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| Franklin Hatch Library was located on the north side of Court Street across the street from the Cortland firehouse. |
The
Cortland Democrat, Friday,
December 9, 1887.
The
Library and Reading Room.
Some fifteen years ago, or more, a long time resident of Cortland
conceived the idea of establishing a Library and Reading room in this village
for the improvement and intellectual enjoyment of its people. He made known
this laudable idea to a then prominent citizen, hoping to receive such encouragement
as would further the enterprise, but failing in this, the matter was dropped,
and no further active measures were taken until about two years ago, when the rapid growth of the village, through the agency of its numerous and large manufacturing interests, and
the consequent increase of
population, brought vividly before his
mind earlier and well cherished hopes. Feeling
now the time was ripe for the carrying out of his favorite scheme, the subject
was then broached to a distinguished citizen of our village, who at once joined
heartily in the undertaking.
Dr. Frederick Hyde, a man than whom no better
could have been chosen to aid in so commendable an enterprise, gave his time, his
energy and his influence toward its consummation. Choosing three others required
to perfect a large organization, a meeting was called and the scheme of a Public
Library and Reading room was laid before the few who were to co-operate in the
undertaking.
A munificent offering of means
necessary for the purchase of a site and for the erection of a Library Building
was made. It now remained to fix a title by which the organization should be
known. He who had so literally opened his purse for this beneficent enterprise,
proposed that it be The Town of Cortland Library, but a response was quickly
made by all others comprising the Board, that it be "The Franklin Hatch
Library Association."
The reply of Mr. Hatch will not
be forgotten: "Gentlemen, I have no ambition in that direction. My only
ambition is to see founded upon a strong basis an institution in the town where
I have so long lived, that will afford to those who will come after me, greater
and better facilities than I have enjoyed for intellectual culture. If the
library and reading room which we have in view can be made to compass that end,
my ambition will be satisfied without my name appearing in its collection.''
It is useless to add that a
determined majority prevailed and ordered the name of Franklin Hatch to be
chiseled in enduring granite, and placed conspicuously in the building he had
so generously tendered to the people of Cortland. Mr. Hatch's benefactions were
not limited to a building where a library and reading room should alone find
place, but still larger resources were placed at the disposal of the Board of
Directors with which to aid in their permanent maintenance.
In the Providence of God, he
who had hoped to witness the fruit of his enterprise—the establishment of a
Public Library and Reading room, was suddenly stricken down. The admirers of
his unselfish devotion to the public good will also pass away, but the good
which he did while living will find an echo in the hearts of those coming after.
It remains to those with whom
his name was associated to carry out his laudable undertaking. Believing that
the good citizens of Cortland do and
will continue to have a lively interest in all that pertains to its name
and welfare—the Directors of the Association appeal to all within its limits to
do what they can to promote the success of the Library and the Reading room.
Books will be needed to meet
the demands upon its Librarian. For this purpose it is hoped that a liberal
subscription will be made by our enterprising Merchants, Manufacturers and
Bankers, who cannot but realize that the forces through which their success is
made possible will be placed upon a higher level, and more out of the reach of
temptation when a free reading room with its volumes of contributions to Art and
Science, Commerce and Manufactures, History and Biography, Engineering and
Banking, — in fine when a complete encyclopedia of useful, practical knowledge
is thrown open to them.
Nor is this all. The capacity
of the building is not only ample for the bestowment of a generous library, but
it is hoped that the spacious gallery besides affording room for reading
tables, will soon become a receptacle for many donations of rare curiosities, of
which our citizens are known to be possessed, some of which are already in the
hands of the Association, and many more are promised. These it is proposed to
place in cases and mark with the donor's name, thus offering up to many whose
opportunities are limited, a Museum where some leisure time may be spent in gratifying
the taste of many of our people.
EDWARD D. WEBB, Secretary.
Resolution.
At a meeting of the Trustees of the Franklin Hatch Library Association
held on the 18th day of December, 1887, the following preamble and resolution
was adopted:
Franklin Hatch died at the town
of Cortlandville on the 10th day of November,1887. He was the founder and the first President of this association. In
view of the public loss sustained by this sad event, and of our sorrow, we his
associates deem it proper to place upon record, some estimate of his character,
and our regret at his death.
Mr. Hatch was noted for his
force of character, his boldness in the assertion of his principles, and his
firm adherence to what he deemed the right. The rough struggles of early life,
not smiled upon by fortune, had calloused somewhat his natural finer feelings,
and he did not always touch with tender finger the failings of others. There was,
however, a well spring of sympathy and kindness of which those [who] know best
among his rural neighbors, who have ever found him a ready adviser, a
discreetly generous helper, a most lenient creditor. Some years ago he
conceived the plan of endowing from his ample means a public library in the
town of Cortlandville, where he had spent more than 60 years of his life. He
carried his plan into execution, and generously furnished the pecuniary means to
found the Franklin Hatch Library Association. His name will ever be associated with
this most worthy enterprise, and he will have an honorable mention among those
who have sought to elevate the condition of their race.
Resolved, That the secretary be directed to enter the foregoing testimonial upon
the minutes of this Board, and furnish a copy for publication in the newspapers
of this village.
E. D. WEBB, Secretary.—The Cortland Democrat, Dec. 23, 1887.
Therapeutical Society.
Thirty-second regular monthly
meeting of the Therapeutical Society, of Cortland County, convened at the Dexter House, on Tuesday afternoon. Officers for
the ensuing term were elected as follows: — Dr. A. J. White, Pres., Dr. Frank
W. Higgins, Vice Pres., and Dr. H. Shelden Edson, Sec. and Treas. Dr. Stone, of
McGrawville, read a paper on phthisis in which the etiology, pathology,
differential diagnosis, clinical history, biogenesis and treatment of so-called
consumption received consideration. A lengthy discussion followed, prominence being
given to the early diagnosis of cases by means of microscopical examination of
sputa. The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 3, 1888.
Recommended:
Franklin Hatch Library, Library Journal, Volume 12: http://books.google.com/books?id=QObgAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA530&lpg=PA530&dq=Franklin+Hatch,+Cortland,+N.Y.&source=bl&ots=xBF53fod70&sig=so2tNvYkSvgGLH74YPj90674D78&hl=en&sa=X&ei=8skRVKvyKouhyASu-YLQCg&ved=0CEYQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=Franklin%20Hatch%2C%20Cortland%2C%20N.Y.&f=false
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