ENGLISH TIME BEATEN

Empire State Express, New York Central and Hudson R. R.

Engine No. 999 in Syracuse.

Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, December 3, 1895.

ENGLISH TIME BEATEN.

Swift Flight of the Empire State Express.

FROM NEW YORK TO BUFFALO

All Previous Attempts at Railroad Record Breaking Excelled, but an Accident Prevented the Schedule Time Which Had Been Planned.

   BUFFALO, Dec. 3.—The New York Central railroad has demonstrated its ability to run the fastest regular train in the world, although it failed in this particular run to finish upon the schedule time laid out for it. This failure was due entirely to an accident, the other portions of the run showing conclusively that the new fast scheduled time can be accomplished and even excelled.

   Up to six months ago the train known as the Empire State express had the world's record as a regular train for fast running. The London railway of England, running from London to Aberdeen, began to run a train a trifle faster than the Empire State's record of 51 miles an hour. The Central has begun a new schedule for this train which necessitates an hourly run of 53 1/2 miles, about two miles an hour faster than the English rival.

   Leaving New York at 8:30 a. m. and with every condition against her, this train made more than three-quarters of the distance in even faster time than the new schedule calls for.

   The regular Empire State express had added to it a special car of Vice President Webb, weighing 106,400 pounds. In addition to this extra weight a drizzling rain was falling making the tracks extremely slippery and the extra weight was carried on the end of the train instead of next to the engine, making the resistance greater.

   The run from New York to Albany, a distance of 142.88 miles, was made in 2 hours and 36 minutes. And the train rolled into the Albany depot 4 minutes ahead of the new schedule time, and 9 minutes ahead of the old schedule.

   Leaving Albany on schedule time, 11:18 A. M., and with a change of engines, Engineer Chase at the throttle of engine 999, pulled the train through to Syracuse, the end of the central division, so that she ran into the depot 2 1/2 minutes faster than the old. With the gain on the Hudson river division, this made a total gain of 21 minutes between New York and Syracuse.

   At Syracuse engine 904, Engineer Pellings, took charge of the train and pulled out of the depot 2 minutes late. Half-way between Syracuse and Rochester the drizzling rain turned to snowfall, and the wind which had been with the train much of the distance changed to a head wind of great resistance. Despite these conditions the train reached Rochester exactly on time.

   From Rochester as far as Churchville, 56 miles east of Buffalo, the Empire State's destination, the stations were passed exactly upon schedule time. Just after passing Churchville, where the engine takes water from the track water trough by scoop without stopping, the scoop caught upon an obstruction in the trough and dropping down, banged against the ties for at least a mile until the train could be brought to a standstill.

   It was 14 minutes before the damage could be repaired and at least 3 minutes had been lost in slowing up and stopping. When the train was again started, after a loss of 17 minutes, it was close upon the long heavy grade running up to Batavia,

   Lacking the tremendous momentum which it usually has, it lost 3 minutes more on this up grade, the slippery tracks also adding to the delay, and when the Batavia station was passed the train was 25 1/2 minutes behind the new schedule.

   The run into Buffalo from Batavia, a distance of 40 miles, was made in about 31 minutes, very fast time, and the train rolled into Buffalo 23 minutes behind the new schedule time, and 2 minutes ahead of the old schedule. The entire run of 440 miles, including three stops and exclusive of a delay of 26 minutes, was made in 494 minutes.

Ex-Comptroller Wemple Insane.

   AMSTERDAM, N. Y., Dec. 3.—A commission, selected by the superintendent of the poor Perry Kline, examined ex-State Comptroller Edward Wemple of Fultonville as to his sanity. The commission declared Mr. Wemple insane and he will be taken to the Utica state hospital. The physicians were J. R. Fairbanks and T. G. Hyland of Amsterdam.

NO CLUE FOUND.

FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD OFFERED

For Arrest and Conviction of the Train Wreckers—Some Arrests—Detectives Everywhere.

   No positive clue has yet been found to the parties who wrecked the express train at Preble Sunday night. The railroad has offered a reward of $5,000 for the arrest and conviction of the guilty parties, and this as well as the enormity of the offence has had the effect of calling together detectives from all over the country. Local officers are also spreading out in every direction.

   Detective Sevenoaks is keeping an eye out at all points along the road. Detectives W. E. Mooney and William O'Brien of Syracuse spent the night here last night and started out this morning again for the scene of the wreck. Ex-Sheriff John Miller with some assistants was yesterday at Truxton and along the line of the E., C & N. R. R. Deputy-Sheriff James Edwards was up to East Homer last night.

   Several clues have been followed up, but all have proved to be fruitless so far. A lady saw two men hurrying from the wreck as she was rushing toward it, but their identity was shown and they were going for help. An Italian colony near Preble was held in suspicion, but there is nothing definite in it.

   Deputy Sheriff William Shirley of Homer has struck the clue which to Coroner Moore seems altogether the most promising at present. About 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon he was in the vicinity of Summit Station where he had been investigating. He went into the station to send a message to Detective Sevenoaks at Preble. While he was there an unknown man suddenly appeared on the platform. Where he had come from no one knew. The fellow was unknown at Summit and had not been seen about the place previously. Although it was raining hard outside, the fellow's clothing was quite dry and he had no appearance of having been out of doors. Whether he had been concealed beneath the platform or the water tank was, of course, only conjecture, but taking everything into consideration the circumstance was regarded suspicious enough to warrant investigation. The man when approached claimed to be unable to understand or speak any English and talked with a broken German dialect. He was put under arrest by Deputy Shirley and up to this time has persistently refused to give his name. He appeared to be about 28 years old, 6 feet tall, of dark complexion and weighed about 160 pounds.

   He had hardly been put under arrest when another stranger came into the station. Like the man just arrested this fellow refused to talk and acted suspiciously. His clothes were damp, but not as wet as a few minutes' exposure to the rain then falling would warrant. He appeared to be about 22 years old, was about five feet and eight inches in height and weighed in the neighborhood of 165 pounds. He was arrested by Deputy Shirley, who then telegraphed to Detective Sevenoaks at Preble. The latter went at once to Summit, and saw the men, but could get nothing out of them. They were held, however, to await developments.

   It is the belief of Deputy Shirley that these men had something to do with the wreck, and were waiting around Summit to jump a freight and get to Syracuse undetected.

   Coroner Moore goes to Preble to-morrow to summon his witnesses and make ready for the inquest next day.

   Mr. John Murphy, formerly a brakeman on the E., C. & N. R. R., now on the N. Y. & N. E. R. R. running between Boston and Hartford, was in the smoker of the ill-fated train and claims to be the first man to reach the fireman and pull him out. As soon as he got out upon the ground he ran forward to see what had become of engineer and fireman. He saw the fireman's hand protruding and found him lying under the wreckage. All he could reach of him was the collar of his overall jacket, but he was not fastened down and he pulled him out by the shoulders. He was moaning and groaning. Nothing could be seen of the engineer.

   Most of the wreckage has been cleared up and taken to Syracuse.

REWARD OFFERED

For the Party Who Wrecked the Express Train at Preble.

   The Syracuse, Binghamton and New York railroad company hereby offers a reward of $5,000 to whomsoever shall secure the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who caused the wreck of express train at Preble on the night of Dec. 1, 1895.

   A. H. SCHWARZ, Supt.

POLICE COURT.

Excise Cases—Board Bill Skipping—Case of Assault.

   The case of The People vs. Dennis Cronin, charged with violation of the excise laws, was this morning adjourned to Dec. 11, upon his agreement to close out his business at wholesale, sell no more intoxicating drink at retail, and plead guilty at that time.

   James Nash, a young man, who was charged with selling intoxicating liquor, this morning pleaded guilty to the charge and sentence in his case was suspended during good behavior.

   The trial of Lewis and Mott Rood of Brewery Hill is set down for Friday. They were arrested Saturday night by Chief of Police Linderman on the charge of stealing three turkeys from the roost of Mrs. Ryan who lives on Homer-ave., on or about Oct 9.

   Mrs. John Willis of Port Watson-st., has sworn out a warrant in police court for the arrest of Richard O'Neil who was formerly employed at the stove shops and whose whereabouts are at present unknown to the officers. Mrs. Willis alleges that O'Neil skipped town without settling a $15.85 board bill and that he made false pretenses of his ability to pay the bill before he left saying that money was due him from the Stove company, which was not the case, as he was paid up in full.

   A lively scene was witnessed in police court last night when an Italian giving the name of Thomas Briggs was brought up on a warrant sworn out by a fellow laborer of Irish descent, Michael Borderick, charging him with assault. It appears that both men were employed near the E., C. & N. station yesterday unloading lumber and that in some manner the Emerald Isle representative let slip a plank which hit the wanderer from sunny Italy on the head. This aroused the ire of the Italian who at once proceeded to satisfy his conscience by punching the Irishman in the face. Each told his own story to the stern justice who listened with the intensity of a sage and tried to get them to shake hands and call it square. This was not satisfactory to the principals, but they were ordered to go home and forever afterward work in peace.

VILLAGE TRUSTEES.

Pass an Ordinance Relative to Snow and Ice on Walks.

   The regular monthly meeting of the village trustees was held at the office of the clerk last night with the full board present. After the approval of the minutes of the previous meeting the following business was transacted:

   The complaint which had been made of a cesspool at the corner of Groton-ave. and Monroe Heights was referred to the board of health.

   On motion duly seconded and carried, it was

   Resolved, That property owners be required to remove all snow and ice from the sidewalks opposite their respective premises from Dec. 3 to April 1 next by 8 o'clock A. M. and in default thereof the street commissioner be directed to clean the same at the expense of the owner.

   It was resolved that the matter of procuring an additional number of fire alarm keys be referred to Mr. Glann with power to act.

   A petition of various citizens requesting the removal of the billboards at the corner of Main-st. and Groton-ave. was read and placed on file.

   New sidewalks were ordered opposite the premises of J. M. Samson on the west side of Main-st. and the south side of Groton-ave.

   The board audited the following bills and adjourned to Friday, Dec. 6 at 8 o'clock P. M.

   Street commissioner, payroll, $86.25

   W. T. Linderman, meals for prisoners, 1.30

   Police force, 126.00

   Fred Hatch, salary, 25.00

   Fred Hatch, rent, 50.00

   W. J. Moore, health officer, 18.00

   D. F. Wallace & Co., supplies, 7.00

   B. B. Jones, printing, 8.10

   B. Delevan, labor, 2.00

   W. H. Cooper, drawing steamer, 1.50

   John Garrity, team, 11.50

   F. A. Bickford. Salary, 25.00

   Protective police, 50.00

   A. S. Burgess, supplies, 10.00

   Cramer & Mellon, supplies, .60

   Cortland Water Works Co., 2,183.33

   Daniel Delaney, store, 5.00

   Cortland & Homer Electric Co., 365.00

BREVITIES.

   —A new postmaster was appointed yesterday for Killawog. He is T. W. Flaherty.

   —New advertisements to-day are—Syndicate Publishing Co,, page 7; Bingham Bros. & Miller, page 4; Warner Rood, page 5.

   —There will be a regular communication of Cortlandville lodge, F. & A. M. this evening. Work third degree on two candidates.

   —The membership committee of the Y. M. C. A. will meet in the Y. M. C. A. rooms to-night at 8 o'clock. The bookkeeping class meets at the same hour.

   —The Crescent club will give the second of a series of private dancing parties Dec. 13. McDermott's orchestra of five pieces has been secured for the occasion.

   —The annual election of officers of Grover Post, No. 98, G. A. R. will occur tomorrow night at 7:30 o'clock. All members of the Post are requested to be present.

   —Sprinkle dry flour on grease spots on a carpet and in a few hours it will be nearly or quite absorbed. Then wash the spot in warm water and soap and all trace of it will have disappeared.

   —Mrs. I. Whiteson adds her name to the list of those who will give $5 each year for five years to the Cortland hospital. The names are still coming in. It is not too late to subscribe for a worthy cause. Who will be the next?

   —Isabella G., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Kane of Garfield-st , died yesterday at the home of her parents at the age of nine years. The funeral will be held tomorrow, but owing to the absence from town of Rev. J. J. McLoghlin, the exact time could not be decided upon in time for notice to-day,

   —Last night was the twenty-fifth anniversary of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Corwin of 71 Pomeroy-st. and the occasion was observed in a fitting manner by Mr. Corwin's comrades in Grover Post, who called in a body. One of the comrades at our request furnished us a report of the evening's entertainment, but it arrived so late that its publication was of necessity deferred until to-morrow.

   —The fact that the Christian college at Marsovan, Turkey, has been burned and that its president is in great danger of his life will have new interest for Cortland people when it is remembered that the president is Dr. Charles C. Tracy, formerly of Waverly, Tioga county, who with his wife made addresses at a meeting of the Woman's Foreign Missionary society of the Presbyterian church of this village some ten years ago. Dr. and Mrs. Tracy have ever since that time been held in tender remembrance by many people here.

 

DEADLY WORK OF FIENDS

D. L. & W. Locomotive No. 6 "Sam Sloan." (See photo of Sam Sloan mounted on front of locomotive boiler.)

Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, December 2, 1895.

DEADLY WORK OF FIENDS.

FAST NIGHT EXPRESS WRECKED AT PREBLE.

Switch Opened—Engineer and Fireman Killed—Passengers [Safe], and Freight House Burned.

   The New York and Philadelphia night express on the D., L. & W. R. R., which is due in Cortland at 11:20 o'clock, was last night wrecked at Preble by parties unknown. A switch was opened and the train was derailed and all but one car was burned up. The engineer and fireman were killed. No one else received any serious injuries, although all were violently shaken up.

   The train, which was one of the best equipped on the road, consisted of a baggage car, an express car, a smoker, a day coach and a Pullman sleeper, arranged in that order. It was in charge of Conductor Henry Darling. It was drawn by the splendid engine which bears the name of the president of the road, "Sam Sloan." It was No. 6, and was often spoken of by the railroad men as "Big Six," as it was the largest and handsomest passenger engine on this division. The engineer last night was George Young of Syracuse, familiarly called "Dicky" Young by his fellows; and the fireman was Webster Rofe of Syracuse. Both of these men have been in the employ of the road for a long time and were among the most trusted of the employees.

   When Tully was passed last night the train was four minutes late. From a point a half mile south of Tully the road is perfectly straight and down grade nearly to Homer. Southbound trains always make very fast time over this stretch of road. Last night Engineer Young was trying to make up his four minutes and when he reached Preble the speed was believed to be very close to sixty miles an hour. No stop is made at this station.

   About fifteen rods north of the depot a switch leaves the main track and runs behind the station. The connection with this track is an automatic ball switch, which left to itself is always set for the main track. The only way to open this is to unlock it, raise the lever with the heavy iron ball at the end of it and hold it up while the train passes in or out. Released, the ball at once drops to the ground, closing the switch and opening the main track.

   Last night some fiends in human form broke the lock to this switch, raised the lever and propped it up with an iron bar and with a piece of fence board. It was fastened open so securely that the jar of the wreck which resulted did not release it, and train hands and passengers all saw clearly how it was placed. A few rods north of the switch is a water tank which from its position conceals all view of the switch from the engineer on the southbound track until the tank is reached.

   Last night seven empty boxcars stood on the switch with brakes unset. The train came rushing south with the speed of a whirlwind. The water tank was reached. The engineer discovered the open switch. There was but an instant of time before the smash, but in that instant the plucky engineer set the air brakes which caught the wheels with a vise-like grip causing the whole train to shiver from end to end. The brakes were distinctly felt by all the passengers who knew that something had happened and clutched their seats. There was but the smallest fraction of a second before the crash came. The engine struck the first freight car knocking it to pieces. Two others were badly shattered into kindling wood and the others sent spinning down the track. The engine and first four cars were derailed. The engine bounded along for a rod or two, struck the corner of a freight storehouse, turned short to the left, dug a hole five feet deep in the ground with its nose and turned over on its left side.

   The forward end of the baggage car landed on top of the tender, the express car shot off to the right. The smoker and coach were off the track, but remained right side up. The Pullman sleeper did not leave the rails. It was all done quicker than a flash, but in that time a magnificent railroad train, splendidly equipped was transferred into a mass of useless wreckage.

   Conductor Darling was in the smoker when the crash came but, with the brakemen, was unhurt. Baggageman James Dalton was badly shaken up, but was not seriously injured. There was no express messenger on the train, as this business is light on Sunday nights and almost the only contents of the express car was the scenery of the show troop.

   That all the passengers escaped unhurt is almost miraculous. Some of the passengers assign two reasons for this—first, the fact that the box cars were empty and yielded some when the smash occurred prevented the cars from telescoping, and second, that the accident happening so quickly after the warning given by the setting of the air brakes prevented any one from getting out into the aisles or from even standing up to be thrown down by the force of the concussion.

   Every one got out of the coaches with all speed. Nearly all the berths in the sleeper were [occupied], and the passengers from that car dressed and appeared on the scene with very little delay.

   Scarcely had the people got out upon the ground when flames broke out of the baggage car. There was no water supply and nothing with which to extinguish the flames. It was evident that the pile of wreckage was doomed. Willing hands quickly saved all the baggage and mail from the forward car, and a large share of the scenery from the express car was gotten out. The sleeping car, which was on the rails, was cut loose and was pushed back from the wreck by hand, so that it was saved.

   Meanwhile search had been made for the bodies of the engineer and fireman. The latter was the first one found. He was pinned down by some heavy timbers under the baggage car, but these were removed and he was taken out before the fire got there. He was breathing, but was dreadfully hurt. His skull was badly crushed. He was taken into the station and made as comfortable as possible, under care of Dr. Hunt and Dr. McDonald of Preble until a train arrived to bring him to the Cortland hospital. He died as they were putting him on board the train. The remains were brought to Cortland and were taken to Beard & Peck's undertaking rooms. They were taken to Syracuse on the 10 o'clock train.

   The body of the engineer could not be found for many hours, although careful search was made. Not until the wreck was pulled over by derricks were his remains found at 5:30 o'clock and then there was nothing about them to identify them as ever having belonged to a human being. The body lay close to the door of the firepot. Everything had then been burned up that could burn. The head was gone; both arms, the feet and only the trunk remained. [The trunk of the body] was roasting and water had to be applied to it before it was cool enough to remove.

   The engineer's watch was found near his body and it had stopped at 11:05. The train was due there at 11:01 and the watch showed that he had not made up the five minutes lost time which was noted at Tully.

   The four cars were burned up clean and the passengers stood about and saw them go. The storehouse belonging to the railroad was also burned, containing 400 barrels of apples owned by W. W. Wright. The ladies got into the sleeping car and were kept comfortable.

   Immediately after the wreck word was sent to Syracuse and to Cortland for wrecking trains and all the section hands that could be reached along the line of the road were notified to be on hand to join the trains going to the wreck. The work of clearing was immediately begun.

   Coroner W. J. Moore was notified and went up on the wrecking train. He summoned the following jury: Messrs. Morris Spoore, foreman; Lorenzo Allen, A. A. Knapp, Philander Manchester, Duane Van Denberg, John Ackles, Edwin Wilbur, John H. Gay, Seth Hobart, A. Harter, C. Z. Shepard, A. H. Vosburg. The jury viewed the remains and they adjourned until Thursday at 10 o'clock at Preble.

   Detective Sevenoaks of the railroad and the local officers are looking up everything which may be a clue to the parties who wrecked the train. It is to be hoped that they may be successful in securing the guilty parties. It hardly seems as though there were a punishment severe enough for the ones who would do such a thing.

   Among Cortland people who were on the train were Mrs. R. B. Fletcher, Miss Fannie M. Galusba, Miss Margaret L. Townsend, Miss J. V. Sheeley, Messrs. Horace J. Woodmansee, Harry Greenman and Maurice O'Connell. They reached Cortland after 4 o'clock on a special train from Syracuse that was made up to take the passengers, mail and baggage to Binghamton and which left Preble at 3:45 A. M.

   Engineer Young was 35 years old and unmarried. Fireman Rofe leaves a wife and four children. He was about 40 years of age.

COUNTY COURT.

Decisions in Excise Cases Affirmed by Judge Eggleston.

   The December term of county court and court of sessions convened at the courthouse this morning, Judge J. E. Eggleston presiding.

   Judge Eggleston handed down his decision in two excise cases which had been appealed to county court. The cases were just alike and were those of Charles B. Warren and John H. Howard. Action had been brought in police court by the Village of Cortland in each case to recover a fine of $100 for violation of a village ordinance. The cases had been proved, no defence was put in, but an appeal was taken to county court. The decision of the police court was affirmed in each case with costs. I. H. Palmer appeared for the village in each case. N. L. Miller and Dorr C. Smith appeared for Defendant Warren and N. L. Miller for Defendant Howard.

   Decision was also handed down in the case of Sarah L. McFall, respondent, vs. John Miller, appellant. This was an appeal from a judgment of the court of $181. The judgment was reversed with costs, E. E. Mellon for respondent, N. L. Miller for appellant.

   The case of John Grant vs. Orville Pickert was settled,

   The case of F. Eugene Williams, respondent, vs. Charles L. Brown, appellant, is on trial. This is an action to recover a judgment of $471. The debt is admitted, but it is claimed that there is a counter charge which should be taken into consideration. E. W. Hyatt for respondent, Edwin Duffey for appellant.

A Pioneer Resident of the County Passes Away.

   Chester Babcock, one of the oldest and most respected citizens of Cortland county, died at fifteen minutes past 6 o'clock yesterday morning at his home, 55 Elm-st. Mr. Babcock was born in the town of Solon 76 years ago and has always been a resident of the county. He afterwards lived in McGrawville and in 1866 removed to Cortland where he has since resided. He was educated in the public schools of his native town and at Mexico academy.

   In 1839 he was married to Miss Laberne Merrill and their golden wedding was celebrated six years ago. While a resident of McGrawville Mr. Babcock interested himself in the manufacture of stone pumps and was also instrumental in securing pensions for many survivors of the Revolution and the war of 1812. Of late years his health has been feeble and four months ago today he suffered a [stroke] shock from which he never fully recovered. He was a man respected and honored by all who knew him and his death removes one of the few men of his age who have been instrumental in and have watched the development of the county almost from its beginning.

   Mrs. Babcock survives him. He leaves one brother, George Babcock of Syracuse, a daughter, Mrs. John D. Benton of Fargo, N. D., and a son, John A. Babcock of Minneapolis, Minn. Mrs. Benton and Mr. Babcock arrived this morning from the West to attend the funeral which will be held from the family residence at 1:30 o'clock P. M. to-morrow. The funeral services will be in charge of Rev. H. W. Carr, pastor of the Universalist church, and interment will be made in Cortland Rural cemetery.

BREVITIES.

   —The case of The People against Michael McSweeney charged with violation of the excise laws was adjourned to Dec 10.

   —The regular monthly meeting of the Christian work committee will be held in the Y. M. C. A. parlors this evening at 7:30.

   —New advertisements today are—McKinney Doubleday, page 6; Warner Rood, page 8; Bennett & Hartwell, Page7.

   —The regular mother's meeting (central) will be held at the home of A. B. White, 12 East Main-st. Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 4, at 3 o'clock.

   —There will be a full rehearsal of the ''Mikado" chorus at 7:30 o'clock sharp to-morrow night. The members will note the change from Monday to Tuesday night.

   —Grove Stevens on Saturday afternoon pleaded guilty to the charge of selling liquor without a license and sentence in his case was suspended during good behavior.

   —The adjusters for the Lloyd's fire insurance companies in which Cooper Bros. are insured were in town Saturday and to-day and are making good progress towards settling the loss, which they promise the assured will be promptly and fairly paid.

   —The dancing school meets in Empire hall to-morrow night at 7:30 o'clock.

 

FIRE AT COOPER BROS. MACHINE SHOPS AND FOUNDRY

This 1899 photo from Grip's Historical Souvenir of Cortland shows a rebuilt factory.

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, November 29, 1895.

DISASTROUS FIRE.

THE COOPER BROS. MACHINE SHOPS AND FOUNDRY BURNED

TO THE GROUND IN AN HOUR.

A High Wind Helps the Fire and no Steamer on Hand to Prevent a Clean Sweep.

   The foundry and machine shops of Cooper Bros., located on the river bank a few rods east of River-st., were burned to the ground last Tuesday morning. The brothers, who reside on the above named street, were awakened shortly after 5 o'clock by someone pounding on their doors and before they could reach the shop the fire was under great headway. When the office door was opened a dense cloud of smoke rushed out making it impossible to enter the building. The hose companies and the hook and ladder truck were on hand but there was no work for them as the nearest hydrant is at the Forging shop, over a quarter of a mile away, and the steamer did not arrive until 7 o'clock, though repeated alarms and telephone calls were sent in calling it to the scene.

   No arrangement seems to exist to have a regular team to draw it, and on that morning no team could be found till after 6 o'clock and then the buildings were all on the ground. Had the steamer arrived when the hook and ladder truck did the foundry could have been saved, as it stood south of the burning buildings and the high wind was from the south. Sparks were carried a long way up the valley and had there been any buildings in their way it would have been impossible to save them.

   When first seen the fire was in a part of the buildings where there had been no fire of any kind and its origin is a mystery. The theory of the proprietors is that someone might have been spearing in the mill race on the east side, where the building overhangs the water, and a torch would have set fire to cobwebs or the dry flooring. The loss is one that will affect many of Cortland's large factories as well as those in other places, for Cooper Bros. have been building machinery for them for many years, and all the patterns for their machines are destroyed.

   The loss on patterns is estimated at $20,000 and the machinery was valued at $17,000. This, with the buildings and tools, bring the total loss up to nearly $50,000, and there is insurance in nine companies to the amount of $22,000. Nothing was saved from the three main buildings, and a large shed filled with many tons of coal and coke was destroyed, but the steamer arrived in time to save the coal. Cooper Bros. have not decided whether they will rebuild or not. Quite extensive repairs had just been completed and new machines set up increasing the capacity and making the loss fall more heavily on the proprietors.

   The machine shop was built of stone many years ago and was used for a paper mill for many years. Something like sixty years ago the late James H. Sinclair, of the Chenango Union, worked there with his father making paper. Asher Wilcox and John Duff also worked there at the same time and quite a little village surrounded the place and furnished homes for the employes. These small houses have long since crumbled to dust for lack of occupancy and repairs. Thirty-five years ago the late Daniel Bradford was proprietor of the paper mill, but be gave it up three or four years later.

   The building stood empty for some years, but about twenty-five years ago Stephen D. Freer came in possession of it and machinery was put in for grinding plaster, the stone to be ground being brought here from Jamesville, but this did not prove to be profitable and machinery for making linseed oil was put in and the late O. M. Sears conducted the business until seventeen years ago, when Cooper Bros. purchased the property and turned it into a machine shop.

   Why the powers that be should make arrangements for a team to draw the Hook and Ladder truck to fires and make no arrangement for getting the steamer on the ground, is a mystery. It is very seldom that a truck is needed at the beginning of a fire, while the steamer is required at the start if it is needed at all. There is a large amount of property within the corporation that is outside the hydrant limits and there is no protection for such property except such as the steamer affords. If the team that drew the truck to the fire on Tuesday morning had taken the steamer instead, much valuable property might have been saved.

   The safe, which was not locked, passed through the fire without injury and when it was opened a few hours after the books and papers were found to be uninjured.

The Appeal Denied.

   Last Monday morning W. C. Crombie, attorney for Frank Bates, who was convicted last week before Justice Bull of selling liquor without license and sentenced to Onondaga penitentiary for sixty days, appeared before Judge J. E. Eggleston and made an application for leave to appeal the case. I. H. Palmer appeared for the people. After hearing argument on the question Judge Eggleston refused to allow the defendant to appeal.

   There is evidently something wrong here; either with the law or the law officers, or both. Here is a man convicted of a crime and sentenced to a term of imprisonment without the right or privilege of having his case reviewed by a higher court. When the county judge refuses to permit the defendant to appeal, he must serve out his sentence, no matter he was legally convicted or not.

   In a civil action, the defeated party can appeal to the county court without asking anyone's leave, and if defeated in that court he can appeal from the decision to the general term of the Supreme Court. Is a man's liberty of less consequence than a $5 note or the possession of a tow string worth five cents? The right of appeal exists in every other court in the state except the court of special sessions and this court is an inferior court, often presided over by laymen instead of lawyers supposed to be learned in the law.

   It is not to be supposed that such a court would not make many mistakes, and why so much more power should be vested in an inferior court that is denied to higher courts no one seems to know. Possibly the legislature believed that it had taken care of the defendant's rights when it gave the County Judge the right to grant an appeal. The legislature undoubtedly supposed that the County Judge would grant leave to appeal as a matter of course, in every case that was not plainly frivolous, but there are some Judges who are so manifestly afraid of public opinion—so called—that they sometimes avoid doing their full duty and in such cases the intention of the legislature is inoperative.

   The DEMOCRAT does not believe that the legislature ever intended to invest an inferior court with powers that it refuses to grant to higher courts. A person should not be deprived of his liberty illegally, and certainly he ought to have the right to have his case reviewed by a competent tribunal. Good lawyers claim that there were legal questions in the Bates case that should have entitled him to a review, no matter whether he was guilty or innocent of the crime charged. Every person charged with a crime must be legally convicted or the administration of our criminal law will come into disrepute.

   The fear of public opinion should not swerve our Judges from the plain path of right and justice in any case. It takes a man of considerable backbone to face the hue and cry of public clamor, even when his duty is plain, but such men have been found and they are yet in existence.

   The Good Government people, flushed with some recent successes, have become somewhat arrogant, and are liable to become the most intolerant of bosses. They are doing an excellent work in closing up some places that are festering sores upon the body politic, but they cannot afford to use any but legal and proper means. The DEMOCRAT assures them of its hearty support in all legal and proper measures for reform.

Lynched the Negro.

   WARRENTON, Ga., Nov. 22 —Balam Hancock was lynched last night by a mob of enraged citizens at Gibson for an attempted outrage on Miss Dessie Shelton, a white girl 17 years old.

NEIGHBORING COUNTIES.

   MADISON —William Holts, a farmer near Earlville, harvested 600 bushels of corn from five acres.

   One Cazenovia business man is seriously disturbed by a family of skunks which have taken up their abode under a part of his house where there is no cellar. On occasions their presence is manifested in a way that nearly drives the inmates out of the house, and makes life a burden for the neighbors Two of the ill smelling beasts have been sent hence over the box trap road, however, and the rest are likely to follow soon.

   TOMPKINS —Every town in Tompkins county except Ithaca went against canal improvement.

   The Lehigh railroad will soon place electric gongs at the crossings on Mill and Spring streets in Groton village.

   President Schurman of Cornell University is in favor of pensioning college professors after they have reached the age of 67 years.

   Mr. J. B. Taylor has presented Dr. Wilder of Cornell with the skin of a male rattlesnake. The length of the skin is 135 centimeters or about 53 inches, and the tail has twelve perfect rattles.

   George B. Richardson, who recently came from Oswego to work in the Dryden Woolen Mill, had the muscles of his arm badly crushed in the machinery Monday. Dr. Montgomery dressed the injured member.

   The remains of an old sloop have been discovered in the bay at North Fair Haven. The water has remained over it for 50 years. The nails and spikes that fastened the timbers together are hand-made. The low water made it possible to see this old wreck.

Thomas Platt.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

   Broome county had a candidate for state assessor. The republicans of that county have always done Platt's bidding and he could always count on having a solid delegation to the state convention from that county. Chemung county had a candidate for state assessor in the person of E. L. Adams, editor of the Elmira Advertiser. Adams has always been opposed to Platt and the delegates from that county were liable to be opposed to him. The plum went to Adams and now the Broome county republicans are swearing over what they call the perfidy of Platt. Some politicians have an idea that it is good politics to reward your enemies and punish your friends. Platt seems to harbor such a notion.

   There is no opposition to Thos. B. Reed of Maine for speaker of the house of Representatives. He is now in Washington making up his committees. Hon. Sereno E. Payne of Auburn expects to be chairman of the Ways and Means committee. Dalzell of Pennsylvania and Dingley of Maine are also candidates for the place. Besides being one of the principal committees in Congress, the chairman of the committee is generally leader of the house. The combination which is said to have been formed by the eastern members to take all the principal places in the organization of the house has probably been broken, as the western members say Pennsylvania has had the clerk for over a half century and Massachusetts and New York have usually taken the Doorkeeper and Sergeant-at-Arms for a longer time. The western men now say they propose to have something to say about these fat places themselves.

   "Boss" Platt will have the delegates to the Republican National convention from this state without question. "Boss" Quay has already demonstrated that the republicans of Pennsylvania are fond of "bosses" and that he can easily round up the delegates from that state and that they will do his bidding to a man. The Presidential candidate who can secure the votes of the states of New York and Pennsylvania will have a very good start on the road for the nomination, and the two bosses are said to be in favor of Thos. B. Reed of Maine. Both Quay and Platt are shrewd and unscrupulous politicians and with such a start, it will take a pretty strong combination to beat them. Harrison is an uncommonly shrewd politician and is said to have formed a combination with Allison of Iowa. They ought to get a lot of western delegates and if they are able to pull the southern vote they may down Quay and Platt. But where will McKinly [the editor of the Cortland Democrat consistently omits the ‘e’ in McKinley—CC editor], the apostle of protection land! He will cut a very small figure in the convention with the vote of Ohio only behind him.

HERE AND THERE.

   Turkeys are plenty, fat and cheap this year.

   The Normals played [football with] the Oneonta's in that place Thanksgiving day.

   Several arrests were made last week for selling liquor without a license.

   Stetson's "Uncle Tom's Cabin" in Cortland Opera House Friday evening.

   Officer Smith has been added to the night force, making three on duty at night and two during the day.

   One of the windows in Stoker's grocery has been fitted up to represent Thanksgiving. It is worth stopping to see.

   Bennett & Hartwell, the new plumbing firm, have moved into the east store in the new Wickwire block on Railroad-st.

   There are eleven criminal and two civil cases pending before Justice Bull and yet to be disposed of for violating the excise law.

   The "Loyal Circle of King's Daughters" will meet with Mrs. A. M. Johnson, 54 N. Main-st., Friday, Nov. 29th, 1895, at 2:30 P. M.

   Over forty couples attended the Manhattan club dance in Empire hall last Friday evening. McDermott furnished the music.

   Bingham Bros. & Miller are now occupying two handsome stores in the Schermerhorn block and they are chuck full of new goods.

   A meeting of the Board of Managers of the Hospital Association will be held at the hospital Monday afternoon, Dec. 2d, at 3 o'clock.

   A carload of sheep belonging to Moravia parties was burned between this place and Harford, Saturday. The fire caught in the straw used for bedding.—Dryden Herald.

   Dr. F. W. Higgins assisted by Drs. Reese and Sornberger removed a cancer from the face of William Wade of Preble at the hospital last Monday. The patient is doing well.

   Mr. John H. Day has leased two of the stores in the new Wickwire block on Railroad-st. and is having them fitted up for a first class restaurant. The location is a good one for the business.

   Three mails per day are now dispatched to and from McGrawville over the Traction Co.'s road. The first mail reaches McGrawvllle before 8 A. M. The new arrangement went into effect last Monday.

   John Hoyer has withdrawn the complaint lodged by him in police court last week against Giles Rood and "Brewery Hill" is quiet again. Hoyer got his watch back and the $5 bill and his anger was mollified.

   Because our regular publication day comes on Thursday which is Thanksgiving day, the DEMOCRAT is this week issued on Wednesday evening in order to give the employes an opportunity to observe the day.

   A new two-hundred-horse-power Corliss engine has just been set in the new 60 by 35 foot engine room of the Cortland Harness and Carriage Goods company which will be used to run the entire machinery of the factory, together with a new electric plant for forging and lighting. Four eight hundred pound drop hammers have also been added to the plant and the working force of the establishment will soon be increased to one hundred hands. It is expected that the new machinery will enable the company to double their output.

FROM EVERYWHERE.

   The canals will be officially closed December 5.

   It costs Cornell nearly twenty-seven thousand dollars a month for its corps of instructors.

   Claims for damages amounting to $100,000 are now before the courts against the city of Elmira.

   The electoral college next year will consist of 447 members, rendering 227 votes necessary to elect the President.

   Leonard S. Ashley, a West Winfield boy of thirteen years, hanged himself the 10th because his schoolmates pounded him and abused him continually and made life miserable.

   Richard Blossom of Elmira has gone to seed. He was struck by an engine running fifty miles an hour, while under the influence of liquor, and scattered to the four winds.

   Everyone who can sing at all, has sung with enthusiasm our National Hymn, "America." Dr. S. F. Smith, its author, died suddenly of heart disease in Newton, Mass., Saturday, Nov. 16.

   A big improvement is promised in bicycles. The rubber tire which contains the air will be covered with compressed leather, waterproofed on the surface, and so hard that a tack cannot be forced through it.

   A company has been organized with $125,000 capitol, to improve Pleasant Beach, Onondaga lake, as a pleasure resort. Great improvements will be made and many attractions provided for next year.

   To leave New York Saturday night and arrive in San Francisco the evening of the Wednesday following and be enabled to return to New York by the following Monday morning, is the latest feat in rapid railroading.

   The Onondaga County Savings Bank contemplates the purchase of the old Syracuse House block in Syracuse, and propose putting up a fine building on that site. The sum of $350,000 is named as the price to be paid for the property.