PREBLE'S LAW AND ORDER LEAGUE

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, December 21, 1888.

PREBLE.

   Mr. EDITOR—In most towns of the county your valuable paper has correspondents, and perhaps your readers would like to know something of the doings of this town. In order to interest them allow me to go back a few years, to the time a few of our citizens, who, thinking themselves a little better than their neighbors, or rather occupying a higher moral plane, organized themselves into a Law and Order League, for the avowed purpose of raising their degraded neighbors to that high and lofty plane which they themselves occupied.

   Several months passed before they had an opportunity to give their first lesson, at length the time came. One afternoon a gentleman from a neighboring town [Tully] drove into our village a very fine horse that had, from its appearance, been trained for trotting. He drove out to the west part of the village and trotted his horse down Main street forty or fifty rods, turned his horse around and walked her leisurely back to where a crowd of men had assembled in front of one of the stores, where he stepped out of his buggy and caressed the horse in a way that showed he considered her a valuable animal, the horse giving evidence that she had no fear of being abused by her driver.

   This he repeated once or twice, meanwhile the crowd were discussing whether the stranger or the Methodist minister, who owned a fine stepper, could drive the faster. Soon one of the L & O. L. men presented himself upon the scene and ordered an officer to arrest the stranger for fast driving, and ordered Mr. Klock, the proprietor of the hotel, to take care of the horse. The prisoner was taken before a justice of the peace, who after inquiring into the case, advised the prisoner's release. When he was again free, he demanded his horse, and Mr. Klock demanded his hotel bill, which the stranger refused to pay, saying he had ordered nothing.

   The L. & O. L. man also refused to pay. However, the stranger got his horse and Mr. Klock would still like to get his hotel bill.

   The L. & O. L. was not disturbed again for several months, when at length one morning it was announced through the village that there was to be a cock fight in the hotel hall that evening. An emergency meeting of the L. & O. L. was at once held and cock fighting weighed in the balance with their high sense of morality and so evenly did the balance work that no protest was made and the cock fighters and law breakers were allowed to go on with their sport.

   Although some of our citizens publicly expressed the opinion that to stop it, it was only necessary to inform the law breakers that they must desist or be arrested, but this suggestion was not acted upon, and as we have seen above the sport went on.

   Some days after it was found that Mr. Klock had received the enormous sum of $10 for the use of his hall the evening of the cock fight, when it immediately dawned upon the L. & O. L. that if Mr. Klock was allowed to make money in this rapid manner he would neither be obliged to leave town or beg for bread of the members of the L. & O. L. Therefore they bestirred themselves and found that he had committed a misdemeanor.

   They brought the case before the grand jury, Mr. Klock was indicted and when the case was tried he succeeded in the case The case was then taken to the higher court, whence it was sent back to the lower court for another trial. Pending the decision of the higher court, the case was again brought before the grand jury and a sealed indictment was found.

   Last week the case was tried and the jury found a verdict of not guilty. Mr. Klock had made his neighbors no trouble. The only witness called on the defense was himself. While the prosecution had subpoenaed so many of our townsmen and so many different times, and many of our best citizens who were no nearer the cock fight than their own homes, and knew nothing of it, and were not called to testify. Apparently the only object in subpoenaing them was to drag them down and place them, in appearance, on a level with the cock fighter and law breaker.

   The whole community is heartily sick of the L. & O. L. and hope never to hear from it again. The taxpayers of the county and particularly of this town, as they find their pocketbooks grow lighter, will scarcely be able to see wherein the standard of morality and good will has been elevated by this lengthy litigation.

   CITIZEN.

The Law and Order League.

   ED. DEMOCRAT.—I see in the columns of your paper of last week a communication signed by Citizen, that so misrepresents and defames the fair name of the members of the Law and Order League that I beg the privilege of a reply. Mr. Klock, our landlord, is one of the most disreputable liquor sellers that our village has ever known and his doings became so unbearable that our citizens could stand it no longer and a meeting was held and a League was formed, both of our church pastors being at the meeting and became members. I can furnish the names and if there is any doubt as to their standing, as good citizens, whoever doubts may call and see.

   As to the man who was arrested for cruelly driving his horse, he was on a drunken spree, his horse was covered with sweat and when I ordered the man’s arrest, stood trembling in front of one of our stores before a crowd of our citizens, some of whom had indignantly protested at so brutal an act and had received insults for a reply and a defiant dare to any one to arrest him. I ordered an officer, Mr. W. A. Morgan to arrest him which was done and the man was taken before a justice and complaint entered. He had no defense to offer but begged the mercy of the court and said he would pay costs and leave town if permitted to do so.

   The constable and myself went with him to Klock's hotel, where I had ordered the horse to be cared for, and found that the horse bill was forty (40) cents. The prisoner claimed not to have had any money but offered his watch, which was refused. Mr. Morgan then offered to pay the bill if Klock would release the horse and Mr. Klock consented. I then left the hotel and know no more about it.

   In the year 1886, on the 15th of March a lot of strangers came to our village, on the [train] cars and by private conveyance and it was soon noised abroad that there was to be a cock fight at the hotel. Some of our best citizens came to my store and the question was, what is to be done?As it was new business to us all, no one knowing the law in the case, it was decided to telegraph the County Judge and then, an after thought, to also telegraph the Sheriff. We did so, as our justice, Mr. J. S. Cornue, was out of town and we were informed would not be home until the next day. No one came and the, fight was permitted to go on, as disgraceful an exhibition as ever occurred in any community.

   If one has any doubt about it, let them go to the District Attorney and ask to see an account of it that was published in the Syracuse Herald by their reporter, who was an eye witness, and a Utica paper which gave it still more fully.

   The complaint, indictment and trial is the common property of the public and needs not to be repeated. It was a farce from beginning to end. No witness that might have been called to fix the knowledge of the fact upon Klock were called and he testified that although he was about his hotel constantly, from a little before night until the fight broke up and the strangers departed, he did not know that any such thing had taken place until about twelve o'clock at night and then made no effort to do anything about it.

   These are the facts and I now leave it with a generous public to decide who has made the most truthful statement. As to Citizen I think I spot the man. He would be a champion of the fair fame of our town and one of the strongest upholders of the whisky ring, is anxious about the tax payers pockets. When he would be the supervisor if he could, but when in other positions of trust is flush and extravagant with the people's money, a poor miserable sneak who comes out with a misleading statement under an alias or nom de plume, not daring to do as an honest man should, sign his own name and stand by the consequences. I have no fear as to my standing compared to his, before the community in which I live. Yours,

   E. M. VAN HOESEN.

   Preble, N. Y., Dec. 24. 1888.

   (published by Cortland Democrat, Dec. 28, 1888--CC editor.)

 

Cortland County Medical Society.

   The regular meeting of the Cortland County Medical Society was held at the grand jury room at the Court House Thursday, Dec. 11. There was a full attendance of the physicians from all parts of the county, and an interesting session was held. The meeting was called to order soon after 1 o'clock by the president, Dr. Geo. D. Bradford.

   The members present were Dr. Geo. D. Bradford and F. I. Green of Homer, D. C. Clark and L. Gibbons Smart of Marathon, M. L. Halbert of Cincinnatus, J. D. Tripp of Virgil, H. D. Hunt of Preble, Philip M. Neary of Union Valley, H. C. Hendrick and a student from McGrawville, F. D. Reese, H. S. Edson, F. W. Higgins, H. O. Jewett, A. J. White, J. Angel and W. I. Moore of Cortland. Dr. Beach of Cortland was present as a visitor. A committee consisting of Drs. Jewett, Hendrick and Tripp were appointed to report at the March meeting, giving a list of books to be purchased for the library of the society and circulated among the members.

   After the routine business Dr. H. D. Hunt read a paper upon "Amenorrhoea," discussing quite fully this so often troublesome affection. Remarks upon the paper were made by Drs. Hendrick, Jewett, Tripp and Bradford.

   Dr. L. Gibbons Smart read a very interesting paper entitled "A Case of Puerperal Eclampsia with Spontaneous Delivery at the Seventh Month." The principal treatment was venesection and the exhibition of Oleum Tiglii followed by salines. The principles of treatment were fully discussed by Drs. Edson, White, Hunt, Clark, Jewett, Hendrick, Higgins, Bradford and Tripp, a slight majority being in favor of bleeding.

   Dr. D. C. Clark exhibited a peculiar acephalous monstrosity.

   A motion was carried that we accept the offer of the Board of Supervisors of the use of their room for the place of meeting of this society.

   F. W. HIGGINS, Secy.

Village Ordinance.

   At a regular meeting of the Board of Trustees, on Monday evening last, an ordinance was passed requiring the snow and ice to be cleared from the sidewalks in this village by 8 o'clock A. M. from this date to April 1st, next. Also an ordinance forbidding sliding or coasting upon any of the sidewalks in this village, with appropriate penalties for violations of such rules.

Court Proceedings.

   In the cane of the People against William Harvey of Marathon, indicted for highway robbery, on trial as we went to press last week, the jury disagreed. We understand they stood six for conviction and six for acquittal. District Attorney Bronson for the People, W. J. Mantanye and A. P Smith for defendant.

   The next and the last case tried was that of the People against John H. Klock, indicted for keeping a house where game cocks were fought. Defendant keeps the hotel in Preble and the people charged that he allowed a "chicken dispute" to take place on his premises about two years ago. The jury acquitted the defendant and he was discharged. Dist. Attorney Bronson for the People and A. P Smith for defendant.

   Frank H. Lewis, who was found guilty by the jury of obtaining goods under false pretenses, was sentenced to the Elmira Reformatory.

   Alfred Taylor, convicted of assault in the third degree for shooting Melvin Frieze at Harford on the 30th day of May last, was sentenced to one year in the Onondaga Penitentiary.

   The Court then adjourned sine die.

HERE AND THERE.

   Merry Christmas to all our readers.

   This is the shortest day of the year.

   Frank Groat has been appointed night policeman in place of  John James, resigned.

   H. T. Bushnell, of Harford, who was elected County Clerk last November, has sold his stock of goods in Harford to Norton Wilcox and John Jones, who will do business on a cash basis.

   Architect S. B. Rice has submitted plans for the proposed new Presbyterian church. If the committee in charge should decide to adopt them, the edifice will be an ornament to the village when completed.

   Hereafter the sale of reserved seats for entertainments in the Cortland Opera House will be continued at the ticket office after the chart is taken from Hollenbeck's. The doors will open at 7:30 and the curtain will rise at 8:00 o'clock P. M., sharp. This is a move in the right direction.

   A special meeting of the board of directors of the Cortland & Homer horse railroad company was held on Tuesday evening at the office of the treasurer for the purpose of investigating the cause of the slight accident which occurred at the D. L. & W. R. R. crossing, between Cortland and Homer, on the morning of the 18th inst. Conductor John B. Latimer and driver M. O. Clark were examined and gave a complete and minute account of the accident. Although no serious damage was done, and no person injured, yet the directors deemed it advisable to cause a prompt and thorough investigation, the result of which was a unanimous exoneration from any carelessness or negligence on the part of both conductor and driver. 
   Chief Engineer Thompson has a gong at his house that connects with the Fire Alarm at the Engine House. One night last week, two or three young bloods connected with the Fire Department were out rather late, and it occurred to one of them that it would be well to have a little fun at some one's expense, so he climbed the pole that holds the wire leading from the Engine House to the Chief’s residence and pulled the wire vigorously, and calmly awaited results. In less than five minutes the Chief was seen to emerge from his residence on a sharp run with lantern in hand, bound for the scene of the supposed fire. As he passed the pole and caught a glimpse of the stalwart figure clinging to the same, he caught on, as the boys say, and ordering the young man to come down, the party proceeded to the Messenger House, and the Chief footed the bill.

NEIGHBORING COUNTIES.

   CHENANGO.— The Catholics of Norwich consecrated their fine new church edifice on Sunday last, on which occasion Bishop Ludden officiated.

   It is very singular whatever became of Palmer Rich, of New Berlin, who disappeared very mysteriously at Norwich several weeks ago. Nothing whatever has been heard of him. It is supposed that he was murdered, and his body disposed of in some way.

   MADISON.—Cazenovia has a measles epidemic.

   Two new cases of diphtheria were reported in Oneida last week.

   The plans for the building of the Colgate Library at Hamilton, submitted by a New York architect, have been accepted.

   TOMPKINS.—Sneak thieves and shop lifters are troubling Ithaca merchants.

   The new engineering building at Cornell gives promise of being a fine structure.

   At a Candor bear hunt, a Dryden dog belonging to Cort Snyder took first money.

   The Board of Supervisors has been unable to make satisfactory arrangements with the managers of the Monroe county penitentiary, for the receiving of prisoners from this county. In consequence it is believed that after the expiration of the present contract with that institution, lawbreakers will be sent to the county jail.

   Morris Weiss, a match vendor who has been a familiar character about the streets of Ithaca for some time past, has been declared insane by a commission consisting of Drs. Lewis and Baker. He recently sustained a loss of $23 worth of matches, which were being sent him from New York, and the misfortune so dwelt upon his already demented mind that he became wildly insane. He has been removed to Willard Asylum.

FROM EVERYWHERE.

   A railway train ran from New York to San Francisco last week in 111 hours, which beats the record.

   It is stated that out of the 1,286 convicts in Auburn prison, 551 have been prisoners before; 334 have served two terms; 143 three terms; 11 five terms; 11 six terms and 2 seven terms.

   A 12 year old girl named Davenport of North Rose, Wayne county, went to spend the evening at the house of a neighbor, Peter Shears, Tuesday night. There she met a young man named McCarthy, aged 23, who persuaded the girl to marry him. Rev. A. H Stearns married them, and now the whole north end of Wayne county is in a furor. McCarthy was arrested. Rev. Mr. Stearn is in hot water, and the Shears family is ostracized for allowing the marriage in their house.—New York World.

   Upon the expiration of the leases of the Kirk block corner of Salina and Fayette streets, Syracuse, after May 1st next, Mayor W. B. Kirk, the owner, will tear it down and erect in its place a handsome fire-proof building seven stories high upon the same site. The material will be pressed brick with terra cotta trimmings. There will be three stores fronting on Salina street and three on the Fayette street side. The building will contain nearly 150 offices. May or Kirk's father bought the property in 1830 for $2,800, and kept a hotel there until 1848. The Mayor now considers it worth $1,800 a foot on Salina street and $1,000 a foot on Fayette street.—Syracuse Standard.