DOG DELIBERATELY DROPPED IN ICY TIOUGHNIOGA RIVER TO DROWN

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, January 20, 1893.

TOWN REPORTS.

Mt. RODERICK.

   "Oh! the summer days are sweet,

   And we long to have them coming."

   Willie Smith has helped to cut about 100 cords of wood this winter.

   Hubert Cline visited his mother and grandparents Saturday and Sunday.

   Mr. Henry Smith has rented Mr. John Fish's farm near Lower Cincinnatus, and will move there about March 1st.

   Miss Cora Baker, who has been with her sister Mrs. Fred Smith, returned to her home at Potter Hill, Monday of this week.

   Mr. George McDonald reports the Grange social, which met at Mr. William Maricle's on "Dutch Hill," a very pleasant affair.

   Miss Cora Baker and Herbert Fuller have been engaged to work for Peter Neilson on the "Boyd farm." Blissful days in store for H—.

   Mrs. T. H. Wright returned Thursday from an extended visit at the home of her parents in Elmira. Tommy gladly resigns the position of house-keeper and gracefully yields the broom and dish-cloth, 'though he claims to be an adept in the use of the latter.

   One of our citizens reports a scene he lately witnessed, which arouses his indignation to an unwonted degree. As he approached Port Watson he saw a man throw some large object from his wagon upon the bridge into the river. Judge of his horror as he came near to see a greyhound in the icy water, making fruitless efforts to escape, (but prevented by the ice which lined the river banks,) crying piteously the while, and the heartless man coolly watching the struggles of the nobler, but more unfortunate animal. The gentleman indignantly protested against such cruelty; a second man soon arrived upon the scene who also pronounced it "outrageous." By their united protests and threats of arrest, they compelled him to take measures to ensure its speedy death.

LITTLE YORK.

   Gay's hotel is filled with boarders during the ice season.

   B. L. McNamara and O. B. Andrews were in Syracuse this week.

   A party of young people enjoyed a sleigh ride Saturday evening.

   Will Gutches had his foot crushed while working for the Ice Co.

   The New York bosses of the union milk depot were in town this week.

   Peter Selover has moved out of the Cushing store into Mrs. Ives farm house.

   Fitzgerald teams are caring lumber from the steam mill. It goes to the chair factory at Apulia.

   Wm. Isbel returned from Lincklaen last week. He is confined to the house with a carbuncle.

   Frank Wilcox and D. T. Bowdish took a bath in the lake although the thermometer stood at zero.

   Daniel Cummings and Melvin Pratt have been appointed appraisers on the Scott estate and will appraise the property on Tuesday.

   Milton Salisbury has returned from a business trip to Auburn. One of his suits with the executors of Lovina Salisbury has been settled.

   There were a party of young people from Homer at the Raymond House last Thursday night. There will be a party from Cortland this week Wednesday.

   The Little York Ice Co. packed 500 tons of ice in four hours last Wednesday, which beats all previous records. On Friday and Saturday they loaded cars for the Cortland Beef Co. and the D. L. & W. ice house at Oswego.

TAYLOR.

   Mrs. Catherine Brooks and her son went to Syracuse, Saturday.

   M. M. Maybury of Solon visited friends in this section Sunday.

   Mrs. Peter Jordan had another poor spell last week, but is better now.

   W. D. McDonald and family spent a day with his sister in Cortland recently.

   The last of the butter in DeLong's factory is to be delivered at McGrawville this week.

   Mrs. Elmer Hull of Cedarvale, N. Y. is visiting her parents Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Jordan.

   Lewis Crumb and wife of Brookfield spent last week with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ira Fox.

   Our experience is that we have been having a longer spell of cold weather than we have had in a number of years.

   William Hare is back from Norwich, where he has been staying with his son, Ross. He expects to go to Moravia this week to visit his son, Floyd.

   Thursday we had a temporary mail carrier, consequently part of our mail which would have come that day, had he waited at Cuyler for the south bound train, as the schedule requires that he should do, did not arrive. We trust there will be a change soon after March fourth.

   Jonathan Law, who went from Chenango Co. to San Bernardino, Cal. Two years ago, dropped dead in the postoffice a few days since. It is said that he was once well off but that he was persuaded to deed his property to his two daughters, after which he was turned out of doors.—[Deruyter] Gleaner. Mr. Law will be remembered by many of the older inhabitants as a former resident of this town.

   CALUMET. [pen name of local correspondent.]

VIRGIL.

   Mrs. Ed Crain visited friends at Homer the past week.

   Mr. Earl Curtis and Mr. Eddie Oaks were at Freetown Sunday.

   County Clerk S. K. Jones and wife of Cortland were in town Sunday.

   Mr. Stebbins and Miss Bishop of Homer, were guests at Mr. F. D. Freer's the 16th.

   Quite a good many from this place attended the theatre and saw "Dad's Girl Played."

   Died, Jan. 10, Mr. Frank Oaks aged 80 years. Funeral services were held from the house Saturday at eleven o'clock, Rev. Mr. Smith officiating. He leaves a wife and son.

He was ready for the summons

  Which called him from earth away;

He has gone from among us,

  For with us he could not stay.

For the Lord to heaven had called him.

  There to join the angelic throng,

There to be forever happy,

  And to join with them in song.

Though the home is sad and lonely,

  And the burden is hard to bear,

Still to us it seems much lighter,

  When we know he's free from care.

Grieve not for him, dear Minnie,

  Nor listen to the dolesome knell,

For methinks I hear the angels saying,

  With him, 'tis well! 'tis well!

   TOPSY.

VIRGIL—SOUTH HILL.

   Miss Mary Jennison is sick with quinsey. Dr. Muncy attends her.

   Mr. Charles Ryan and family were in attendance at the Green and Sprague wedding last Sunday.

   A good many from this place expect to attend the County Alliance to be held at Cortland, Jan. 21st. The president of the State Alliance E. F. Dibble will be present and deliver an address. Anyone will be well repaid for their time to attend the county alliance.

   At a regular meeting of Summit Alliance held Dec. 15th, a resolution was passed to build a building for the use of the order to be called Alliance Hill. A site has been purchased of Charley Ryan and the ground will soon be broken for the foundation. The members are putting material on the ground for the building and hall. The members of the alliance are enthusiastic and determined to make the order a success, in spite of its local enemies, and some of the county officials.

   The Republicans tell us the United States have prospered wonderfully since the McKinley bill took effect, but references to the Cortland County Supervisors Journal for the year 1892 and Supervisors Proceedings as published in the DEMOCRAT for the year 1892, show that the aggregate valuation of the personal property and real estate of Cortland county has decreased $223,572 in two years. It is that kind of "prosperity," that send people to the alms house.

   Eighty of the inhabitants of South Hill and the northern part of the town of Lapeer, have petitioned to the Post-Master General to establish a post office at the residence of Adelbert Tarbox, in the town of Lapeer and that the name of the post office be called Luce Hill, and Adelbert Tarbox be appointed post-master. If the prayer of the petitioners is granted, it will supply a long felt need in this vicinity. Mr. Tarbox is an enterprising farmer and is building a cheese factory on his farm to manufacture his and his patrons' milk into full cream cheese, and we hear is contemplating putting in a stock of groceries to accommodate his patrons and the public.

BLODGETT'S MILLS.

   E. L. Tanner is caring potatoes, paying 75c. per bushel.

   W. S. Freer has shipped a cask of his cider to Florida.

   W. E. Russell was at Syracuse on business on Thursday and Friday.

   Mrs. Miller and son Fred expect to move in Wayland Spencer's house on Main St.

   The chair factory boys have enjoyed a days' rest the past week, on account of the water pipes freezing.

   Meetings will be continued every evening this week; also on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon at the Baptist church.

   Lyman Potter and Miss Mamie Palmer attended the wedding of his sister, Mamie Potter and Arthur Seeber at Marathon last Tuesday.

   Mr. P. F. Moses received, on Monday, 1 doz. cot bedsteads. We can assure any one purchasing one of these bedsteads that they are getting a very easy bed, as we have tried them.

HARFORD MILLS.

   Mr. Fred Goodwin has moved his family in town.

   The ice house at the Creamery was filled last week.

   James Watterman visited at Mr. Nichols' last Saturday.

   Mr. Fred Moore of Ludlowville was in town a few days last week.

   Mr. John Bloomer of Virgil was in town Tuesday on his way to Owego.

   It is very cold, the thermometer registering from 20 to 26 degrees below zero.

   A good many people are moving their potatoes at seventy-five cents per bushel.

   Rumor says that Abe Boice has gone to New Yore to settle the political dispute there.

   Mr. Stanley Bailey and family are in town with a sick child which has the dyptheria.

   Our school has closed for a short time on account of dyptheria being brought into the place.

   Mr. John Wayle and Mr. Chappuis of this place are both loading potatoes here at seventy-five cents per bushel.

   George Matison our horse dealer has gone to Ulster, Pa. with a valuable pair to swap for real estate, grind-stones or any property that may come his way.

   Mrs. Charles Eastman of Berkshire was in town last Friday, selling woolen stockings very reasonable and disposed of a good many pairs.

   Mr. Bert Erwin has married Miss Blanche Moon and bought out Mr. Henry Durrenberg, his half brother, and is going to farming. Success to you Bert, is the wish of all.

   CHIP.

FREETOWN.

   Mr. John Homes of Texas was in town the last of the week.

   Clinton Borthwick of McGrawville was in town the first of the week.

   Mr. Harvey Stone is in Syracuse and also is to visit Madison county some time.

   Mrs. Sarah Turner of Gridley Hollow, is staying at her sister's, Mrs. A. Metzgar.

   Mr. J. Hazard of Scott, visited at Mr. Brown's on the hill, the first of the week.

   Mr. Wm. Burdick of McGrawville came in on Sunday and brought Mrs. West home.

   Mr. S. S. Hammond and wife are to attend the funeral of Mrs. Bertha Hammond at McGrawville to-day.

   Business is very good in our town at the present time. We have plenty of snow for sleighing and the people have been making good time of it drawing up wood.

   Born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Atkins, a daughter. Take off your hat off now when you meet Charles and call him Mr. Atkins. Perhaps he'll wear a stove pipe hat from now on.

   The young people of the Christian Endeavor met last evening to elect officers for the coming year. The meetings still continue for this present week; preaching every evening.

   Mr. Frank Connor who died in Little York has long been one of our community. Although he had no permanent home here he has lived in many families and had many friends who will miss him. Our loss is his infinite gain, we trust.

   We are pained to announce the death of Mr. Chauncey Smith's oldest boy, after a short illness, aged 14 years. Funeral to-day at the house; burial at Marathon.

Poor consolation words can give,

  Though from the pulpit spoken,

To hearts in which deep sorrows live,

  Where nearest ties are broken,

Whose loved one deaths relentless blow

  Hath in his shroud laid cold and low.

We hear the funerals solemn form,

  Society imposes,

But find no refuge from griefs

  In it, when it closes.

Our hearts the loved one would embalm,

  And keep him near that storm to calm.

NORTH CORTLAND.

   School closed Friday with exercises in the afternoon.

   It is currently reported that Mrs. Chamberlain has sold her place to L. J. Fitzgerald.

   Jay Mathers and his brother, of Cascade, spent Saturday with their aunt, Mrs. Murphy.

   Miss Blue, who has been visiting her sister, Mrs. Leroy Smith, has returned to her home in Dryden.

   Mr. Hartnett, driver on the street car line, expects to move into the rooms vacated by Mr. Baldwin.

  Work on the street car track has been quite brisk, the wind blowing the snow so that shoveling was necessary

   I have in my possession a copy of the Skaneateles Democrat, printed April, 1847, E. Sherman Keeney, editor. Quite a curiosity, in its way, for to-day readers. The most thrilling event in it is the capture of Vera Cruz, and a special "Town meeting called on the question of License or No-License, at the tavern kept by Alford Lamb, in the village of Skaneateles." It is really interesting to notice the difference between a paper 45 years ago and now.

 

REPUBLICAN LEAGUE OF CORTLAND AND KING OF THE GHOULS

Cortland Standard, Friday, January 20, 1893.

REPUBLICAN LEAGUE.

THE ANNUAL MEETING HELD IN THE LEAGUE ROOMS.

Reports Made—Officers Elected—Encouraging Words From the Retiring President—Routine Business Transacted.

   The annual meeting of the Cortland Republican league was held at the league rooms last night and was called to order by President Charles T. Peck. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. The treasurer’s report for the past year was read by Treasurer G. T. Maxson, and was approved.

   It was moved and seconded that the names of H. S. Fuller, Daniel Geer and L. E. Burnham be received and referred to the membership committee.

   The membership committee reported the following names which were balloted for and were declared elected: G. H. Ames, Lucius Davis, F. J. Pike, T. E. Courtney, D. M. Fuller, N. Jay Peck, E. N. Sherwood, Wm. Corcoran, John H. Day, H. J. White, R. W. Mitchell, John Tice, Harry Harrington, E. J. Moore, Jared Stout, Chester G. Smith, Jas. F. Spaulding, A. S. Brown, John H. Phelps, Chas. D. Geer, I. J. Smiley, J. N. Dean, L. F. Valentine, L. H. Rhodes, John D. Schermerhorn, Geo. T. Lattimer, F. M. Quick.

   The following preamble and resolution were proposed and unanimously adopted:

   WHEREAS, There are several loyal, true and tried members of the Cortland Republican league some of whom were charter members and gave hearty support by every means in their power to the formation and maintenance of said league during their residence in Cortland county, whose names have been dropped from the roll by the executive committee on account of said persons having removed from Cortland county, therefore be it

   Resolved, That all members in good standing in the Cortland Republican league at the time of their removal from this county shall be exempted from payment of dues during their absence from the county and that their names be placed upon a book provided for that purpose as honorary members of the league.

   It was moved and seconded that the chairman appoint a committee of three to draft an amendment to the bylaws regarding the honorary list of membership. The chairman appointed Messrs. C. E. Ingalls, A. Sager and W. H. Clark as such committee.

   The election of officers was next in order and the name of N. J. Parsons was presented for president by S. K. Jones. The nomination was seconded by Maj. A. Sager. As no other names were mentioned, the secretary was instructed to cast a single ballot for Mr. Parsons, who was declared elected.

   C. E. Ingalls was nominated for vice-president and the secretary was instructed to cast a single ballot for Mr. Ingalls, who was declared elected.

   E. M. Seacord was nominated for secretary and the secretary cast a single ballot for him and Mr. Seacord was declared elected.

   As no one could be found who would take the office of treasurer an arrangement was made by which the former treasurer, Mr. G. T. Maxson, retained his office until his successor could be chosen.

   The following members were elected as an executive committee: Messrs. C. T. Peck, C. W. Stoker, Duane Howard, George A. Crossman and S. K. Jones.

   The following membership committee was elected: Messrs Jerome Squires, Jacob Grassman, Ed Robbins, Theodore Darby and B. D. Bentley.

   The retiring president, Charles T. Peck, in resigning the chair to his successor, spoke as follows:

   On retiring from the honorable position which you have called upon me to fill for two terms, as presiding officer over this assemblage, I cannot refrain from expressions of gratitude to the members of the league, an organization which I was instrumental in forming. It has given me great pleasure and has enabled me to partially develop a system which I always imagined might be successful. What degree of success has been attained we are now well aware. Our success is due to the sterling worth, loyalty and zeal of the members who have stood so nobly at hand to tender their services and have been so liberal with their means to sustain it. A very large portion of our membership has been during this time men of business whose time has been well occupied with their respective avocations, but let one speak to them of the league and it was evident that their true sympathies were in it and with it, though they could not always attend.

   We have accomplished some great work for the Republican party. We have done it because we love the principles of this great party; which saved this great nation from destruction; which struck the fetters from 4,000,000 unfortunate human beings and lifted them to manhood and womanhood; which took the reins of government when the treasury was bankrupt and its credit among foreign nations heavily impaired, and placed it on the most prosperous financial basis of any country on earth; which raised the standard of labor and has sown thrift among all the people until we were truly the asylum of all nations. We love the party because it is a party of progression, of honest government, of a pure ballot, of honest money, a true friend to the laboring classes and the only protection of the industries and labor of this country from foreign, pauper and underpaid competition. We, as members of this league, as citizens of this country enjoying the fruits and blessings brought to us by this great party of the people, we owe our allegiance to it and our supreme efforts to maintain it. Knowing our duty, we have dared to do it, though many times we have met with determined opposition, with effrontery and censure. Still our purpose has been one and the same to succeed, to guard vigilantly the interests of the Republican party in this country, to show by our honest purpose and continued zeal that we were true and loyal. My friends and fellow members, all this you have done. You stand to-day respected as an organization, with influence among your party associates, with the power to do great good for the party, to widen and extend your field of labor, and encourage the formation and continuance of other leagues.

   I wish to thank you for the courteous and able manner in which you have without exception supported me in this important undertaking, for the willingness you have always displayed to co-operate in the work to be done. I also would not forget my brother officers and the executive and membership committees who have watched so jealously and intently our interests and I tender to them my sincerest thanks and to all the members who have served so faithfully. And, as I retire from this honored position which anyone may justly feel proud to hold, I do so with a sense of obligation I owe to the incoming officers and to the league. And here and now I pledge my hearty and cordial support to its administration and hoping and believing that with its able management and the fervency of zeal which has characterized it in the past, it will so enlarge that its growth will be healthy, its missions extended, its influence felt among people and great good accomplished for the Grand Old Party. I again thank you one and all.

   On motion the club adjourned until Monday evening, Jan 30.

REPUBLICAN LEAGUE.

   The annual meeting of the Republican League was held in their rooms in this village on Monday evening. Several additions to the membership roll were made.

   The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:

   President—N. J. Parsons.

   Vice President—C. E. Ingalls.

   Secretary—E. M. Seacord.

   Treasurer—G. T. Maxson.

   Executive Committee—C. T. Peck, C. W. Stoker, Duane Howard, Geo. A. Crossman and S. K. Jones.

   Membership Committee—Jerome Squires, Jacob Grossman, Ed. Robbins, Theodore Darby and B. D. Bentley—Cortland Democrat, Friday, Jan. 20, 1893.

   [In past reports about the Republican League, the Cortland Democrat referred to it as the Silk Stocking Club—CC editor.]

Charles Augustus Briggs.

What Dr. Briggs Was Acquitted Of.

   An event of great interest in Protestant theological circles is the acquittal of Rev. Dr. Charles A. Briggs, of New York, on the charges of heresy, after full investigation by the New York presbytery. The charges brought against him were five. The committee making the specifications charged that Dr. Briggs had been guilty of promulgating from his professor’s chair in Union Theological seminary teachings contrary to Scripture and the Westminster confession, as follows:

   In teaching that the reason and the church are both fountains of divine authority apart from Scripture.

   That the Scripture is not free from all errors, even in the original documents.

   That Moses is not the author of the Pentateuch.

   That Isaiah is not the author of the latter half of the book which bears his name.

   That sanctification is not complete at death, and that processes of redemption may extend to the world to come in the case of many who die in sin.

   On every one of these charges Dr. Briggs was acquitted of teaching heresy, though he does absolutely teach exactly what is specified. The majorities were different—larger or smaller—in case of the different charges. Most of the ministers put themselves practically on record as believing that the latter half of the book of Isaiah was not written by that prophet. The smallest majority cleared him of the charge that the Scripture is not free from all error. Large or small, however, the New York presbytery has decided that it is not heresy to teach the doctrines set forth in the above five specifications. But the general assembly of the Presbyterian church has still to decide finally on the question.

Three Hundred Forty Bodies Stolen.

   NEW YORK, Jan. 17.—The Advertiser’s Washington special says: The brief dispatch of yesterday morning telling of the detection of grave robbers at work was fully corroborated two hours later, when Geo. W. Marlowe, the king of the ghouls, delivered four bodies to three colleges. This was verified by the watchers on duty. Late yesterday morning Marlowe admitted to a reporter, who called at his home, and represented that he was a doctor in search of “subjects,” that he had robbed the graves with the assistance of three stalwart sons. He is a heavy-set negro with sharp features, a heavy black mustache and long mutton chop whiskers. He made the astounding statement that he was regularly engaged in the business of bodysnatching, and shipped his ghastly booty to numerous points throughout the country.

   From the calculation made, Marlowe’s income must exceed $5,000 per annum . Fifteen dollars per subject is the ruling price in Washington colleges, and $25 for bodies shipped to points outside. In Washington the students pay $18 for each cadaver, leaving a profit of $3 for the demonstrator. Marlowe said he supplied at regular intervals the dissecting material for the medical department of the Columbian university, the Georgetown university medical college, the Howard university medical college and the National university medical college. All these but the last named were supplied yesterday morning, two dead women to Georgetown, one dead man to the Columbian and one dead woman to the Howard.

   “During the past year,” said Marlowe, “I resurrected and sold 340 subjects. Of these only 140 came from Potter’s field.”

HOMER REDISTRICTED.

   The town board met Saturday and redistricted the town, making four election districts instead of five. The boundaries now are as follows: District No. 1, or the East Homer district, remains the same. District No. 2 begins at the centre of Wall and Main-sts., running north to Clinton, thence through centre of Clinton-st., northwest to the Homer gulf road, then along the centre of the gulf road to the west town line, then north to the north town line, then east to the west boundary of district No. 1, and south to the intersection of district No. 1 and a point on the road running past R. C. Shearer’s house directly east of Wall-st., thence along the line of district No. 4 to the place of beginning.

   District No. 3 begins at the corner of Main and James sts., and runs west through the centre of James st., to West-st., thence south through the centre of West-st. to the centre of Cayuga-st., thence west through Cayuga-st., and highway leading past Ralph Butler’s and Fred Goodell’s to the west town line, then north to the intersection of District No. 2, thence southeast along the line of District No. 2 to place of beginning.

   District No. 4 begins at the corner of Main and James-st. and runs west along the line of District No. 3 to West-st., thence to Cayuga-st., thence west along the line of District No. 3 to the west town line, thence south along the west town line to the south town line, then east along the south town line to district No. 1, then north along the line of district No. 1 to the intersections of Districts Nos. 1 and 2, thence southwest along the line of District No. 2 to the centre of Main and Wall-sts., thence south through the center of Main-st. to the place of beginning,

   This change leaves Districts Nos. 1, 2 and 3 about the same as before and consolidates districts Nos. 4 and 5 into No. 4, making the largest district of the town.

Sleighride and Party.

   Jan. 19—Last evening Miss Jennie Humes treated her fellow members of the Pumpkin club and their friends to a sleighride [sic] to South Cortland, where at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George H. Hyde they were most delightfully entertained by Willie and Fred Hyde. Mrs. Hyde had prepared for them a warm supper and the young people were possessed of the appetites that usually accompany such frigid weather as there was yesterday, and in consequence the supper speedily disappeared.

   The evening was pleasantly spent with speeches and games of various kinds until 10 o’clock when a start was made for home. Those who went were Misses Jennie Humes, Bessie Benedict, Jessie Kunkely, Mabel Brewer, Mabel Fitzgerald and Lillian Bays and Messrs. Louis Hulbert, Harry Wells, Earl Newton, Harry Greenman, Harry and Charlie Wickwire.

Contributed.

   Friday evening a party of Homer young people drove to Little York. The following were gathered into a small sleigh: Mabel Miller, Jessie and Cora Heberd, Collie Yan Hoesen, Carrie Arnold, Nettie Flagg, Addie Armstrong, Carl Bates, Carl Davoe, Linas Paddock, Fred Fisher, Louise Blaney, Frank Blashfield and Fred Newcomb. After going a way out on the prairie to get Tookey’s girl and up to the plantation where two more fair damsels joined the merry crew, the drive to Small York was continued.

   At the Raymond House an oyster supper was served, after which dancing and games were the order of the evening. The party broke up at an early hour in the morning, all having had a most delightful time. Let it be added that each took with them for a memento a corn or two that never troubled them before. The room for ones feet was decidedly limited. “Bot” was unusually quiet coming home.

   ONE WHO WAS THERE.

 

HOMER ACADEMY DESTROYED BY FIRE

Photo collage from Grip's Historical Souvenir of Cortland.

Cortland Standard, Friday, January 20, 1893.

HOMER ACADEMY BURNED.

THE BUILDING AND MUCH OF ITS CONTENTS GONE.

Homer and Cortland Firemen do Their Best Work but the Flames Have too Great a Start to be Stayed.

   About seven o’clock Tuesday evening fire was discovered in the Homer academy, and in a few moments the interior of the building was in flames. To a STANDARD reporter Mr. George W. Downing, chief of the Homer Fire department gave the following account of the fire:

   I was at my home on William-st. at 7 o’clock when the alarm sounded and was at the scene of the fire within 3 minutes. I went in a cutter driven by my son Clarence. Tempest hose No. 3 was on scene first and got first water. The other companies, including Hook and Ladder company, arrived in short time. The first stream was put into the basement in the west wing on the south side. The second stream was thrown in on the north side of west wing. I went immediately to the front door on the east side of the building. I discovered on breaking into the second room from the front door on the first floor that the fire was clear through the building. I think it must have got there through the furnace flues. I shifted two lines of hose in front and had one left for the back side and immediately asked for assistance from Cortland. The Cortland department responded in a remarkably short time. In twenty-five minutes after word was sent to Cortland a Cortland company had water on the burning building.

   I assigned one of the hose companies and Cortland companies, under direction of the Cortland chief, to the west end of the building. I held the other two companies in front.

   Excelsior Hook and Ladder company from Cortland and another company then arrived and the Cortland chief immediately took charge of them. They rendered valuable assistance throughout the entire fire.

   As the village waterworks gave out we sent for the Cortland engine about 10 o’clock. Chief Peck of Cortland sent two Cortland companies back to Cortland when he sent for the engine.

   Owing to construction of the building and inconvenience of working in it, it was impossible to save it even with six streams of water. My theory is that the fire caught in some unaccountable manner in the furnace room and followed the flues of the furnace into other rooms.

PROF. ELLSWORTH’S ACCOUNT.

   Prof. S. J. Ellsworth gave the following account: When I first got to the building, which was before any water had been thrown, I started to go into the front door to my room, which was on the second floor. I found the smoke so thick that I had to retreat. I then went to the back side of the building where I found the flames coming from the basement. The fire at that time seemed to be in the southwest corner of the building and was burning the first floor. There were two hallways leading from the basement in the back part of the building into the second story. It was evident to me that the fire started on the first floor where the flues went through the floor. The furnaces had been crowded to their utmost capacity for three days previous, owing to the cold weather. The pine casings about the heat flues where they pass through the floors and into different rooms had become so thoroughly dried and heated, in my opinion, that those passing through the first floor took fire. The fire followed the heat flues toward the front part of the building and toward the northwest corner, where it broke out in the cornice in the third story of the building. The hallway in the front part of the building helped to create a draft, so that as soon as the fire reached it there was no hope of saving the building.

THE JANITOR’S STORY.

   Mr. John K . Miller, the janitor, was seen by a STANDARD reporter this morning, and said in substance that at noon he shut the furnaces down to about half the force at which they had been running in the morning, as the school house was well heated. A t 3 o’clock he shut them down still more, and at about 6 o’clock he put on coal and fixed them for the night. Then everything appeared to be right. He knew nothing as to any danger or trouble till the fire alarm sounded. He said that Prof. Tuthill’s theory is that the gas must have accumulated faster than it could escape through the pipes, and that the door of a furnace must have blown open and the burning gas rushed out and started the fire. He said, however, that there was no kindling wood or anything else in which fire could catch even if coals had been blown out on the floor. The furnace room was located in the basement of the west wing, ground floor, and contained four furnaces, one in each corner. The furnaces were bricked in and were new furnaces, used for the first time last fall.

THE HITCHCOCK RUNAWAY.

   As the Hitchcock Hose company boys started to leave for the Homer fire last evening they met with an accident at the very start that necessitated their remaining behind. The horse gave a quick jump, breaking the bolster of the forward bob and at the same time throwing the driver, Dave Moore, from his seat a distance of about ten feet against the side of the building, where he was considerably shaken up. From there the horse started with the forward bob attached to it, up Elm-st. to Main, where he ran into Mr. W. C. May of Union-st., who was standing on the sidewalk in front of Mrs. W. W. Gale’s fancy goods store. Mr. May was knocked down and bruised on his left side and about both ankles. From there the horse kept on until he reached Port Watson-st., when he turned down and ran until he reached Niver’s Livery stable, into which he ran among the cutters. There he was stopped. Upon examination the animal was found to be cut up so badly that it was thought best to leave him there for the present.

                              CHIEF PECK INTERVIEWED.

   A reporter of The STANDARD to-day called upon Chief N. J. Peck of the Cortland Fire department and obtained his version of the fire. At the time the fire bell struck last night at 8:10 o’clock Chief Peck was at his home on Washington-st. He hastened to Main-st. and found Water Witch and Orris Hose Cos. and Excelsior Hook and Ladder Co. standing by the Cortland House awaiting orders to leave town. He was informed of the accident that had befallen the Hitchcock Co. and that the Emerald boys had not yet got out. He left orders for those two companies to remain in Cortland to guard against a fire here, while he took to Homer the three companies that were standing on the street.

   A pair of horses taken from one of Garrity’s omnibuses drew the Hook and Ladder truck, while the two hose carts were attached to two pairs of bobs drawn by other teams of Mr. Garrity. The Water Witch and Hook and Ladder boys rode on the bobs, while Beard & Peck’s team took the Orris’ boys up. Arrived in Homer they found the Emerald Hose Co. already at work. They had come out of their hose house with their customary dash and promptness, had obtained a team from the livery stable of John Morris and had departed for Homer before Chief Peck knew of it. They had a stream of water on the fire in exactly twenty-five minutes from the time the bell struck in Cortland.

   As soon as [Village of Cortland] President Price knew that three hose companies had gone, he drove to Homer as fast as his horse could take him and searched out Chief Peck to inquire what arrangements he had made in case of an alarm of fire in Cortland. Mr. Peck told him that the Hitchcocks were here, but that there was one more company in Homer than he had intended should go. A part of the Water Witch company then returned home. In the engine house here there were over 1,000 feet of hose and one hose cart, and the Hitchcock company had their usual allowance. So Cortland was not left unprotected through the zeal of the boys to help their neighbors.

   In Homer Chief Downing of the Homer Fire department, asked Chief Peck to take charge of the work on the north and west sides of the building, while he himself attended to the south and east sides. Mr. Peck says the Homer boys were very active, but they had not enough hose to reach the hydrants, and the extra supply from Cortland was very acceptable. At one time they had nine streams of water on the burning building. About 9:30 the water began to fail and the pressure began to be slight. The Homer water comes from a huge tank on East hill, but it is obtained from wells up there and not from a living spring as in our own case. The wells were becoming pumped dry. At 10:30 the remainder of the Water Witch company was released and sent home, as not water enough could be obtained to keep all the companies busy.

   Before 11 o’clock the water had given out entirely, and at that time Emerald Hose Co. and Excelsior Hook and Ladder Co. were released and sent home. The fire was now wholly confined within the brick walls of the building, and if they stood all right there was little danger of the fire spreading further. For the last half hour that the water lasted only two streams had been employed, and they were directed one at the church on either side of the academy. The fear was that the walls would fall outward upon the churches and set fire to them. In case this should happen the fire boys were powerless to do anything through lack of water. The Homer steamer was out of repair as entire confidence has been placed in the water works. Chief Peck accordingly sent for the Cortland steamer. President Price gave permission for it to go. It left the engine house at 10:50 drawn by a pair of Garrity’s mules and arrived at 11:30. The steamer was placed on the banks of the river and about 1,000 feet of hose were laid and an attempt was made to turn a stream on the ruins. But the hose was frozen up, as it had lain for an hour filled with water, and by the time this was thawed out the steamer wouldn’t work, although the veteran engineer, George W. Cleveland, had it in charge, and a heavy pressure of steam was on. The trouble appeared to be in the pumps. They are being overhauled at the engine house to-day. New pumps were put in about five months ago, and, except for the test then, there has been no occasion to use the steamer since.

   Orris hose was the last to be released and it returned to Cortland about 2 A. M.

CONDITION OF BUILDING.

   The entire interior of the building was burned out. The middle half of the upper story fell. The wall of the west wing still stands. Part of the upper stories of the south wing fell. Although most of the walls are still standing they are valueless.

   The original contract for putting up the building was let to Geo. W. Almy of Homer, a well-known architect and builder, the contract price being $30,000, which did not include the finishing of the upper story, which was afterwards let to the same man for about $1,500. Since this time a number of changes have been made and much added to it.

   School will not be opened before next Monday.

TRUSTEES AND ACTION OF THE BOARD OF ENGINEERS.

   The board of engineers and trustees of the village held a meeting in E. W. Hyatt’s office in the Brockway building at 9 o’clock this morning. Mr. C. A. Ford was appointed chairman. It was moved and unanimously carried that the Homer Water Works company be notified to appear here forthwith.

   A committee consisting of E. J. Bockes and A. W. Hobert was appointed to put up danger signals in front of the building. Messrs. Bockes and Chas. H. Danes were appointed a committee to purchase necessary hose.

   The clerk of the board telegraphed for a representative of the Water Works company to come to Homer and find out why the supply of water gave out. The telegram was sent to Syracuse and to New York.

   A resolution was also passed instructing the clerk to draw up suitable resolutions to express the gratitude of the trustees, engineers and citizens to the chief of the Cortland Fire department, and through him to the Cortland fire companies for their prompt and efficient work in response to the call for aid.

   The meeting was then adjourned.

   (For Notes on Fire see 5th page).

Notes on Homer Fire.

   What Homer needs is a new steam fire engine.

   There were thirteen teachers employed in the institution.

   A rare collection of stuffed birds was saved without damage.

   None of the books belonging to pupils or teachers were saved.

   There were about 560 pupils in attendance on the school this term.

   All of the records of the institution were removed without much damage.

   The Cortland steamer came up at 11:30 and was lustily cheered.

   Besides the piano in Prof. Ellsworth’s room an organ was also burned. One piano was saved.

   The probability is that temporary quarters for the school will be arranged in the Union building for the present.

   The value of the books burned belonging to the scholars is estimated at between $1,000 and $1,200.

   The contents of the chemical laboratory and collections of geological specimens valued at about $1,000 were destroyed.

   A meeting of the board of trustees is being held this afternoon to take steps to locate the school temporarily until a new building can be erected.

   All of the books in the library, about 2,000 in all and valued at about $2,000, were saved. The physical apparatus, valued at about $500, was also saved.

   We are indebted to Messrs. Stevens & Danes of the Homer Republican for some trouble in obtaining and forwarding to us the cut of the late Homer academy which appears in our issue of to-day.

   The academy boys worked hard in getting the books out of the library. The books were taken to the Congregational church, Dobbins’ house, and Kellogg’s vacant store in the Union building.

   When the hose companies arrived on the scene the fire seemed to be all in the furnace room in the west wing. It followed the furnace flues to nearly every part of the building and was soon beyond control.

   The school building was insured for $15,000 with Atwater & Foster, who had placed the risk with the following companies: Etna, $2,500; Hartford, $2,500; Phoenix, $2,500; Royal, $2,500 and Lancashire, $5,000.

   Several people claim the honor of discovering the fire, but it seems to have been seen by several at about the same time. The cry of fire was first raised on the streets about 7 o’clock, and Mr. Carl A. Dillenbeck rang the bell.

   An attempt was made to save the piano in Prof. Ellsworth’s room, valued at about $300, but it failed. The instrument was full of water before it was reached. The legs were saved but the body left. The professor’s desk containing records and text books was also destroyed.

   The building which was erected in 1869 was of brick, three stories in height. It contained six departments. The third floor was used as a lecture hall, the six departments being on the first and second floors. The basement contained the furnace rooms, gymnasium and chemical laboratory.

   A party of five or six gentlemen walked up to the railroad crossing between the villages last night when the alarm was sounded, but as they could see no light at that time they came back and attended the lecture at the Opera House. They went up again after the lecture when they knew what was burning.

   The ladies of the Congregational church opened a room in the church and the Women’s Relief corps served coffee, pie and sandwiches to the firemen. The coffee was made and donated by Mr. Charles Nichols of the Mansion House, and the sandwiches and pies were donated by various persons.

   When the fire burned so fiercely in the cornice on the north wing, there was considerable danger that the Episcopal church, which is a wooden building, would also take fire, but water was thrown on it in large quantities and it was saved. Had more of the north walls of the academy fallen they would probably have fallen on the church and ruined it.

   Among the things saved that are valued very highly are large oil paintings, one, of Elder Bennett, one of the old board of trustees, painted by Frank B. Carpenter, the well known artist, nearly fifty years ago, and others of Dr. John Miller, of Truxton, Judge Townsend Ross, of Homer, Jedediah Barber, Rev. John Keep, Rufus Boies, David Coye, John Osborn, Noah R. Smith.

   A story was going the rounds of the town this morning that a little girl in one of the lower departments, while writing on the blackboard yesterday, noticed that it was very much heated as if a fire were smouldering in the partition behind it. Professors Tuthill and Ellsworth do not put any faith in the rumor, as there was no indication of smoke, fire or unusual heat in the building when they left it at 4:30 P. M.

   E. N. Sherwood of 9 James-st., Cortland, put up a 40 foot ladder very straight against the cornice of the building and went up to turn a splice. One of the spikes in the foot of the ladder sunk into the ground, threw the ladder over and he fell about fifteen feet to the ground. His knee and ankle were badly sprained. He was brought home immediately after the accident, and though his leg was very much swollen he was resting comfortably this afternoon.