the committee on Fellowship of the Universalist denomination requesting restoration to the ranks of the Universalist ministry. Mr. Mitchell has just resigned from the pastorate of the Baptist church at Horseheads, which church he has been pastor of for about a year.

   Bret Harte's young daughter, Miss Jessamy Harte, will make her literary debut in the July Ladies' Home Journal with a most entertaining description of "Camp Life in the Adirondacks," in which it is claimed every evidence shows itself of inherited literary tendencies not unlike those evidenced in Bret Harte's earlier work. Miss Harte is a girl still in her teens, and has artistic as well as literary proclivities, as one of the illustrations accompanying her first article shows.

   The Assembly will give a grand party in Odd Fellows' Hall immediately after the Festival concert this evening. Dickinson & Beman's band will furnish the music. Invitations have been received by a large number of society people, and it is expected that several of the artists and members of the chorus will attend. The young people are indebted to Mr. Mahan, through whose courtesy the party is given. Messrs. F. Cy. Straat, F. J. Peck, J. L. Hickok, B. W. Rood and H. L. Smith compose the committee of arrangements.

   The Adventist camp-meeting, on Barber avenue, is in full blast this week.

   The Hitchcock Hose picnic takes place Saturday, at Floral Trout Park. Don't fail to be present.

   The Syracuse Evening Herald appears in a neat new dress. It always was well printed and carefully edited.

   The plans submitted by the architect for remodeling the Court House in this place are in the hands of the committee. It is estimated that the repairs will cost about $5,000.

   A four-in-hand dog team has attracted a good bit of attention on the streets of Cortland, the past week. It was used to advertise the Monitor oil stove, which is for sale by Buck & Lane.

   Did you attend the cooking school at Buck & Lane's store, Wednesday and Thursday? If you did not, you missed a treat. The work was all done on a Monitor oil stove, and it was done to perfection.

   The trustees at their meeting last Monday evening appointed Chester F. Wickwire, Frank H. Cobb, Stratton S. Knox, Chas. W. Collins and Hugh Duffey to be sewer commissioners for this village under the general sewer act of 1889.

   Next Sunday being "Children's Day" in the Congregational church, in the morning Dr. Taylor will preach to children and christen little ones, and in the evening there will be interesting exercises by the young folks, little and large.

   Bert Fellows had the fingers of one hand badly lacerated in a buzz saw at the Cortland Top & Rail shops, last Tuesday. He was taken to Dr. White's office, who amputated the second and third fingers at the second joint, and the thumb at the first.

   The line of march of the parade of the Cortland Wheel club, on Monday next, has been arranged as follows: Form at club headquarters on railroad-st., right resting upon Main-st., down Main to Tompkins, to Owego, to Union, to Main, to Port Watson, to Church, to Grant, to North Main, to Lincoln-ave., to Homer-ave., to Groton, to Main, to Railroad and disband.

   The Odd Fellows of this district will hold their sixth annual basket picnic at Floral Trout park, Cortland, June 18th. A grand good time is anticipated. All members of the order, and their friends as well, are especially urged to be present. We feel confident in saving Past Noble Grand Robinson, the proprietor of the park, will endeavor to the utmost of his ability, to make the gathering an enjoyable one.—McGrawville Sentinel.
    The Foundry and Machine Company advertise cultivators on another page.  
    The Buckeye Mowers and Reapers have all the latest improvements and are believed to be the best in the market. See advertisement in another column.

 

 

 

 

COURT PROCEEDINGS AND THE ASSESSMENT QUESTION

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, June 3, 1892.

Court Proceedings.

   A special term of the Supreme Court convened at the Court House in this village last Tuesday morning, Hon. Walter Lloyd Smith of Elmira presiding. The entire day was consumed in the hearing of motions and a very large number of lawyers from other counties were in attendance. The following cases were disposed of on the day following:

   Hezekiah Howe et. al., vs. William H. Clark, Theo. Stevenson, F. W. Collins and the Cortland Howe Ventilating Stove Company. The plaintiffs, who were the inventors of the Howe ventilating stove manufactured by defendants, brought this action to recover damages for an alleged conspiracy to defraud plaintiffs out of his rights under the patent. The defendants demurred to the complaint, and arguments were made on the demurrer. Briefs were submitted and decision reserved. Smith & Dickinson appeared for the plaintiffs and B. T. Wright and Hon. 0. U. Kellogg for defendants.

   Mary C. Perkins and Sarah E. Frank vs. Joseph E. Eggleston, as sole executor of the last will and testament of Mary E. Main, deceased, et al. This action was brought to set aside the residuary clause in the will of Mary E. Main, wherein she left a sum of money to the Congregational church in this place. The plaintiffs claim that the church is not legally organized and cannot therefore take under the will. The case was tried and briefs are to be submitted within twenty days. D. E. Powell and W. W. Woodbury appeared for the plaintiffs and W. D. Turtle, G. B. Jones and Kellogg & Van Hoesen for defendant.

   Seneca House vs. Julia House, Diantha Rose and Lyman Rose et. al. The plaintiffs sue to recover on a promissory note for $100 made by Elisha House, in his life time. Defendants are the heirs and next of kin of deceased. C. H. Lewis of Syracuse appeared for plaintiff and H. C. Miner, L. B. Kern, James Dougherty and Smith & Dickinson for defendants. The case was referred to Hon. S. S. Knox.

   James Dougherty, as receiver, vs. John Shevalier, Rachael Shevalier and J. D. K. Woolston. This action was brought by the plaintiff as receiver, to set aside a conveyance of real estate executed by defendant John Shevalier to his wife and son, on the ground that the same was executed for the purpose of defrauding the judgment creditors. The case was referred to Rufus King, Esq., of Elmira. H. A Dickinson for plaintiff and W. C. Crumbie for defendant.

   Albert H. Atkins vs. Walter J. Pudney and Phoebe Pudney. The plaintiff brought this action to set aside a mortgage given by W. J. Pudney to his mother Phoebe Pudney on the ground that the same was executed for the purpose of defrauding his creditors. Tried before the court and decision reserved. Attorneys to submit briefs within ten days. Dorr C. Smith and A. P. Smith for plaintiff, and Jas. Dougherty for defendant.

   Louisa Ann Howe vs. Charles Eno Barber, et. al. This was an action for partition of real estate situate in Homer. Proof taken and the court ordered a decree entered for the sale of the property in question and that the proceeds be distributed among the parties interested after payment of costs of suit. Kellogg & Van Hoesen for plaintiff and James Dougherty for defendant.

   SETTLED,

   Patrick Callahan vs. Owen Galvin OVER Oren Randall vs. Peter Balia, et. al.

   Albert H. Atkins vs. William Lord.

   Mary Rood vs. Caroline Chapman.

   The Cortland Howe Ventilating Stove Company vs. Caleb B. Hitchcock.

   All the cases on the calendar having been disposed of, Court adjourned Wednesday afternoon.

Death of Joshua Ballard.

   Joshua Ballard, an old and highly respected citizen of Cortland, died at Glen Haven, where he had lived for the last fifteen or twenty years, on Tuesday last, aged 81 years. Mr. Ballard was born in Brimfield, Mass., June 11, 1808, and moved to this place with his parents when a mere lad. On April 13, 1831, he married Miss Christina N. Nims, who died Aug. 5, 1859, leaving no issue. With the exception of a few years spent in Ohio, Mr. Ballard's whole life was passed in this town. He lived for many years on the Severance farm on the west road to Homer, but finally left the farm and came to the village to live.

   Uncle Joshua, as he was familiarly called was a genial companion, an honest man and a good citizen. He had many peculiarities but these were not of the sort that serve to alienate one's friends and he was popular with all who enjoyed his acquaintance. He was fond of music and for several years he was at the head of the "Old Folk's Musical organization'' in this place. He was a great favorite with the young people and enjoyed their society. The funeral services were held from the residence of his relative, Mr. S. M. Ballard on Court-st., yesterday afternoon.

Attempted Suicide.

   Last Thursday afternoon Mrs. May Tarble Teeter, a young woman who resides with her sister, Mrs. Richard F. Stark on Water-st., shut herself in her room and locked the door. In the early part of the evening she was heard to groan and was apparently breathing with considerable difficulty. The door was forced open and she was found in an unconscious condition.

   Dr. A. G. Henry was sent for and arrived at about 9 o'clock. She had been vomiting freely and the doctor administered an emetic followed by antidotes and ordered that the woman be kept moving. It required the support of two persons to keep her in motion as she was unable to stand on her feet. At 2 o'clock in the morning she was much better and considered out of danger. She finally admitted to the doctor that she had taken three ounces of laudanum, enough to kill a dozen persons. She gives no reason for taking the drug. She will recover.

HERE AND THERE.

   The new law extending to women the right to vote for school commissioner, provides for a special ballot exclusively for the ladies.

   The Loyal Circle of King's Daughters will meet with Mrs. Scott Robinson, No. 4 Pearne avenue, Saturday, June 4th, at 3 o'clock P. M.

   The complaint against Geo. E. Dickinson, made by A. B. Frazier, was withdrawn last Thursday, and the matter was settled.

   The Bricklayers and Masons' Union of this place have adopted resolutions against laying brick on stone foundations built by non-Union masons.

   The mothers' meeting (central) will be held at Mrs. N. J. Parsons', No. 88 Tompkins street, Tuesday, June 7th, at 3 P. M. Subject, "Imagination."

   Orris Hose company has decided to purchase thirty new uniforms. They will be of blue cloth, ornamented with department buttons, coats to be double breasted. Collins & Daehler furnish them.

   G. H. Williams, who resides with his mother, on Venette street, in this village, was taken to the Binghamton Asylum last Tuesday, by Sup't Angel, after an examination by Drs. White and Bennett, who pronounced him insane.

   Geo. E. Rich & Co.'s circus and animal show will exhibit at McGrawville, Saturday, June 11th. Admission 25 cents. Children will be admitted in the afternoon for 10 cents. The show will exhibit in Dryden, Tuesday, June 14th.

   There is a law on the State books, making it a duty of highway commissioners to erect boards at the intersection of the roads, giving distance to nearest towns, etc., but so far as this section is concerned, it is practically a dead letter.

   Under a new provision of the criminal code, Justices of the Peace are given power to fine or imprison persons guilty of public intoxication, at their own discretion. Heretofore the prisoner could not be imprisoned, provided he paid the fine imposed.

   Mr. C. J. Coleman, proprietor of the Cortland Steam Laundry, Star carpet cleaner and feather renovator, has secured the services of Mr. I. J. Chipperfield, an expert in the laundry business from Troy, to superintend the business, and promises first-class work at reasonable prices. A trial order is requested.

   Last Friday evening the members of the 45th Separate Company [N. Y. S. National Guard] elected First Lieutenant Henry A. Dickinson to be Captain in place of D. F. Dunsmoor, resigned. The vacancy caused by the promotion of Lieut. Dickinson will not be filled until after he has successfully passed the necessary examination. Second Lieutenant F. L. McDowell will probably succeed Mr. Dickinson.

   An appeal is being made in many papers to preserve the arbutus. Many are careless and pull it up by the roots. As the plant is not over plenty, it may soon be exterminated. This plant should be preserved for its medicinal properties, as well as for its rare beauty. A tea made of its leaves will dissolve gravel or stone in the bladder, it is said. The arbutus is known in some localities as gravel weed.—Ex.

   Last Saturday, while A. Murell Canfield was running an emory belt in the Excelsior Top shops, the belt broke and a piece of the iron he was polishing struck him across the forehead and upper part of the nose, nearly knocking him down. He was taken to the home of his sister, in the Calvert block, and Dr. Edson called. The physician thinks that he will be able to work again in a few days, although the blow was a very hard one.

   Wheelmen will note with interest two recent supreme court decisions regarding their rights on the highway. A pedestrian was run into by a wheelman, both being on the sidewalk. The former sued for damages and won his suit, the court holding that the rider had no business on the sidewalk. On the other hand, a horse was frightened by an approaching wheel and ran away, The driver sued for damages, but lost his suit, the court holding that the bicycle was a vehicle, and as such was entitled to the road at well at the driver.

   The Cortland Bee Keepers' Association will meet at the residence of President J. L. Kinney, two and one-half miles northwest of this village, Tuesday, June 14th, 1892.

   The committee appointed to solicit funds to defray the expenses incident to a celebration of the 4th of July, report that they are meeting with success. They will report at a meeting to be held to-night.

   Franklin C. Hazard, of Upper Lisle, well known throughout the county, died at his late home, on Sunday last, aged 62 years, after only two days of illness. Cause, apoplexy. The funeral services were conducted in the Universalist church, Rev. H. W. Carr, of Cortland, officiating, assisted by Rev. Mr. Barnes, of the Baptist church of Upper Lisle.

The Assessment Question.

   State Assessor Jas. D. Ellis, of Antwerp, N. Y., met the supervisors and assessors of the several towns in this county in the supervisors rooms last Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock. Mr. Ellis questioned the representatives of each town with regard to the valuation and assessment of real estate and particularly upon the question of the assessment of personal property. The assessors from most of the towns estimated that real estate in their localities was assessed at from one-half to two-thirds its value and some of them thought that real estate in their towns was assessed at its full value. Mr. Ellis stated that money in bank could be assessed and that where an assessor believed that a person had money in bank it was his duty to assess him unless he came before the board and swore it off.

   Some of the assessors and supervisors explained the lack of assessment of personal property in their towns by saying, that when men in their towns became possessed of money they moved to Cortland. The State Assessor interrogated Assessor Rood of this place, with reference to the monied men moving to this place who answered that when these men moved here, they invariably swore their taxes off.

   Mr. Ellis said that it was the general impression throughout the state that a large amount of personal property in Cortland was escaping taxation. He called the attention of the assessors to the necessity of assessing all kinds of personal property and repeated that the assessment in Cortland county on personal estate was one of the worst in the state. His statement is undoubtedly true, but it is doubtful if any remedy can be provided or even suggested to cure the evil.

Hints for Assessors.

   State Assessor Ellis while in Cortland called the attention of assessors to the following facts, which they would do well to cut out and preserve.

   1st, Parsonages worth not more than $2,000 are exempt from taxation, but are taxable on excess of value over this figure.

   2nd, Pension moneys and property purchased therewith are exempt from taxation.

   3rd, Stock horses, farming implements, stocks of goods, notes, book accounts, mortgages, deposits in National banks and savings banks are all subject to taxation.

   4th, Railroads are to be assessed not simply on the cost of construction or value of land in their roadway, but taking into account also their earning capacity, value of capital stock, value of franchise, etc.