Thursday, July 31, 2008

Hearne Baby Carriages (1895 advertisement)

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 24, 1895, p. 2.

Attar of Roses

1895

Six Billion Damask Buds Gathered Every Year to Make It.

Since the emancipation of the Balkan provinces the manufacture of attar of roses has become a great industry in Bulgaria and has been taken up on a large scale in Germany. We have all been accustomed to connect the fabrication of attar of roses with Persia and Syria, and even now India and Constantinople furnish probably the largest markets for it, but although the art of making it was discovered in Persia the manufacture has now nearly or quite died out, and the center of the business is now the country about Kazanlik, on the south slope of the Balkans, close to the Shipka, or Wild Rose pass, famous in the history of the Russo-Turkish war. The rose growing belt is situated at an average altitude of 1,000 feet above the sea and extends to a length of about 70 miles, with an average breadth of ten miles. On this ground are produced annually from 5,000,000,000 to 6,000,000,000 rose blossoms.

The number of varieties cultivated is very small. Ninety per cent of all the blossoms are taken from a bushy variety of the Rosa damascene, or damask rose, known to our gardeners mainly as the ancestor from which the infinite variety of hybrid perpetual roses derive a large part of their blood. Of the remaining 10 per cent a part is gathered from the white musk rose, which is frequently planted as a hedge around the fields of pink damascene, while the rest are furnished by a dark red variety of damascene. Other sorts of roses have been tried, but some yield no attar at all, and others give an essence having the perfume of violets or pineapple or hyacinth rather than of roses. — London Public Opinion.


They Warn Crocodiles

Two or three species of birds are known to accompany the crocodile whenever he appears above water. Many a hunter has had his prospects for a shot spoiled by the alarm given to the reptile by his watchful attendants. When they see any one approaching, they will fly at the crocodile's nose, giving loud cries, and the beast never waits to investigate, but instantly shuffles into the water at his best speed.


Not the Girl to Endure a Slight

"We need no ring to plight our troth," he suggested as he kissed her impetuously.
"Yes, we do," retorted the maiden. "None of your sleight of hand tricks with me." — Detroit Tribune.

Sanford Brothers, Fine Carriages (1895 advertisement)

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 24, 1895, p. 6.

Strange Accident at a Draw Bridge

New York, 1895

A party of three men and a hand truck fell through the open draw at Wreck Lead bridge on the Long Beach branch of the Long Island railroad Friday night, and one of them, Anthony Lorenzo, was drowned. The men left Lynbrook at night, and, as there are no trains yet running on Long Beach branch, they proceeded to wild cat it with their hand truck to Long Beach. They approached the draw in the darkness carefully and after lowering the bridge passed across safely. They stopped their truck on the other side to raise the bridge for passing craft in the bay, it being customary to leave the bridge open. The three men then got aboard the handcar and grasped the levers by which the truck is propelled, but in the darkness they did not notice that the wheels were turning backward, and in an instant the truck and its three occupants were precipitated backward into the bay.


Wanted at Hicksville

A general alarm has been sent in to the police of Brooklyn and Long Island City for the arrest of August Hoffarth, an employe of the grocery firm of F. Herzog & Sons of Hicksville. Hoffarth disappeared Friday night. He had been employed by the firm for about five years as collection and delivery clerk. A member of the firm recently discovered that he was short in his accounts. Friday night Hoffarth left town before the firm could do anything towards arresting him.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 24, 1895, p. 5.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Travels of Seeds

1895

NATURE'S VARIED DEVICES FOR SCATTERING THEM.

Some Are Fitted With Parachutes, Which Carry Them — The Dying Mother "Rose of Jericho" — How Seeds Are Distributed by Animals and Water.

Nature has spared no pains to provide for the perpetuation of living organisms. She is prodigal, even apparently wasteful, in her efforts to attain this end. Every plant throws out yearly its myriads of seeds, and no small part of the machinery adapted to make this product fulfill its mission is that directed to the distribution of these seeds. So effective is this machinery that plants spread in a few years over wide regions. Witness the incursions of weeds like the so called Russian thistle, against which the efforts of the farmer seem almost unavailing. The means by which this rapid spreading is brought about are the subject of an article by Professor F. Muller in "Der Stein der Weisen," Vienna, of which we translate the most interesting portions:

"Who has sent them (the plants) as colonists into this new, unpeopled land? Whence have they come and by what way? If we call the roll of the army of colonists that we may get an answer to this question, we shall find especially plants whose seeds can navigate the air like miniature flying machines, often for long distances. All these belong to the widely distributed aster family (compositæ) or to the nearly related teazel family (dipsaceæ). Their seeds are furnished, to fit them for their long sails through the airy sea, with a sort of parachute of soft, feathery fibers. The lightest breeze raises them and bears them in graceful sweep over field and meadow, but the storm wind lifts them to the region of the clouds so that they fly with the eagle over hill and dale to far and foreign lands. Millions, to be sure, fall to the ground without reaching the sought for soil, but other millions fulfill the end of their existence, the perpetuation and increase of their kind. Next to the composite plants is the numerous mustard family (cruciferæ). Then comes the pink family with its countless representatives and the plain looking grass family, whose light seeds fly about hither and thither as the stems are tossed about by the wind.

"When a summer thunderstorm bursts, bending the strongest trees, or when in autumn the wind rushes through the woods, then the time has come when the plant children, now only slightly attached to the plant mother — that is, the ripe seeds that cling to them — are torn away and set out on their adventurous travels; then they whirl and dance in the air, along with thousands on thousands of their fellows. Many rise high in air and sail on the upper air currents far away; others remain in the tree tops or hang from the branches; others still fall on roofs or bare rocks; many, too, drop on passing men or beasts. Chance bears few to a place where their growth is assured. The greater part must perish."

After mentioning the various trees that have winged seeds, such as the ash, maple, etc. Professor Muller goes on to describe a peculiarly interesting plant belonging to this class — the "rose of Jericho." He says:

"The spherical plant, resembling a bird's nest in the foreground, is the so called 'rose of Jericho' (Anastatica hierochuntia), belonging to the family of cruciferæ. When the plant approaches maturity, it forms by the bending of its branches a spherical ball that carries the fruit within. Now the dying mother plant is ready for its journey over the desert. When, with the help of the wind, it has become detached from the ground, it is rolled about in the storm, hopping and springing over the earth, now leaping over some rock that protrudes from the sea of sand, now over the bleaching skeleton of some unlucky wanderer of the desert, all the time strewing its seeds far and wide.

"There are also many plants whose seeds, by means of mechanical devices, are hurled forth from the plant, as in the oxalis family, the geranium and many others. Such seeds, however, can travel only short distances, and that is the reason why we almost never see the plants growing singly, but in groups together. Still sometimes they are carried to great distances by passing animals, and also by flowing water.

"There is a large number of plants whose seeds are carried in the stomachs of animals and so make long journeys. Water also plays a great part in the distribution of plants, and in the case of newly formed islands it plays the principal part.

"Who has not on an autumn walk through wood and field brought home those little hangers on, clinging to his clothes, or been obliged angrily to free himself from the troublesome obstructions while still on the road? Unwittingly he has thus aided in the distribution of these plants, and, equally unwittingly, animals carry the seeds in their fur and birds bear them on their feathers, whence they are sooner or later dislodged. The skill shown by nature in the matter is truly remarkable. Those plants are mostly troublesome weeds which one would rather see decay and perish, but nature makes use of us against our wills to serve for their propagation. We are like that strict professor who, to see that there should be no cheating in a written examination, went about from scholar to scholar and thereby unwittingly aided them to cheat, for he carried about with him a placard bearing the answers to all the questions, which some sly scapegrace had pinned to his coattails.

"In this connection the interesting fact should be stated that very many plants whose fruits serve to nourish neither man nor beast have those devices for securing the distribution of their seeds. In the case of plants whose fruits are sought as food this very fact is sufficient security that the seeds will be properly distributed." — Literary Digest.

Cleaning Silver

1895

Silver is cleaned at the shops by pressing the piece against a rapidly revolving wheel made of canton flannel in many rolls. The wheel reaches all irregularities of the surface, and the silver is polished without being scratched. An acid bath is used to cleanse repousse work, and the flannel wheel is afterward applied. Private silver is thus cleansed and polished by contract at the large silver warehouses. The cost is not high, and the work is vastly better done than it can be at home. — New York Sun.


Why Johnny Didn't Get Any Supper

"Papa, what is down?"
"Down, my boy, is the soft, fleecy covering that lies next to the skin of a bird. It is one of the lightest things in the world."
"Then when an elevator drops down 16 stories what makes it seem so — ouch! Quit!" — Chicago Tribune.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Sovereign Java and Mocha Coffee (1895 advertisement)

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 24, 1895, p. 8.

It Was A Dynamite Cartridge

New York, 1895

Some Boys Threw Stones at It to See if It Would Explode, and It Did.

A number of school children in Orient narrowly escaped being blown to atoms Tuesday by the explosion of a dynamite cartridge which they had set up in the street and were pelting with stones. The cartridge was one of several found last week by some school boys near the residence of Mrs. Mary M. Stephenson. A gang of workmen had been employed there recently doing some blasting, and, through oversight or carelessness, they went away leaving the cartridges lying on the ground.

Eddie White and other urchins carried the cartridges about in their pockets for several days, displaying them as curiosities. They had a great time in school passing them around among the other boys. By the time school was dismissed there was scarcely an urchin in the class who wasn't curious to know what the things contained and what they were intended for. Finally one bright lad suggested that the cartridges "looked as it they might go off." Then the boys concluded to put one of them to the test.

By this time the girls also became interested, and they all went to a quiet place in the road some distance from the school, where one of the cartridges was set up as a target. Then about twenty of the boys got a few yards back and at a signal began to throw stones at the curious looking object.

One of the missiles finally struck the cartridge, and there was a terrific explosion. A cloud of dust arose in the air, and the group of children were thrown in all directions by the shock. Villagers rushed to their doors in alarm. The children who could darted off, some covered with dirt and others with their clothes torn. Those nearest the explosion were dazed and regained their feet with difficulty.

When the frightened villagers got to the scene they found a big hole in the ground and several badly scared children standing around looking into it amazedly. Eddie White had a piece of his right ear blown off. Susie Swinton got a bad flesh wound in the left leg, and Flora Wilcox had three deep gashes in her cheek. The wounded were taken to their parents, and gradually the other experimenters found their way to their different homes, where some of them were given a taste of the rod and sent supperless to bed, while others were received with joy.

The villagers began an investigation and secured three other cartridges which three urchins were carrying around for future use. It was estimated that the three cartridges contained explosive force enough to blow up half the village. They were gingerly inspected by the villagers and then one of the men took them in charge and rowing out into the bay dropped them overboard.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 24, 1895, p. 8.

Bicycle Riders Fined in Flushing

New York, 1895

The dingy old court room in the Town Hall at Flushing resembled a secondhand bicycle establishment Tuesday morning. Standing about the room were bicycles of all makes and ages. When the hour for opening court arrived seven young men, owners of the wheels, appeared and were fined various amounts for riding through the streets at night without bicycle lamps.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 24, 1895, p. 8.

Scott's Jewelry Store Burglarized

New York, 1895

News in Brief.

E. D. Scott's jewelry store in Southampton was entered Monday night by burglars and a quantity of jewelry stolen.

Stewart B. Smith of Flushing left his bicycle standing in front of his residence Tuesday night and while inside the wheel was stolen. It was valued at $100.

Mr. and Mrs. Moses Worms, of Whitestone, celebrated their silver wedding Tuesday night. A large number of friends indulged in feasting, merry-making and congratulations to their host and hostess.

Hon. and Mrs. William J. Youngs of Oyster Bay will leave for Europe tomorrow. They will make an extended tour of the Old World and return in the Fall. The trip is made for the benefit of Mrs. Youngs' health.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 24, 1895, p. 8.

Michael Resz Discharged

New York, 1895

Michael Resz of Beaver street, Jamaica, who was arrested by order of Coroner Nutt on suspicion of being implicated in the death of Baltasia Krug, who died from paris green poisoning, had an examination before the coroner on Friday. Assistant District Attorney Wadleigh appeared for the people. The evidence adduced was in no way confirmatory of the suspicions of the coroner's jury and he was discharged.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 24, 1895, p. 8.

Shot at Little Children

New York, 1895

William Henry, an employe in charge of the Governor King place, Jamaica, on Thursday afternoon deliberately shot at a party of six or eight children who had wandered into the yard and were picking flowers. Luckily none of them was struck. This seemed to anger him still more, and be rushed out into the street after them to take a second shot. Colonel Degrauw, who was passing at the time, grabbed the gun, and holding the man back, disarmed him. Mr. Degrauw made a complaint before Justice Hendrickson and Henry was arrested. He gave bonds to appear for examination on Saturday.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 24, 1895, p. 8.

Blacksmith Shop To Be Store

New York, 1895

Jamaica Brevities.

The old brick building on Fleet street used for many years as a blacksmith shop is to be converted into a store and dwelling.

Burglars broke into the saloon of Charles Koehler, on Fulton street, Saturday night, and stole $5 and cigars worth $25.

Henry J. Bookman has sold his hotel business on the corner of Grand and Fulton streets to Samuel Klinger of New York, for $10,000.

Justice Hendrickson lost a valuable five-year-old colt from blood poisoning on Thursday night. He had only the day before been offered $500 for the animal.

David L. Hardenbrook, auctioneer, by order of the executrix, Elizabeth Hendrickson, sold on Tuesday the three story frame dwelling and lot on Union avenue for $2,525. Henry A. Van Allen was the purchaser.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 24, 1895, p. 8.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Ball's Corsets Are Comfortable (1895 advertisement)

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 24, 1895, p. 2.

Tore His Trousers Off

New York, 1895

Freddie Overton, a sixteen-year-old lad, works in the lace factory at Patchogue. On Saturday the lad's trousers leg was caught in the machinery, and he pulled himself loose with great difficulty. The trousers were torn from his body, and went revolving on the arm of the machinery. Beyond the shock, young Overton was not injured.


Father and Son Fight

Father and son engaged in a pitched battle in the Roach household at Roslyn Thursday night, and Friday William Roach, the son, 24 years old, was arrested and fined $5 by Justice Sobey. The trouble was caused by a bottle of whisky.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 24, 1895, p. 1.

Kissed and Made Up

New York, 1895

Thomas J. Havens was before Justice Stackpole at Riverhead on Friday, charged with assault with intent to kill, preferred by Mary Elliott, to whom he is paying attention, and who said Havens had attempted to brain her with a club. Justice Stackpole fined Havens $10 for being intoxicated and was about to look into the more serious charge when the pair kissed and made up.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 24, 1895, p. 1.

Young Pender's Stealing's

New York, 1895

Charles Pender, 18 years old, son of Train Despatcher Pender, of the Long Island railroad repair shops at Morris Park, was held by Justice Duffy, of Long Island City, to await the action of the Suffolk county grand jury. He was arrested by Detective Sarvis, charged with breaking into the railroad station at Southampton on May 1 and taking $15.30. Young Pender confessed to having also robbed the station at Sag Harbor of a number of express packages last winter.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 24, 1895, p. 1.

Two Knock-outs at Ridgewood

New York, 1895

Two rattling fights were decided at the rooms of the Queens County A. C. of Ridgewood. on Saturday night. They were private subscription goes, and nearly 200 spectators watched the decision of the contests. The first bout was at catch weights between Jack Barry of New York and Billy Delaney of Brooklyn. Barry was by far the cleverer and scored repeatedly with both hands after the first round. Delaney was badly punished, but fought back gamely until the sixth round, when Barry landed a smashing left-hander and put him to sleep in 2 minutes 23½ seconds.

In the second "go," Jack Miller of New York opposed Billy McTighe for ten rounds at 125 pounds. It was a slugging match from the call of time. McTighe knocked his opponent out in the eighth round with a left in the wind and a right in the face.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 24, 1895, p. 1.

Thieves Are Frightened Away

New York, 1895

The jewelry store of E. D. Scott, of Southampton, was entered by burglars Monday night and a small amount of jewelry stolen. The thieves forced an entrance with a jimmy. They left in a hurry, as part of the jewelry was scattered from the cases to the rear window. It is thought they were frightened away by the village watchman.


Chicken Thieves are Fanciers

Chicken thieves have been raiding the hen-roosts of the farmers in and about Flushing. The thieves always take the most valuable fowls, and are evidently expert fanciers. A few nights ago they entered the poultry yard of W. L. Cornell, on the Flushing turnpike, and took eight Golden Wyandottes, valued at $5 each.


Furman's Attempted Suicide

The news of the attempted suicide of John L. Furman of Patchogue, in the Potomac river, caused universal surprise and regret among his many friends in his old home. He left Patchogue about two weeks ago for New York to resume his business.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 24, 1895, p. 1.

A Grandfather's Plea

New York, 1895

John Golden Wants the Custody of His Dead Daughter's Babe.

John Anderson, a young mechanic, of Brooklyn, and his wife, Mary, had a quarrel about three months ago, and the latter went to the home of her father, John Golden, at Winfield. Two weeks ago Mrs. Anderson gave birth to a boy, and a week later she died, her funeral taking place on Saturday.

The baby was in the supreme court in Brooklyn Tuesday on a writ of habeas corpus, instituted by the father to obtain possession of it. The grandfather explained the circumstances attending the birth of the boy and the death of the mother. He said he wanted to keep the boy and would do all he could for him.

The father explained that he had gone to St. Louis after the quarrel with his wife, and was afraid to go near her father's house, thinking he might be shot. His mother, he said, was willing to take charge of the infant.

Justice Cullen allowed the grandfather to retain the child for two weeks, pending a further hearing.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 24, 1895, p. 1.

Campion Sues Mrs. Callahan

New York, 1895

For $5,000 Damages for Kicking Him on the Shins.

Edward Campion, of Jamaica, has, through his counsel, William J. Stanford, commenced a suit in the supreme court against Mrs. Margaret Callahan, who resides on the Campion property for $5,000. Campion alleges that on May 11 Mrs. Callahan kicked him on his legs causing him great pain and temporarily depriving him of the power of walking and hindering, him from pursuing his vocation.

Mrs. Callahan has made a complaint before Police Justice Detheridge that Campion assaulted her son by knocking him down and kicking him several times without provocation. Upon this complaint Campion was arrested Monday evening. When arraigned before the justice he pleaded not guilty and his examination, was set down for Saturday. The trouble between Mrs. Callahan and Campion arose from Mrs. Callahan's cows grazing in a lot said to be owned by Mr. Campion.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 24, 1895, p. 1.

John Roberts's Big Claim

New York, 1895

He Wants $101,838 from the State for False Imprisonment.

John Roberts, who has filed a claim for $101,838 with the state board of claims at Albany, under a law passed at the late session, is a box manufacturer at 356 Fulton street, Brooklyn,

The claim is based on the fact that he was wrongfully accused of participation in a masked burglary and robbery at the house of Mr. H. Green, in Long Island City, on the night of Dec. 22, 1876. He was tried, found guilty, and sentenced to a term of twenty-one years in state prison. After nearly a year's confinement he satisfied the authorities of his complete innocence of the crime and was pardoned by Gov. Robinson.

Mr. Roberts assesses the damages he sustained at $75,000 for injuries to his reputation and feelings; $11,070 for loss of income and injury to business; $1,700 for counsel fees; $14,068 as interest.

The two surviving participators in the burglary have professed their willingness to come forward and testify for Mr. Roberts.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 24, 1895, p. 1.

Agnes Sent Back Home

New York, 1895

Agnes Josephine McGraw, the 15 year old school girl who ran away from her home in Bay Port with Brakeman John McKenna of the Patchogue express, was taken back to her home on the 11 o'clock train on Saturday. Agnes spent the night at the Hunter's Point police station. Agnes was taken before Justice Ingram, and when she realized her predicament she broke down, and in a written statement charged Brakeman McKenna with inducing her to leave home.

McKenna in the meanwhile surrendered himself at the Hunter's Point police station and declared himself innocent. He said he did not even know the girl's name.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 24, 1895, p. 1.

Set Fire to the Comac Woods

New York, 1895

More than forty acres of woodland at Comac was destroyed by fire Friday. The fire is believed to have been started by Bob Armstrong, a desperate character, who has boasted that he would not leave a building standing in Comac. Officers are searching for him.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 24, 1895, p. 1.

Drove a Horse to Death

New York, 1895

William Jones, colored, of Jamesport, hired a horse and wagon of Epher W. Tuthill on Thursday night to drive to Riverhead. After arriving in the village Jones hitched his rig in front of a saloon. Oliver Hicks and George Fisher took the horse and wagon and drove off to Moriches, Westhampton and Quogue, and while returning to Riverhead the horse dropped dead on the Quogue plains.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 24, 1895, p. 1.

Note: I looked up Epher W. Tuthill online and there are references to him, like his middle name, Whitaker or Whittaker (one or two T's), when he was born, when he died, his first wife's name, his second wife's name, when they were married, his parents' names, her parents' names. But this little article above might be the only one that tells that he had a horse that dropped dead on the Quogue plains.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Sulphur Bitters - Truths for the Sick (1895 advertisement)

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 17, 1895, p. 7.

Drake's Dash at Cadiz

1895

On the 12th of April Drake had sailed from Plymouth; on the 19th he entered Cadiz harbor; on the 1st of May he passed out again without the loss of a boat or a man. He said in jest that he had singed the king of Spain's beard for him. In sober prose he had done the king of Spain an amount of damage which a million ducats and a year's labor would imperfectly replace. The daring rapidity of the enterprise astonished Spain and astonished Europe more than the storm of the West Indian towns. The English had long teeth, as Santa Cruz had told Philip's council, and the teeth would need drawing before mass would be heard again at Westminster.

The Spaniards were a gallant race, and a dashing exploit, though at their own expense, could be admired by the countrymen of Cervantes. "So praised," we read, "was Drake for his valor among them that they said if he was not a Lutheran there would not have been the like of him in the world." A court lady was invited by the king to join a party on a lake near Madrid. The lady replied that she dared not trust herself on the water with his majesty lest Sir Francis Drake should have her. — Anthony Froude in Longman's Magazine.

The Art of Remembering

1895

Each Fact Should Be Stowed Safely Away Like a Library Book.

A noted medical writer likens the brain to a vast library and each idea or name or incident to the volumes composing it. The memory, he says, acts as librarian and tucks away each volume in some peculiar niche of its own. Now, when we call on Librarian Memory for one of those volumes he usually knows where it is and hands it to us instanter, but occasionally he, like other officeholders, forgets his duties. We call on him suddenly, waking him from his nap perhaps, and he cannot remember where he put the name of Smith or Jones, or the little fact regarding the tariff, or Agamemnon's wives, or something or other. Sometimes he finds it after a moment's search and sometimes not for days. But he keeps up a still hunt for the missing volume, even while you forgot all about it, and some time, when you are least expecting it, presto! there is the very thing you were trying to remember.

For instance, somebody asked the writer of this paragraph the other day suddenly for the name of a lady and her daughter staying near Boston. The name was a perfectly familiar one, being that of an acquaintance, but with the question it suddenly vanished. It was impossible to answer. Librarian Memory was asked for it three or four times during the evening, but it eluded his efforts completely, and for a day or two the event was forgotten. Finally, coming down town on an electric car, with the mind absorbed in other things, the little librarian joggled our elbow. "Here it is. Smithson, volume 41,523, shelf 217," he whispered. As usual, when one ceases to want the thing it turns up. Ah, if one could only change librarians when the old one shows signs of weakening! — New York Advertiser.

Horses Fascinated By Fire

1895

The Animals Seized With a Strange Madness When In Peril.

The panic that is inspired in the minds of horses by a phenomenon so strange as fire can be understood only by those who have witnessed a fire in a large stable where numbers of horses are kept. The scene that ensues is one of the most frightful that can be conceived. The horses are rescued from the burning building with the utmost difficulty and only with the most serious peril to the lives and limbs of the rescuers. The animals go mad with fright, rear, kick and dash from side to side so wildly as to make an attempt at rescue as perilous as an advance on a hostile battery. When rescued, they will often break away from those who hold them and charge back at full speed into the burning building, there to perish in the flames. They resist every attempt to take them out. They have been known to tear their rescuers with their teeth, to throw them to the ground and trample on them, to kick out their brains.

As the fury of the flames increases so does the panic of the unfortunate animals. They scream out in their agony as the fire reaches their bodies, yet will they not for all that seek safety in the open air. They are crazed with fear and yet remain to be burned to death when a ten seconds' run would carry them to liberty. But they never make the run, and, as a rule, are burned alive in their stalls, where alone they seem to fancy they can find security. There is but one way to get them out, and that is to blind them with some convenient cover, such as a coat or a blanket, and thus, unable to see the dangers about them, trembling in every limb, apparently ready to fall to the earth with fear, they may be led out. But the cover must not be too quickly removed from their eyes — in fact, it should not be taken off until the animals are out of sight of the burning building; otherwise they will break away from the persons leading them, and, in spite of the stoutest efforts at restraint, will dash back to perish in the flames. — St. Louis Globe-Democrat.

The Collapse of Boss Youngs

New York, 1895

A Republican View of His Failure as a Party Leader.

(Long Island City Herald, Republican.)

"The wheels of the gods grind slowly but they grind exceeding small." The Herald has always believed that if William J. Youngs was only given sufficient rope it would only be a question of time when he would hang himself, politically. The pernicious activity of Mr. Youngs, his scheming at Albany, his meddling interference in the county and at the State Capital have finally opened the eyes of the people, and to-day Mr. Youngs is the most unpopular politician in Queens County. The Long Island City Republicans are virtually a unit against him, the Republicans of Newtown are so tired of him that they have already declared that they shall vigorously oppose his return to the State Committee and his re-election as Chairman of the Republican County Committee.

In his own town, Oyster Bay, by his shabby and ungrateful treatment of George Downing he has raised a powerful faction against him, and in Hempstead and North Hempstead he has made himself quite as unpopular as he is in Long Island City and Newtown. In Jamaica the better class of Republicans have no use for him, and his only friends in that town are Assemblyman Vacheron, the editor of the Jamaica Standard and a few cheap politicians. Politically Vacheron is as dead as Youngs. The Standard is not "languishing" but is dying from paresis, the result of having too much Youngs on the brain, and the cheap politicians, who thought Youngs was really a little giant, are now deserting him.

The Herald has made it so hot for Mr. Youngs that on Saturday he announced that he was no longer an aspirant for any office and would leave for Europe on the 25th of May, to be absent "until the clouds roll by." When the situation in New York city became too hot for Gilroy and Croker they were suddenly seized with a desire to see London and Paris. Mr. Youngs has decided to follow their example. Though spring has scarcely begun he finds Queens County uncomfortably warm for him.

The fact of the matter is, that Mr. Youngs has come to grief because he is always making mischief and can not be trusted. He is the cause of his own downfall and has no right to cast blame upon anybody except himself.

—Reprinted in The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 17, 1895, p. 8.

Note: Boss Youngs, William J. Youngs, sometimes even called Billy, seemed to be a guy with a lot of power but apparently didn't always have the sense it took to use it. Other articles about him and what certainly sounds like crooked government shenanigans can be found at antiquearchives.blogspot.com.

A Farce? — Of Course

New York, 1895

Vacheron's Back Down Brings Him Into Ridicule.

(From The Long Island City Herald, Republican.)

Several weeks have passed since the Assembly, at the request of Assemblyman Vacheron, by a unanimous vote adopted a resolution directing the Committee on Privileges and Elections to investigate the accusations made by the editor of the LONG ISLAND FARMER to the effect that Mr. Vacheron was not acting honestly by his constituents in the discharge of his duties as Assemblyman. If the committee found that the allegations were false the editor of the FARMER was to be brought before the Assembly and sentenced to jail, the term of imprisonment to last during the session of the Legislature.

The FARMER has vainly sought to have the investigation made and to that end he sent his counsel, Mr. F. H. Van Vechten, to Albany, but the latter could obtain no satisfaction.

After the bombastic announcement in Mr. Vacheron's organ, the Jamaica Standard, that the editor of the FARMER would be summarily dealt with and receive such punishment as the Assembly has power to inflict, it seems to us that Mr. Vacheron cannot afford to permit the investigation to be dropped. His personal honor is at stake, and if the investigation does not proceed the inference will be that he dare not prosecute the man who, he claims, has slandered him. If there is no investigation then we can come to only one conclusion — that the editor of the FARMER was brutally assaulted for uttering the truth.

Mr. Vacheron has more than his personal honor at stake. Having been elected to an office of honor and responsibility by the Republican party, he is in duty bound to prove that with him public office has really been a public trust.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 17, 1895, p. 8.

Note: 1895 was a big year for Eugene Vacheron, a New York assemblyman, a bad year in many ways. We're only up to May with these articles from The Long Island Farmer, but there's already been plenty of mention of him and plenty of criticism. Most of this can be found at antiquearchives.blogspot.com.

The Village Board of Health Overrules the Health Officer

New York, 1895

The board of health of the village of Jamaica held its first meeting Thursday evening. Charles Doran was elected president, W. Augustus Shipley, secretary, and Dr. T. J. Flynn, Health Officer.

It was ordered that a sign against dumping refuse at Alsop and Grove streets be erected.

Complaint was made that the dumping ground owned by William B. Case was in bad condition, refuse being scattered over the entire ground instead of being put in trenches.

Mr. Case said that Mr. Lockwood, president of the water company, was behind the complaint. The board had passed a resolution prohibiting Mr. Case from dumping or burning garbage within 300 feet of the wells of the water company.

Secretary Shipley said he did not think the board should fight Mr. Lockwood's battles. The water company could buy the land as a means of controlling it. The water company were under contract to supply the village with pure and wholesome water. If they failed to do so, the remedy of terminating the contract could be applied.

Mr. Woolley moved that the resolution prohibiting Mr. Case from dumping or burning garbage within 300 feet of the water company's wells be rescinded. Dr. Flynn advised the board that it would be unwise to remove such a restriction. If the resolution was rescinded, Mr. Case could do just as he pleased about dumping garbage,

The resolution, however, was rescinded.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 17, 1895, p. 8.

Citizen Member Shattuck of the Board of Health After Malefactors

New York, 1895

The board of health of the town of Jamaica held their regular monthly meeting at the Town Hall on Monday. Supervisor Everitt presided. Justice Lester was absent. Mr. Shattuck reported that complaint had been made that a cesspool on the premises of Mr. Choate, at Ozone Park, had been cleaned and the soil dumped on a vacant lot nearby. He had notified the health officer and with him made an investigation, and found that it was so. He wished to know the proper course to pursue.

Justice Lott said that it was a question in his mind if these minor offences should come before a magistrate. The board had no counsel. The highway commissioners and excise boards had counsel to advise them. Notwithstanding the fact that signs had been put up prohibiting the dumping of offal on vacant lots near the Jewish cemetery at Woodhaven, the dumping continued, and the signs had been torn down. An officer should be employed to remain on the ground and arrest the parties who do the dumping. He suggested that Mr. Choate, whose cesspool was recently cleaned, also William Scott, who had the job, and Levi J. Lynch, who prevented the soil from the cesspool being dumped near his house, be cited to appear before the board.

On motion of Justice Hendrickson, Justice Lott was directed to notify the parties to appeal before the board at a meeting to be held this evening.

Justice Lott said he would ascertain who the parties were that leased the ground near the Jewish Cemetery and have them at the meeting.

Citizen Member Shattuck reported that he had investigated a number of complaints that had been made to him and the nuisances had been abated.

The following bills were ordered paid: Adam Bush, burying three dogs, $3; Wilbur F. Lott, putting up signs, $3; Dr. T. J. Flynn, services as health officer, from February 27th to April 27th, $66.00; Dr. A. D. Van Siclen, killing and burying a glandered horse, $5.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 17, 1895, p. 8.

Bowling Match at Krug's Alley

New York, 1895

Woodhaven and Ozone Park News.

To-morrow evening there will be a bowling match at Krug's alleys between Messrs. Hoelfelder, Stuber and Zweig.

George Grieve, who sailed for Scotland three months ago has returned, bringing with him a charming bride. George gave his friends a big surprise.

George T. Walker and Alex Ross, who were arrested Friday night by Sheriff Peterson on complaint of Mrs. Florence Wescott, for malicious mischief, were tried before Justice Lott Monday night, and discharged.

On Sunday morning about 12 o'clock an alarm of fire was given. It called the firemen out in their Sunday clothes. The fire proved to be in the garret of a house in Union Course, caused by a defective chimney. Damage about $10.

George W. Nones, who has been away for the past year, returned to Ozone Park on Tuesday for a short visit among old friends, who were more than glad to see him. Mr. Nones is in the poultry business at Rhinecliffe, N. Y., where he has at present over sixteen thousand young chicks hatched by incubators.

Eva Buthroy, the five year old daughter of James Buthroy, of Brooklyn Hills, was terribly burned Monday evening while playing around a bonfire which some of her companions had kindled. Her clothing took fire and she ran towards her home a mass of flame. George McDonald caught her as she was about to fall and wrapping his coat about her extinguished the flames. It is feared that she is fatally burned.

Thursday night Chief Garbe sent out an alarm of fire from Woodhaven, calling the entire department to Ferry street and University place. The boys were very prompt in responding, but when they found out that the chief took upon himself the privilege of sending out an alarm for a drill, they did not feel quite so good over it. They are always ready to respond to a fire, but do not think the chief has any right to send in a false alarm.

John Markham on Sunday inflicted a serious injury upon Leon Mabet, a boy 14 years old. As the two were at the railroad station awaiting a train for Laurel Hill where they were to take part in a ball game, Markham, in showing his companion how to swing the bat, brought it down on the boy's head, crushing the skull over the right temple. The lad was picked up unconscious and removed to his home, and afterward to the hospital. Young Markham gave himself up to Officer Bush and was paroled to await the result of Leon's injuries.

The people of Ozone Park have complained several times of the pigs running loose in the streets. Sunday morning the poundmaster engaged two noted pig catchers of the place to capture "piggie," but the pigs were very lively and they led the "professors" a long chase before being caught. But how were they to get them to the pound? Well, one took two pigs under his arms, and the other took one under his arm and led one by a rope. Before they managed to get to the pound they attracted a crowd who kept tickling the pigs and making all the fun they could. It will take twelve good dollars to get the pigs out again, and the owner says he will not pay it.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 17, 1895, p. 8.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Lorenzo Remsen Lake Ice (1895 advertisement)

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 17, 1895, p. 2.

What Gave the Earth Its Motion?

1895

You have often asked or had the question asked of you, "What gave the earth its daily motion, and how is the force of that motion kept up?" but have never been really satisfied with the answer given or the reasons therefor which you were able to advance in explanation. The astronomers are not even agreed upon this question.

Some of them claim that the "original initial centrifugal force" was directed in a line slightly to one side of the center of the globe, which would of course cause the earth to rotate upon its axis, and by the law of inertia of matter must continue to revolve at a uniform rate of speed. This "law of the inertia of matter" is to the effect that matter once set in motion must continue to move until arrested by some outside force. Others claim that the motion is a "compound resultant of the motion of the earth in its orbit and the attraction of the sun." — St. Louis Republic.



His Reward

Not very long ago the Duke of Norfolk, while walking through the streets of London, happened to see an old lady in evident distress. She wanted a cab and could not attract the cabman's notice. His grace called a vehicle and saw her into it safely. To his surprise, he found three coppers slipped into his hand, and the old lady said: "There you are, my man. Go and get yourself a glass of beer!"

Silent Conversation

1895

Though very fond of stories and an excellent raconteur himself, Rubinstein was rather taciturn. Once, it is reported, a Scotch friend of his, whom he liked very much, went home with him one night after a concert at Glasgow. Both gentleman sat down to tea and cigarettes, and as midnight struck they had not yet exchanged a word. Finally the guest risked a bold and novel query, "Do you like Beethoven?" Rubinstein emptied his cup and said softly, "Beethoven good." Half an hour later came another question, "And how do you like Wagner?" To which Rubinstein, throwing away a cigarette, "Wagner — not good." Having exhausted his stock of inquisitiveness, the Scotch friend of the Russian pianist got up to bid his host a pleasant rest. "Stay yet, my friend," said Rubinstein. "I like your conversation very much." And both remained still drinking tea and smoking cigarettes in profound silence until 3 a. m. struck, when they wished one another good night and parted. — San Francisco Argonaut.



Trivia

John Wesley remembered the names of many hundreds of the members of his societies and was rarely at fault when addressed by any one whom he had met before.

Chestnuts were sold on the streets of ancient Rome at 20 for 1 cent.

Laugh

1895

Don't forget to laugh. Laugh when you are happy, laugh when you are amused, laugh at yourself for being bored. There is always something to laugh at, and even when one is reduced to laughing at oneself that is very much better than to be "glum."

This is what laughter does for a woman: It keeps her heart young. It makes her like people for the sake of the pleasure they give her, and they, in turn, like her. It makes her steps buoyant. It keeps her eyes bright. It keeps her face from wrinkling. It is a beautifier second to no other one. It does for the muscles of the face what exercise does for those of the body — keeps them supple and prevents them from falling into those stiff and settled lines which mean old age.

There is no situation in life, except, of course, the inevitable tragic moments, that may not he bettered by laughter. It is hard to burlesque one's griefs and annoyances, but it can be done, and it is worth doing. To travesty one's emotions and to make a mockery of one's annoyances may not seem to be the highest form of philosophy, but it is not so low a one as to fret over trials and grow pessimistic over personal woes. — New York World.

Athenian Levity In Small Bits

1895

There is one of the fixed stars that is so badly fixed as to be 100,000,000,000 miles distant from the sun. This is really Sirius.

The 5 cent eating houses were not a success in Boston. A cup of coffee and a piece of pie must cost at least 7 cents to attract the independent poor of our luxurious era.

No wonder that a large audience gathers to hear a lecture on "Darkest Turkey." That is the choicest part of the bird. — Boston Transcript.



Washington's Birthday

The first known celebration of Washington's birthday was on Feb. 11, 1784. The old style date was still adhered to. This was during the lifetime of the first president and completed his fifty-third year. The following is from the Pennsylvania Packet of Philadelphia of the date of Tuesday, Feb. 17, 1784:

"NEW YORK [Friday], Feb. 13. — Wednesday last being the birthday of his excellency General Washington the same was celebrated by all the true friends of American independence and constitutional liberty with that hilarity and manly decorum ever attendant on the sons of freedom. In the evening an entertainment was given on board the East India ship in this harbor to a very brilliant and respectable company, and a discharge of 13 cannon was fired on the joyful occasion." The observance of the day was not confined to New York city. — Chicago Inter Ocean.



A Difficult World

Bobby — There isn't any telling what to do in this world.
Tottie — Wot's ze matter?
Bobby — Mamma is always makin me eat things I don't like 'cause they is good for me, so today I said I didn't care for puddin, and instead of makin me eat a hull lot she didn't offer me any. — Good News.

Had a Failing for Chickens

New York, 1895

Justice Nicoll, of Babylon, committed Townsend Brewster, colored, to the county jail for sixty days for stealing fowl from the yards of Frederick Southard. When the premises of Brewster were searched a barrel nearly filled with dressed chickens was found.


House and Contents Burned

The residence of Byron Latimer, at Rockville Centre, was destroyed by fire early Monday morning, and Mr. and Mrs. Latimer and their child narrowly escaped with their lives. The house was built last year and cost $5,000. The total damage amounts to about $9,000. The cause of the fire is unknown.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 17, 1895, p. 1.

Appeals to the General Term

New York, 1895

Theodore E. Scholle, an officer of Bergh's society in Newtown, has appealed to the general term to set aside a verdict of $50 obtained against him in the county court by John Sahr, for having killed a horse belonging to the latter over a year ago. Scholle claimed that the killing was an act of humanity. Sahr valued his horse at $140 and said the animal was only temporarily disabled. He first obtained a verdict of $100 in a local justice's court. At the county court this amount was reduced to $50.

Note: Scholle's first name was spelled "Thedore" in the newspaper.


Fire Island's New Light

The new electric lamp on the Fire Island light, the most powerful in the world, will be lighted July 1. It will be visible to ships 100 miles out at sea. The light will be electric, having a power of 50,000,000 candles without the lense. The lense, which was made in Paris, is of enormous size — about ten feet in diameter. It will increase the power to 250,000,000 candles.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 17, 1895, p. 1.

Insane Patients Wearing Straw Hats

New York, 1895

About one hundred patients were removed Monday morning from the insane asylum at Ward's Island to the New York City home for the insane at Central Islip. They were taken to the Long Island City railroad station in the boat Minnehannock. They were taken to Central Islip in a special train. The men were dressed in summer clothing and wore straw hats.


Aymar Gets 6½ Years

Samuel E. Aymar, the defaulting bookkeeper of the National Shoe and Leather Bank, was sentenced Monday by Judge Benedict in the United States Circuit Court to six years and six months imprisonment in the Kings county penitentiary.


Burglars at East Williston

Burglars broke into the office of Oakley & Griffin, carriage manufacturers, at East Williston, on Monday morning. They blew open the safe. They secured only some cigars and a few dollars.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 17, 1895, p. 1.

Harry Darde's Plight

New York, 1895

Did He or a Namesake Get Mrs. George Arnold's Letter?

Harry Darde, of Hammel's Station, Rockaway Beach, was before United States Commissioner Bellows in Brooklyn on Tuesday charged with illegally signing for and receiving a registered letter addressed to Mrs. George Arnold. He explained that there were two Mrs. George Arnolds and two Harry Dardes of Hammel's Station, and that the Mrs. Arnold to whom the letter was addressed is not the same Mrs. Arnold that made the complaint. The Mrs. Arnold to whom the letter was addressed, he said, really got it and the other Harry Darde signed for it.

Commissioner Bellows asked the accused to write his name, and when he had done so the signature was compared with that on the registered letter receipt. The two signatures were so much alike that Commissioner Bellows decided to hold Darde in $500 bonds for examination on May 22.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 17, 1895, p. 1.

Arrested on Suspicion

New York, 1895

Did Michael Resz Poison Batasia Krug for His Money?

Coroner Nutt and a jury concluded an inquiry touching the death of Batasia Krug, who was found dead in his room at the house of Michael Resz, on Beaver street, Jamaica, on Saturday, May 4th. It was at first supposed that the death of Krug was caused by poison. After the first adjournment of the inquest the coroner received an anonymous letter to the effect that if he did not thoroughly investigate Krug's death a step further would be taken.

When Officer Peterson went to remove the body he found in the pocket of Krug's coat a package of Paris green. Resz said to him, "I hope they won't think I put it there."

The testimony before the coroner showed that Krug had on October 2, 1894, given Resz $431, and signed an agreement that for the above sum he was to take care of Krug until his death, and then give him a decent burial. He had his life insured for $100, which was to be paid to Resz.

George W. Allen testified that about a month ago Krug came to his place and said that on that morning Mrs. Resz told him that his services were no longer required, and that he was expected to pay his board. He showed Mr. Allen the agreement between himself and Resz and asked him what he should do.

Patrick Redington was at work at Resz's place Saturday, May 4. About 4 o'clock Resz called him up stairs, and he saw Krug lying dead upon the bed. Resz brought out some Paris green from under the bed in a pan. He saw nothing in the room that a man could drink out of.

John S. Higbie testified that he went to Resz's store about 6 o'clock to purchase a pair of shoes. Resz gave him a pair to try on, and then sat down and continued his work. While he was trying on the shoes a man came down stairs and spoke to Resz in German. Resz ran up stairs. He returned in a few minutes and called to his wife, and they both went up stairs: "There is a man dead up stairs. Will you come up and see him?" He went up. There was a pan on the floor near the bed with Paris green in it.

The jury found that the deceased came to his death from Paris green poisoning, and that the circumstances are so far suspicious as to warrant the holding of Michael Resz for the action of the grand jury.

Immediately upon the rendition of the verdict, Resz was arrested and locked up in the Town Hall. He will have an examination before a justice this afternoon.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 17, 1895, p. 1.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Even Sandow (1895 advertisement)

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 17, 1895, p. 2.

Burglar Nabbed in a Grocery

New York, 1895

Louis Wagner, who keeps a grocery in Laurel Hill, had a struggle with a burglar Sunday morning. The burglar, who said he was a New Yorker named John Reilly, was captured and is now in jail.

Mr. Wagner was aroused at 4 A. M. by the barking of his watchdog, which he keeps chained at night in his grocery, over which he sleeps. Wagner took his revolver and went down stairs. On opening the door leading to the store he saw a man behind the counter trying to open the money drawer. Wagner pointed his revolver at Reilly and told him to hold up his hands. The burglar complied, but when Wagner was about to grab him he turned upon the grocer and a hand to hand struggle ensued.

Both men fell to the floor in the scuffle, with Wagner on top. The grocer hammered the burglar with the butt end of his revolver until Reilly asked for mercy. In the mean time Wagner's wife and family were awakened. They summoned assistance, and the burglar was overpowered. Reilly said that he had come to Laurel Hill to witness a prize fight, and that he had lost his way. He found a window open and thought he would go inside for shelter.


Charged with Robbing a Comrade

The officers of Hempstead are looking for Charles Dispella, who is charged with stealing $200 and a lot of jewelry from a fellow workman. Dispella was engaged last Tuesday by Nathan Heilman. He was missing Sunday and upon investigation it was found that he had carried away the valuables and money from the trunk of Julius Yager, another laborer.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 10, 1895, p. 8.

No Brides Under 18

New York, 1895

Without Parents' Consent, or Felony on the Part of Clergymen.

The new law, raising the age of consent of girls from 16 to 18 years, has called forth a statement from Judge McAdam of the Superior Court. The new law takes effect on Sept. 1 next. The Judge says:

"No magistrate or clergyman should, after Sept. 1, 1895, perform the marriage ceremony where the female is under 18 years without the consent of her parents or guardian. If he does he may unconsciously be made accessory to a criminal offence.

"The section of the Penal Code is 282, which was passed on April 27 last, providing that any person who takes a female under the age of 18 without the consent of her father, mother, guardian, or other person having charge of her person, for the purpose of marriage, is guilty of abduction, punishable by fine and imprisonment. The act does not declare in terms such marriage void, yet, being in violation of law, it may be voidable.

"The age of a female is always problematical. The polite way to determine it is to allow the lady to declare it herself and accept her statement, but this will not satisfy legal requirements, and no official will be safe in performing the ceremony after Sept. 1 without first consulting the bride's parents or guardian, unless age has made its impress in such a manner as to defy deception."

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 10, 1895, p. 8.

John Kruck Commits Suicide

New York, 1895

John Kruck, a German, about 60 years of age, who resided in Jamaica for a number of years, was found dead on Saturday in his room at the house of Michael Resz, on Beaver street, with whom he made his home. He had committed suicide. An autopsy made by Dr. Flynn showed the presence of Paris green, and a patch of the poison was found on the inside of the man's lip. Kruck was twice married. After the death of his second wife he became despondent and drank heavily. He owned two shanties near the depot of the old south side railroad which he recently sold for $450. He maned the money over to Resz, with the understanding that Resz should give him a home for the rest of his life and also give him a decent burial.


John Wiley Gets a $500 Verdict

Before Judge Ramsey and a jury in the Circuit Court at Brooklyn on Tuesday John Wiley of Jamaica, was awarded $500 damages in his suit against the Long Island railroad company for $5,000 damages for the loss of the services of his child Mary, who had her feet cut off by the cars on December 31, 1892.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 10, 1895, p. 8.

John Mutter Engaged as Umpire

New York, 1895

Woodhaven and Ozone Park News

John Mutter has been engaged as umpire for the Hempstead base ball club.

The King's daughters of Ozone Park will give an entertainment at Americus Hall the latter part of this month.

The Siac base ball club will hold an entertainment and reception at Ballin's Hall on the 15th for the benefit of the club.

State Counselor John Ross paid a visit to Woodhaven Council No. 26, on Tuesday night. The council entertained him right royally.

Joseph Long, arrested Saturday night for fighting on the depot platform at the Woodhaven Junction station, was on Monday fined $10 by Justice Hendrickson.

Stephen Lott of Liberty avenue, who is working at Far Rockaway, met with a painful accident last week. While fitting a curbing he had one of his fingers broken.

August Mark who was arrested for cutting Mrs. Armbruster's head with a pitcher, was held for the grand jury by Justice Lott. Mrs. Armbruster was not able to leave her house, so the evidence was taken while she was in bed.

A bicycle race from Woodhaven to Freeport, 39¼ miles, took place Sunday afternoon under the auspices of the Clifton wheelmen. John Bub and Henry Kline were the only competitors. The prize was a gold medal. Bub beat Kline by two minutes.

Frank Dudenhausen, lately a druggist at Richmond Hill, is being tried for perjury before Judge Moore of Brooklyn. Bessie A. Dudenhausen, his wife, is pressing the charge. He denied that he was ever married to her, when in fact they had been married twice. She secured the divorce.

I. M. Hart of Union avenue has the full sympathy of his neighbors in his sad affliction by the sudden death of his wife. Mrs. Hart was a prominent member of the Baptist church and took an active part in all church work. She leaves five small children.

Saturday night Charles Dygert, the watchman at Woodhaven Junction, quarreled with four young men who were under the influence of liquor. He arrested Joe Long, when the others attempted to rescue him, but he held on to his man and took him to Jamaica. Monday morning Justice Hendrickson fined him $10.

The young ladies of Ozone Park have organized a King's Daughters' circle. The circle commenced auspiciously, fifteen workers having signed the roll. A beautiful enameled mallet, decorated with violets, has been presented to the circle. Miss Fanny Williams has been chosen president, Miss Mattie Tink treasurer, and Miss Hattie Lewin secretary.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 10, 1895, p. 8.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Not to be Caught Twice

New York, 1895

Twenty years ago Jarvis M. Jarvis was struck by a train on the Merrick crossing of the Long Island railroad and lost a leg. Thursday while driving over the same crossing he was run down by a locomotive, but jumped in time to save the other leg. His wagon was demolished.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 10, 1895, p. 1.

Two Men Rescue Two Children

New York, 1895

William H. Bowne and William Seaman, of Glen Cove, bravely stopped a runaway horse on Monday and rescued. the two children of Mrs. Timothy Titus. Mrs. Titus had been driving in the neighborhood of the depot, when the horse took fright and ran away. The woman was thrown from the wagon, and the horse galloped madly down the street. When the vehicle was stopped the children were found in the bottom of the wagon unhurt.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 10, 1895, p. 1.

Mary White Makes a Mistake

New York, 1895

Mary White, colored, of Jamaica, was arraigned before Justice Hendrickson upon a charge of entering her mother's home and helping herself to property left by her grandmother. Mary said that her grandmother had willed her the property and she was entitled to it. It was proved that Mary's grandmother died without a will, and Mary was threatened with a term in jail. She agreed to return the property if the complaint could be withdrawn. This the mother consented to.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 10, 1895, p. 1.

Two Knock Outs at Ridgewood

New York, 1895

Two hotly contested glove fights were decided at Ridgewood on Saturday night. Jimmy Black of New York and Dan Casey of Brooklyn met in the first "go" at catch weights. Casey forced the fighting from the start, but Black was very shifty. Casey put his man to sleep in the ninth round with a straight left hand punch on the chin.

In the second bout, Jack McGrath of Brooklyn faced Billy McDonald of New York at 125 pounds to a finish. It was a good even fight for five rounds, but the tide then set in McDonald's favor, and McGrath was put to sleep with a right body blow in the eleventh round.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 10, 1895, p. 1.

Tried to Drown Himself

New York, 1895

Leonard Gimlet Heroically Rescued by John Oakley, Jr.

There was an exciting scene at Brown's river, Sayville, Monday afternoon, occasioned by Leonard Gimlet, 18 years of ago, making several attempts to drown himself. From birth he has been a victim of epileptic fits. Monday Gimlet became suddenly crazy while standing on the bank of Brown's river, near the bay, and made a frantic outcry and rushed into the river, where he mired in the deep mud, floundering about in a desperate manner.

John Oakley, Jr., rushed in to rescue the boy. Owing to the depth of the mud Oakley was at a disadvantage to handle the fellow, and besides he no sooner laid hands on Gimlet than the latter turned on him. A hand-to-hand struggle ensued. Finally Oakley, being the stronger, got the advantage of his crazy antagonist and dragged him, feet first, to shore.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 10, 1895, p. 1.

Monday, July 21, 2008

A Lunatic at Large

New York, 1895

Andrew Hoffman, aged 19 years, was found wandering around Maspeth Saturday morning in a demented condition. Constable Holdsworth brought him to the town hall. He told Justice Monteverde that he had been employed by ex-President Harrison, and that since leaving Washington he had been in heaven. Hoffmann was given an opiate and placed in a cell. When he awoke he gave his residence as 182 Knickerbocker avenue, Brooklyn. Word was sent to that address and Hoffman's brother came and took him away.


A Large Family

Mrs. Selah Hall, of Northport, gave birth last week to her eighteenth child. Of this number there have been four pairs of twins. Of the eighteen children ten are living.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 10, 1895, p. 1.

Friday, July 18, 2008

Watkins Out $61 and Costs

New York, 1895

Clarence E. Watkins, of Roslyn, bought a piano some time ago and thought he had secured a bargain. It was purchased at a sheriff's sale, and cost the buyer $61. Immediately after Watkins bought the instrument it was claimed by C. Albert Jacobs. The latter said he had simply given it to the person who was sold out to sell on commission. The case was tried in Justice Sobey's court, and the piano was awarded to Jacobs. Watkins is out his $61 the costs of the action.



Verdict for $29,835 for Jamieson

A jury in the Supreme Court at Long Island City gave a verdict of $29,835 against the New York and Rockaway Beach railroad company, in an action brought by John Jamieson, owner of number of buildings destroyed by fire at Holland's Station, Rockaway Beach, on July 23, 1893. Jamieson alleged that the fire started from one of the company's locomotives, and he sued to recover $32,362.47.

Arrested for Abandonment

New York, 1895

Sarah Golder, who claims to be the common law wife of Edward Golder, of Baldwins, has caused his arrest on charges of abandonment. The couple separated in April, 1894, They had lived together for nearly six months as man and wife. Then Golder left her and Monday she appeared before Justice Seaman at Wantagh and procured a warrant for his arrest. The woman has one child, of which she claims Golder is the father.


Closed the Side Doors

The saloon men at Flushing kept their side doors tightly closed on Sunday. A number of inspectors employed by the Law and Order society were out securing evidence against some of the places.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 3, 1895, p. 1.

Poundmaster Derby Presents a Queer Little Bill

Morris Park Wants the Water System Extended

New York, 1895

The Public Business

Poundmaster Derby Presents a Queer Little Bill — Highway Commissioners Threaten to Throw Open the Toll Gates Again — Last Meeting of the Old Board of Trustees.

The town board held a meeting at the Town Hall on Friday. Supervisor Everitt presided. Justice Lester was absent.

Town Clerk McCook reported that he had rented a lot from I. U. Hyatt, on New York avenue, and the portable house used for election purposes had been moved on to it.

A petition from residents of Morris Park, asking that a water main be laid on Linden avenue from Chichester avenue to Broadway, was referred to Justices Lott and Kissam.

The following bills were ordered paid: Aloise Steffens, rent of building for election purposes, $10; J. H. Breel, painting and varnishing in Town Hall, $15; George L. Adams, window shades for Town Hall, $23.40; Charles T. DeBevoise, poll clerk, $12; Alvin M. Dunham, poll clerk, $6; D. K. Morrell, poll clerk, $6.

A bill amounting to $68.50 was received from H. C. Derby, poundmaster. Accompanying the bill was the following letter:

SIRS — In my report you will observe there is a space for deficiencies, the first of which was incurred by Mrs. Corbett, of Clarenceville. She left one cow for security for her ten other cows, and by certain misrepresentations to Judge Hendrickson succeeded in obtaining a replevin. In that case she took her cow away and with no payment to me. Mrs. Corbett's deficiency is $33. Theodore Neilson is in my debt to the amount of $1 for two days' board of a horse. Mr. Fulton's horse was kept the legal time. As he broke down and it became necessary to shoot him, he was taken away by the dead horse man after I had fed him six days; deficit, $6. On September 7th a horse was brought here by a stranger. I kept it six days, advertising all the time. Finally, at an auction it was sold, and after paying all expenses incurred deficit of $6. Mr. Clark took his horses from the pound; deficit, $7. A horse was brought from Dunton, kept six days; deficit, $6. January 8th Mr. Everitt sent a horse from Jamaica. After legal advertising and an auction he was sold for $4.50. On him, kept seven days, received $5. Total deficit, $68.50.

Respectfully submitted,
H. C. DERBY.

On motion of Justice Hendrickson the bill was laid on the table.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 3, 1895, p. 1.

Youngs' Humiliating Position

New York, 1895

The Republican Boss Scored by a Republican Newspaper.

(From the Long Island City Herald.)

The Herald announced several weeks ago that the Hon. William J. Youngs, Chairman of the Queens County Republican Committee and the representative of Queens and Suffolk Counties on the State Committee, was a candidate for Railroad Commissioner or some other important and lucrative State office, and that until he was provided for there was no likelihood of any other Queens County Republican getting anything. Well Mr. Youngs has been provided for, but how have the mighty fallen, or rather in the greedy lust for office, what a humiliating tumble has the leader of the Republican party in Queens County taken to grab a petty and insignificant position because it was the only one at present within his reach.

Mr. Youngs is reputed to be a rich man. His wealth is estimated in the neighborhood of $100,000, and yet he stoops to take a place the compensation for which is about five dollars a day. He has been appointed clerk to a legislative committee which is to travel about the state and examine the public roads. In accepting this cheap position he has broken the promise publicly and voluntarily made by him after the election last fall that he wanted nothing for himself and that in accepting the chairmanship of the county committee he could not consistently or honorably seek any office with a salary attached to it. We certainly think that Mr. Youngs has not only made a great mistake in accepting this petty office but has forfeited the confidence and respect of the Republicans of this county.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 3, 1895, p. 1.

Note: There are several other articles about Boss Youngs at antiquearchives.blogspot.com, and probably several to come!

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Objected to the Question

1895

Among the questions sent out by a school commissioner was the following example in arithmetic:

"If one horse can run a mile in 1 minute and 50 seconds and another a mile in 2 minutes, how far would the first horse be ahead in a match race of two miles?"

A teacher returned the question with this attached: "I will have nothing to do with the race problem." — Atlanta Journal.


Moody Jowett

One evening while John Addington Symonds was at Oxford he dined with Professor Jowett. After dinner the latter sat staring at the fire and would not speak, but yet did not seem to want Symonds to go. At last he spoke oracularly: "When I don't say anything, people fancy I am thinking about something. Generally I am thinking about nothing at all. Good night!" At another time he said: "Mr. Swinburne is a most curious young man. He used to bring me long and eloquent essays. He had a very remarkable power of language, but it was all language. I could never find that he was following any line of thought." — San Francisco Argonaut.


Trivia

Pythagoras directed his disciples not to wear the skins of animals in any form, and so their shoes were made of the bark of trees.

The first gas lamps in Dublin were put in position in 1818, and before 1825 the entire Irish capital was thus lighted.

The Doctor's Escape

1895

"The worst I was ever frightened," said Dr. E. D. Lucas, "was when called at midnight to attend a man reported to be in a dying condition. When I reached his bedside, he was dead and had been for several hours. His wife stood near seemingly calm, and when I told her that her husband was dead she said 'He is not dead. You are a physician, and you must cure him. If you do not, I will kill you!' I looked at her and saw that I was alone with a maniac. In her hand she grasped a pistol, and it was evident that she was determined to use it if I did not restore life to her husband. I knew that I must keep my self possession or all would be lost and felt his pulse, leaned over him as if listening to his heart beats and finally said: 'You are right. He is not dead, but must not be disturbed. He will awaken in the morning. As soon as he awakens give him this medicine,' and I poured some drops into a glass of water. Fortunately the woman was satisfied and allowed me to leave. It was a very narrow escape, and I felt relieved when the woman was taken to an insane asylum." — Cincinnati Enquirer.

Mind Your Eye

1895

"Most persons," says an oculist, "regard the eye as something rather apart from the rest of their anatomy and not in much relation to it. They hardly realize that the condition of their sight affects their general health and are surprised to be told that when glasses are needed the wearing of them may add to their avoirdupois, make them sleep better or improve their appetites. Yet this is true, as any oculist or physician knows. An overworked eye nerve is as much of an agitator in the human system as any of the other nerves under abnormal pressure. Brain workers in particular should keep their eyes in the best possible condition and render them every possible aid.

"One valuable help is sufficient rest. And right here it should be said that to stop using the eye in reading or writing and begin an animated brain stimulating conversation keeps up the strain on the optic nerve. Strongsighted persons, too, abuse their eyes needlessly. No matter how well one can see, he should never work in a cross light. The light should always be from behind, if possible, or from the left side alone. A green shade helps materially in persistent, close work, and cold water syringed over the closed lids is a useful tonic. — New York Times.

The Weasel a Clever Dodger

1895

One That Was Quicker Than the Shot of a Sportsman's Trusty Gun.

"Coming to our camp in the cool October evening after throwing our lines for bass at sunset in Little Bear pond," said the Gotham sportsman, "we found that a visitor had been there during our absence. We had taken up our quarters in a deserted shingle camp, a low log structure with a splint root. A 'deacon's seat' stood before the open fireplace of stone, and behind, laid thatchwise on the ground, were the pine boughs upon which we were to sleep. We had left our dunnage there earlier in the day and had hung up upon a peg in the wall two partridges that we had shot. After we had lighted up the place with a glowing fire we saw that the partridges were gone from the wooden peg on which they had hung and were nowhere to be seen. A long search about the camp revealed them at last on the opposite side, crowded half under the bottom log of the wall, as if an attempt had been made to get them out of the camp that way.

"We hung them up again upon the peg and in a few minutes discovered a weasel running about them trying to get them down again. He appeared to be regardless of our presence. He would run out to the end of the peg and work away awhile to try to push the string that held them over the end and then would dart to the ground below and sit upright, looking at them, his eyes all the while glowing like emeralds. At last I picked my gun up, loaded with heavy charges of birdshot.

"'It's no use trying to hit him,' said Farris, my companion, an old woodsman. 'He'll dodge the flash of your gun. The most you can do is to scare him away.'

"As the weasel sat upright and motionless on one of the bottom logs of the camp I took a careful sight and fired with my right barrel at him. The smoke cleared away, but no weasel was to be seen, although the place where he had sat was peppered with fine holes where the shot had all struck within a space as large as the palm of my hand. If the weasel had been hit, he would have been found, and he had evidently dodged at the flash of the explosion or perhaps the fall of the hammer. But the shot had the effect of frightening him away, for we had no more visit from him during our stay." — New York Sun.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Light from Noise

1895

The Remarkable Discovery That Is Claimed by an Expert Electrician.

Charles F. Kline, who is known as the penitentiary electrician, is recognized as an expert. Kline has developed a new and wonderful idea in electricity that is certain to attract attention. he says:

"If two dissimilar conductors of electricity, subject to slight atomic change under the influence of sound, are joined together after the manner of a pair of thermopile bars and the open ends are insulated by a suitable nonconductor of both sound and electricity, a current is generated when sounds are made in the vicinity of the exposed ends. If two or more such elements are connected together, we have an acoustic battery, and by increasing the number of elements it is possible to operate an ordinary. call bell by simply clapping the hands in front of the exposed ends of the battery. If a telephone receiver is placed in the circuit of this battery, articulate speech and other sounds are reproduced in the receiver without loss whatever of tone, pitch or quality, and we have at once a battery and a telephone transmitter combined.

By enlarging the surface of the exposed ends of the elements and by employing very loud sounds as an excitant a current might possibly be generated which would be of the required force and quantity to operate motors. Shops might be lighted to some extent by the noise of the machinery. A clock might be made self winding by the sound of its ticking, and then perpetual power would become as common as spring power. What the internal resistance of this battery would be when working under the influence of extraordinary loud sounds remains to be determined. But for most purposes the resistance would not amount to much, the materials from which the bars are made being made conductors.

"The noise made by walking on the floors or by shutting the doors might be made to charge small storage batteries, and electricity on tap would become as cheap as water. The materials from which the bars of this battery are made are not to be found in commerce." — Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Russian Traits

1895

An English Writer Has a Poor Opinion of the Czar's People.

The Russians are lazy and effeminate. In the winter they seldom walk, and when they do so they crawl along, muffled up in furs, and do not move with any briskness. One sees a great many military officers in Moscow, and their want of smartness is noticeable. Numbers are always to be seen lounging about the boulevards with their hands in the pockets of their gray overcoats. These boulevard warriors do not look very formidable. The Cossacks are dirty looking ruffians, badly dressed and mounted on small horses, which are said to be excellent animals, possessing wonderful staying power. I was told by an officer that the Cossacks have degenerated very much and have been spoiled by being turned into regulars. The Cossacks of the Don especially have deteriorated, but those of the Caucasian regions are fine soldiers.

One of the worst characteristics of the Russians is their dishonesty in trade. In Moscow, even in many of the best shops, one has to bargain for purchases, as a much higher price than is expected is always asked. In this way foreigners in Moscow no doubt frequently pay three of four times the necessary price for articles. In the same way one has to bargain for everything, and this, in my opinion, constitutes one of the most disagreeable things connected with life in Russia. One always imagines that one is being swindled, and too frequently no doubt the idea is not a vain one.

That the Russians are a dirty people is well known. Very few houses have even a footbath in them, and although there are fine public baths the Russians, even of the upper classes, seldom make use of them. Indeed I believe the lower orders are cleaner in this respect. — Westminster Review.

High Priced Cigars

1895

The Rothschilds of London are said to smoke the most costly brand of cigars made — the "Grandos de Cuba," made at Havana. They are sent to the millionaire bankers wrapped in gold leaf and packed in inlaid rosewood cabinets. Each cabinet contains 11,000 cigars, and they are ordered in lots of four cabinets, or 44,000 at a time. Each consignment costs the millionaire princes $66,000, or at the rate of $1.50 for each cigar.

The 20,000 Havanas made for Marshal Prim, who presented them to Napoleon III, cost 30,000 francs and were at that time considered the height of extravagant smoking. Each was tipped at both ends with gold leaf and marked in the center with an imperial "N." out from the same material. — St. Louis Republic.


The Boy Knew His Business

A gentleman on the cars was recently offered a novel by Honore de Balzac. "New novel, sir," cried the trainboy. "This is just out. It's by the last new writer of Paris."
The gentleman glanced at the title page. "Did you say that was a new novel?" asked the traveler.
"Yes, sir; just out."
"The man who wrote it has been dead for years."
But the boy was equal to the occasion.
"Pshaw!" said he, "this isn't the old man — it's his son." — Cincinnati Tribune.


An Outrage

"What's the judge going to do now?" asked the green juror in a whisper.
"He's going to charge the jury," said the foreman.
"Charge the jury? Charge us? What for? we don't have to pay nothing for the privilege of sitting on a jury, do we?" — London Tit-Bits.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Where His Bravery Forsook Him

1895

He had tramped the wilds of Africa and seen the wild giraffe
And had gazed on lions fierce with greatest brashness.
He had listened with tranquillity to the striped hyena's laugh
And faced tigers with a courage that was rashness.

He had scrapped with big prizefighters in the zenith of their fame
And had fought a dozen duels with the greatest of temerity.
He had entered burning buildings and saved women from the flame
And had swum Niagara's rapids with celerity.

He'd played quarter back at football and had come out safe and sound
And had waded through gunpowder with a candle that was lighted.
He had rescued prisoned miners in the caverns underground,
And in scenes of slaughter he was much delighted.

When no one knew just how the cloth that's bullet proof would work,
He had worn it while the maker experimented.
There was scarcely a known danger his courageous heart would shirk,
And the more the risk the more he was contented.

But one bargain day, while sauntering past a mammoth dry goods store,
When the weather was a-sweltering and a-simmering,
And his friends dared him to try to pass the women round the door,
He refused, for all his courage went a-glimmering.

—Charles J. Colton, in New York Sun.

A Hole in Chicago

1895

Experience of a Traveler Who Went Driving In the Windy City.

"Whatever may be said of New York's streets as to their uncleanliness," said a traveler, "can be more than matched by that city of sooty faces and soiled linen, Chicago, and the streets there are afflicted with more things than more dirt. I was out driving there one winter night with a Chicagoan, who was showing me the sights. The horse, a spirited hackney, was bowling along at a pretty good clip. The vehicle was one of those two wheeled affairs which hoist the occupants about five foot from the roadway. My friend and I were engaged in conversation, when all of a sudden there was a mighty crash. The wheel alongside me gave a thump and a bump, I was thrown in the air about two feet, my hat was jammed over my eyes and my glasses flew off my nose. When I landed, my companion fell on top of me, completely knocking out what little breath I had left. Fortunately he kept a good hold on the reins, for the horse had taken fright and was running away.

"It took about five minutes to stop the horse and remove the memories of the incident from his mind. I have them still in mine. After I had recovered my glasses from the bottom of the carriage and got my collar into position, likewise my internal organs, I inquired what in the name of something quite profane it was that we ran into.

"'Oh,' replied my friend, 'only a fire.'

"'Fire be hanged,' said I. 'How could a fire throw us around like that? I didn't see any fire anywhere.'

" 'Well, you don't understand Chicago yet,' said my friend. 'You see, we are now driving on a wood pavement. This part of the town is not populated with the richest class of persons. Sometimes they go broke, to use a colloquial term, and firewood gets low. When the bin is empty and the thrifty laborer finds that it is a case of having a fire at the city's expense or going cold, he generally chooses the former. He then waits for nightfall, and with a crowbar and pickax goes out and digs up a couple of yards of the street and lugs it home. The wood is always covered with tar and makes the finest kind of firewood. It was one of the holes left by one of those enterprising fellows that we fell into.'

"I said nothing more, but merely ached and thought it over." — New York Sun.

Bismarck's Neat Answer

1895

When he was a young man, Bismarck was for some time an official reporter for one of the courts of justice. In those days his temper sometimes got the better of him, but upon one occasion at least his wit saved him from disgrace.

This was, when questioning a witness, the latter made an impudent retort, whereupon Bismarck exclaimed angrily:

"If you are not more respectful, I shall kick you out of the room!"

"Young man," said the judge, interrupting the proceedings, "I would have you understand that this is a dignified court of justice, and that if there is any kicking to be done the court will do it."

"Ah, you see," said Bismarck to the witness, "if you are not more respectful to me, the court will kick you out of the room. So be careful, very careful, sir."