HITCHCOCK MFG. CO. RECEIVERS SET ASIDE

Cortland Semi-Weekly Standard, Friday, February 7, 1896.

RECEIVERS SET ASIDE.

HALT IN AFFAIRS OF THE HITCHCOCK MFG. CO.

Judge Forbes Did not Have Jurisdiction to Appoint Them—Sheriff in Possession.

(From the Daily Standard of Thursday.)

   A sudden change in the affairs of the Hitchcock Manufacturing Co. came about this morning when a decision was received from the appellate division of the supreme court at Albany setting aside the receivers of that company which were appointed last summer.

   On July 13, 1895, the directors of the Hitchcock Mfg, Co. presented a petition before Judge Forbes at Canastota asking for the voluntary dissolution of the company. Judge Forbes granted two orders: first, an order to show cause why the corporation should not be dissolved. This was returnable on Dec. 10. The second order was one in which C. B. Hitchcock and James Devine were appointed temporary receivers and the creditors were restrained, This had the force of an injunction.

   Prior to the institution of these proceedings Dougherty & Miller of Cortland had brought an action against the company in behalf of the Second National bank of Cortland, the German American bank of Buffalo, Dusenberry & Bond of New York, and Martin & Call of Cortland. The claims covered in this action aggregated nearly $20,000.

   On November 9 Dougherty & Miller made a motion before Judge Forbes on behalf of those conditions to vacate and set aside the injunction order and the order appointing the receivers on the ground that the petition was insufficient to confer jurisdiction to the court to [warrant] the order. Judge Forbes denied this motion, but granted permission to enter judgments, and the judgments were entered on Dec. 17, 1895. An appeal was then taken from the order denying the motion to the appellate division of the supreme court, and this is the decision just handed down which reverses the order of Judge Forbes and vacates and sets aside the injunction order and the order appointing the receivers. This decision came this morning about 9 o’clock. Executions were promptly issued on those judgments and were placed in the hands of the sheriff who before 10 o’clock had taken possession of both the Elm-st. factories and the foundry and machine shop on Port Watson-st.

   The attorney for the receivers has been J. William Wilson of Syracuse.

   It is impossible yet to tell just what will be the next move in the proceedings. The personal property in these plants will be advertised for sale in a few days if an injunction is not served upon Dougherty & Miller to prevent this. If this is done they will take steps to have the injunction vacated. Meanwhile the executions which have been served and upon which factories have been closed will hold the inside track.

ARLINGTON HOTEL

Badly Damages by Fire at 2 O’clock Wednesday Afternoon.

   At about 2 o’clock Wednesday afternoon fire broke out in the cellar of the Arlington hotel on Railway-ave. owned by M. H. Ray. George Torry pulled fire alarm box 142 at the corner of Main and Union-sts. and the department assembled promptly, but an error was made in reading the box and it was thought to be near the D., L. & W. station and all the department set out in that direction. It was not until they had gone far on the wrong track that the error was discovered and they began to retrace their steps.

   Meanwhile the men at the big Wickwire wire mills across the street poured out in a mass with their two hose carts and in less time than could be imagined a line of hose was attached to the hydrant near the factory and a second was laid from a hydrant west of the hotel on Railway-ave. Two powerful streams were poured into the burning building, one from the front and one from the rear.

   The hook and ladder truck was the first piece of apparatus to arrive and ladders were speedily put up and the Wickwire firemen mounted to the piazza roof and poured the water into the second-story windows. Not long after the rest of the companies arrived, but did not lay any hose, as the fire was nearly extinguished. The Protectives [Protective Police, a division of the volunteer Fire Dept.—CC editor] and crowds of others did good service in rescuing property from the house.

   Mr. Ray told a reporter that he went down cellar with a lamp for some purpose. He was called upstairs to wait upon a customer and left his lamp, Suddenly he smelled smoke and started to go down cellar, but the smoke drove him back. He thinks the lamp exploded and that the fire was quickly communicated with some inflammable material near by.

   So quickly did the flames spread and so dense was the smoke that he was not even able to enter the hallway to go up stairs to alarm Miss Tillie Dessem, a young woman who worked for Mrs. Ray. He procured a ladder and rescued her through a window, partly dressed, for she was at the time changing her attire.

   Miss Dessem had a considerable sum of money in her trunk in the upper hall and she was very anxious lest it should be burned, but when she told where the trunk stood it was rescued by some of the men, though the trunk was pretty hot at the time.

   The house was drenched with water and the household goods that were rescued were badly damaged. Mr. Ray had an insurance of $3,500 upon the house and its contents placed with G. J. Maycumber.

   The hotel was a two story frame building in very good repair.

E. & C. N. Y. R. R.

THE OPINION IN SUSTAINING THE LOWER COURT.

Pleadings were Defective, No Opinion Given on the Validity of the Charter.

   An opinion has been received in Cortland in the case of the Erie & Central N. Y. R. R., appellant, vs. Frank Welch, Carrie Welch and Amanda Welch, respondents. The original case grew out of a petition of the railroad company at a special term of the supreme court in Binghamton in October, 1895, for permission to condemn certain lands of the Welch estate and for the appointment of commissioners to ascertain and fix the compensation to be made therefor.

   I. H. Palmer appeared for the plaintiff and Judge I. H. Maynard for the defendant. The prayer of the petitioners was denied. The case was then taken to the appellate division of the supreme court, third department, at Albany, and was there argued by the same attorneys on Tuesday, Jan. 14. Word was received in Cortland on Thursday, Jan. 30, that the decision of the lower court had been affirmed with costs, but whether this decision was upon the sufficiency or insufficiency of the pleadings or upon the validity of the extension of the charter of the railroad, which point was raised by Judge Maynard, was not known until this morning when the opinion came. It now appears that the decision is upon a technical defect in the pleadings, and that the main question at issue was not touched upon.

   The opinion in full is as follows:

   Supreme Court, appellate division, third department; Barker, presiding justice; Landon, Herrick, Putnam and Merwin, associate justices.

   Albany, January, 1896. 

   Erie & Central New York Railway company, appellant, against Frank Welch, Carrie Welch and Amanda Welch, respondents. Irving H. Palmer for appellant, Maynard, Gilbert & Cone (I. H. Maynard of counsel) for respondents. Per Curiam.

   The plaintiff, at a special term of this court, held in Broome county on the 29th day of October, 1895, upon the petition and notice of motion, a copy of which is contained in the papers submitted to us, moved for the condemnation of the lands described in said petition for the appointment of commissioners to ascertain and fix the compensation to be made therefor. The defendants appeared and opposed said motion. No answer was served, nor does it appear on what grounds the defendants objected to the application.

   The petition was defective in not containing “a statement that it is the intention of the plaintiff in good faith to complete the work or improvement for which the property is to be condemned,” as required by sub-division 7, section 3,360, Code of Civil Procedure. The allegation so omitted was material and necessary to be stated to entitle the plaintiff to the relief demanded. In the matter of Metropolitan Transit Co., (111 N. Y. 588), where a like application, under Chapter 140, Laws of 1850, was under consideration, it was held that “as a condition upon which the court could he asked to intervene in its favor to enable it to acquire lands and street rights, the company was obliged to show under oath, that it is its intention, * * * in good faith to construct and finish a railroad from and to the places named * * * in its articles of association.” See also matter of the of the application of the Metropolitan El R. R. Co. vs. Dominie, et al., 27 N. Y. S. Rep. 576; Rochester R. R. Co., vs. Robinson, 133 N. Y., 242.

   The petition being thus defective, and it appearing that the defendants objected to the granting of the application of plaintiff for the condemnation of the premises in question and the appointment of commissioners to ascertain and fix the compensation to be made therefor, we are unable to determine that the court below was in error in making the order from which the appeal is taken. If there had been no appearance by defendants, the court could properly have denied the application on the sufficient petition presented.

   The papers do not show that the defendants waived the objections to the defective petition on which the plaintiff moved.

   We are also of the opinion that under the provisions of the “condemnation law” where the petition on which the plaintiff moves fails to comply with the provisions of Section 3,360 of the Code of Civil Procedure the court may properly sustain oral objections to the granting of the application for condemnation and the appointment of commissioners.

   The view above taken renders it unnecessary for us to consider the other questions discussed by the learned counsel for the respective parties.

   The order should be affirmed with costs and disbursements.

EXCISE CASES

DECIDED ON A LEGAL TECHNICALITY.

Pleadings Were Not Sufficient—Merits of the Case Not Touched Upon at All.

   At last the opinion has been received from the appellate division of the supreme court in regard to the decision recently landed down in the two excise cases in Cortland of the village of Cortland against John H. Howard and against Charles B. Warren. The two cases were precisely alike and only the first was argued, so that while the decision is in this case it really covers both. It will be noticed that the opinion is on a defect in the drawing of the complaint and that the real question at issue, the validity and legality of the village ordinance, was not touched upon at all. The attorneys on both sides anticipated this when the decision was known.

Death of Mrs. Stratton.

   Mrs. Mary P. Stratton died at 1 o’clock Wednesday afternoon at the home of her daughter, Mrs. A. P. Husted, 3 Arthur-ave., aged 81 years. After a short service at the house at 8:30 o’clock Friday morning the remains will be taken on the 10 o’clock train to Oxford, N. Y., where the funeral will be held at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. D. D. Shepard. Interment at Oxford.

THURBER—MAINE.

Pretty Home Wedding at Mr. and Mrs. Marvin D. Maine’s.

   There was a pretty home wedding Wednesday afternoon at 3 o’clock at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Marvin D. Maine, three miles west of the village, when their only daughter, Miss Carrie F., was united in marriage with Mr. Lourell F. Thurber of New Woodstock, N. Y. About seventy-five relatives and friends of both parties were present, The house was prettily adorned with evergreens and flowers. The ceremony was performed by Rev. M. J. Wells, pastor of the Homer-ave. M. E. church, under an arch and bell of evergreens and white roses.

   The bride was very becomingly attired in a handsome gown of ecru lansdowne with white ribbon trimmings. She carried a bouquet of carnations and pinks. Her bridesmaid was Miss Gertrude C. Doughty of Cortland, and she carried a bouquet of white roses. The best man was Mr. H. A. Stanton of Cortland. Miss S. L. Kinney played the Mendelssohn Wedding March as the bridal party entered the parlors and afterward during congratulations. Very bountiful and elegant refreshments were served at small tables.

   The presents were displayed in one of the rooms and were very numerous, beautiful and valuable. They included much linen, silver, and other things ornamental and useful for housekeeping.

   Mr. and Mrs. Thurber departed on the 7:01 train for a short bridal trip to Rome and vicinity. They will reside at New Woodstock.

MURRY—MACK.

A Pleasant Wedding at St. Mary’s Church Tuesday Morning.

   The marriage of Mr. Thomas J. Murray and Miss Anna Mack took place at

St. Mary’s church Tuesday morning, at 8 o’clock. The contracting parties were attended by Mr. Henry Corcoran and Miss Anna Monahan and the ceremony was performed by Rev. J. J. McLoghlin before a large number of invited guests. The bride was neatly attired in a dark traveling dress and the groom wore the customary black. Immediately after the ceremony the happy couple were driven to the E., C. & N. station and took the train for Elmira and Watkins where they will spend a short time with relatives and friends.

   The bride and groom are both well and favorably known in Cortland and their host of friends will unite in wishing them a long and happy wedded life. They were the recipients of many beautiful and useful presents, showing the high esteem in which they are held.

   Monday evening at the home of the bride, 99 River-st., there was a very pleasant social gathering of a few of the immediate friends of both parties.

Attention, Comrades!

   The Cortland County Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Veteran association will hold its ninth annual meeting at Grand Army hall in Cortland, N. Y., on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 1896, at 1 o’clock P. M. sharp. As this meeting occurs on the birthday of Abraham Lincoln, which is now by statute a legal holiday and this the first year of its observance, and as by virtue of his office President Lincoln was commander-in-chief of the United States army and navy, it is fitting that the soldiers and sailors shall be the first to celebrate this patriotic day. As soon as the necessary business shall be transacted the time will be given to an interesting program prepared for the occasion. Good music will be furnished and your presence is earnestly requested at this meeting.

   H. C. Hendrick, Pres.

   M. J. Grady, Sec.

BREVITIES.

   —Mr. Rowland L. Davis was in McLean yesterday as attorney in a law suit between parties of that place.

   —Mr. A. Mahan delivered a fine Bradbury mahogany cabinet grand upright piano to Miss Elizabeth Sherman at Homer yesterday morning.

   —Mr. H. I. Jenkins of the firm of Davis, Jenkins & Hakes has bought of

Mrs. Hillock her residence on Madison-st., and will take possession April 1.

   —Twenty five young men, members of the C. M .B. A. have formed a class in penmanship and bookkeeping, and have engaged Mr. J. E. Joiner as instructor. They will meet once a week at his rooms.

   —A bill was introduced in the senate Monday fixing telephone rates. In places of between 8,000 and 20,000 people, in which class Cortland would fall, the maximum rate permitted is $30 per annum. [At this time the rate was $56 per year in Cortland—CC editor.]

   —Everything points to a successful party in Taylor hall Friday night under the auspices of the Fine Wire Drawers’ association. The arrangements have all been completed. Happy Bill Daniel’s orchestra of eight pieces will furnish music.

   —Mr. W. W. Kelsey has bought of D. H. Bingham the vacant lot between the Universalist Church and the residence of Theodore Stevenson and will erect a house upon it in the near future which has already been spoken for by Dr. M. B. Ingalls for his residence.

   —Prof. E. C. Cleaves has just presented to the Cortland Normal school one of his fine casts representing a classical subject. It represents Apollo driving his sun chariot. This will make a fine addition to the pictures already ornamenting the walls of the Normal parlors.

   —Mrs. T. H. Wickwire Tuesday afternoon entertained the Ladies’ Aid society of the Presbyterian church. It was an effort to revive the old sewing society. The ladies are preparing for an apron sale in the near future, and it was an innovation for them to meet at a private house. It was thought that by this means some others than the customary few might be induced to come out, and the experiment was so successful in bringing out nearly thirty that it was decided to try it again. Chocolate and sandwiches were served and the ladies passed a very pleasant afternoon aside from accomplishing a good deal of work.

   —Mr. W. E. Powers has just completed a large and remarkably excellent and lifelike portrait in India ink and water colors of Dr. F. J. Cheney. The picture was not made upon the order of any one and it is not yet certain who will possess it, but those who have seen it seem to be very much pleased with it.

   —Some members of the local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Monday went out into the country to investigate some complaints. They found five cows huddled into a place altogether too small for them. They ordered three of the cows removed from that place and also made some changes in the location of some horses. When members of this society take a long drive in such a storm as that of yesterday afternoon it looks as though they were doing some of the things for which the society was organized.

COMMENCEMENT AT NORMAL SCHOOL AND LEHIGH INSPECTS E. C. & N. R. R.

Cortland Semi-Weekly Standard, Tuesday, February 4, 1896.

COMMENCEMENT.

TWENTY-ONE GRADUATES FROM THE NORMAL.

The Customary Large Audience at the Opera House—A Fine Program of Exercises.

   The fiftieth commencement exercises attending the close of the fifty-fourth term in the history of the Cortland Normal school were held at the Cortland Opera House Friday at 10 o’clock. The customary large crowd of friends was present. The program was one of the finest which has ever been given on a commencement stage in Cortland. All of the articles were so excellent in themselves and their delivery was so fine that all were worthy of special mention and it is difficult to refer to any one in particular by name. The music was by Darby’s orchestra and contributed largely to the pleasure of the hour. The complete program was as follows:

   Invocation, Rev. Adelbert Chapman.

   Overture, Orchestra.

   Oration—The Supremacy of Law, Maurice L. Farrell.

   Oration—Genius, a Product of Effort, Edith I. Cooper.

   *Oration—The Atlanta Exposition and Its Teachings, Marguerite M. Danforth.

   Music, Orchestra.

   Oration—Morality of Education, Merton J. Sanford.

   Oration—What Will the Future Man Eat? Berdella A. Vickery.

   Oration—Lack of Charity, Mary V. Manwarren.

   Music, Orchestra.

   Oration—The Power of Ministry, Edith B. Hall.

   Presentation of Diplomas.

   Benediction.

*Excused.

                            CLASS SONG.

   ''They Can Because They Think They Can.”

   Words by Mary P. Clark. Music arranged by Miss Alger.

Our hearts are sad as here we stand

   At Commencement’s widely open door;

While thinking over pleasures past

   And duties that for us are o’er.

Chorus:

But whatso'er doth come to us

   We’ll meet with mind and heart and hand,

And keep our motto clear in view.

   “They can because they think they can.”

Our future stretches out so bright.

   And yet the path is not all flow'rs;

So little done, so much to do,

   To make us stronger hour by hour.

The sun still shines behind the clouds,

   Though dark and dreary be the day;

But with their line of silver hue,

   They'll scatter brightness o’er our way.

   The following is a complete list of the graduates:

   Classical Course—Olive Diantha Allis, Edith Blanche Hall, Maurice Lawrence Farrell, Merton Jarvis Sanford, Mary Van Ness Manwarren.

   Scientific Course—Adam Franklin Ross, Jessie Malone.

   English Course—Frances Eliza Bryant, Edith Irene Cooper, Mary P. Clark, Marguerite M. Danforth, Anna May Fish, Edith A. Hawkes, Frances Newton

Heath, Margaret Sarah Lillis, Mary Elizabeth Mack, Grace Deette Reynolds,

Grace Edna Sturtevant, Grace Evelyn Theiss, Berdella Abigail Vickery, Mary

Grace Wheeler.

   The next term will begin at 8:45 o’clock on Wednesday, Feb. 5.

VILLAGE SCHOOLS.

Began Monday—Changes in Location of Teachers.

   The village schools began the spring term Monday with a large attendance.

The resolution recently passed by the board of education goes into effect at this time. It is that all parents who send children to school for the first time must enter them before the end of this week. If the child is not entered this week he cannot be entered this term and will therefore have to wait until the beginning of the term next September. This applies only to those children who have never attended school.

   A few changes in the location of teachers also went into effect that morning. Miss Galusha becomes assistant academic teacher, Miss Snyder takes Miss Galusha’s place at sixth grade, Miss Lovell takes Miss Snyder’s place at fifth grade, Miss Cleary takes Miss Lovell’s place at third and fourth grades in the Central school, Mrs. Benedict is transferred from the Fitz-ave. school to the Schermerhorn-st. school and takes the place of Miss Cleary, Miss Dana Van Gordon has been elected as a supply teacher and has charge of the Fitz-ave. school.

PRINCIPAL’S RECEPTION.

A Pleasant Social Event Closes the Normal Term.

   The principal’s reception at the Normal, which is the closing event of each winter term, is always a very pleasant social function. None of these have been more enjoyable than that of Friday evening. The large parlor, receptionroom and halls were comfortably filled with guests which included many town’s people as well as graduates of the school. Dr. and Mrs. Cheney were assisted by Mr. Hugh Duffey and Mr. T. H. Wickwire of the local board with their wives. Messrs. E. H. Brady, Wm. M. Clark, F. P. Gleason, Alfred Fairbanks, C. A. Ranney and F. E. Beardsley acted as ushers. Very nice refreshments were served in the gymnasium under the direction of Caterer George D. Griffith.

   The following young ladies, members of the C class, assisted in the serving: Misses Emma E. Hill, Cora Bull, Eva Morgan, Jessamine Ellsworth, May Hollister, Mary A. Woodbury, Angeline Gleason, Lillian M. Shattuck, Nellie Mulligan and Rhea Champlin. Darby’s orchestra furnished excellent music throughout the evening.

FRIENDLY SONS

Of St. Patrick Appoint Committees for the Annual Banquet.

   A meeting of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick was held in the C. M. B. A. rooms Thursday evening with Vice-President E. E. Mellon in the chair.

A meeting of the society will be held at the same place Sunday at 12:30 o’clock p. m. at which time it is probable the date of the annual banquet will be determined.

   The officers submitted the different committees as selected by them and they were unanimously adopted by the society. The following are the committees to arrange for their banquet, 1896:

   Committee of Arrangements—Wm. Grady, chairman; James Walsh, Thos.

Drake, John Lynch, M. E. Sarvay, J. H. O’Leary, Peter Nodecker, J. T. Davern, B. H. McNiff, M. T. Roche, M. V. Lane, G. F. Beaudry, Edward Fitzgerald, Thos. Lynch, Hugh Corcoran.

   Reception Committee—James Dougherty, chairman; Hon. R. T. Peck, F. Cy Straat, S. E. Totten, Thos. H. Dowd, M. F. Cleary, Hon. A. P. Smith, B. Taylor, C. H. Price, Wm. Martin, Dr. H. T. Dana.

   Printing Committee—J. C. Barry, chairman; James F. McDonald, John F.

Dowd.

   Committee on Toasts and Speakers—Hugh Duffey, chairman; Hon. J. E. Eggleston, Rev. J. J. McLaughlin, Wm. H. Clark, E. E. Mellon, Henry Corcoran.

Truxton.

   Truxton, Feb. 3.—Mrs. John Pierce died at the home of her son, Wilder Pierce, Friday. She leaves a husband who is not expected to live but a few days, a son and a daughter. She was about 80 years old. The funeral will be held at the Baptist church, Tuesday.

   Mrs. M. B. Dean arrived in town Saturday and will spend several weeks with her husband, Dr. M. B. Dean, at Hotel Baldwin.

   Messrs. Henry D. Waters of Cuyler and Wm. Beattie of this place will appraise the household effects of the late Mrs. Nancy Dennison, Monday, Feb. 3.

   Workmen are at work in the E., C. & N. R. R. depot changing the office from the rear to the front of the building. The old office was too small. This one is much larger and when completed will be a great improvement over the old one. A large bay window has been placed in the front of the office, which will be very convenient for the operator who can see the approach of trains from either direction.

   Mr. Sam Levy of New York, proprietor of the milk station, was in town Friday.

   There was a leap year party at Woodward’s hall Friday evening. The gentlemen furnished refreshments and the ladies paid the bill. Messrs. Will Burroughs and Daniel Roach furnished the music.

   The young peoples’ meeting Sunday evening was well attended. The meeting next Sunday evening will be led by Mr. Fred I. Woodward. Subject—“Christ's Warnings.”

   The Ladies’ Aid society of the W. M. church of Cheningo held a leap year social at the home of Mr. Charles Curtis, Friday evening, Jan. 31. The house was filled with people from Truxton, Cheningo, Cincinnatus, Taylor and McGrawville. Supper was served from 8 to 11 o’clock. The receipts of the evening were $12.20 which will be used in purchasing dishes for the use of the Church.

   Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred Youngs, who reside on the town line road, gave a progressive euchre party at their home Thursday evening. About seventy friends and neighbors were present. Twenty hands were played. Much merriment was caused by the distribution of prizes. The first prizes were won by Mr. Frank Henry and Mrs. James Foster. The consolation prizes were awarded to Mr. Gus Cushing and Mrs. B. R. Knapp. After the distribution of prizes refreshments were served. It was at a late hour when the company broke up. Among those present from out of town were Mr. and Mrs. Delos Burnham and daughter of Cortland, Mr. Rose of Homer, Mr. T. Cowles and Miss Bessie Cowles of Ithaca.

   Miss Cora Twentyman has been working for Mrs. Jasper Crandall the past few days.

   Hay pressers from McGrawville have been pressing hay for M. L. Kenney, J. M. Crandall and Frank Gates the past week.

   We understand that Mr. Jasper Crandall will move to Cortland in the spring. He will rent his farm here.

   There is to be a party at Mr. William Crandall’s Thursday evening.

   The dancing club will hold a leap year party at Woodward’s hall, Tuesday evening, Feb. 4. The gentlemen furnish supper and the ladies settle the bill. Happy Bill Daniels' full orchestra of Cortland furnish the music.

   Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Bryant gave a party at their beautiful home to a large company of young people, Saturday evening, in honor of Misses Ruth E. and Louis M. Connic of Penn Yan, who are visiting in town. Various games were indulged in until 9 o’clock when Mrs. Bryant invited the merry company down to the diningroom where they sat down to tables loaded with good things which only Mrs. Bryant knows how to prepare.  The menu consisted of biscuit, salad, sliced ham, jelly, pickles, coffee, cake, oranges. After supper they repaired to the music room where several choice selections were sung. It was 11:30 o’clock when the merry party broke up all unanimous in saying that Mr. and Mrs. Bryant are royal entertainers and that the evening was one of the most pleasant ever spent. To the young people there is no one like Mr. and Mrs. Bryant, who every year entertains them at their beautiful home and always with a kind word and pleasant smile they have won a place in the hearts of our young people. Mrs. Bryant is the efficient chairman of the social committee of the Young Peoples' society and by her untiring efforts with the hearty co-operation of the young people they have in various ways succeeded in raising several hundred dollars which have been used in repairing the M. E. church which to-day is one of the finest in Central New York.

   The Democrat caucus was held at Woodward’s Hall Saturday evening, Feb. 1. The following nominations were made: Supervisor, John O’Donnell; town clerk, John O’Connor; highway commissioner, John F. Daley; assessors, William Miller and John Comerfort; excise commissioner, Seneca Smith.

   The Republican caucus will be held at Woodward’s Hall Wednesday evening.

   The annual meeting of the Thief Detective association was held at Woodward’s hall Saturday afternoon, a report of which we will give later.

   Mr. Albert Pierce is very low.

   Owing to the increase of orders the furniture factory is running until 9 o‘clock every night. “Crazy Pat.”

PLEASED WITH THE ROAD.

The Lehigh’s Roadmaster Thoroughly Inspects the E., C. & N. R. R.

(From the Daily Standard of Friday.)

   Roadmaster Richard Caffrey of the Lehigh Valley R. R., who in his own private car yesterday made an inspection of the E., C. & N. R. R., returned to Cortland last night. He was accompanied by his stenographer and by Superintendent Albert Allen and by Roadmaster Patrick Clancy of the E., C. & N. Mr. Caffrey spent the night in Cortland and left this morning on the 9 o’clock train for Elmira, where his car was delivered to the Erie railroad. He was this morning accompanied westward by Messrs, Allen and Clancy.

   To a Standard reporter Mr. Caffrey said he was very much pleased with the

E., C. & N. road, and with what he saw along its line, referring both to the railroad property and to the places through which it passed. He could give no opinion as to the probable purchase or lease of the road by the Lehigh, that was not in his province. He was simply directed to come up here and go over the road, see all he could and report. His report would be favorable to the absorption of the E., C. & N. by the Lehigh. He thought that in any event the road should by all means be extended to Lake Ontario. He did not believe that Cortland or other places along the line of the road would find it to their disadvantage to have the Lehigh get possession of this road. The Lehigh is a big road. It has over 2,500 miles of track. It keeps its roadbeds in fine condition and uses first class rolling stock and gives excellent train service wherever it goes.

   The STANDARD man replied that this was all known to be true, but that Cortland people feared if the Lehigh got control of the E., C. & N., the car shops would be moved away and that a prominent industry of the place would be lost. Cortland people also feel very friendly toward the present management and are pleased with the highly accommodating spirit always manifested by the officials.

   Mr. Caffrey replied that he saw no reason why the shops should be moved away if a change occurred. They do not form an expensive plant to run, and they would really be needed right here for the highest efficiency of the road. He did not anticipate that they would be moved and he thought that Cortland people need not give themselves any uneasiness in this direction. In regard to the local management, of course he could not speak with any authority, but it had always been a policy of the road, where a connecting road had been absorbed to continue the local management if it was satisfactory. He knew that the management of the E., C. & N. is held in very high esteem by his road and he did not believe that any material changes would be made in case the Lehigh took possession.

   The reporter mentioned the action of the Syracuse Business Men’s association a couple of weeks ago in appointing a committee to confer with the Lehigh Valley officials and see if in some way that road could not get an entrance to the Salt city and thus afford them better shipping facilities. Mr. Caffrey said that he knew nothing more of that committee than what he had seen in the papers, but did not doubt that the Lehigh would try to get into Syracuse if it were possible. He showed by some chance remarks that this thought had been in his mind in making the present inspection of the E., C. & N. Among other things he said that he had remarked to Mr. Allen yesterday at Cazenovia that it was a great pity that the West Shore road had ever been permitted to get control of the Chenango Valley road which crosses the E., C. & N. at Rippleton, as that would have been their way into Syracuse. He also spoke of the distance from Cortland to Syracuse by way of the Christian Hollow valley from Tully and of the salt wells there in the valley.

   Mr. Clancy here remarked that a survey was made by the E. C. & N. several years ago and was now on file of a spur from Truxton off through the Labrador flats to Syracuse, and Mr. Caffrey by his reply showed himself acquainted with the fact of this survey,

   As the train moved out Mr. Caffrey stepped on board remarking with a significant laugh as he shook hands with the reporter, “Well I hope I may see you again one of these days.”

   The STANDARD man inquired of Superintendent Allen if he had anything to say about the matter and his reply was, “No, nothing at all new. What the

STANDARD said Wednesday night was just exactly right. There is nothing to be added to it. No proposition of any kind has been made by one road to the other. There is no use in disguising the fact that the Lehigh Valley is looking our road over. When they get through with their inspection they may or they may not make a proposition to Mr. Corbin. If they should do so and it should be acceptable to Mr. Corbin there would be very likely to be a change. If it was not acceptable it would probably end the whole thing. But at present you are wholly correct in saying that nothing at all has been done.”

BREVITIES.

   —The Republicans of Cincinnatus have nominated B. R. Corning for supervisor.

   —At the Democratic caucus in Truxton Saturday Mr. John O’Donnell was nominated for supervisor.

   —The Republican nominee for supervisor in Preble is Frank J. Collier, the Democratic nominee is Dr. H. D. Hunt.

   —Messrs. Bennett & Hartwell are connecting Mr. C. W. Collins’ part of Union Hall block with the sewers, and installing closets.

   —Druggist George I. Watson has recently erected a neat sign over the Main-st. entrance to his store, corner Main and Tompkins-sts.

   —Mrs. Lawrence Fuller, who is suffering from rheumatism, was Monday removed from her home on Groton-ave. to the hospital in Beard & Peck’s ambulance.

   —The old bear had no difficulty in seeing his shadow Sunday. Look out for six weeks more of winter. “Half the wood and half the hay” will yet be required, as the old saying is.

   —Homer held both its caucuses Saturday. The Republican nominee for supervisor as stated in Saturday’s Standard was W. H. Crane. The Democrats that evening nominated W. Fassett.

   —Mrs. Jennie Conrad died Sunday afternoon at her home, 125 Port Watson-st., aged 57 years. The funeral will be held from her late residence Tuesday at 2 o’clock p. m., burial in Cortland Rural cemetery.

   —Mrs. Mary A. Newitt died at her home at East River Thursday morning, aged 82 years. The remains were taken to DeRuyter on the 9:46 train Saturday morning, where the funeral was held and interment made.

   —The postoffice department is making some startling changes in official nomenclature in the effort to shorten and simplify names. Names of two words are changed to single words. For instance, Chenango Forks is to be Chenangoforks, Little Falls is to be Littlefalls, Howe’s Cave is to be Howecave.

   —A number of our citizens have had copies of the Standard’s Industrial Edition bound at McKinney & Doubleday’s and will preserve them for their historical interest. This is a wise move, as the publication will increase rapidly in value after the edition is all sold. At least two copies should be bound and preserved in the Franklin Hatch library.

   —Mr. O. A. Kinney, Jr., was the driver and chaperone of a slushmugging

party that was perambulating the streets Thursday night in a high state of merriment, with his bay horse attached to a large double runner, The others over whom he exercised a watchful care were Misses Anna O. Collins, Edith B. Hall, O. D. Allis, Frances Bryant, and Elizabeth Tuttle and Messrs, W. H. McGraw, P. H. Hembdt, and W. M. Clark.