FRANK'S CORNERS

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, March 6, 1891.

TOWN REPORTS.

FRANK'S CORNERS.

   Miss Stella Lormore of Dryden will teach our summer term of school.

   Fred Ryan of Virgil will move in Thomas Space's tenant house this spring.

   Ellsworth Hotchkiss and family of Lapeer were the guests of his parents over Sunday.

   At last Dell Dann has decided to remain in our hamlet and teach the school in the Ball district the coming term.

   Nelson Palmatier expects to move on the George Dann place this spring, now occupied by Frank Seamans.

   Sitting at his window a few days since, Uncle Dick's wandering eyes glanced at the picturesque Owego hills which are gorgeously covered with the poor man's friend, the snow. These hills are among the highest elevations in the county and partially densely wooded, therefore the last vestige of winter is seen on its summits. Nothing of material importance is associated with these well known hills only that our ostentatious hamlet is situated at its magnificent base. While Uncle Dick was intently absorbed in the probable appearance of these hills in the centuries to come, he saw a spectacle in the distance and on close surveillance observed it to be a male pedestrian slowly wending his way toward our hamlet—like Rip Van Winkle—and made Uncle Dick a friendly call; after conversing on the current topics of the day he courteously introduced himself as a book agent, and introducing an authentic history of Cortland county. After he had made many spontaneous expressions and fabrications of falsehood, Uncle Dick made his mark in the prospectus for a copy under certain conditions which the consignee deemed necessary. Last Saturday the book came and Uncle Dick's countenance is occasionally illuminated with the idea that be will soon be qualified to take a Regents' examination in history. Uncle Dick reads with unfathomable interest of the various adventures to which the pioneers of Cortland county were subjected, and the amelioration in the industries of our county in the past half century. We are enjoying the advantages and luxuries which our grandparents have bestowed on us by unceasing dangers, hardships and toils which predominated in the pioneer days of our now prosperous county. Perhaps it will be appropriate to mention that our little hamlet was named in honor of its first settler, John M. Frank, who had a patent for lot No. 40 and settled in 1794 where Mr. Hotchkiss now resides.

   UNCLE DICK.

1876 map of Town of Virgil (use magnification slider on map): http://www.historicmapworks.com/Map/US/15016/Virgil+Township/Cortland+County+1876/New+York/

LITTLE YORK.

   A. D. Perkins, having attended a committee meeting of school commissioners at Cortland, spent Friday night with his parents at this place.

   John Gillett, last fall procured a small engine to cut corn for his silo. This winter he is making it useful in cutting a year or more supply of wood.

   We learn that Horace Hiscock, a brother of Senator Hiscock's, living near Preble, slipped and broke both bones of his leg just above the ankle joint.

   Howard Hollenbeck goes from the Vandenburg farm to the Beach farm on Brake Hill, and his son Will from the McNamara place to that of George Stevens.

   B. J. Salisbury is cutting the willows which used to beautify the old dance hall and its surroundings. They will sprout again but it looks desolate now.

   Last Thursday our bees and those of our neighbors that had not died, got a good fly. Much over one hundred days without a fly is death to a colony on the out door stand.

   John Roe has added to his stock of Jerseys by the purchase of two full bloods from J. J. Woodruff. He has also secured a pure breed bull. Lewis Babcock kept the same strain of cattle on the same farm for years.

   The old fashioned game of checkers is greatly revived in this place, and some of our sports are ready to back Vic Warner against any non-professional in the county. This revival shows that the world does move—in a circle.

   The moving season among farmers has begun. W. W. Salisbury goes back to his Cold Brook place, while his son James goes from the same to Homer. Charles Lewis goes from the Knight farm to the Mills Van Hoesen farm, while his son-in-law, Randall, takes his place.

   A party from Cortland improved the last good sleighing of last week to enjoy the hospitality of the Raymond House. There were nineteen in the load. They engaged "Happy Bill" [McDaniels] and wife to meet them there, who with the aid of a melodean kept them tripping till all cried "hold! enough McDuff."

   ULI SLICK.

WILLETT.

   Considerable sickness is reported in town just at present.

   Mrs. Cora C. Card was a guest of Silas Leroy and family, last week.

   Burrill Greene and family entertained friends from Cincinnatus, to-day.

   Mrs. Eva Orton is the pleasant guest of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Barnard for a short time.

   School closed Friday for the usual spring vacation, and will commence again April 6th, so we are informed.

   Nicholas Hollenbeck has rented his house in the village to Jackson McMinn, who has already taken possession.

   A. M. Turner has moved into the "gothic" house, and William Allen onto the A. C. Greene farm vacated by Turner. John C. Eaton moved back to his farm, and his son A. D. V. Eaton, moved into the house vacated by Henry Edwards.

   "Soon be time to tap our sugar bush" but if we can get granulated sugar for 5 cents or better, I guess we will not "tap."

   The warm rains the past week have been very disastrous to the sleighing in this vicinity. The small streams were full banks and many of our older residents say the Otselic river has not been higher since the spring of '65. Little damage was done except washing out one or two small bridges and floating off a few logs, which were banked near the river.

FREETOWN.

   Miss Lill Underwood is to teach the East Freetown school this term.

   Mr. Bert Davis is to assist Mr. Almeron Metzgar on his big farm this season.

   Mrs. A. West was suddenly called to McGrawville on account of the sickness of her mother.

   A pleasant party at Gilbert Wavles, Tuesday evening. Twenty numbers [tickets to event—CC editor] sold. Music by the Davis band.

   All that wish beds filled or straw for any purpose, can have the same at Frank B. Slocum's, as he has a few tons to dispose of.

   Mr. Arthur Brainard is moving his mother's things from Marathon to her old home here that is made vacant by her death.

   George Borthwick is on the sick list and unable to attend school the past week. Quite a number sick and many complaining of colds.

   The free supper provided by our Supervisor [Willson Greene] was well attended. Over one hundred and eighty partook of refreshments. Not only oysters and all things pertaining to a good supper, but candies and cigars for all that chose to have them.

   A. E. Seymour, of McGrawville, will give a lecture on the amendment question, Friday evening of this week, at the M. E. church; also a temperance lecture for the benefit of the Good Templars' Lodge on Saturday evening, and a general temperance speech Sunday evening. Every one invited.

SUMMER HILL.

   Mr. Herbert Newton has moved onto Mr. Jacobs' farm.

   Mrs. O. Nye and Mrs. J. G. Allen are on the sick list.

   Mr. and Mrs. Charles Clark have returned from their wedding tour.

   Rev. W. G. Hull is holding evening meetings at North Summer Hill.

   We learn that Mr. Michael Keenan is quite sick with inflammatory rheumatism.

   Rev. Mr. Darby has left the Baptist church to pursue his studies, and Rev. Mr. Warren of Truxton, is supplying the pulpit for the present.

   The Prohibitionists are rejoiced at having elected nearly all on their ticket at the recent town meeting:. Summer Hill is the banner prohibition town in this section.

   Several new members were received at the last meeting of the Y. P. S. C. E. [Young Peoples Society of Christian Endeavor—CC editor.] The following officers were elected for the coming six months: Miss Emma Bliss, president; Mr. Loren Bangs, vice-president; Miss Gertie Howland, secretary; Miss Clara Bangs, treasurer.

GROTON CITY.

   To the shame and disgrace of the voters of the town of Groton be it said that we are to have license in our town this year.

   Mr. F. B. Clark attended the lecture by Rev. T. DeWitt Talmadge, at Cortland last week.

   Mr. Grout had the misfortune to fall into the mill pond one day last week, while at work in the sawmill. He escaped with nothing worse than a good wetting from his impromptu bath.

   Mr. Hopkins of Locke, has rented the blacksmith shop of Mr. Langdon, and will be ready to serve the public in that line of work. Mr. Langdon will continue to work in his wagon shop, and will do all kinds of repairing in his line.

   AUNT CELESTIA.

SCOTT.

   Monday morning was the coldest of this winter 10 below zero.

   Mrs. Henry Niver has rented her farm to Frank Fisk for the coming year.

   Mrs. Dan J. Cottrell is sick and under the care of Dr. Burdick of Homer.

   It is announced that Rev. F. A. Dickerson and Rev. J. A. Platts will address the people of Scott at the M. E. church, on Sunday evening, March 8, upon the prohibitory amendment question. This is to be a union service and is called by our town committee—M. G. Frisbie.

   We notice some of our town officers elect have not filed their [election expense] affidavits yet, and the 10 days allotted is already passed. Are they afraid to put in their bills? Perhaps they don't have the means of knowing just how much their expenses were for liquor. Perhaps President Jeremiah could tell them.

   We learn that John McMillin (prohibitionist) was elected supervisor of the town of Summerhill by 66 plurality over the republican candidate, and 32 majority over the combined vote of the republican and democratic candidates. Also that the whole prohibition ticket was elected with two exceptions.

   Rev. Mr. Damon of Homer, preached an interesting sermon at the M. E. church here last Sunday P. M., from the text—"If the foundation be destroyed what shall the righteous do?" He spoke vehemently and radically against the attempt that is being made in the legislature of our state to further the interest of the rum power and undermine the foundations of our government.

   Ye "Deestrict Skule" with Mr. T. Mason Loring, teacher, was rendered at the S. D. B. church here on Thursday evening, February 26, to quite a full house. Receipts $23.80. It is generally considered we think that it would have given better satisfaction if the teacher had been a little more fortunate in the selection of material, which was not his fault, from the fact that he was nearly a stranger here.

   The Kickapoo Indians, their doctor and attendants came to town last week Tuesday, bringing along their medicine chest. We learn that they will stay during this week holding nightly meetings for the purpose of amusing and instructing people and selling their medicines to those who enjoy poor health. We hear they are selling large quantities. This fact, (if it is a fact) together with the fact that the "Board of Health" has recently convened here, would indicate that some prevailing disease is in our midst. We would advise all who buy to be careful and not take an overdose, before getting use to it. One of the company evidently had taken an overdose of "Kickapoo" just before arriving in town; and yet the trouble may have been some spinal disease contracted in the malarial district of Spafford.

HARFORD MILLS.

   Mr. Lewis Hines has moved into the Abe Boice house.

   Mr. Dwight moves into the house vacated by the Doctor.

   Dr. Leonard has moved into the house owned by George Tillison.

   Mr. T. Hackett and Mr. Hamilton are visiting friends in Madison county.

   Mr. Wallace Shaver is improving under the skillful treatment of Dr. Leonard.

   Squire Bradt is now ready for official business, such as may come before him.

   Mr. William Stacy shipped the first car load of calves from here last Saturday. He intends to buy and ship every week the coming season.

   Mr. Charles Harrington and Mr. O. Lindsey went to Cortland last week to be examined under the late pension bill, and judging from appearances they did not come home without accomplishing something.

   The school exhibition held by the school under the supervision of Miss Hattie Pollard and Blanche Parker, was a success, the scholars doing remarkably, especially Miss Ethela Duell in her recitation and Miss Ellis in her singing.

   The Good Templars hold their meetings every Friday evening. They must be doing a wonderful sight of good as we learn that some of the members do not appear to realize that it is necessary to close the outside door on a cold night after returning from the lodge.

   CHIP.

EAST HOMER.

   Miss Bell Foster is on the sick list.

   Theron Gutches moves to Little York this week.

   The river was the highest here since March, 1865.

   George W. Miller has moved onto C. H. Webster's farm in Truxton.

   John M. Miller has hired to Wilford Young eight months for $170.

   Mr. Rice, from Dryden, has taken the Andrew Gutches farm on shares.

   Sunday night, March 1st, was thought here to have been the coldest of the season.

   Will Twomey works for Cyrus Bean eight months for $19 per month and horse kept.

   Mrs. J. D. Bennett is very sick. Her recovery is very doubtful at present. Dr.

Smith, of McGrawville, attends her.

   There were about twenty couples who attended the dance at S. C. Burnham's, Thursday evening of last week. Brad played the fiddle.

   UNCLE SI.

TRUXTON.

   The sleighing is poor since the recent thaw.

   Mrs. David Severance is improving, but very slowly.

   Fred Saunders is about to move onto the Rebecca Negus place, Will Albro leaving that for Anthony Ryan's on Cuyler hill; John Casey has rented and taken possession of the Stephen Patrick farm; William Connell is moving on to the farm occupied last season by Tuttle and owned by F. P. Saunders; Joseph Twentyman has gone back to his farm in the "Basin," Tom Twentyman going from that to Nathan Freeman's.

   In the March number of the Popular Science Monthly, a French writer, M. S. Menard, has an article in which he says that the Fugians are living in a condition very nearly like that of primitive man. But those far away islanders see little of civilization, have no domestic animal except the dog, and are in fact, a type of civilization as it was in the Paleolithic age. We do not quote Mr. S. Menard to draw anyone's attention to his article, but to the fact that we can present an instance, in this town, of a family where the conditions may not fairly represent the Paleolithic age but some period not much more recent.