ICE HARVEST AND MUD PLENTY

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, January 1, 1892.

TOWN REPORTS.

LITTLE YORK.

   The farmers' milk agent, O. Andrews, spent a portion of last week with his family at Syracuse.

   Santa Claus made a depot of our store and from the lessened stock we judge that many a little one was made happy.

   Will Gutches is at present stopping with his parents, but he expects soon to get a job in one of the wagon shops at Cortland.

   The merry jingle of sleigh bells was heard on our streets this morning, though Frank Wilcox, the driver, was riding on wheels.

   The Cold Brook Christmas tree was a grand success. The committee expended the funds very judiciously and every one was well pleased.

   The calendar sent out with last week's DEMOCRAT is highly enjoyed by every recipient. As a premium it is worth just twelve chromos.

   The Foster family had a re-union on Christmas day. All the children were present except Isaac, who at present is residing at Spokane, Washington.

   The boy that put five sticks of gum in his mouth and walloped it for thirty minutes, sitting on a high box, well earned his top. He could neither laugh or cry but the other kids did enough of it.

   The prospect for an ice harvest is very slim. The first week of January last year about 75 men and fifteen teams were finding employment on this lake. The Little York Ice Co. have their house pretty well filled, but they depend on cutting to fill their house in Cortland. The milk depot must have ice or quit business. Last year the season for good ice lasted only about two weeks.

   A little scrimmage on the plank road, in which the chief actor was finally brought before Esquire Pratt and pleading guilty was fined $15 or thirty days, caused a ripple of excitement last week. If this had been taken from the man who sold the whisky we would have shouted; but a little mercy, considering there was no defense, would have placed it at just the cost—$5 or ten days, in our opinion.

   There is a craze about here for hunting foxes, rabbits and partridge. Hardly a day but what some of the boys arc out—and they bring in something. One old hound has to do the running. "Mart" and "Bat" were nearly wild when they thought they had hit him, among the nine shots they fired at one little rabbit. Monday seven of the boys raked the mountains and brought in six. Jim Manchester raked East Hill and brought in six. Ed. Turner killed one "going round under the mountain." All one day.

   ULI SLICK. [pen name of local correspondent]

VIRGIL.

   News is very scarce and mud plenty.

   Mr. and Mrs. Price Rounds visited friends at Galatia Christmas.

   Mr. George Seamans, wife and son visited in town the past week.

   Mr. and Mrs. William Tyler entertained a company of friends to dinner Christmas.

   Mr. and Mrs. Julius Seamans visited their daughter in Syracuse, the past week.

   Mr. and Mrs. R. D. Sholes of Blodgett Mills spent Christmas with friends in town.

   Mrs. Frank Christman has so far recovered as to be moved home to her father's for a short time.

   Mr. and Mrs. George Peer attended the funeral of their aunt, Mrs. Powers, at Cortland the 16th.

   Mr. Charlie Robbins of Syracuse and Mr. George Price from the West visited at Aaron Overton's, Sunday.

   Mr. Lewis Sweet went hunting Monday and fetched down ten rabbits. Your correspondent sampled one.

   Mrs. Aaron Overton and Mrs. George Sherman were at Syracuse, Monday and Tuesday of this week.

   Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Hall attended the dance at Higginsville Thursday evening, and report a large attendance and a fine time.

   There was a Christmas arch at the Baptist church Friday evening. The entertainment was fine and the presents very nice and useful.

   Married—At the M. E. parsonage Thursday evening, December 24, by the Rev. Mr. Smith, Mr. Howard Hutchings and Miss Bessie Foster.

   There was a Christmas tree at the M. E. church Thursday evening. The entertainment was very interesting and the presents fine. Mr. Frank Stillman and a Mr. Pond, Miss Myrtle Jones and Miss Susie Crain, each receiving a gold watch and chain.

   The friends of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Oaks will be glad to hear of the recovery of their little son, Clarence, after a long sickness, under the charge of Dr. Reese of Cortland. His health is better now than it was before his sickness.

MARATHON.

   H. O. Borthwlck was in town Wednesday on business connected with his office [sheriff].

   Miss Gussie Adams and Matie Bouton are home from their musical school for the holidays.

   It is rumored that wedding bells will soon be rung for one of Marathon's popular young men.

   A great many Marathon people are down with the grippe, and numerous deaths are reported in the vicinity.

   B. D. Wheeler and wife of Binghamton, were the guests of his father D. M. Wheeler, of Cortland street, Friday last.

   We are informed that Eber Bowdish has sold his interest in the livery to Fred Richardson, who has taken possession.

   We are informed that the Climax Road Machine Co. are to have a new switch laid by the D., L. & W. for transporting purposes.

   Last Monday night, Ezra Lathrop, formerly an old resident of this town, died at his home in Killawog. His age was about 65 years.

   The holiday party at the Marathon Opera House on Tuesday evening last, was a success. Parties from Cortland, Homer and Lisle participated.

   Mr. Leet has sold out his carting business to E. Doran, who is now prepared to attend to the wants of the community in much better shape.

   The Tioughnioga river is the highest it has been in several years during the last of December. It is nearly full banks, and in numerous places overflows the lowlands.

   The young bloods of Marathon have been scouring the country for the past few days, for rabbits and any other lawful game. Quite a number have been captured so far.

   The Christmas entertainments at the various churches passed off with well filled houses, and proved a success. Most of the young people were remembered by Santa Claus.

   The Climax Road Machine Co. believe in helping their employes whenever they can. The superintendent of the works, Mr. McAlpin, is to have an office in the main building, where he can attend to draughting designs and be alone by himself.

   Recently our police officers were notified through the sheriff at Cortland to arrest a criminal who had stolen a quantity of money from Cortland parties. The criminal wanted, we are informed, was on our streets publicly for two days, and the officers failed to do their duty. The supposition is there would be more money in following a criminal at a distance.

SCOTT.

   Mr. Irwin Babcock of DeRuyter has put in an appearance again.

   Mr. Elbert Babcock is on the sick list. Mr. E. W. Childs gains slowly.

   Mr. Elias Butts is quite poorly. Dr. Burdick of Homer attends him.

   Mr. Wm. Fritts has moved into the Keeling house in the town of Homer.

   We learn that Mr. John Mourin has bought the old Babcock lot of 69 acres.

   The receipts at the Christmas entertainment at the M. E. church amounted to $21.00.

   We learn that Mr. E. W. Childs has sold his hops for 16 1/2 cents. They were taken away Monday.

   We hear no complaints of dry weather of late, but some are hankering after a little sleighing.

   Mr. Joshua Burdick found one more skunk in the same hole the next day after taking out the nine.

   The little girl of F. D. Allen fell down stairs last Friday and was very sick that night but is now better.

   We learn that the entertainment to be given on New Year's eve. at the S. D. B. church has been postponed.

   We learn that Miss May Hathaway of this town, has hired to teach school in Mina, the coming season for $30.00 per month.

   We learn that Mr. E. T. Frisbie, keeper of the County House, will move upon the place of his father-in-law, Alfred Abbott, in Homer.

   We learn that two hired men in town who came home from Homer drunk the other day were discharged in consequence thereof. Most people dislike to trust their teams with fellows who get drunk.

   Mr. Allen Breed of Spafford was buried last Friday, aged 71 years. He had been failing for some little time and died of dropsy and kidney difficulty. This makes six elderly men who have died on the main road in a short time within a short distance.

   When church members engage to tend bar at a saloon, does it indicate that there is an ungodly league of church and saloon? Or is the business of liquor selling becoming more respectable? It seems to us almost as bad as to mix religion with politics and that you know is awful bad.

TAYLOR.

   Benjamin Neff has moved back to Taylor from Truxton.

   Miss Ella Thorington has gone to Solon to become a Baker, (Mrs. Ira.)

   Miss Mary Jordan is home from McGrawville, and down with the grippe.

   Ross Crump has returned from a two weeks stay among friends in German.

   Charles Loop and wife of Syracuse, spent Christmas with their parents in this place.

   Alonzo Jaquins and wife of Willett spent Christmas with his parents in this place.

   A. H. Jordan, who has been confined to the house for several weeks, is slightly improved.

   Burdette Craft, of the firm of Craft & Bruce, made a business trip to Syracuse Friday.

   DeVer Jaquins and family of Cortland are spending a few days with their parents in this place.

   Mrs. John Pudney, who has been visiting her sister and other relatives in Syracuse, has returned home,

   Thursday the cheese factory in South Cuyler was burned. Cause unknown. Insured for $1400.

   A few of the young people about here partook of a New England (?) supper at Julius Halbert's Wednesday evening.

   Mr. Marvin, who moved here from German a few weeks ago, has pulled up stakes and moved back from whence he came.

   We have a blacksmith in the village again, the lessees having Mr. Henry Temple of Cincinnatus, who has moved into Charles Lotrice's house and has commenced operations.

   John Germer of German, who was we known by many people in this county, died Friday morning. He leaves a wife and a large family of children to mourn his loss. Mr. Germer was the most genial of men and universally esteemed by those who know him. He was born in Germany and in company with General Franz Stegel, emigrated to this country many years ago.

   CALUMET.

HARFORD MILLS.

   We see Wm. Stacy on the streets once more after his sickness.

   Oscar Sexton is to the front with a new cutter but no sleighing as yet.

   Alex Mahan was in town calling on Henry Gray on Monday morning.

   Lew Brown of Homer and Mr. Dodge of Cortland, were in town on Tuesday last.

   Miss Cora Hollenbeck of Georgetown is visiting her parents through the holidays.

   Mrs. Marcenia Conrad is moving to Rochester to join her husband and make it their future home.

   Miss Lucy Hines returned from Athens on Monday, where she has been visiting for the past two weeks.

   Charles Davis has been suffering from an attack of LaGrippe. Quite a good many about here are complaining with colds or grippe.

   The Christmas tree passed off very nicely at the church on Thursday evening Dec. 24th, the tree being well laden with valuable presents, and their literary exercises were fine.

   On Christmas day a son of Albert Shoveller's was playing with a toy whistle behind one of their horses and the horse became frightened and kicked the boy in the head injuring him so he died on Sunday morning [sic]. The parents have the sympathy of the entire community.

   Rumor says that there was a duel to be fought on Christmas morn between some of the [railroad] section men, but in order to settle there was a flag of truce in the shape of a cigar offered, which Henry accepted and smoked, thinking himself a wiser and happier man than he would have been had he fought the duel.

   CHIP.

TRUXTON.

   Joseph Davis Is visiting at E. B. Lincoln's.

   Frank Goddard of Elmira spent Christmas here.

   Mrs. McQuat visited at Thomas Dodd's part of last week.

   Eden Corey and wife, A. R. Bryant and wife, H. J. Bosworth and wife, Thomas Dodd and wife, Mrs. Julia Pierce, Mrs. Jerome McCallister, and others from this place attended the funeral of Mrs. Effie Schellinger at DeRuyter, on the 27th inst.

   Michael B. O'Connor, who died in Syracuse on the 24th inst., was brought here for burial last Monday. Mr. O'Connor was born in Ireland, but spent the larger share of his life in Truxton. He was a teacher of much note having taught school before leaving his native land. About three years ago he obtained a situation as mail agent on the D. L. & W., in which capacity he showed great proficiency, and at his death was drawing $125 per month. His death will he mourned as that of an upright and honorable citizen The funeral services were held at the Catholic church.

   Those newspaper correspondents who have suddenly made Truxton notorious, after perusing the affidavit printed in the Cortland Dally Journal, ought to be convinced that they were "a little too previous;" and, if they do not desire to be classed with those writers described by Mark Twain as very liable to overflowing their banks, they have in this instance wasted much very fine sentiment. They will learn from that sworn statement, combined with previous circumstances, that eels may not only get used to being skinned but enjoy it. And, however, Mrs. [blank] may have regarded those welts, contusions and discolorations at the time she showed them to her neighbors over the river, she would now regard them as tokens of a felicitous spirit. They ought also to conclude that the reason the "alleged" did not show any marks of his punishment, was that such disclosures would affect the "championship" in a manner not complimentary to himself.

PREBLE.

   Mrs. S. Cornue is improving.

  Jaroes McCall is home on a visit from Pennsylvania.

   La Grippe is in town and almost everybody is sick or complaining.

   Thomas McCall is moving from Mt. Toppin to John Yates' in Truxton.

   Mrs. John Klock, is quite sick. The grip tackled John, but he laughed him off.

   Anthony Manchester died last week and was buried Christmas. Internment at Preble.

   William Fitzgerald, of East hill, is very low, and Wm. Johnston, Sr., is not expected to live.

   The new year will bring some new officers in town. Schuyler Cornue, Justice; and it is reported C. J. Shephard is booked for Deputy Sheriff in Preble.

   It will soon be town meeting again, and our politicians no doubt are grinding their knives to meet the enemy. The Excise question will probably be the dividing line at the polls, and parties will be lost sight of, no doubt.

   Our people are almost unanimous in the opinion that this warm weather is not the best kind of weather for the time of year, and is the cause of so much sickness; but who can tell? The mud, at least, is very objectionable, and our ice gatherers are getting anxious, as there is no signs of a crop, at present.