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Rochester, Monroe, NY
Union & Advertiser
Thurs Aug 7, 1890

TWO O'CLOCK
THE AUBURN EXECUTION

Comment of New York Papers on the Killing of Kemmler
Report of the Autopsy on the Body of the Dead Murderer by Dr. Shrady
The London Standard Denounces it as a Disgrace to Humanity

    New York, Aug. 7 - The Sun says: "The first duty of the next Legislature will be to repeal the electrical execution law and to restore the old method of administering the death sentence by hanging. Scientific curiosity has been gratified sufficiently by this one awful experience. The present generation is not likely to hear of another such scene of horrible uncertainty, unknown torture and heart-sickening circumstances as was witnessed yesterday by the assistance at the judicial experiment upon the body of William KEMMLER. It may be taken for granted that public sentiment in New York will tolerate no further essays in this new experimental science of man-killing by electricity pending the time when the law can be repealed in the name of the State's dignity and of the enlightened humanity of the nineteenth century."

   The Herald says: "In one respect at least the execution of KEMMLER was a dismal and unfortunate failure. It will fail to end the unparalleled controversy that has been waged over the substitution of the dynamo for the gallows. On the contrary, it must revive that controversy and give it a vigor which it never had before. The failure of yesterday's experiment was not due to the system but the bungling, inefficient way in which the execution was managed. The fault was with the doctors and electricians. No backward step should be taken hastily. So great a reform is not to be abandoned without good reason. The bungling work of yesterday does not warrant a return to the barbarity of the gallows. Had the execution been properly and efficiently managed it would have proved the success of the new system beyond all dispute.

    The Tribune says: "There are only two possible methods of execution, that our civilization will sanction -- electricity and the rope. It is only because we are so familiar with hanging that utterly brutal conditions are tolerated. To witness the long and desperate struggles of a poor wretch who is undergoing the slow process of strangulation is to witness a spectacle of unspeakable horror. It is probable that the spectacle of KEMMLER'S death was equally dreadful, but it is also probable that sensation fled at the first approach of the electric current. This execution cannot be regarded as anything more than an experiment, and as an experiment it was not a success. Unquestionably there were serious defects in Warden DURSTON'S mechanical arrangements. The switchboard should have been in the execution room, and the hand of an experienced electrician should have directed the movements of the lever. There should have been no failure in the development of a steady, regular current. To these two circumstances, which can, of course, be easily obviated hereafter, some of the horrors of this particular case may be ascribed. That there will now be a loud outcry against the new law is to be expected, and probably all sorts of expedients will be resorted to to prevent another application of it. Such expedients ought not to succeed. While we cannot consider it settled that the law should endure, further tests of its desirability should be had. These will be in the interest of mercy and civilization."

    The Times says: "Yesterday's trial was of necessity an experiment, and it was not conducted with that care and coolness that were requisite to insure success. But it was made clear that with the current that has been recommended for the purpose, with appliances free from defect in construction and operation, and with a firm and confident application of the process, there could hardly be any question of instant and painless death. It would be absurd to talk of abandoning the law and going back to the barbarities of hanging and it would be as puerile to propose to abolish capital punishment because the new mode of execution was botched in its first application."

    The World says: "The first experiment in electric execution should be the last. Its result strongly condemns this method of putting criminals to death as very cruel and very shocking. The electric execution law ought now to be repealed on all accounts. So long as it stands, convictions for capital offenses will be difficult to the point of impossibility. Juries will not willingly condemn men to death by torture. So long as capital punishment is maintained old fashioned hanging is good enough, provided it is administered by trained and skillful hangmen.
                                  FOREIGN COMMENT
    London, Aug. 7 - In speaking of the KEMMLER killing, the Standard says: "The scene can be described as a disgrace to humanity. It will send a thrill of indignation through the civilized world. We cannot believe the Americans will allow the electrical execution act to stand."
                                          THE AUTOPSY
    Auburn, Aug 7 - After KEMMLER had been declared dead yesterday the physicians decided to wait one hour before performing the autopsy. The body was left in the chair. When the physicians returned to the room to make the post mortem, the body of the dead man still sat in the electric chair, the limbs rigid, the expression of the face, except for the discoloration of the skin, unchanged. The rigor of the body was a matter for comment and surprise among the physicians. The jaw had not fallen and the pleasant expression with which KEMMLER had greeted the witnesses as he entered the execution room still lingered about his features. Drs. DANIEL and JENKINS performed the autopsy. They stripped off their coats and vests, the surgeon's case was opened and the glittering array of knives and saws brought out. The body was lifted from the chair and placed on the table in the center of the room. It still preserved its rigidity. A small wooden box was placed under the head to support it and the limbs were straightened out as far as possible. Then a convict was summoned from the prison to take off the clothing. The removal revealed a scar nearly five inches in diameter, where the second electrode had pressed against the base of the spine, showing that the current had burned through into the flesh. The body looked healthy and well-nourished.
    Dr. SHRADY at this point suggested the necessity of making the examination as formal as though it was to be taken for clinical investigation, and volunteered to act as secretary and take the report in short hand. This was agreed upon, and the first step taken was to bind a clinical thermometer to the nape of the neck and take the temperature. The record demonstrated that the man was dead beyond all question.
    The table, on suggestion was moved over to the corner of the cell directly under the windows, where a better light could be had. When it was in position a general survey of the body was taken and its external condition carefully noted. Then Dr. JENKINS took his surgeon's knife and began operations. The body was cut open. The heart, lungs and other organs were taken out and their condition noted carefully. They were all put in Mueller's fluid for preservation and future examination. When the organs in the trunk of the body had been examined carefully, the top of the skull was removed and the brain taken out. This was the interesting feature of the examination, as the theory on which the claims of greater humanity for this method of execution are based is that the electric current paralyzes the brain instantly, and thus destroys all sensation. The physicians found evidence of the effect of the current on the formation of the skull, on the blood and on the brain tissue directly beneath the point of contact, which satisfied them that the paralysis of the brain was immediate.
    The report of the autopsy as made public by Dr. SHRADY shows that the body was fairly well nourished.  Rigor mortis was marked particularly in the muscles of the jaw, neck and thorax and gradually extending from above downward, involving the feet and legs last. The upper extremity was partly flexed and rotated outward, the nails showing post mortem lividity. There was a seminal discharge which on microscopic examination was found to contain a large number of dead spermatozoa. There was an oval depression of the scalp upon the vertex corresponding to the cup on the electric chair. There was a burn on the head one and a half inches in length and half an inch in width, superficial in character.
    On incising the skin over the sternum the blood which escaped was unusually dark and fluid, and remained so on exposure. Tardie n spots were found on the posterior border of the lower lobe of the left lung. The lung showed a mark of emphyzmatous condition. The spleen was normal. The kidneys were intensely congested. The stomach contained a pint of indigested food. The gall bladder was distended with bile. The heart weighed five and three-quarters ounces. The scalp, on being removed showed the vertex of the skull to be in a dessicated condition corresponding with the contact of the electrode as previously noted, but of larger area, being four inches, the zone of the scalp being only two and one-half by three inches, the long diameter being antero-posterior.
    On removal of the skull cap the dura was normal in texture and somewhat dull in color, particularly over the area corresponding with the zone of contact. In the pre-relondac region up to within an inch on the left and an oblique line running laterocandad, beginning at the meningeal vessels, measuring a long convexity of antero-posteriorly of four inches on the left side and three on the right, were filled with blood. On the internal aspect of the calvarium the meningeal vessels and in the dura the contents and coats appeared to be black and carbonized. The carbonized vessels were so brittle that their ends were torn off with the calvarium and presented a broken, crummy appearance. This carbonization was limited in an abrupt manner. The other meningeal vessels contained blood of a crimson-like hue, corresponding to the outer burn previously described. In the narrow portion was seen a little posteriorly in the median line a discoloration sending out a right lateral prolongation three-quarters of an inch in the direction of the longitudinna sinus, and in widths seven-eights of an inch. Over the left hemisphere, one-third of an inch over the median line, there was a deep carbonized portion of the calvarium. This charred spot corresponds to the dura areas of dull color previously described. The pia and gyri themselves were of a pale blue color, and the rest had the ordinary rosy injection of the ordinary cortex. While observing this area, it was noticed that its blood vessels began to fill. The pia and arachnoid on the convexity were perfectly normal.
    An interesting fact was observed on handling the pons and medulia in that they were found to be warm. By a thermometer inserted in the fourth ventricle the temperature was noted at 97 degrees. This corresponded with an area of temperature on the back of the neck which was noted at 99 degrees two hours after death and 98 degrees three hours after post mortem.
    The smaller vessels of the pia were ectatic. Capillary hemorrhage were noted on the floor of the fourth ventricle and the same condition in the third ventricle and the anterior portion of the latter ventricle. The peri vascular spaces appeared to be distended with serum and blood. The brain cortex in area of contact was sensibly hardened to one-sixth of its depth where there was a broken line of vascularity. The vessels over the corpus striatum showed enlargements in different parts of their ramifications. The pons was slightly softened.  The burned integument of the back on being removed showed the spinal muscles to be cooked throughout their entire thickness like "overdone beef."
    The spinal cord was removed entire, but showed no gross appearances of pathological conditions. Portions of its structure, as well as those of brain tissue were preserved by members of the staff for purposes of hardening and microscopical examination. The blood taken immediately after death showed under the microscope a markedly granular condition almost suggesting and electrolitic dissolution of the red corpuscles.
                                       DR. SHRADY'S EDITORIAL
    The following is a copy of an editorial which Dr. George F. SHRADY, editor of the Medical Record of New York, telegraphed to that journal:
    "The lengthened agony of suspense regarding the efficiency of electricity as a means of executing criminals has been finally terminated in the legal killing of KEMMLER. As was reasonably anticipated death was instantaneous and so far as can be judged the unfortunate subject of the experiment died without pain. The spectacle presented was, however, by no means edifying to such as hope for improvements of the old methods.
    "Although science has triumphed, the question of the humanity of the act is still an open one. But shall, we call it a triumph when the object obtained was the killing of a fellow-being? Heretofore the proudest claim of science has been to save or at least prolong human life, and insure for its possessor the greatest enjoyment of its many bounties. In this instance it has been plainly diverted from its course under a paradoxical plea of high humanity. And yet men of science have lent their best efforts in this direction to humor the whims of a few cranks and "world-betterers" who imagined they could make legal murder a fine art and enforce into an element of sentimentality which might rob it of its atrocity. While we allow that electricity has been a success as far as the killing is concerned, we must also admit that we have gained little if anything over the ordinary method of execution by hanging. The preliminaries of electro-thanasia are far from pleasant to contemplate.  Alongside of those for hanging they are pretentiously horrible. There is something more than weird in the preparation of the machine, the deliberate fixation of the victim, the adjustment of the electrode and the thousand deaths in contemplating one, which more than offsets the quick though damnable 'taking off.' The horrors, though hidden, are nevertheless felt.
    "There is something else to be thought of than the mere quickness of death. While the latter might have been triumphantly done, the agony of the criminal during the preparations must be terrible as compared with that of hanging. It becomes a serious question if humanity is not paying too dear a price for instantaneous demolition. The awe and mystery of death are intensified a thousand fold in anticipation of what this instrument of subtle power may do as compared with either the noose of the rope, the grip of the garroter, the smart of the knout, the bore of the bullet, or the chop of the axe. And yet to harness the lightning and bolt it through a human body is thought to be one of the advances of the Nineteenth century.
    "The experience in the KEMMLER case in spite of all the precautions taken have shown many difficulties in the way of a general adoption of the method. It is far from simple in its application. It requires elaborate and careful preparations; it multiplies machinery, which, without expert manipulation is liable to fail in its working and bring about disastrous results; it may be a source of danger to the executioners and spectators; it increases the expense of execution, but worse than all in the necessary preparation of the victim there is crowded upon him in a few seconds an amount of horror and suspense which holds no comparison with any forms of rapid demolition, save those of being thrust into the muzzle of a loaded cannon or tied to a dynamite bomb.
    "When it is assumed that the ends of justice and humanity are reached by the contrivance in question, and when it must be admitted that even this method cannot be divested either of cruelty or barbarity, the way seems to be open for discussion of the abolition of capital punishment altogether. From physical, humanitarian, and judicial standpoints, the time is ripe for its consideration. We venture to predict that public opinion will soon banish the death-chair, as it has done the rope, and that imprisonment for life will be the only proper punishment meted to a murderer. This is, indeed, the only rational method which science, justice and religion can consistently recommend. The death-chair will yet be the alter from which this doctrine will be preached.
                                         COMMENT OF WITNESSES
    The scene in the execution room, when it was found that the first shock had not killed KEMMLER, was beyond description. One man fainted and was laid upon the floor. All were made sick.
    Dr. FOWLER was pale and haggard when he escaped from the scene of the legal killing and he ejaculated in horror-stricken tones: "There'll never be another execution by that means."
    C. R. HUNTLEY, the electrical expert, said: "The scene was most horrible. There was a smell of burning flesh or as if hair was being scorched. There was no smoke and the burning must have been at the point of contact at the small of the back. There was a foam on the poor fellow, and there was horror on every face. No one can depict in words the apparent horrible suffering of that poor devil in the intervals between the first and second application of the electrical current. Every one in the room lost his head. I would not think $1,000 an inducement for witnessing another electrocution."
    Dr. McDONALD said: "The State ought never to have made the warden execute criminals. Each time it will be the same way. They ought to have special men, experts, under employ. Undoubtedly KEMMLER was alive after the first shock, though not suffering."
    Dr. George F. SHRADY said: "I have seen many men hanged and I must say there is nothing in the old method so revolting as the scene I have witnessed this morning. The execution was decidedly not reassuring as to the scientific value of electricity as a means of execution." 
    Dr. Carlos F. McDONALD, who has all along favored the new idea, said simply: "I think the execution was a success. It is true the first application of the electricity did not extinguish the life of the subject, but it was quite evident he experienced no suffering and died without pain."
    Dr. Lewis BALCH of Albany, executive officer of the State Board of Health, who was one of the witnesses of the execution of KEMMLER, said to an Associated Press representative last evening: "With many others I was asked by the commission to give my views as to the best of three modes of execution, viz: Hanging, electricity or guillotining. Personally I was in favor of hanging, but having seen the absolute certainty, rapidity and painlessness with which death can be caused by electricity, my opinion has changed to favor that mode of legal execution. I do not consider, however, that if this way of administering the death penalty is to remain the law, there should be a building specially prepared for such purpose, in which the engine running and the dynamos themselves, for I am in favor of two dynamos of equal power, so that in case one gets out of order the other may be used, shall be in the room in which the execution takes place. This will save the chance of failure of voltage from an irregularity in the machine ordinarily used for power in the prison. I do not consider that the failure of the first shock to KEMMLER to cause death is any proof that this method of execution is necessarily futile, for from the first shock the prisoner was virtually dead, suffered no pain and did not regain consciousness, I think there should be an electrician appointed who should attend all executions and have charge of the electrical apparatus under the supervision of the officers designated by law to carry the sentence into effect."
    Dr. W. J. NELLIS of Albany, is also heartily in favor of the execution of the death sentence by electricity. He thinks the voltage should be increased and the time in which the current is allowed to pass through the body should be longer.
                                     THOMAS A. EDISON'S OPINION
    New York, Aug. 7 - In speaking of the bungled work at Auburn yesterday Thomas A. EDISON said: "The fault lies wholly with the doctors. Theoretically they are right, no doubt. The nerve center of the human system lies in the base of the skull. But practically they are all at sea. Here we have had something like thirty perfect examples of instantaneous death by electricity in the accidents that have happened in and around New York.   How was the electricity applied in these cases? Never to the head. Of what use has been the death of these thirty men? In every case the mortal charge entered through the hand. In no case was the strength of the current nearly half what was to have been passed through KEMMLER'S skull. The reason why contact by hand is so much more fatal than through the head is that electricity travels through the water in the human body. The hair of the head is a non-conductor. You see that when you comb your hair with a rubber comb. Anything that electricity attracts is a non-conductor. The bones are also non-conductors, and in electrical executions like that of KEMMLER the bones of the skull have to be penetrated. The true way to execute a criminal is to send the current through his body from one arm of the death chair to the other. The arms, hands and fingers are full of blood, which is a good conductor of electricity. Let the hands be properly cleansed and moistened and the charge would pass through the heart, causing instant death.
                                         DR. SOUTHWICK'S STATEMENT
    Buffalo, Aug. 7 - Dr. A. P. SOUTHWICK, father of the electrical execution law, said to-day in an interview:
    "I feel just as I have always felt on this matter. There is nothing against the system at all, and the fact is there has been a great deal of senseless, sensational talk about the execution. For instance, the big story in regard to the sickening spectacle of froth, saliva, etc., coming from KEMMLER'S mouth is ridiculous. It was a perfectly natural thing and was caused by the muscular contraction of the stomach. It was nothing unusual at all. In fact, a party of ladies could sit in a room where an execution of this kind was going on and not see anything repulsive whatever. If Dr. SPITZKA had not made the mistake of ordering off the current so quickly there would have been none of this talk. The burning of the flesh was also exaggerated. That was caused simply by the fact that the sponge under the electrode was too small. A light current was passed through then, and the sponge having dried out, the electrode just touched the skin. I think KEMMLER'S nerve affected those there about as much as anything. It looked to me, though, as an evidence of mental incapacity. He seemed to be without fear and helped to adjust the straps in a way that was simply astonishing. No, sir, I do not consider that this will be the last execution by electricity. There will be lots of them. It has been proved that the idea is correct, and I think the law is the best one. The execution was a success. KEMMLER never knew what happened to him and died absolutely without pain."
                                           Dr. SPITZKA'S STATEMENT
    New York, Aug. 7 - Dr. SPITZKA, who was present at the execution of KEMMLER at Auburn yesterday, makes the following statement:
    The assertion attributed to a physician from Buffalo that the undersigned ordered currents stopped or in any way directed the steps rendered necessary at the KEMMLER execution is utterly unfounded. No one in the execution chamber knew or could know anything about the voltage, nor did any one order the current turned off. It turned off in accordance with a previous understanding. Dr. Carlos MacDONALD and myself (between whom and myself complete harmony existed), in being asked by the warden what time should be taken, agreed to fifteen seconds and actually seventeen were allowed to elapse. When KEMMLER'S death appeared doubtful I suggested in a hurried way to the warden to have it instantly turned on again; it was the warden who gave the order then and there. I went to Auburn solely to make the examination of the brain, and not as an assistant executioner. The dynamo, as judged by the action of KEMMLER'S body, acted very irregularly. The source of this will be interesting to ascertain as well as the animus which dictated the gratuitous and untrue statement of the person alluded to, if really made by him. As an avowed opponent, and as one known to be such, of the electrical method, I went to Auburn. Under these circumstances it was scarcely consistent of me to volunteer as a performer of that method. Had my associate, Dr. McDONALD, or myself been able to anticipate such misstatements being made we certainly should have declined to act in the medical capacity which we alone held. My sole suggestion, coincided by all present - the turning on of the second current - was dictated by humanity in view of double as to complete destruction of life. 
Respectfully E. C. SPITZKA
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GAS IN A WELL

Three Men Blown Up and Badly Injured 
    Norwood, O., Aug 7 - An accident occurred yesterday on the premises of O. A. BUDMEYER, by which three men will probably lose their lives. Contractor ESPEL, who was at work on a church adjacent was granted the privilege of drawing all the water he wanted from BUDMEYER'S well. The fact that it is sixty feet deep and contains forty-feet of water was scouted by one of the victims. Michael KUENZEL and Joe SEBASTIAN were drawn into the discussion and the former was not willing to accept the statement that the well was so deep. He opened the trap door on the six feet square platform over the well's mouth. Lighting a match, KUENZEL dropped it toward the water, but it went out. "I smell gas," remarked KUENZEL. He did, but he foolishly twisted and lighted a newspaper and sent it after the burnt-out match. In an instant there was an explosion. KUENZEL, SEBASTIAN and a teamster named Barney PRUES, who were standing on the platform, were blown into the air. All were horribly burned and bruised.
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FATAL KEROSENE
    Chicago, Aug. 7 - Mrs. BOERSNA attempted to light a fire with kerosene last evening. The can exploded, burning the woman and her little girl. Both died.
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THREE PRISONERS ESCAPED
    Warsaw, Aug. 7 - Three prisoners named LOWELL of Hornellsville, WILSON and BURNS of Attica, overpowered the young son of the sheriff when he entered with their dinner at noon to-day. They escaped from the jail and disappeared. The sheriff and his aides are at the Silver Lake Pioneer picnic.
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An Incendiary Fire
    Allentown, Pa., Aug. 7 - The barn of the Thomas Iron Company at Hokendaqua was burned at midnight. Nine horses perished and all the patterns accumulated by the company for thirty years were destroyed. Loss $35,000. The origin of the fire is believed to have been incendiary.
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DIED

WINSLOW - In this city, on Wednesday, August 6, 1890, Jacob WINSLOW aged 84(?) years.
-Funeral private, from his late residence, 28? Plymouth avenue, Friday afternoon. Burial at Alabama, Genesee Co., N. Y.

WHITE - At his late residence, 67 Adams street, on Wednesday, August 6, 1890, George B. WHITE, aged 23 years.
-Funeral from the house Friday, at 2 o'clock p.m.

ANDREWS - At the residence of her daughter, No. 15 Pearl street, Tuesday evening, August 5, 1890, Mrs. Jane ANDREWS, aged 67 years.
-Funeral from the Advent Christian Church, Cortland street, Friday, at 2:30 p.m. Oswego papers please copy.

KELLY - At the Infants' Hospital, Charlotte, Josie, infant son of Kittie and William KELLY, aged 7 months.
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SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL ASSEMBLY

Interesting Exercises at the Celebration of the Formal Opening
    Chautauqua, Aug. 7 - The formal opening of the seventeenth annual assembly was celebrated Tuesday evening in a manner long to be retained in the memory of the great audience, the largest ever assembled in the amphitheater on a similar occasion. The exercises began with the vesper service, conducted by Mr. George E. VINCENT. The same form of printed service was used that has been used at every opening since the first in 1874. The opening exercises followed immediately upon the close of the vespers. Seated upon the platform was President Louis MILLER, Vice-President F. H. ROOT, Dr. W. R. HARPER, Mr. George E. VINCENT, Dr. T. L. FLOOD, Dr. J. L. HURLBUT, Dr. John L. McKEE, Mr. John HABBERTON, Mr. E. P. BROOK, Secretary W. A. DUNCAN, Dr. B. M. ADAMS, and members of the Shubert Quartette.   President MILLER made the opening address, giving a history of how the institution had grown from the smallest beginning. In regard to the absence of Chancellor VINCENT, he said it was one of those unavoidable circumstances in the line of his church official duties that would not be likely to again occur. A greeting in the form of a dispatch from the chancellor from Pocatello, Idaho, was read, assuring them of his presence in heart and his best wishes for the success of the present assembly. Addresses were also made by Dr. HURLBUT, president of the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle; Mr. ROOT, the vice-president and oldest member of the management, was followed by the youngest member Mr. George E. VINCENT, who, in a happy manner, described the birth of the Chautauqua idea, saying: "You have heard a great deal about the Pilgrim Fathers at Chautauqua. The legend runs that two men in 1874, landed on the shore at the Point, carrying with them a very heavy idea, which they were anxious to drop somewhere. Those four great soles left an impression on the sands of the shore, and where they left that mark you might have seen a pair of small foot-prints -- there was a Chautauqua Pilgrim child, (Laughter.) I will keep you no longer in suspense. In the words of the dime romance, "I am that child." (Laughter and applause.) We landed. That child led the way up through the grove, staked out the auditorium and most of the avenues, and then we proceeded to the only structure in the place, known as the hotel. We had supper. Some of you, who complain of the hotels and boarding houses at Chautauqua, ought to have had that supper. After supper the grounds were inspected. The idea was talked about enthusiastically. The two Pilgrim fathers interrupted each other constantly, they had so many thoughts to express. They talked to the trees and to the Pilgrim child. About 9 o'clock the party returned to the hotel and were stowed away under the roof. They were lulled to sleep by the rustling of the corn husks -- in the mattresses. All thoughts of the Chautauqua idea was at that time abandoned. The noble Pilgrim fathers gave themselves to the abuse of the hotel, and I assure you that if they had been called upon at midnight to make a decision, there would now be no gate system to abuse, so amphitheater roof to leak, no Palestine park for the boys to play in and for people to joke about. But with the dawn came refreshments and high hopes and the Chautauqua idea was safely planted. Addresses followed by Dr. HARPER, principal of the college of Liberal Arts, Dr. J. l. McKEE of Kentucky, Dr. R. H. PALMER, the musical director, Dr. T. L. FLOOD of the Chautauqua Century Press, Dr. E. P. BROOK of Brooklyn, N. Y., who organized the excursion of 232 who arrived Tuesday morning. Prof. CUMOCK recited the "White Squall on the Mediterranean;" the Shubert Quartette of Chicago, always favorites, rendered two selections; Miss Elinor H. HOOPER, a young American violinist, who has been studying in Paris, appeared for the first time and delighted the audience with her entertaining music.
    The exercises closed with the singing of the gloria, and the benediction by Dr. J. T. McKEE.
    The pyrotechnic display took place immediately after the exercises in the amphitheater and was a grand one. Many hundred Chinese lanterns illuminated the grounds, and at the ringing of the chimes and the toiling of the night bell, but one sentiment was voiced, that the seventeenth opening of the Chautauqua Assembly had been a complete success.
    The registers give the names of the following visitors from Rochester and Western New York: Mr. and Mrs. L. O. SWEETLAND, Rochester; Mrs. D. B. HUBBARD, Misses Mamie and Gertrude HUBBARD, Albion; Dr. and Mrs. J. N. ROBERTSON, Wolcott; Misses Millie HAYFORD, Tressie CONOVAN, Holley; Mrs. A. E. RICE, Mrs. M. J. WEAVER, Batavia; Miss Laura A. BRAINARD, Edith M. BROWN, Chili; Miss M. L. SMYTHE, Kendall; Mrs. C. H. BEAN, Misses Nellie and Mamie BEAN and Clarence BEAN, and Rev. A. E. BRIGDEN, Attica; Nellie A. HANNIGAN, Warsaw.
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WESTERN NEW YORK NEWS

Gathered By Union And Advertiser Special Correspondents
The Latest Reliable Reports of Interesting Local Events Occurring in the 
Pleasant Villages and Thriving Towns of Monroe and Neighboring Counties

BATAVIA

Mrs. Mary A., widow of the late George POULTRIDGE, died Wednesday evening, at her home on Summit street, after a prolonged illness with cancerous trouble of the liver. Her age was 55 years. She leaves five children, Mrs. Sarah O'CONNELL of Detroit, Mich.; Carrie of Rochester, and Nellie, Mary and John POULTRIDGE of Batavia.
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BROCKPORT

The Brockport Grange and the Presbyterian Sunday school are picnicking at Troutburg to-day.

The local board of the Brockport Normal School has chosen Miss Clara J. BROWN of Carlton to teach elocution and gymnastics the coming year and Charles SMITH, who has been school commissioner of Orleans county for a number of years, to take the place of Prof. H. G. BURLINGAME.

The Hudsons of Rochester will play the Brockports at this place Saturday afternoon of this week.

Charles BROWN, a youth, who has been stopping at this place for some time, and has been trying to obtain money by stating that his mother had just died, was arrested yesterday and taken before Justice DEAN, who sentenced him to the Industrial School.

Two tramps, William BROWN and William MONTIEL, were both sentenced to the M. C. P. for thirty days, yesterday.

Edward HART formerly of this place, now of Marseilles, Illinois, is spending a short time in town.

John M. STEADMAN, B. S., of Cornell University, and son of G. L. STEADMAN of this place, has accepted a position as biologist in the United States agricultural department at Washington, and will enter upon his duties in a short time.

Miss Nettie PALMER, daughter of Reverend Mr. PALMER of Penn Yan, formerly pastor of the Presbyterian Church in this village, is in town, the guest of Virginia OLIVER.

Honorable A. P. BUTTS is in attendance at the Pioneer picnic, held at Silver lake to-day.
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BYRON CENTER

Dr. DIBBLE threshed for Mrs. BOWER one day last week, 285 bushels of wheat from six and one-half acres of ground, a little over thirty-six bushels to the acre.

Bert HAGADON of Maryland, formerly of Byron, is now visiting friends in town.

Monday was the hottest of the season, the thermometer standing 102' in the shade at 2 p.m.

Charles ABELL of Bergen, had a horse so overcome with the heat while drawing a load of grain to this market on Monday last that he dropped dead in the harness.

Mrs. Hamilton BRAINARD of St. Louis, and Miss Minnie WRIGHT of Utica, are the guests of Mrs. C. A. NORTON.

G. G. MILLER was re-elected trustee at the school meeting last evening.
Philip LOYAL of Bradford, Pa., is visiting his old comrades in town.
Mrs. John ODERKIRK is now confined to her bed by sickness.
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CALEDONIA

On Tuesday afternoon occurred the marriage of Miss Edith SMITH, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L. K. SMITH, to Mr. Frederick CLARK of Rochester. The ceremony was performed by Rev. George L. HART of Cleveland, O., brother-in-law of the bride, in the spacious parlors of the bride's aunt, Mrs. F. C. WELLS. Mr. Hugh CLARK acted as best man and Miss Gertrude CLARK as bridesmaid, both of Rochester. The bride looked very pretty, attired in cream Danish cloth, and in losing her Caledonia will lose one of its brightest young ladies. The happy young couple received many beautiful and useful presents.

Mrs. Catherine MAXWELL's farm was sold on Friday at referee's sale, to satisfy a judgment of $1,500 obtained by Mrs. John McNAB, the amount being an unpaid legacy left Mrs. McNAB by her father the late Mr. MAXWELL. The farm was bid in for Mrs. MAXWELL.

Over 400 men are now employed on the section of the Lehigh Valley road which passes through this village.

Miss Maria DEWEY of Lakeville, was in town Tuesday to attend the marriage of her friend, Miss SMITH.

Early Tuesday morning news reached here that Mrs. L. CALLAN had died during the night. She was well during the evening and was at the house of a neighbor. She was taken with a fainting spell during the night from which she never recovered. She leaves several children, James, Peter, Richard, Thomas, Michael and Mrs. O'BRIAN of Le Roy, Mrs. J. J. SKELLEY of this place. The funeral will be held on Thursday at 9 o'clock.
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CLIFTON SPRINGS

Arrangements have been completed for the celebration of the annual reunion of the 1?6th regiment, N. Y. volunteers, to be held in this place Friday, August 22nd. A dinner will be served to the surviving members of the regiment and invited guests, after which the exercises in the Sanitarium grove will be as follows: An address of welcome will be delivered by Rev. J. H. McCARTY, D. D. The address of the day will be delivered by Comrade Judge Hanford STRUBLE of Penn Yan, with short talks by other distinguished speakers. The Manchester Cornet Band will furnish music and there will also be vocal solos and quartettes. An important feature of the day will be the presentation of a portrait of the late Gen. HAYES to a representation of a Grand Army Post named in honor of the celebrated brigade commander. E. D. COPP is president of the association and V. B. WHEAT of Orleans secretary. Should the day be pleasant an unusually interesting occasion is expected and the village will be full of people. This is the twenty-eighth anniversary of the mustering to service of the 126th regiment.

Miss Adelaide G. JACKSON is visiting friends at Grove Springs on Lake Keuka.
Mrs. S. ?. ECKFELDS of Philadelphia is the guest of Mrs. George W. KINGSBURY.
E. JONES of Indian Territory is home on a visit to his parents, after a four years' absence.

Rev. J. H. McCARTY and family and Wm. HOLMES and wife are at the Thousand Islands.

The Clifton Springs Manufacturing Company will give a free exhibition of the Van Deusen cake molds in the new store in the Annex block, commencing Saturday afternoon of this week. The exhibition will be under the charge of Mrs. C. A. CHAPMAN, who made the large sales at John WANAMAKER's store in Philadelphia during last winter.
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WATKINS

The contract for lighting the streets of this village with electricity, which was to be let on Wednesday, was not made. Mr. MAGEE'S counsel, J. J. VAN ALLEN, procured a stay of proceedings on Tuesday from Judge FORBES of Canastota. The papers were served Wednesday. This now prevents the trustees from making any contract with any electric light company until the case is tried at the General Term of the Supreme Court, which is held on September 6th. The trustees of the village have made a temporary contract with the Watkins Gas Company to light the streets. 

The Emancipation celebration on the 6th was a grand success. It is estimated that four or five thousand people were present. It was one of the largest affairs of the kind ever held here. The dance in the evening was largely attended, there being from fifty to seventy-five couples who participated in the dancing, and about 200 spectators.

The fire drill was quite a feature in the parade, the Normal Steamer and Hose Company and the Rescue Hook and Ladder Company both participating. The chiefs of the Corning, Horseheads, Canandaigua and Geneva departments were here as guests of the Normans and complimented the work of the companies very highly.

Dave RELHAM, Tony QUOMOSH and Thos. McCABE of Corning were in town to attend the celebration and had a glorious time.
*
HAMLIN

The Republicans of this town will meet at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon in D. R. SINGLETON'S hall for the purpose of electing five delegates to attend the Congressional convention, to be held in the City Hall at Rochester; also county and Assembly delegates, and transact such other business as may properly come before the convention.

Christian WILDER'S farm will be sold by Louis ADAMS, on the 13th of September, to the highest bidder, in the law office of John D. BURNS.

German G. ELLIOTT and Miss Katie DURKEE were united in marriage Tuesday evening.

School meeting was held in nearly all the school districts in town Tuesday evening. No. 6 re-elected Perry DANCHEY trustee. 15 elected Leonard SIMMONS trustee. Will F. KNAPP will teach the winter term at No. 15.

Miss Helen WHIPPLE expects to leave for Charleston, S. C., soon to engage in mission work among the colored people.
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LIMA

The assessors, town clerk and supervisor met this week and divided the town into two separate election districts - that part of the town west of the north and south main road, being district No. 1 and that on east side, district No. 2. A committee was appointed to decide upon rooms for the second district.

At the annual school election held on Tuesday evening, E. R. BRONSON was elected trustee: S. L. PARMLEE, clerk; James CHAPPELL, collector; Dr. W. H. BUELL, librarian.

Henry LOCKINGTON, who was called to town by the death of his brother, has returned to his home in Aberdeen, Dak.

Miss Lillian FURGESON of Rochester is the guest of Miss Alice GROVER.

Misses WEBB and BANTA, who have been for several weeks guests in the home of Mr. A. BAUTER, have returned to their home at Hackensack, N. J.

Quite a company of young people walked down to Mrs. FORD'S, one mile north of this village, Tuesday night, to witness the unfolding of four buds of night-blooming-cirrous.

Lima's latest craze is the bicycle. There are many new ones and more ordered. It is more interesting than safe to stand upon the street and watch the antics of the amateur riders.

A very gentle rain fell a considerable part of the day on Tuesday, which was most refreshing, but so very dry is the earth that this rain was but a mere drop in the bucket. There were much heavier rains all about us.
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MEDINA

An adjourned meeting of the town board was held Tuesday evening. Work in redistricting the town, according to the requirements of the ballot reform law, was resum.

Hon. William McKINLEY has signified his willingness to meet Hon. Mr. CARLYE in a debate on the tariff at the annual fair of the Orleans County Agricultural Society to be held at Albion September 27th.

The last issue of the Crop Bulletin has the following to say in relation to the crops in Orleans county. The hay crop is now secured in good condition. The bulk of the wheat has been cut, but has not been secured. Early oats are beginning to ripen; the crop will be light. Corn is improving, but cannot be a large crop. Many large orchards will not yield a bushel of apples.

The funeral of Mrs. Sylvester MONROE of Yates, was held Tuesday afternoon.

Miss Ida CLARK, who for several years has been one of the most prominent teachers in the Central School, has sent in her resignation.

George Montgomery was seriously hurt Tuesday morning. He was putting a brake under a load of wheat while descending a hill and the horse suddenly started and caught his hand between the brake and the wheel. Dr. SCOTT dressed the wound.

Mrs. C. W. WINCHESTER and daughter are visiting in Buffalo.
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MUMFORD

The Oatka Tennis Club will hold a high tea this (Thursday) evening on the grounds adjoining the court.

Mrs. Roscoe WOODWARD and children are spending a month at Auburn and at Owasco lake.

Miss Carrie DOW of Rochester is spending a few days at the home of V. P. BROWN.

Mrs. James McQUEEN and daughter of Norwich, N. Y., are the guests of Mrs. J. McQUEEN of this place.

At the school meeting, which was held Tuesday evening, Simon McDONALD was chosen chairman, and G. C. HADLEY was elected trustee in place of D. NICHOLS, whose time had expired. Will HYDE was elected clerk, and James FREEMAN collector. The principal of the school, Mr. HUBBARD, was elected librarian.
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OAKFIELD

The Catholics will hold a picnic at Mr. A. ARMSTRONG's grove, west of the village, on Saturday, Aug. 16. There will be dancing and other amusements.

The following officers were elected in School District No. 1, on Tuesday evening. Trustee, John W. HEAL; clerk, W. HILLARTON; collector, J. L. COSWAY; librarian, Geo. W. HAXTON.

St. Michael's Sunday school will picnic at Horse Shoe Lake on Friday of this week.

This town has been divided into two election districts, one east of the Lewiston road, and the other west of the Lewiston road.

The Temperance Assembly opens Saturday, Aug. 9. Prof. DICKIE will speak in the afternoon, and the original Jubilee Singers will give a concert in the evening.
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WARSAW

Visitors in town are: C. W. McELWAIN of Lake City, Minn., at Noble MORRIS'; Dr. W. H. BILLS of Allegan, Mich., at Wilson AGER's: Mrs. Charles L. ARNOLD and daughters of Wilmington, N. C., at N. W. EVANS; C. H. BUTTON of Minneapolis at Mrs. O. S. HOLTON's; Miss Ella WALKER of Minneapolis at L. E. WALKER's: Mortimer and William TUTTLE of Whitewater, Wis., at P. B. MUNGER's; Miss Anna CHAPMAN of Geneva at Miss Anna SMITH's; Mr. and Miss HOGARTH of Goshen at H. A. DUDLEY's; Miss Jennie BEARDSLEY of Buffalo at Miss Carrie Otis.

Rev. Wm. GARDAM of Trinity Church has been granted a vacation of four weeks, which he will spend in Milwaukee and vicinity.

Rev. H. H. EMMETT, pastor of the Baptist Church, is at Silver Lake for a month's vacation. Mr. and Mrs. A. P. GAGE and Miss Belle GAGE have gone to Dakota to remain two months. Kendrick LUTHER accompanied his uncle, Kendrick KEENEY, home to Madison, Ind., and expects to remain two years.

The house occupied by Dr. E. H. YOUNG has been sold to S. C. VINCENT for $2,300. Mr. VINCENT having sold his place at the Erie station, will remove to the village.

At a meeting of the Challenge Rifle Club held on Tuesday evening. W. F. BOYDEN, Dr. S. H. LEWIS and Charles H. FARGO were elected members.

Gen. THAYER received a telegram on Wednesday announcing the serious and probably fatal illness of his son-in-law, J. W. CHACE, at Red Oak, Ia.

The annual school meeting of the village district was held on Tuesday evening. The treasurer's report showed amount on hand to be $2,242.22. The sum of $4,000 was voted upon the taxable property for school expenses the coming year; also, $250 for fire-escapes for the school building $300 for other improvements, and $150 for library books. William BRISTOL, Augustus FRANK and L. H. HUMPHREY were chosen a committee to select the books. At the election held on Wednesday afternoon M. R. QUACKENBUSH and Merritt B. HALE were elected trustees.

The following wills have been admitted to probate: That of Mrs. Alice A. WILLIAMS, late of Attica; John WRIGHT, late of Castile; Marion R. MOSHER, late of Pike. Evidence in the case of Mrs. WILLIAMS was taken before the district attorney as Judge LORISH was one of the executors. The will of Mrs. Roxana ABBOTT, late of Castile, has been filed for probate, but will be contested.

Brown & Humphrey's purchase of wool this season, thus far, has been 40,000 pounds, the average price per pound being 25 cents.

Sunday next will be the thirty-fifth anniversary of Rev. Dr. NASSAU'S pastorate of the Presbyterian Church.

Miss Carrie OTIS gave a party on Wednesday evening in compliment to Miss Jennie BEARDSLEY of Buffalo.
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AVON

The Board of Trustees of the village have appointed Daniel McLAUGHLIN to be police constable and light the lamps of the village.

William LEIGHTON has commenced the foundation for a new house on West Main street.

The remains of Mrs. Helen LIFORD were interred at Invaness to-day.

Charles BRADLEY has moved the machinery of his shops at Yonkers to this place.

Jasper BARBER of Michigan is making a visit to his nephew, Aaron BARBER, of this town.
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MIDDLEPORT

The annual school meeting was held Tuesday evening. Dr. WILMOT was elected trustee for the ensuing year. It was voted to increase the tuition of non-resident scholars, and also to provide new seats for the intermediate department.

Ezra DRESSER who came home about a week since to attend the funeral of his mother and who was taken with a sudden illness that proved fatal, was buried on Monday afternoon at Hartland, Rev. W. A. BATT of the Universalist Church conducting the services.

Mr. STRAUSS, who for a year past has been in business here has removed to Lyndon.

Miss Bertha WEYAND returned yesterday from a visit to Friendship.
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NAPLES

Yesterday morning a man in a stupefied condition was found lying on the sidewalk on Lyon street, nearly opposite the Christian Church, divested of his outer clothing, but the usual under clothes retained. He was taken to the justice's office for examination, but nothing could be elucidated; his mind seemed entirely obliterated. In the afternoon he recovered consciousness, suffered himself to be clothed and converses in German. His story is that he came from his native land seven months ago, going to Rochester to meet a brother who had preceded him to America. But not finding him and learning that he was in Binghamton he had started for that place, coming up the lake from Canandaigua yesterday. But the great heat of the weather Sunday, being 100' and Monday 96', so affected his brain that on arriving at Naples he wandered aimlessly about, going to a barn, undressing to lie down and from thence remains a blank. He says he had seventeen dollars in his pocket in his clothes, but where they are and in what barn has not yet been discovered. He says he has before been similarly affected by the heat.
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$50 OR FIFTY DAYS

Wm. Savage, one of the two men charged with working the "flim-flam" game on Harvey MONOGHAN of Goodman street, last week, and receiving 90 cents, appeared in the Police Court this morning and pleaded guilty. He related that HIBBARD, his partner, got the money and gave him 40 cents. He was "dressed down" by Judge KEELER, who imposed a sentence of $50 or fifty days in the M.C.P.

-Barbara MATIN was fined $10 or six months. She was in a saloon on St. Paul street when a pensioner lost some money last evening, and is charged with taking it.

-Chas. and Mary WILSON were charged with being drunk and disorderly. The former was fined $10 or thirty days, and the latter discharged.

-John MORAN, charged with assault, will be tried Aug. 8th at 9 a.m.

-Mary MEAHAN, charged with assault, will be tried Monday at 10 a.m.

-Rose STIEN accused of appropriating a sewing machine of the value of $40, the property of the White Sewing Machine Co., will be tried Aug. 9th at 9 o'clock a.m.

-John BURNS, who is accused of burglarizing the store of Patrick GALVIN on the night of July 24th, was taken to jail.

-John HILL was arrested yesterday by Detectives KAVANAGH and FURTHERER charged with burglarizing the Culross bakery. He was sent to jail for examination.

-Thomas GERRAGHTY, charged with entering the house of his sister and stealing some of her property, was sent to jail for examination.

-George F. HART was arrested yesterday by Detective DUKELOW charged with appropriating $12, the property of the White Sewing Machine Co.

-Some comment has been caused by the fact that Joseph FISCHER, the man who killed Edward SHANLEY, has left town. It is claimed by his friends that he is merely taking a two months' vacation after the mental strain to which he has been subjected and that he will be on hand if he should ever be called on by the court officials.

-Harry WEBBER was arrested by Officer McQUARTERS this morning in a box car at the R. W. & O. depot. He is charged with complicity in the Culross bakery robbery.
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THE BICYCLE RACES

Appointment of Additional Committees and Selection of Officers
    A meeting of the arrangement committees for the big bicycle tournament to be held at the Driving park Saturday, August 23d, was held last night at the Livingston Hotel. Over 3,000 tickets have already been put out for the event and is expected that five or six thousand more will be sold. To the committees already published in the Union a finance committee has been added, which includes W. m. SMITH, J. H. BROWN and F. L. HUGHES. A committee on transportation has also been appointed consisting of F. C. ROBINSON, T. W. SHANNON and J. H. BROWN. The officers of the day will be: Referee, W. SHELDON BULL, Buffalo, N. Y. Judges, F. P. PRIAL, "the Wheel," New York; M. F. SHAFER, Rochester, N. Y.' C. A. ROCKWELL, Rochester, N. Y. Timers, Clarence W. WEED, Syracuse, N. Y.; Frank HOTCHKISS, Rochester, N. Y.; F. L. HUGHES, Rochester, N. Y. Scorer, M. B. FOX, Rochester, N. Y. Clerks of course. Robt. THOMSON, Rochester, N. Y.; W. W. WILLIAMS, Rochester, N. Y. STARTER, Gordon S. MONTGOMERY, Rochester, N. Y.
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SUDDEN DEATH OF L. V. LARY

The Well Known Contractor's Demise at Clifton Springs
    Clifton Springs, Aug. 7 - V. L. LARY of Jersey City, N. J., the well-known railroad contractor, died at the residence of Mrs. W. P. VAN VRANKEN, in this place, where he had been boarding, about 11:45 last night. Mr. LARY had a stroke of paralysis a week ago last night. Up to Tuesday evening he improved quite rapidly and on the afternoon of that day his physician reported that not an unfavorable symptom could be seen; but in the evening the change came, and from that time until his death he was unconscious. Mr. LARY was a member of the firm of WARD & LARY and had been in railroad work for about forty-five years. He was one of the builders of the West Shore and at this time was contractor for this section of the Geneva & Buffalo railroad. The remains will be taken to his home in Jersey City on the 5:22 train this evening. His family were with him at the time of his death and have the sympathy of the community in this hour of sudden bereavement. Mr. Charles H. LARY, who has become so well favorably known here since opening his office in the Parson's block, is the son of the deceased.
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TRANSFERS OF REAL ESTATE

Transfers of Real Estate Were Recorded in the County Clerk's office yesterday and this morning as follows:
Ann E. WOODVURY to Albert M. WELLS, property on Huntington street; $1
Elizabeth STREB to Mary FINK, property on Carter street; $1,100.
Frank CROSTON to G. Arthur TELLER, property on Union street; $3,500.
O?to BLOCK and others to John WARKINSKI and wife, property on Koscinsko avenue; $250.
Louisa C. MORSE to Albert M. WELLS, property on Huntington street; $1.
Nicholas OCHS and wife to Martha T. CUNNINGHAM, property on Jefferson avenue; $1.
Clara A. MUDGETT to Thomas PICKET, property on Edith street; $1,800.
Charles HETZLER and wife to Harriet J. GAGE property on Hayward terrace; $1.

St. Joseph's German Roman Catholic Orphan Asalum Society of Rochester and Monroe county to John DORSCHEL, Jr., and wife, property on Alphonse avenue; $560.

Elizabeth KEMPL to Catharine KNELL, property on Orange street; $1,581.
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PERSONAL

-Miss Florence HACKER of Buffalo, is visiting friends on Julia street, in this city.
-Miss Maggie BURNS of Troy, N. Y., is the guest of Supervisor CARBERRY, 149 North Union street.

-Miss Laura HUTCHINSON of No. 35 Stillson street left yesterday for a two weeks' vacation at Ontario Beach.

-Mr. Frederick BENNETT of Ogden, Utah, is visiting his parents on Tremont street, after an absence of five years.

-Captain G. W. RUGGLES and Henry D. McVEAN of the Rochester Canoe Club, left last night for Jessup's Neck, Long Island where the American Canoe Association meet is in progress.

-F. W. BAKER and wife, W. D. KNAPP and wife, J. B. STEVENS and family, C. E. VAN DOORN, Miss Jessie VAN DOORN and Wm. F. BRINSMAID have returned from a most enjoyable trip on the steamer Alexandria to Montreal. All speak in terms of highest praise of their entertainment.
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WEDDING AT MEDINA
    Medina, Aug. 7 - Mr. Chas. J. LUND of Rochester was married last evening to Jessie C. DAVIS of this place, at the home of the bride's parents. Many guests were present from Washington, Rochester and other points. The newly married couple will reside in Minneapolis.
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DEATHS AND FUNERALS

-Henry Edward BEEMES aged 30 years died this morning at 6:30 o'clock at the residence of his mother, 224 Clifford street.

-Eddie J. CAREW died this morning at the family residence, 7 Jay street.

-Jennie, daughter of Frank and Nellie DUNN, died this morning at 43 Warner street. The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday.

-An infant son of Frank LOWE of 131 North avenue died yesterday afternoon at Charlotte. The funeral will be held from the house at 3 o'clock Friday afternoon.

-Wm. R., son of W. R. RANNIE, died yesterday at Charlotte. The funeral will take place from 387 Monroe avenue at 4 o'clock this afternoon.
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Election At Charlotte
    Charlotte, Aug. 7 - A hotly contested school election was held here yesterday. What was known as the Upper Hill ticket was elected, as follows: William M. RICHMOND, trustee; C. G. KERR, collector; R. W. SWIFT, clerk.
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Concert This Evening
    An excellent program has been arranged for the Union Mission and White Rose Band concert at the Bijou Theater this evening. J. M. HALL will give a tenor solo and R. BURLEIGH a cornet solo. Admission 25 cents.
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Republican Contests
    Waterloo, Aug. 7 - The fight in the Republican camp in Seneca county is increasing in intensity. Yesterday afternoon the regular Waterloo caucus was held. The following gentlemen were elected as Congressional delegates: Francis BACON, Jacob B. YOST, Isaac G. GREGORY, George RAYNOR and E. B. FORCE. The delegates to the nominating convention are: L. STORY, Chas D. PULLMAN, U. B. MAYNARD, John H. BOWERS and Jacob SANDS. There will be a contesting delegation from this place as the bolters called a caucus for Tuesday evening and elected a full set of delegates to each convention. The following are the delegates: Duncan McARTHUR, Arthur W. BAKER, Charles E. OPDYKE, A. C. CLARK and J. B. H. MONGIN.
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An Exciting Election
    Batavia, Aug. 7 - As was anticipated, the election yesterday of two members of the Board of Education was hotly contested, and an unprecedentedly large vote was brought out. The polls were open from 12 p.m. till 4 p.m. Carrvalls and carriages were in constant attendance, and the lady voters were out in full force. The total vote was 759. D. W. TOMLINSON received 495 votes, Robert B. PEASE 456, J. W. LeSEUR 298, and Frank RICHARDSON 273, thus representatives of the Fuller faction, by majorities of 202 and 183 respectively.
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WILSON

H. H. PYOTT, an assistant in the Rochester postoffice is the guest of H. SEELY and family.

Mrs. J. Willis HAYNE, who moved to Kansas City, Mo., with her husband about three years ago, is visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Martin BUSH, at East Wilson.

Supervisor PETTIT has not appointed peach tree commissioners in this town this year.

Mr. and Mrs. Orville STREETER after spending several months with friends at East Wilson, have returned to their home in Dakota.

About 300 people came over yesterday from Toronto on Yong Street Methodist Church excursion.

The annual meeting of Wilson Union Free School, district No. 1, was held at the School house Tuesday evening. The treasurer's report showed a balance of $442.70 in the treasury. It was voted to raise $1,800 for the current expenses of the ensuing year and something over $500 to apply on building fund.
*
No, Don't Go Around Robin Hood's Barn, But Take the Erie
    The only "Pullman" line; ten different routes; you can go within one hour's ride of New York, to Boston and return, all rail, only $9.08. Don't buy your tickets until you call at Erie railway city office, 12 Exchange street. Full information and time tables cheerfully furnished.
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WATERLOO

The annual meeting of the Union School district of Waterloo, was held Tuesday evening. Edward NUGENT was relected trustee, and A. R. SERWIN, clerk. The committee are the same as last year.

As a result of the agitation in favor of the consolidation of the various school districts of the village, mention of which was made in the Union, committees were appointed at the various school meetings Tuesday night to consider the question. The joint committee consists of the following. Union School, Maurice F. PRATT, Clinton M. STAHL, and Leonard STORY, with the school trustees. First ward, Chauncey L. BECKER, George TEALL, John SHELEY, Peter CODMUS and Theodore VAN RIPER; Third ward, James CARROLL, James FEGLEY, Jacob P. SANDS, Orin B. LYTTLE and Viner FILLINGHAM. The members of the committee are generally in favor of consolidation.

Rev. R. M. DUFF, D. D., and family are spending their summer vacation at New London, Conn.
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SPENCERPORT

Mrs. Joseph A. SPENCER, whose sudden death from heart disease was announced in the Union yesterday, had lived in this village all her lifetime and was much esteemed by all who knew her. Tuesday evening she had attended the annual school meeting in company with several ladies interested in the best welfare of the village school, and at the conclusion of the meeting returned home in company with one of the ladies. Only at parting with her friend did she complain of any bad feeling, saying that she was suffering from quite severe pains in her feet. Upon preparing to retire soon after she was taken with a choking sensation and inability to breathe.  Stimulants were given her, but proved of only temporary avail and she died while her husband and daughter were attending her, within an hour after leaving the school meeting. Her sudden demise will prove a great shock to her many friends and neighbors, who knew her as a strong, energetic woman, a zealous Christian, an enthusiastic member of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and a devoted wife and mother. Mrs. SPENCER had just passed her 60th birthday and leaves surviving, of her immediate family, her husband and three children, Foster W., Mary B., and Edward C. SPENCER. The funeral services will be held at the residence Friday, Aug. 8th, at 3 o'clock p.m.
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PENN YAN

At the last regular meeting of the Board of Education, Miss May ELLIS, one of the best teachers in the Academy, tendered her resignation. This was accepted, but not without a visible reluctance on the part of the board. Miss ELLIS has been offered a more advanced and more renumerative situation in Ohio.

The Democratic county convention will be held September 5th. There will be no scrambling for nomination and everything will pass off with usual harmony and grace. It is expected that Hon. C. J. HUSON will be renominated for the Assembly.

Frank CARY'S steam engine is pronounced a signal success. It has two cylinders, 5 inches each, and makes from 800 to 900 revolutions per minute, while under 15 pounds steam pressure. The trial engine was manufactured by the Commercial Iron Works in this village.
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MEDINA

Our regular annual school election was held yesterday, Albert J. SWEET, Rev. William J. McNAB and Samuel E. CLARK were elected members of the board for the term of three years.
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GENESEO

At a meeting of Geneseo Hose Company, No. 1, Mr. A. GOODWIN was chosen president; William ANGEL, vice-president. Mr. George K. WHITNEY, Mr. Charles JONES and Mr. James W. COLT were elected honorary members of the company. The name of Geneseo Hose Company was changed to Temple Hill Hose Company.

The Wadsworth Hose Company will go to Mt. Morris on Friday from where they will take the train for Keuka lake, where they will attend the meeting of the different hose companies that have made arrangements to meet there that date.

Mr. and Mrs. L. O. REED and family and Mr. and Mrs. Myron FOSTER are staying at Conesus lake.

Messrs. HOUSTON, WHITNEY, HARRISON, BYRON and Samuel JENNINGS are spending two weeks at Conesus lake.

The Misses McDONALD of Canandaigua are visiting Mrs. William CRYSTAL.

Misses Mary FLETCHER and Annie PATTERSON of Rochester are the guests of Miss Jennie ROBINSON of this village.

Mrs. DEWEY of Greece, Mrs. HOLLAND of Buffalo, and Miss TOOLE of Elmira, are visiting Mrs. DAYTON of this place.

Cards are out announcing the marriage of Miss Minnie MASON, daughter of Mr. Wallace MASON of this village, to Rev. Mr. BEBEE of Tottersville, N. Y., which takes place at the Assembly House at Silver lake on Wednesday, August 18th.

The regular gospel temperance meeting will be held on the school green on Sunday afternoon. Rev. W. W. ARNOLD of Ohio, will deliver the address. Elder STEVENS of Perry will speak August 24th. It is expected that Dr. FOLSOM will speak August 17th.

Mrs. BLATCHLEY of Chicago and Miss ROYCE of Beloit, Wisconsin, are stopping at the Wallace Hotel.
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Good Checker Playing

Several Lively Contests Between Local and Visiting Experts
    At the headquarters of the Rochester Checker Club yesterday afternoon and evening some interesting playing was enjoyed. Among the players from abroad were Frederick WOLFF and Messrs. GRIFFIN and SCOVILLE and Gen. CONGDON of Syracuse, Mr. SMITH of Michigan and D. M. PERRY of Brockport. Mr. WOLFF has the distinction of being Syracuse's most expert checker player. The first game of the afternoon was between Mr. WOLFF and Mr. REYNOLDS, and the visiting expert won four games, lost three and drew three. In a five-game contest between Mr. PERRY and Mr. GRIFFIN, the former won three and lost two. Mr. PERRY and Mr. WOLFF played together, and the latter captured five straight games. In a five-game contest between Mr. SMITH and Mr. YOUNG, the former won three games and drew two. Mr. MALLORY took three straight games from Mr. GRIFFIN and then played a five-game series with Mr. WOLFF, each player winning two games, with one game drawn. Messrs. RANGER and SMITH also contested in one eight-game series, and the latter won four games and drew four.
    In the evening Messrs. FAHY and GRIFFIN played a series of eight games which resulted in three victories, and one defeat for Mr. FAHY and four draws. The series between Messrs, MALLORY and WOLFF resulted in two victories for each and one draw. An eight-game series between D. M. PERRY and Mr. RANGER resulted in four victories and one defeat for Mr. RANGER, with three games drawn. Messrs. GRIFFIN and DAGEN played four games, of which Mr. DAGEN won three and lost one. Messrs REYNOLDS and RANGER both of this city, also played a ten game series and Mr. REYNOLDS carried off five games and lost one, with the other four drawn. Mr. WOLFF will remain in the city to-day and will play several members of the club.
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