SITUATION IN FAR EAST, NO WAR YET, WARLIKE PREPARATIONS, RUSSIA AND JAPAN, GOLDEN WEDDING, DUVALL-MACKELLAR, AND GIFTS FOR CORNELL

 

Gonsuke Hayashi.

Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, October 13, 1903.

SITUATION IN FAR EAST.

Statement by British Foreign Office.

MYSTERIOUS FLEET MOVEMENTS.

Excited State of Public Opinion in Japan Causes Disquiet in Great Britain—Baron Hayashi Admits the Possibility of War—Diplomatic Situation Changed Since October 8.

   London, Oct. 13.—It was announced at the foreign office relative to the situation in the Far East, that the powers having treaty rights with China will require such rights to be maintained unimpaired, whatever arrangement Russia makes with China. If these rights are respected the British officials consider it improbable that either Japan or any other power will do anything which may threaten peace in the Far East.

   In spite of the reassuring statements of the foreign office and Baron Hayashi the frequent iteration that hostilities between Russia and Japan are imminent, the mysterious movements of the Russian and Japanese fleets and the excited state of public opinion in Japan are beginning to cause disquiet in Great Britain.

   Only the most sanguine persons believe that in the event of hostilities they could be kept within the limits which would free Great Britain from her obligation to support her Japanese ally.

   Baron Hayashi is not so optimistic today. Indirectly he admits the possibility of war by expressing the hope that in the event of a crisis Japan will have the active sympathy of Great Britain.

   Baron Hayashi admitted that the diplomatic situation had changed since October 8. He, however, had heard nothing from his government on the subject.

 

Takahira Kogoro.

NO ACT OF WAR YET.

Japanese Minister at Washington Issues Reassuring Statement.

   Washington, Oct. 13.—Aside from extensive military preparations by both nations the Japanese legation here is not advised that either Russia or Japan has as yet committed any act of war.

   The Japanese minister is kept advised by cablegrams from Tokio of the situation and realizing its gravity he is moving with great caution. The negotiations between Russia and Japan, according to his advices, are still in progress, and there is hope of a diplomatic settlement. The minister authorized a statement in which he said:

   "His attention having been called to a certain unauthorized statement attributed to him that the public utterances of the Japanese people are all in favor of war with Russia, Mr. Kogoro Takahira, the Japanese minister, states that while there is some disquiet due to the unsettled state of affairs which has existed so long in the Far East it seems that it has been aggravated more recently by the unfounded rumors regarding military and naval movements in certain quarters; but in his judgment the intelligent section of the Japanese public has been generally calm and collected up to the present juncture, as they know that the matter has been for some time in the hands of responsible parties of Japan and Russia, and that they have been negotiating with a view to arriving at an understanding between them.

   "For his own part, Mr. Takahira said he hopes for the best because the situation is not without an indication so far that the Russian government is candidly disposed for a settlement of the question with Japan, and therefore so long as the negotiations are proceeding with reasonable prospect of a result honorable to Japan there is no reason to be over anxious now."

 

Russian minister and ambassador Baron Roman R. Rosen.

Russian Warships Moving.

   Yokohama, Oct. 13.—The announcement by M. Lessar, the Russian minister to China, that the Manchurian convention between Russia and China has lapsed was received here with ridicule.

   Dispatches from Che-Foo report that a Russian warship and a transport with 600 troops left Port Arthur Oct. 4 for Corea. Sixty Japanese civilians left Port Arthur Oct. 10 for Nagasaki. The Russian forces at New Chwang are reported to have been increased.

   General Kodama, the Japanese home minister, has been appointed chief assistant to the military staff. The premier will assume General Kodama's portfolio.

   The premier and the ministers for war, navy and foreign affairs had a simultaneous audience of the emperor yesterday.

   Baron Von Rosen, the Russian minister and Baron Komura, the Japanese foreign minister, have not yet had a conference.

 

WARLIKE PREPARATIONS.

United States Not to be Caught Napping by Eastern Troubles.

   Washington, Oct. 13.--In spite of repeated assurances from the various representatives of the government that in no manner now foreseen can the United States become involved in the threatened war between Russia and Japan over Manchuria and Korea, it is a significant fact that the military information bureaus of both the army and navy were never more busy than at the present time. It was admitted by Secretary Moody, at least, that this government is fully informed of the situation and that the Asiatic squadron, although it sailed this week for a more favorable winter cruise in the south, is still watching developments in and around Port Arthur and Korean waters. Army officers are no less observant and even the state department is adding daily to this growing fund of knowledge.

 

RUSSIA'S REASON

For Not Evacuating is the Influx of Chinese.

   St. Petersburg, Oct 13.—An official announcement has been issued stating that the reason Russia did not evacuate Manchuria on Oct. 8, the date set for such action, was that large numbers of Chinese have recently joined the Chung-Chuses, or Manchurian brigands, and are making depredations on the towns. Russian troops, says the announcement, are needed to protect the peaceful inhabitants.

   It was also officially announced this morning that the all reinforcements now en route for the Far East consist of the torpedo cruisers Dsadnik and Gaidmak, the torpedo transports Amour and Jeissie and eleven torpedo boats with crews aggregating forty-seven officers and 500 men.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

Russia and Japan.

   Reports from the far East are still ominous and encourage the impression that Russia and Japan may yet engage in war. Perhaps it will be of interest to notice the fighting strength of the two nations at present available in the region where hostilities are anticipated.

   A few weeks ago Russia had 50,000 men in Manchuria, 90,000 at Port Arthur and Talienwai and 110,000 on her lines of communication, a total of 250,000. Since then she has been sending forward more troops, and the present strength in that quarter is not definitely known.

   Against these land forces Japan can put in the field armies aggregating 632,007 men, as follows: Regulars, 167,629; reserved, 204,109; landwehr, 98,722; first depot, 51,966; second depot, 109,581.

   But the first battle between the Russians and Japanese, in the event of war, would undoubtedly be on the sea. Of course only a portion of Russias navy would be available there, as she will be obliged to keep some of her ships in the Baltic and Mediterranean. Estimates of the number of Russian fighting ships available in the Orient differ slightly, but approximately it will be as follows: Battleships, six or seven; armored cruisers, four; cruisers, eleven; gunboats, eight; destroyers, twelve, a total of forty-one. Against these Japan can show six first class battleships, one second class battleship, two coast defense vessels (armed ships which cannot fight at a distance from a base), six first class armored cruisers with two more building, nine unprotected cruisers, one torpedo vessel, seventeen torpedo boat destroyers with two building, sixty-seven torpedo boats, with eighteen others in process of construction.

   Late reports say that Russia has greatly increased her naval power in that quarter, and it may be found that the fleets of the two powers are more nearly matched than the above figure show.

   Judging from the masterly manner in which the Japs handled their warships during the brief conflict with China, it is reasonable to suppose that they would work them in a sea battle with the Russians for all there is in them. As to the Russian skill and prowess in naval warfare we have no guide for an accurate judgment, as the Russians have never been called on to display their powers in that line.

   It would not be surprising, however, if the Japs won a notable naval victory should war be declared and the two fleets meet in battle. They are splendid fighters and remarkably skillful in handling the complicated machines now known as battleships, cruisers and destroyers. But when the war, (should there be one), breaks out on land, the Russians, though they may get the worst of it at first, will have such vast resources to draw upon that it would not be strange if they should, in the end, exhaust the military power of their little foe and dictate terms of peace.

   This, however, is supposing that no other power will be drawn into the fight.

 

GOLDEN WEDDING.

Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Rood Celebrate Their Fiftieth Anniversary.

   Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Rood of South Cortland celebrated on Monday the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage. All of their four living children were present and also all their grandchildren to the number of seven. The affair was a surprise, the entire company of children and grandchildren driving down from Cortland. The names of those present are as follows: Dr. A. B. Rood and wife and two children of Ninevah, N. Y.; C. R. Rood, wife and daughter of Cortland; W. R. Sweetlove and wife of Cortland; and C. N. Mack, wife and four children of Cortland, N. Y.; Mrs. Mary Rease of Cortland.

 

DUVALL-MACKELLAR.

Pastor of the Preble M. E Church Wins a Bride in Marathon, N. Y.

   A quiet home wedding occurred on Saturday afternoon last at the old Bouton homestead in Marathon when Miss Mary Lillian MacKellar, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald MacKellar, became the wife of Rev. Frank B. Duvall of Preble, N. Y.

   With the exception of the officiating clergyman, Rev. E. V. Armstrong, pastor of the M. E. church of Marathon and his wife, and R. G. Woolsey of Syracuse, a classmate of the groom, only immediate relatives were present. Though the morning had been dark and rainy, shortly before the hour appointed for the ceremony, as if to add luster to the occasion, the clouds broke away and the sun shone out warmly adding brightness to the rooms which had been decorated with potted plants and cut flowers.

   At 5 o'clock the bride and groom entered the parlor unattended, the bride wearing a traveling dress of blue and carrying a bouquet of white roses.

   After the marriage ceremony delicious refreshments were served, and the time passed pleasantly in music and conversation until the departure of the newly-wedded pair on a south bound train.

   After a short trip they will be at home at the parsonage of the M. E. church in Preble, of which church Mr. Duvall is the popular pastor. A reception will be tendered by his parishioners on Tuesday evening of this week at the parsonage.

   Miss MacKellar has been during the last year a successful teacher in the Preble village school.

   Many beautiful presents were received which had evidently been chosen with reference to utility as well as beauty.

 

Gifts for Cornell University.

   Cornell university has received the gift of $1,000 toward the erection of a new hall for experimental drafting to be located on the edge of the gorge in the rear of Sibley college. The building will cost $20,000 and the remainder of the cost is in sight. The Baldwin locomotive works will present a locomotive costing $20,000 to be set up there for experimental use as soon as the new building is completed.

 

Theodore Stevenson.

THEODORE STEVENSON'S CASE

Adjourned Till Oct. 20—Mr. Stevenson's Side of the Matter.

   Theodore Stevenson appeared before Judge Dougherty in city court at 2 o'clock this afternoon to answer to the charge of grand larceny, in the Second degree which was preferred against him by Robert R. Tuttle of Syracuse. Mr. Stevenson was represented by W. J. Mantanye who asked for an adjournment of the examination as Mr. Stevenson's attorney, Thos. E. Courtney, is out of town.

   The examination was set down for Tuesday, Oct, 20, at 2 o'clock. Bail was fixed at $500. The plaintiff was represented by the law firm of White & Pond of Syracuse.

   Mr. Stevenson claims that there is no merit in this charge which is brought against him; that he has an open account with the plaintiff and that there are credits on both sides of the account and that, as a matter of fact, when a balance is struck, the plaintiff will be found owing him more than he owes the plaintiff.

 

BREVITIES.

   — Dennis McCarthy's lunch wagon received a fresh coat of paint today.

   —Two men are wanted at this office at 7 o'clock tomorrow morning to help unload a car of paper. The first two applicants will be engaged.

   —The report comes that Postmaster Ripley has resigned his office at the Glen Haven postoffice and that John H. Mourin has been appointed as his successor, and that the office will again be returned to the sanitarium.

   —The new display advertisements today are—S. Rosenbloom & Sons, Dry goods, etc., page 7; New York Store, Special tale of notions, page 5; Geo. H. Wiltsie, Dry goods, page 6; Bosworth & Stillman, Treadeasy shoes, page 6; Perkins & Quick, Rubber Brushes, page 5; W. W. Bennett, Sterling ranges, page 8; Mahan, pianos, page 7.

 

PATERSON INUNDATED, FLOOD SITUATION, RUSSIAN REGIMENT, CANAL PROPOSITION, MARRIED FIFTY YEARS, AND WILLIAM G. HIBBARD

 

Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, October 12, 1903.

PATERSON INUNDATED.

Suffering From a Greater Flood Than That of Last Year.

MANY HOUSES TUMBLED DOWN.

Hundreds of People Rescued In Boats—Damage to Mill Property Very Great—Many Bridges Destroyed—Homeless People Cared For in Public Halls and at the Armory.

   Paterson, N. J., Oct. 12.—For nearly 48 hours Paterson has been at the mercy of the Passaic river. The water reached a height sufficient to cut the western from the eastern half of the city.

   Two bridges above the falls remain and three bridges below the Valley of the Rocks still stand, but it is impossible to reach them. Seven other bridges in the city have been carried away at a loss of a million dollars.

   The inundation of the low lying districts of the city has resulted in inconceivable damage to property.

   The flood, however, is beginning to recede. A number of buildings fell Sunday and many others have been rendered untenable. Spruce street hill is falling away and only a little more than two feet of dirt and stone separate the falls basin from a big race through which millions of gallons of water are rushing. The gate house is in a very weakened condition and is liable to go if Spruce street hill breaks much further.

   Mayor Hinchcliffe was at this point all night and yesterday superintending the work of strengthening the dykes and water gates. He regards the situation as most critical.

   One hopeful sign at this place is that the water has fallen several inches since morning. Thousands of people lined the falls cliffs watching the flood, and the police have had great difficulty in keeping the crowd from encroaching on the danger line.

   All day boatmen have been at work rescuing people from the flooded districts. The suffering in the First and Second wards has been intense, as it was almost impossible to reach the residents there. Several hundred persons were removed from the houses which had been completely surrounded by the flood and which were ready to collapse. A dozen more of these houses later tumbled in and floated away.

   The damage to mill property is heavy, parts of plants and stock having been submerged.

Worse Than Fire of Two Years Ago.

   Thousands of men, women and children will be without work for a long time and it seems altogether probable that this flood will cause to the city of Paterson a greater direct loss of money and property than the disastrous fire of two years ago. The gross loss then was $6,000,000 with $4,000,000 insurance. The present flood loss is estimated at more than $2,000,000 with no insurance.

   Saturday night's rain renewed the flood somewhat and the waters were at their maximum Sunday morning. At that time there was considerable water in the boiler room of the city electric light station and it was feared the fires would be extinguished.

   Five hundred families are homeless but many are being cared for in public halls and at the militia armory.

   The city of Passaic passed a sleepless night, it being feared that the Dundee dam would give way. That would have relieved the river at Paterson at the expense of the cities below. Fortunately, however, Dundee dam is still intact. The suffering in Wallington and Duttonville has been very great, as no relief has been able to reach these places.

   All through this district houses and outbuildings, together with a great quantity of dead stock, may be seen floating about.

   Seven men are in great peril in the Kearns Brothers' dye house on the river edge near Paterson. A part of the works has been carried away. The men have been in that part which remains standing since Friday noon.

   While they were trying to save thousands of dollars worth of silks by carrying them to the top of the building, the building was surrounded by water and they were cut off from assistance. It is believed that the entire building will be carried from its foundation unless the flood subsides soon.

   Twenty-five bridges are down in Passaic and Sussex counties on the Susquehanna railroad.

   The maximum height of the flood was two feet over the flood of 1902 and last night it was practically maintained.

 

THE FLOOD SITUATION.

Water Now Receding—Hundreds Homeless—Damage Great.

   Paterson, N. J., Oct. 12.—The flood situation here is ameliorating and the worst is over. The river is receding at the rate of over an inch an hour and inundated districts are being slowly cleared of water.

   Reports of the loss of twelve people at Little Fails, N. J., last night, cannot be verified as the bodies may be held under the wreckage which has been driven against one of the city's bridges. Twenty-five people were missing in Little Falls last night and the death list will not be known until the water completely subsides. Paterson was for a time last night panic-stricken by the report that the city's water supply would be cut off a week or more by the flood.

   The flood did encroach within a few feet of the fires and the pumps were choked several times. Volunteers assisted the water works men and after several hours the waters were repelled.

   By orders from Governor Murphy and Colonel Edward W. Hines, the Fifth regiment armory of this city has been thrown open to over 800 homeless persons who were sheltered there last night. At Apollo hall 468 people are sheltered. Mrs. John Hinchliffe, wife of the mayor, and a corps of other prominent women, are feeding the refugees. At least $30,000 in cash is needed at once and a general appeal will be made throughout the city. No outside aid will be asked and none will be accepted. Several sections of the city, which have been cut off from communication, are reached for the first time this morning.

   The casualty list is still indefinite and will probably be so for several days. Nearly one hundred homes have been washed away and many persons are missing. The Broadway bridge, the last of the six county bridges, went last night and fears are now entertained for the Erie railroad bridge at Riverside. The debris from six bridges is piled up against it and it is only being held in place by two coal trains which have been anchored upon it. Traffic between this city and New York was resumed on the Erie railroad for the first time this morning. Word was received here this morning of the drowning of the Rev. Father Archangel at Port Jervis, N. Y., yesterday. He was attached to the Franciscan monastery at West Paterson.

   Frank Funk. a resident of Hawthorne, was drowned last night at that place. Charles Case, who was imprisoned for three days in Broomhead mill, was rescued last night. He seems to have lost his mental balance as the result of his experience.

   The greatest fear now seems to be from epidemic. The sewerage has been backed into cellars and should a warm wave come the ill smelling water will likely breed contagion.

 

RUSSIAN REGIMENT ON BORDER.

M. Lessar Announces That Manchurian Convention Has Lapsed.

   Yokohama, Oct. 12.—Baron Von Rosen, the Russian minister to Japan, is still awaiting instructions from his government in the matter of negotiations now proceeding between Japan and Russia.

   A Russian regiment from Baikal military district is reported to have arrived at Feng Chang Teng, 150 miles west of Pekin and 90 miles from the Russian frontier.

   M. Lessar, Russian minister to China, has announced that the Manchurian convention has lapsed.

   The Manchurian convention between Russia and China was signed April 8, 1902, and according to it the evacuation of the three Manchurian provinces was to be carried out in three successive periods of six months from the signing of the convention.

   A note from M. Lessar was appended to the convention declaring that "if the Chinese government, notwithstanding the assurances given by it, violates any provision of the convention, the Russian government will not hold itself bound either by the terms of the Manchurian agreement or by the declarations previously made in connection with the matter and will be compelled to repudiate any responsibility and consequences that might result therefrom."

   China was to be permitted to maintain whatever force she thought necessary in Manchuria after the evacuation of that territory. Russia also agreed if Tien-Tsin was restored to the Chinese within the first six months to evacuate New Chwang at the time this restoration was made. The allies turned over Tien-Tsin to the Chinese August 15 last year. The convention was to have been ratified within three months but this was not done.

   Last month M. Lessar in his note to the Chinese foreign board promised to begin the evacuation of Manchuria October 8, provided China accepted several new conditions, which China has refused to do, under pressure principally from Japan and Great Britain.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

Concerning the Canal Proposition.

   The legislature at its last session provided for the submission of a resolution upon which the electors of the state of New York must determine on the 3rd day of November next whether they are in favor of or opposed to the construction of a barge canal. The question of the adoption or rejection of this resolution is in no sense a party question. It should be considered by the electors of the state simply as a business proposition. One reason why it should be voted down is because it entails upon the taxpayers of this state a heavy burden without any adequate return. Especially is this true, so far as Cortland county is concerned, as it would not benefit any one in the county.

   Any reference to the number of Republicans, or the number of Democrats who voted to submit this resolution to the electors of the state for their determination is pertinent only to show the absurdity of the claim of certain Democrats that their party is opposed to the construction of the barge canal, and for that purpose only we refer to it.

   When the vote to submit the canal resolution was before the legislature, if its submission had depended upon the Republican members only, it would not have been submitted, for a majority of the Republican members voted against its submission.

   If it had depended upon the vote of the Democratic members of the legislature only, it would have been submitted because a majority of the Democratic members of the legislature voted in favor of its submission.

   Again, one of the most cogent and convincing appeals to the electors of state to vote down the resolution was published over the signatures of sixteen Republican state senators. It was an appeal not to any party but to the voters of the state, irrespective of party, to vote down this resolution.

   It may be remarked that these senators were not late day converts, for they had all voted against the resolution when it was before the state senate, and these senators constituted a majority of the Republican membership in the senate. The Democratic senators could not join in this appeal because they bad voted in favor of submitting this resolution.

   All honor to the men who voted against this resolution, whether Republicans or Democrats. And greater honor still will be due to the people at large, if the resolution is voted down at the polls.

 

MARRIED FIFTY YEARS.

Mr. and Mrs. R. G. Lewis Celebrate their Golden Wedding.

   Sunday, Oct. 11, was the fiftieth anniversary of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. R. G. Lewis of 240 Port Watson-st. in honor of this event and to more fittingly celebrate the golden wedding of his grandparents, with whom he makes his home, L. A. Randall invited a number of relatives to spend the day with them. The gathering was a complete surprise to Mr. and Mrs. Lewis who were up town Saturday evening when their guests arrived. Three sisters of Mr. Lewis from Chenango Forks, Mrs. Leroy Cowles, Mrs. Mary A. Patterson, and Mrs. Eliza L. Smith, and two cousins, Mrs. Eldredge Lewis and Mrs. C. W. Cleaves from Binghamton were the guests from out of town who were present to congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Lewis upon the completion of fifty years of married life and to help celebrate their golden wedding.

   Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock a bountiful wedding dinner was served. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis were presented with a handsome diningroom [sic] table, and several gold pieces.

   The wedding ceremony fifty years ago took place in Greene, N. Y., at the home of the bride, who was Miss Isabelle Willard. She was the daughter of Dr. Willard, a noted practitioner of his day and the founder of the Willard state asylum at Ovid. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis lived in Greene for a time after their marriage and afterward removed to Chenango Forks. Mr. Lewis was for many years engaged in railroad work and was actively connected with the construction of the old Midland road. Nineteen years ago they came to Cortland and have since made their home here.

 

Looking north, Main Street, Cortland, N. Y., circa 1900.

CORTLAND REGISTRATION STILL LIGHT.

Though Saturday Did Something Toward Bringing it Up.

   Saturday's registration was much heavier than that of Friday and the average was brought up much nearer to that of the year before. Not over half of the voters have yet registered, however, and everyone who has the right to vote needs to remember that on election day the voter who has not registered is of no more value than a clock without bands.

   Saturday's registration in the different wards was as follows: First ward, 87; Second ward, 139; Third ward, 197; Fourth ward, 106; Fifth ward, 142; Sixth ward, 122.

   The total registration for the two days was:

   First ward, 154; Second ward, 222; Third ward, 260; Fourth ward, 183; Fifth ward, 223; Sixth ward, 212. Total registration to date 1,254.

 

FOOTBALL GAMES.

Some of the Results on the Gridiron on Saturday.

   Saturday's football games as a rule resulted in close contests, in only one or two instances were heavy scores rolled up.

   Harvard was defeated by Amherst at Cambridge in a hard fought contest, being clearly out played in the last half. It is the first time that Harvard has met defeat on Soldiers' field in the seven years the field has been in service. The defeat was more keenly felt as Harvard never got within striking distance of Amherst's goal. Brown was easy for Princeton and the latter rolled up a high score.

   Cornell had a hard contest with the fast Colgate team, but won out 12 to 0.

   The results of some of the principal games are as follows: Amherst 5, Harvard, 0; Yale 22, Springfield Training school, 0; Princeton, 29, Brown 0; Columbia 5, Williams 0; Cornell 12, Colgate 0; Dartmouth 34, Union 0; Syracuse 33, Troy Polytechnic 0; Bucknell, 12, Watertown 6; West Point, 12, Dickinson, 0.

 

Captain Frank Place.

LONG DRAWN OUT TRIP.

Switched Around from One Road to Another to Reach Scranton.

   Colonel Frank Place and E. E. Mellon were among the Cortland people who left New York on the 9 o'clock train on the Lackawanna Friday night to come home [to Cortland]. At the Hoboken station they were told that the Jersey flats on the main line were flooded and that no trains were running in that direction, but that the through express train was to be sent over the branch by way of Newark and Summit, returning to the main line at Dover. As this train was really running wildcat it went slowly and with frequent pauses, so that it was midnight when Dover was reached. They pushed on to Delaware, a little station eight miles below the Water Gap, reaching that at 3 a. m., where they were flagged and told that the station platform at Portland, three miles above, was under water and also most of the track from that point to Stroudsburg, 10 miles further north. They could go no further. Then the train was backed up 13 miles to Washington, N. J., and switched to the tracks of the Central railroad of New Jersey, whence it proceeded to Philipsburg, N. J., and crossed the Delaware river at Easton. Pa., on the Lehigh Valley railroad bridge, this being the only bridge considered safe.

   They reached Easton at daybreak and saw people rescued from second story windows of the city in boats. The Central railroad of New Jersey was followed after long waits to Wilkes-Barre and Scranton, which was reached at 1 p. m. There the Lackawanna train got back upon its own tracks and from that place to Cortland there were no delays.

 

William G. Hibbard.

WILLIAM G. HIBBARD.

Death of a Former Resident of Cortland and a Successful Man.

   A telegram was received in Cortland Sunday announcing the death that morning at his home in Chicago of William G. Hibbard, the head of the great hardware house of Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co., and a former resident of Cortland. No particulars as to his illness were given, but the funeral and burial will occur in Chicago on Tuesday.

   This news will be greeted with sorrow in many homes in Cortland and Homer for, though Mr. Hibbard's place of residence has long been away from here, he was accustomed to make frequent business visits to this city and nearly always took the time to look up and call upon his old friends. The place of his boyhood and the friends of his youth were very dear to him, and he kept up his interest in all that was doing here in a remarkable degree. For years he has been a subscriber to The Standard and the fact that its columns were eagerly scanned by him at its every appearance, busy man as he was, is well known from the letters that have come from him to this office and to friends in the place commenting on this occurrence or that, asking in regard to one and another concerning whom he would like to know more.

   Several institutions have likewise been indebted to him for aid in many respects. He was a great believer in hospitals and a frequent caller at the Cortland hospital. Again and again he has supplied certain wants that he had noticed upon some visit there, and several times when the hospital association has been in hard financial straits a letter to him has brought the immediate return of a substantial check. The Franklin Hatch library is also indebted to him for a generous gift. Last summer he presented Calvary Episcopal church of Homer with its new rectory and furnished it complete. Last fall he gave to Grace Episcopal church of Cortland $1,000 to aid in the purchase of the lot adjoining the church. He was not an indiscriminate giver, but when he knew that the cause was a worthy one he was a very liberal giver.

   Mr. Hibbard was born in Dryden, Tompkins Co., N. Y., Aug. 7, 1825, and two years later moved with his parents to Homer, in which place and in Cortland he continued to live till he went to Chicago in 1849. On Aug. 8, of that year he arrived in Chicago and began work in the hardware house of Blair & Stimson. His first year's salary was $300, and board. In 1855 he formed the partnership of Tuttle, Hibbard & Co., which continued for ten years. During this time Mr. Hibbard laid the foundations for the great success which he made of his business by making a special point of attention to mail orders and by insisting that the best goods in stock should be used to fill the mail orders and that the desire of the one ordering by mail should be complied with to the last degree. As a result this branch of the business was built up to a wonderful degree.

   In 1865 with F. F. Spencer Mr. Hibbard formed the firm of Hibbard & Spencer, the foundation of the great house of the present. When the great fire came in 1871 all that this firm saved was its books and $1,500 worth of goods, but it quickly got upon its feet again and pushed forward for greater success. In 1874 A. C. Bartlett and two or three others employees were taken into the firm under the name of Hibbard, Spencer & Co., and in 1882 with several other employees, it was incorporated under the name of Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co., which continues at present. It is one of the great wholesale and retail hardware houses of the country and its name is known to hardware men everywhere.

   The news of Mr. Hibbard's death will cause sincere sorrow to every one who ever knew him. He was a man of strong affections and sympathies, broad-minded, generous, genial, warm hearted and social. He made friends readily, and once made, he "grappled them to himself with hooks of steel." He never forgot them and was always ready to do them a kindness. He loved old places as well as old friends. Cortland, the home of his boyhood, always had a warm spot in his heart. He took delight in visiting it, and showed as keen an interest in its growth and prosperity as if he were still a resident. Its churches, its hospital, and its public library have had substantial evidence of his kindly thoughtfulness and of his cordial sympathy with the work they were doing. What is now our leading industry, has always found in him its truest, wisest and best business friend, from the day of its small beginnings down to the present time.

   "Gould" Hibbard, as he was familiarly called, was not simply the head of one of the greatest of business houses, but was equally a success as a man, and in those things which make a man valuable to his fellows. Others will fill his place in the machinery of merchandizing, but those who knew him, "in his habit as he lived," will feel that in his death "a friendly presence has gone out of their lives leaving them colder and darker."

   His winning smile and cordial, hearty greeting made his coming seem like a ray of sunlight, and these have passed with the personality of which they were the expression. No boy ever left Cortland to seek his fortune in a wider field who has made a greater success of his undertakings than William G. Hibbard, and none has enjoyed more of those rewards which should crown a well spent life, honor, love, obedience, troops of friends.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The Franklin Hatch library has recently been connected with the telephone exchange. Its number is 222-A.

   —DeFay Woodford picked quite a quantity of ripe red raspberries on the Benham hill north of this city yesterday.

   —The monthly business meeting of the Junior league of the Homer-ave. church will be held Tuesday afternoon at 4 o'clock in the church.

   —Charles M. Stone, owner of the Stone Opera House in Binghamton which was burned Thursday night, is making plans to rebuild it at once.

   —The regular monthly meeting of the Brotherhood of St. Paul of the Homer-ave. church will be held this evening at 7:45. Installation of officers will occur at this time.

   —The Farther Lights society of the First Baptist church will hold a program meeting and social at the home of Mrs. B. L. Bentley, 11 Monroe Heights, this (Monday) evening at 7:30 o’clock. Each member is requested to invite a friend.

   —The new display advertisements today are: Syracuse Trust Co., Deposits, page 8; L. & K. Freeman, Millinery, page 8; S. Simmons, clothing, page 8; Dr. Green, dentist, page 5; Charles F. Brown, Witch hazel, page 8.