USA > New Jersey > Atlantic County > Atlantic City > Atlantic City and County, New Jersey, biographically illustrated : a short biography : illustrated by protraits, of prominent residents of Atlantic County and the famous summer and winter resort, celebrated throughout America - Atlantic City. > Part 6
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Che fflect
Sloop Yachts :- St. Charles, E. A. Parker ; J. E. Maher, Sam Gale ; Cornet, Wm. Downs ; Volunteer, Nic Sooy ; M. S. Quay, Ben Sooy ; Alert, Will Gale ; C. F. Whall. Jim Downs; Zella, Lew Adams ; Morgan, C. Foster ; Katie Becker, P. Blackman ; Dreadnaught, Joseph Higbee ; Tillie Covert, James Mills ; Mascott, Harry Parker ; Minerva, D. Driscoll ; Parnell, G. Mathis; Carrie Egner, James Parker.
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Atlantic City.
Chapter TIE.
"An idle sort of a place, where all day long It seems like evening with the day's work done, Where men haste not, because there is no haste, And toil but little, for they've little need : A restful corner, where the August breeze, From softly listening finger on the lip, At length from listlessness falls fast asleep, Till there is no sound heard save, now and then, The whet of scythe and heavy hoist of sail, The dip of unseen oars, monotonous, And softly breathing waves that doze below, Too weak to more than turn themselves, complain, And doze again."
from illness and Care
A Health Record
Philadelphia is regarded as an especially healthful city, and justly so. No large city in the world boasts a death rate so low ; and yet Atlantic City, its near neighbor, and almost its suburb, has a record of 12.05 deaths per thousand in the year, or over eight deaths in the thousand better than Philadelphia, and almost exactly the same rate of mortality as Los Angeles, California, a city largely populated by East- ern invalids. It may be properly urged that among the permanent residents the percentage is still lower, as the rate given in the official statistics include the mortality among the vast number of persons who come here as invalids. It is not necessary to live throughout the year in Atlantic City in order to partake of the benefi- cence of its climate. It may be taken, like any other good tonic, for a season. If every over-taxed
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business man, worn-out mother, or tired society woman would hie to Atlan- tic City when " that tired feeling " asserts itself and stay until it had quite given over the assault, regardless of the season of the year, the measure of their lives would be extended and their capacity for happiness vastly increased. Atlantic City is at the old stand, doing business all the year, Winter and there is never a time when the best hotels are caught napping. Hospitality One can come here in the depths of winter and find every comfort obtainable in any large city in the country. It would be necessary to travel a long way southward to find an equal improve- ment in the temperature generally existing here as compared with New York and Philadelphia. There are exceptions to this rule. Palm trees and bananas do not thrive at At- lantic City, except in the sun- parlors and upon the dining-room tables. Sometimes the easterly storms smite the town, and for days it rains and snows and snows and rains, but just reflect how much worse things must be in the streets of Philadelphia, and how comfort- ably the hours go by in the bright sun-parlors with the latest magazines, cards, and the good company of scores of other sojourners just like yourself.
A HAPPY TRIO
When a person of leisure is well ensconced in a good Atlantic City hotel in the winter the only thing that should tempt him or her to go away should be the pleasure of coming back.
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Atlantic City.
Chapter ₺.
IT
Cottage life at Atlantic City is very like that which exists at other fashionable seashore communities. It implies a wide variety of diversions, from bathing to golf. It bestows upon the occupants a pleasant In Private degree of privacy without loneliness. The cost of living, through Cottages the facilities with which all market supplies are to be had from both the Philadelphia markets and the fertile mainland, is rather less than "in town," while the brevity of the little journey upon express trains to and from Philadelphia makes it very practical for business men to "'tend to things" every day at their offices in the big city, and enjoy evenings, half-holidays and Sundays where cool breezes woo health, appetite and good sleep. Hundreds of busy men who have at first projected a cozy little place for the summer months have finally adopted Atlantic City as an all-the-year home, with a few midwinter weeks, per- focal haps, with friends in Philadelphia (to be repaid in the next Sum- Existence mer). They thus find a happy solution of the problems of economy, health and happiness.
A MODERN COTTAGE
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Instances are plentiful where cottage owners have more than cleared their entire outlay through the advanced value of the land, and since it is the boast of the Atlantic City people that no property has ever been sold at a loss in the town, it is fair to presume that for many years yet to come a taste- ful cottage well situated will prove a safe investment for its owner.
Palatial Tomes
There are scores of beautiful resid- ences here furnished upon a scale of splendor almost undreamed of by those who pass. Rich drapings, carvings and curios from every land are hidden away in the private apartments of these lovely homes ; but it does not follow that these 0 are prime essentials to the full enjoyment of shore life, or life anywhere else, for that matter. The family which now lives in the pent-up, solid brick, wooden- shuttered streets of the crowded Quaker City, or in any of its neighboring cities, can generally afford to have a cottage at Atlantic City and treat themselves, at last, to the glorious roominess of the "great out-doors " around them. Atlantic City seems to the casual observer to offer an abun- dant variety of occupations not yet over-filled. Twenty-five thousand people seem to have found it possible to live, work and enjoy life here suc- cessfully. To own a cottage at Atlantic City is to have a new insight into the brighter possibilities of life.
A COTTAGE ROW AT THE EAST END
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Atlantic City.
Chapter En.
Herbert James Tweedie, a high authority in the world of Golf, has authorized the statement in the chief periodical devoted to that fascinating
diversion, that he had found near Atlantic City the "finest natural
The Country Club sand-bunkers in America." This means a whole volume of delightful promise to the devotee of the sport, although to the indifferent layman it may seem of but transient purport, but then what can you expect of the man who is indifferent about golf, and can't tell you the difference between a putting-green and a turnip- patch.
Mr. Tweedie was com-
missioned by the Country
Club to put this favored place into orthodox shape for the game. The Country Club had bought one hundred and ten acres over upon the main- land, upon the seaward side of the Old Shore Road, and upon this property the links and the new club-house have been opened.
THE COUNTRY CLUB
The following adequate description of this social and athletic enter- prise is taken from "Golf":
"The plans for the club-house show a commodious structure of a style of architecture most suitable to the surroundings and well adapted for the purpose for which it is intended. The building will be two stories high,
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125 feet long and 30 feet wide, with porches on three sides that will form a promenade 12 feet wide and 200 feet in length.
Entering the main doorway the visitor will find himself in the public hall or exchange, a fine large apartment that will prove a pleasant meeting and lounging place for the members of the club and their friends. A A Social
large fireplace at one end of the exchange is fitted with an old-time Centre crane and kettle, that will lend a rural air to the scene. Beyond the hall, at the end of the house, is located a handsome reception-room.
On the opposite side of the entrance to the right will be the stairway leading to the second story; and beyond that will be the café. This room will be elegantly fitted up and supplied with all that such an establishment should have. Adjoining it will be the kitchen and pantry, rooms that will be complete in themselves and furnished with all the appliances necessary for the successful practice of the culinary art. Next to the kitchen will be the men's dressing-room, where will be found plenty of lockers, shower baths and other conveniences.
The second floor will be devoted principally to the use of the ladies. A dressing-room for their use, with baths connected, will be located over the café. The hall over the exchange will resemble a balcony, similar to
Many Comforis
that at the Ocean County Hunt and Country Club, of Lakewood.
Opening off this balcony on one side will be a small sitting-room or den. On the other side of the house, overlooking the golf course, is a porch that will be enclosed with glass. after the manner of a sun-parlor. In the end of the house, over the reception-room, will be the billiard-room, and at the other end there will be three large and airy bedchambers.
The house is located in a commanding position facing the bay, and a circular drive will wind through the grounds from the main entrance to the club. An old farm-house has been moved from its original site and rebuilt near the main entrance. It will be used as a place of residence for the greenkeeper.
Che Stables
There will be ample stable-room on the premises. The stable will now accommodate twenty-two horses, and this capacity will be increased. Sheds are being built large enough to accommodate vehicles of all kinds, in- cluding the tally-ho coaches that will make frequent trips to the grounds.
A long-distance telephone service will be a convenience, and every modern contrivance has been arranged for the comfort of the members and guests. The putting greens are thoroughly worthy of the name, being fully sixty feet square and carefully laid down with turf brought all the way from Pennsylvania. From many points the course with its surroundings closely resembles the famous Luffness Links, on the Firth of Forth. The Pines
The pine woods, which make a delightful background on the land side, protect the links from the north winds in winter, and will enable the club to keep the grounds open the entire year.
The famous bicycle path leading from Philadelphia to Atlantic City passes right along beside the course and will no doubt be a very popular mode of access to the club.
Adjoining the golf links is the polo field, while the tennis courts, foot- ball, cricket and baseball grounds and shooting traps are all conveniently located.
The officers of the club have generously promoted this enterprise for the good of the cottage and permanent residents of Atlantic City, who were hitherto unprovided with suitable accommodation for field sports. All visitors, however, profit by the accession of this real seaside golf links, as it will only be necessary for them to mention GOLF at the desks of either of the hotels before mentioned to freely tread the springy turf here consecrated to the Royal and Ancient Game.
The present list of officers is as follows : Fredk. Hemsley, president ; J. Haines Lippincott, vice-president ; Chas. Evans, treasurer ; Joseph H. Borton, chairman ; James B. Reilly, A. Ogden Dayton, Richard F. Loper, Joseph Thompson, E. S. Lee, directors; James D. Southwick, secretary.
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Among the many diversions of this fascinating place, a month's stay may include golfing, cycling, polo, tennis, cricket, football, baseball, billiards, quoits, shuffleboard, euchre parties, dancing, shooting (snipe, marlin, Varico
black duck, mallard, teal), fishing (bluefish, sheepshead, drum, cod, Sports herring, mackerel, seabass and weakfish), crabbing, yachting, rowing, promenading, surf-bathing, etc.
In short, at Atlantic City one can obtain more genuine pleasure to the square inch than in any other spot the writer is familiar with."
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Atlantic City. Chapter £11.
Che Lenten Season
A couple of weeks in Lent at Atlantic City after the winter's exhausting gaieties has been voted the proper thing by the inner circles of fashion, and the early spring influx is counted upon in these recent years with great certainty. It is decidedly an exclusive patronage and demands the best of everything. At this time one encounters the people of wealth and leisure from all over the country who propose, later, to fill the great trans-Atlantic steamships for the tour of Europe. National dignitaries from the capital, judges of courts, famous divines, officers of the army and navy, railway magnates, bank pres- idents, eminent politicians and their fam- ilies, gossip, jostle, and throw dignity to the winds upon the great Boardwalk. Affairs of vast import are discussed and settled upon the porches of the big hotels ; there is a great coming and going of extra parlor cars, and then the Lenten pilgrims take their flight full of the con- sciousness of time well spent, if not of sins properly expiated. The land- lords bank the proceeds of this Providential fashion, and calmly wait for the multitude which will pour in along with the first hot wave of the summer.
LENTEN PENITENTS
Cbc Awakening
Lent is, too, the popular awakening from the relative torpidity of the winter. The cosmopolitans who throng in the bazars along the Boardwalk begin to come back from the south with their oriental goods and catching trifles ; the house-owners utilize their early spring outing to "fix up" their
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properties ; hotels, big and little, are being painted ; yachts are overhauled and got ready for the season at the Inlet, and so it goes. Nowhere else does Easter reign as a special season of holiday. Here, as in many other things, Atlantic City is original.
The Lenten period may be regarded as the most joyous time in the cycle of the year, for it is rich with the forecast of prosperity and pleasure. About this time the society columns of the daily papers in the leading cities, which have in the drear winter time made but brief and grudging mention of the existence of Atlantic City, begin to blossom with long lists of social leaders and followers who are now registered at the various fashionable hotels, while the more important enlargements of hotels and other betterments in the community are detailed in flowery language. Promptly upon the heels of these disinterested items comes the adver- tising man, who knows better than anyone else when the harvest is ripe for the scythe.
Che Fovous Sca
Even the surf along the beach seems to roar joyously in Lent, and the ripples that play upon the bosom of the Thoroughfare and along the wide reaches of the bays have a gladsome gurgle. The gunner and the ducks are heard and seen in the sedges. The husbandman and the golfer are both hard at work upon the slope of the mainland ; briefly, all nature is happy.
THE ROAD TO THE SKA
Lent, in other places, may stand for metaphorical sackcloth and ashes. Here, by the sea, it expresses quite a different sentiment.
The famous cycle road across New Jersey now teems with life awheel. Upon pleasant Sundays, when the wind is westward, the wheel- men and wheelwomen come in shoals.
One of the great events of the past year, relating to the progress of Atlantic City's interests, was the completion of the now famous cycling
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road across New Jersey. The initial portion of this very popular route out of Camden and Gloucester is over the excellent White Horse Pike, via Berlin
Cycle TRoad to and Blue Anchor. From the latter point the course is almost an air line
Atlantic City parallel with the railroad lines through Winslow Junction, Rosedale, Hammonton, Da Costa, Elmwood, Egg Harbor and Absecon, turning to the right at the latter place to Pleasantville, and thence across the meadows. At numerous points along the road "Cyclers' Rests" and hotels built with special reference to the patronage of the wheeling element have come into existence, and upon Sundays, especially, the cyclers in clubs, groups, pairs, and singly have been simply uncountable as they sped to and fro upon this level course. They have added a large and joyous contingent to the popu- lation by the sea, not only in the crowded season, but both in spring and autumn. From Pleasantville cycling tourists can go down the coast to Cape May, or via Barnegat to the fine cycling district around Long Branch, with but brief stretches of poor road. It seems superfluous to call attention to the many miles of perfect riding within the limits of Atlantic City and down the Island to Longport, not to mention the beautiful stretch of hard beach at low tide. The cycling regulations are similar to those of other cities, and the wheelman who observes the ordinary rules by which he is guided elsewhere will have no cause to complain of the liberality of the city toward this important class of visitors.
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Atlantic City. Chapter {111.
The annual report of the City Controller, Mr. A. M. Heston, indi- cates in detail the various items of public property which aggregated September 6, 1897, in value $1,591,646.14, including $138,929.85 expended upon the Boardwalk. The indebtedness of the Corpor- Matters ation amounted at that date to $7,175,433.31 ; this included water bonds slightly in excess of $300,000.
Some City
The per capita debt of Atlantic City as compared with many other cities of the state, notably, Newark, Jersey City, Elizabeth, Orange, New Brunswick, Bayonne, Rahway and Asbury Park is highly favorable.
Values and finances from Report of 1sos
The item of Police cost $28, 174.79; and the maintenance of Fire Department, $16,608.00.
The assessable property is rated for taxation at $13,357,523, the actual value being generally held to be about three times that amount at the present time.
Among the firemen of the United States the Atlantic City fire service has a great reputation. Although composed of but seven companies all told it has often demonstrated its remarkable ability to conquer the frequent fires which are inevitable in a city built so largely of wood. The chief, en- gineers, drivers and tillermen are upon the city pay roll. The rank and file of the companies are volunteers. The oldest company is the United States, No. 1. This company has two engines of the Silsby type and also a chemical engine. The other companies are Atlantic No. 2, a Clapp and Jones engine ; Neptune Hose, No. 1, a La France engine ; Good Will Hook and Ladder, No. 1, a Holloway chemical engine and a Hayes truck ; Beach
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Pirates Chemical, No. 1, one Holloway chemical engine; Chelsea, No. 6, a chemical engine and combination truck ; Rescue Hook and Ladder,
Che FFire No. 2, a Gleason & Bailey truck.
Fighters
The hose carriages at the several fire-houses are provided with about two and a half miles of hose.
The cost of the department in 1897 was $31,540.73. The Gamewell Fire Alarm System is in use.
Both gas and electricity are employed as public illuminants, and the use of incandescent electric lighting is very general in the larger hotels.
In the matter of good wholesome water, Atlantic City is far ahead of Philadelphia ; many unfailing artesian wells, some of which pierce the earth
to the depth of a thousand feet, supply the big hotels and reinforce
Light and Water the public supply which comes seven miles across the marsh in pipes from the mainland, where the pumping station and stand-pipes are located. Nearly fifty miles of pipe are laid in the city, with which are connected about 450 fire-plugs. The total cost of the waterworks has been $877,957.92.
Realizing the great importance of safeguarding the city from the effects of inefficient disposal of sewerage, the most costly and scientific
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A SECTION OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
methods have been adopted, with the result that this problem, so difficult ot solution, especially in a town built upon a perfect level, has been mastered. Upon the borders of the meadows a large receiving pit, walled and Sewerage cemented, is used as a central receiver ; this is ventilated by a lofty tower ; the inflow is forced onward by steam-power to a series of filter beds so far removed from the city as to preclude any possible danger, even in midsum- mer. No sewerage whatever is allowed to contaminate the salt water thor- oughfares or the open sea in front. All garbage is burned at a crematory. Military Company F, Sixth Regiment, N. J., National Guard has its head- quarters at Atlantic City.
The Morris Guards, an independent company, is also one of the city's attractions upon occasion of parades. The armory of this company is a favorite place for entertainments.
In the summer of 1898 when the Atlantic Coast seemed to be in danger from the Spanish fleet under Admiral Cervera, the fever of military spirit spread everywhere among the young men of Atlantic City. Active measures were taken for defence against landing parties of the enemy, and in such a contingency the local troops would have certainly given a good account of themselves. For a time the generality of the resident and At the large property owners were considerably excited, especially in view mation's Call of the news from the eastern resorts where the Yankees were moving every- thing portable far inland. It was difficult to rent cottages, and matters looked black for the hotels. Nevertheless the people recovered their mental balance, the crowds came as usual and the season was a great suc- cess. Many of the soldiers gallantly marched away with the splendid New Jersey regiments and took an active part in the campaign as volunteers of Uncle Sam.
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Atlantic City.
Chapter £10.
Children's Sca= shore House
One of the early institutions of the young city was the beneficent though modest charity known as the Children's Seashore House, founded just a quarter of a century ago, and intended for the recuperation of babies and small children, generally in charge of the mothers. This idea originated in Philadelphia where as a matter of course the majority of its beneficiaries live. It would be impossible to measure, even approxi- mately, by any known formula, the great good accomplished at this juvenile invalids' retreat. The incorporators were James S. Whitney, J. Shipley Newlin, W. L. Rehn, René Guillou, Samuel Middleton, Francis W. Lewis, M. D., Mrs. Elizabeth F. Whitney, Mrs. Cynthia Guillou, Mrs. Annie E. Middleton and Miss Catharine C. Biddle.
A Splendid Charity
In July, 1883, the institution took possession of a new and com- modious building at the foot of Ohio avenue. Since that time it has been further extended by the addition of no less than fourteen lesser buildings, the gifts of guests in the several hotels for which they are respectively named. These cottages consist of one dormitory room each, neatly furn- ished. The capacity of the establishment is now sufficient to entertain one hundred children and thirty mothers. The selection of those who are to receive the benefits of a seashore rest at this noble charity is uninfluenced by any considera- tions of creed, race, or color. Children over three years of age are cared for in the wards of the main building by attentive
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nurses. The little ones with their mothers are assigned to the cottages. Each mother in care of a sick child may have no other child with her. Seri- ous cases requiring close attention and quiet are secluded in a special building immediately on the beach.
The institution has a resident physician, staff of nurses and matron. A proportion of the inmates are received without charge, the number being based upon the current revenues at command. Those who can afford it, pay board at the rate of $3.00 per week, which includes medical attendance and wash- ing. Railroad tickets are also furnished at a reduced rate.
Visitors are welcome every afternoon between three and five o'clock, and upon Tuesday and Friday mornings from half past nine to half past ten o'clock.
To the person of kindly impulses the sight of scores of these little ones with their wan and tired mothers, gradually winning for themselves some little share of God's sunshine and the blessings of new strength as they romp or recline upon the sands, is to gain for the Children's Seashore House new and very welcome friends and supporters.
A wide-spread impression is current that the world, and more par- ticularly Atlantic City, exists principally for the benefit and pleasure of the young. This in its application at large is an old idea which has been pop- ular from the most remote bounds of history.
If our peerless city of the sands attracts the gay and youthful by its perennial round of varied pleasure ; if it is a joy to the tired mother and fagged father to watch their little tots industriously toiling with spades and buckets in the clean, wholesome, gray sand, it is a glowing satisfaction to the impartial observer to note the wonderfully large proportion of aged
IOI
For young
people in the rolling-chairs and in all the bright comfortable nooks along the Boardwalk ; to see with what loving care they are attended, and how grate- ful the fresh stimulating sea-breeze is to their senses. To the old more than any others of our American people who throng here, Atlantic City is a blessing, and an opportunity in prolonging and brighten- ing the later years of life. Here the still heaving waves of past reverses which have surged over them ; the deep sorrows which have torn their hearts are drowned in the brightness of the present, and lost in the tumult of the restless sea which goes on forever beating the sands with its stately, graceful billows, whose deep voice lulls us to rest in the daytime and fol- lows us in our dreams at night.
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