Items of General Interest 

—D. A. R. Buys Historic Building 

With the delivery of the deed to the Black Horse tavern into the hands of the Johnstown chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, another of the historic properties in Johnstown will be safeguarded for future generations. At the present time it is in the hands of Miss Susanna Younglove, whose family has been in possession of the property since 1812. 

—Soft Coal Backfires 

Orlo Westfall, clerk in the Hoagland Pharmacy at Cobleskill, was severely burned on the arms by an explosion of soft coal gas Tuesday. He was busy at the furnace of the store, having just put on some coal, when the gas backfired and caught fire, the force of the explosion throwing him to the floor. 

Schoharie High School Burned 

On Thursday at 2 a.m. the Schoharie High school was discovered on fire and was destroyed. The firemen did their best, under a zero weather condition, to prevail and save this valuable structure, but without avail. The loss is estimated at over $80,000 as it would cost that much and perhaps many thousand more to replace the building at present prices of material and labor. 

The fire was first seen by Miss Loretta Willsey, who telephoned in the alarm, and the firemen were soon in action. All that remains of this fine, well equipped school is three of the brick walls. The cause of the fire is not yet determined. 

It was erected in 1904 at a cost of $20,000 and equipment of $10,000. It was insured for $40,000, which will not pay half the cost of replacement. 

C. G. Hotaling, Albany
Lawyer, Dies 

Clarence G. Hotaling, 46, well-known Albany lawyer, of 7 Matilda street, dropped dead suddenly in the Albany Savings bank at Maiden Lane and Pearl Street, before medical aid could be summoned. 

Mr. Hotaling left his home this morning for work feeling in good spirits. As he alighted from a trolley car in State street to walk to his office, he suddenly felt ill and walking to the office told his secretary, Miss Loretta Connick, of 15 Bleecker place, that he had a queer feeling. He refused medical aid, however, and went to the bank on some legal business. 

Sitting in the president’s office, Mr. Hotaling suddenly stiffened out in his chair and succumbed. Dr. William J. Wansboro was called and pronounced him dead. Coroner John J. Skelly said death was due to heart trouble. 

Mr. Hotaling was a son of the late Edward Hotaling, a retired farmer, formerly of Clarksville. He was educated in the country and the Albany schools and was graduated from the Albany Law School in 1906. He was admitted to the bar in 1908 after serving his apprenticeship in the office of the late Henry S. McCall, then associated with Zeb A. Dyer, one-time district attorney and Democratic county leader. He was a member of the Albany county and American Bar association. 

Dean Harold D. Alexander of the Albany Law School, said, when informed of his death, “He was a good lawyer and a good fellow.” 

Mr. Hotaling was a member of the Third Reformed church. He is survived by his wife, May D. K. Hotaling, and two sons, Stanley, 18, of The Times-Union editorial staff, and Guy, 12.