USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > Bayonne > First history of Bayonne, New Jersey > Part 5
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In 1880, the population had increased to 9,372, of which
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about 725 were under five years of age. There were thirty-two marriages and one hundred and ninety births and one hundred and forty-five deaths in the same year.
On March 15, 1881, part of the Second Ward was cut off and termed the Fifth Ward.
The first attempt to obtain water was made in 1881, when a contract was made with Jersey City to supply Bayonne. In 1882 water main No. I was laid from Jersey City, at a cost of $61,860.50. The water was unfit to drink, and was used mostly for manufac- turing purposes.
In November, the following year (1883), Avenue D from Cottage Street to the Morris Canal was macadamized, at a cost of about $108,400.
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CHAPTER XIV.
1883-1891.
Oliver Elected Mayor-Ordinance for Better Observance of the Sab- bath-Newman Elected Mayor-Street Names Changed-Liquor License Increased-Electric Lights-New School-Free Mail Delivery-Hospital Founded-Establishment of Public Library-Growth of Population-New City Hall-Martin Act.
In 1883, D. W. Oliver was elected Mayor on the Democratic ticket.
An ordinance for the better observance of the Christian Sab- bath was passed in October, 1884. This prohibited public parades, accompanied by music, within the limits of the city, except, of course, military organizations parading with appropriate sacred music on funeral occasions.
In 1885 the annual assessment included $25,597 for support and maintenance of public schools ; for salaries, $11,200; for sup- port of Fire Department, $3,000; for street improvements, $15,000.
The first bank in Bayonne-the Mechanics Trust Company- was organized the following year (1886), and located at Bergen Point.
John Newman was elected Mayor in 1887 on the Republican Citizens' ticket, to succeed Oliver.
The names of sixty-seven streets were changed by ordinance passed January 3, 1888 :-
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Latourette Street to Sixth Street; South Street to Seventh Street ; Fifteenth Street to Linden Street; Sixteenth Street to Eighth Street; Humphrey's Street to Ninth Street; Meigs and Elm Streets to Tenth Street; Eighteenth and Robin Streets to Eleventh Street ; Van Buskirk Avenue to Twelfth Street ; Nine- teenth Street to Thirteenth Street; Twentieth Street to Four- teenth Street; Twenty-first Street to Fifteenth Street; Twenty- second Street to Sixteenth Street; Twenty-third Street to Seven- teenth Street; Twenty-fourth Street to Eighteenth Street; Twenty-fifth Street to Nineteenth Street; Summit Street to Twentieth Street; Twenty-sixth Street to Twenty-first Street ; Twenty-seventh Street to Twenty-second Street; Twenty-eighth Street to Twenty-third Street; Twenty-ninth Street to Twenty- fourth Street; Thirtieth Street to Twenty-fifth Street; Thirty- first Street to Twenty-sixth Street; Thirty-second Street to Twenty-seventh Street; Thirty-third Street to Twenty-eighth Street ; Thirty-fourth Street to Twenty-ninth Street; Chestnut Avenue to Thirtieth Street ; Maple Avenue to Thirty-first Street ; Oakland Avenue to Thirty-second Street; Bayonne Avenue to Thirty-third Street; Huron Avenue to Thirty-fourth Street ; Division Street to Thirty-fifth Street; Southview Avenue to Forty-first Street ; Seaview Avenue to Forty-second Street ; Fair- view Avenue to Forty-third Street; Cadmus Avenue to Forty- fourth Street; Bayview Avenue to Forty-fifth Street; Westview Avenue to Forty-sixth Street; Northview Avenue to Forty- seventh Street; Forty-first Street to Forty-eighth Street; Forty- second Street to Forty-ninth Street ; Forty-third Street to Fiftieth Street ; Forty-fourth Street to Fifty-first Street ; Forty-fifth Street to Fifty-second Street ; Forty-sixth Street to Fifty-third Street; Forty-seventh Street to Fifty-fourth Street; Forty-eighth Street to Fifty-fifth Street; Forty-ninth Street to Fifty-sixth Street ; Fiftieth Street to Fifty-seventh Street ; Fifty-first Street to Fifty-
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eighth Street; Fifty-second Street to Fifty-ninth Street; Fifty- third Street to Sixtieth Street; Fifty-fourth Street to Sixty-first Street; Fifty-fifth Street to Sixty-second Street; Fifty-sixth Street to Sixty-third Street ; Avenue B south of South Street to Meigs Avenue ; Avenue O to Rathbun Avenue ; Avenue P to Humphreys Avenue ; Avenue Q to Newman Avenue ; Avenue R to Avenue C; Avenue S to Avenue D; Avenue T to Lord Ave- nue ; Avenue U to Lexington Avenue ; Avenue V to Hobart Ave- nue ; Avenue W to Clinton Avenue ; Brighton Street to Brighton Avenue ; East Street to East Avenue; Crescent Avenue to Ave- nue E.
An ordinance was passed by the Council February 21, 1888, to provide for the numbering of houses by consecutive numbers for convenience and identification.
On April 17, 1888, the price of a license to keep an inn and tavern was increased from $75 to $250 by an ordinance passed on that date and approved by Mayor Newman on April 19. A license to keep a restaurant and beer saloon was increased from $50 to $250 by the same ordinance.
In the same year an ordinance was passed September 7, authorizing the Bayonne Electric Company to erect and maintain a system of poles and wires for electric lighting in the streets and public places in the city. This was the first contract for electric lighting of the streets. As compensation for the privilege granted, the company was to furnish and light in the streets, free of charge to the city, an arc lamp for every fifty subscribers for private lighting. The city was also to be allowed to stretch the police and fire alarm wires on the same poles.
In December of this year (1888), School No. 6, which was being erected on Thirty-eighth Street between Avenues C and D, at a cost of $21,000, was opened for occupancy.
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On February 1, 1889, the free mail delivery system was put into operation. At this time Thomas Brady was postmaster.
The Bayonne Hospital and Dispensary had been incorporated on March 2, 1888. This hospital was opened March 3, 1890, in the building on East Thirtieth Street, which was donated to the association by Mrs. Alice Story Rowland and Mrs. Abbey Story Marshall. It was furnished by Mrs. Rufus Story with accommo- dations for forty patients. No restrictions as to age, sex, color or religious belief were imposed. It was to be supported by con- tributions, endowments, etc.
A meeting was held at Schuyler Hall on Monday evening, April 2, 1888, under the joint auspices of the Land and Labor Club and the Bergen Point Debating Club, for the establishment of a Public Library. Speeches were made by prominent citizens, and resolutions were adopted favoring the establishment of a library under provision of an act of the Legislature passed in 1884. On April 8, 1890, the question was submitted to a vote of the people and was carried by a large majority (1,897 in favor, 193 against). On August 5, 1890, it was organized by the elec- tion of officers, and incorporation papers were signed August 25.
The population of the city at this time was estimated at 19,033. The growth of the city warranted more improvements. More improvements require more labor on the part of the city officials, and more labor required a larger space to transact the numerous affairs. Consequently it was thought at this time ad- visable to erect a new City Hall.
On December 2, 1890, the contract was awarded for a large two-story and basement brick building to be erected on the south- west corner of Avenue E and Thirtieth Street; contract price being $46,999.
The actual number of dwellings in 1890 was 2,820, and the estimated persons to each dwelling were 5.9.
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During the last term of Newman's administration, the re- moval of garbage by the city was first put in operation.
It was also during this administration that Bayonne first took advantage of the Martin Act. This was an act that had been passed whereby a city like Bayonne could appoint commissioners to go from ward to ward, looking up delinquent tax payers, seizing property in lieu of unpaid taxes, justifying claims and assessing property at what they judged was its real value.
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CHAPTER XV.
1891-1895.
Farr Elected Mayor-Board of Trade Organized-High School Estab- lished-New City Hall Completed-Celebration of Opening-Ordinance to Prohibit Vice and Immorality-Kite Experiments-New City Dock-Public Library Opened-Annual Tax for 1894-Contract for Pure Water.
William C. Farr was elected Mayor in 1891 on the Republi- can-Citizens' ticket.
On October 5, 1891, the Board of Trade was organized.
The following year the Bergen Neck Railway spur from Communipaw to Constable's Hook was completed. This spur was used for the purpose of conveying oil and other products from the Hook.
In 1892 the organization of the High School was effected. The academic classes which had previously been held in Schools Nos .. 2, 4 and 6, were transferred to the old church building on Avenue D and Twenty-ninth Street, and termed the High School.
In the fall of the same year the new City Hall was com- pleted, at a cost of $55,236.15. The grounds, however, costing $9,046.43, brings the total cost to $64,282.58. This building was occupied on October 21. On this day, the inhabitants celebrated the opening of the new City Hall. Churches, schools, stores and dwellings were tastefully decorated with flags and bunting. Pupils of the schools held anniversary exercises. A large mili- tary, civic and trade union parade took place. The Fire Depart- ment and school children also participated in this event, making a total of 4,000 in line. The following day, the 22d, the City Hall was thrown open for inspection. Police Headquarters were also
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transferred from the old City Hall to the new, and additional patrolmen were soon added to the force.
In March, 1893, the Common Council granted to the Board of Trustees of the Public Library a ten-year lease of the old build- ing at a nominal rent, with the privilege of removing.
An ordinance to prohibit and prevent vice and immorality was passed May 2, 1893, and approved May 4 by Mayor Farr. This ordinance made it unlawful to admit any female under six- teen years of age to any picnic, ball, dance house or other public place of amusement, unless accompanied by her parents or by her legal guardian.
The highest flight ever made by a kite was on November 7, 1893, at Bergen Point, when William A. Eddy used two miles of cord in flying tandem kites, one of which reached an altitude of 5,595 feet.
In 1893 the city built a dock at the foot of Ingham Avenue, at a cost of $9,000.
It was during this year that the Bayonne "Democrat," with M. R. Freel as editor and publisher, began publication as a weekly democratic newspaper.
In the spring of this year Mayor Farr received both the Re- publican and Democratic nominations, and was re-elected. He was the first Mayor ever elected in Bayonne without an opposition candidate.
During the last term of Farr's administration the city ob- tained control of the property bounded by the Boulevard, Newark Bay, Sixteenth to Fourteenth Streets, to be used at some future time as a public park .*
On January 8, 1894, the reading-room of the Public Library was opened to the public, and two weeks later the circulating de-
*This land was secured and taken in exchange by the city, in lieu of unpaid taxes and assessments.
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partment was opened with nearly 4,000 volumes on the shelves. The books of the Workingmen's Library (some 1,500 volumes) were purchased June 25, 1894, and on February 1, 1895, the total number of volumes had increased to about 6,600.
An ordinance to direct the assessment and collection of the annual tax for 1894 included the following :- For supporting and maintaining public schools, $45,710; for support of Fire Depart- ment, $5,000; Bayonne Hospital, $1,500; repairs to streets, $7,000 ; police pensions, $975 ; salaries of city officials, $15,800; support of police, $34,100 ; Free Public Library, $3,675.80.
In 1894, old No. 3 School in Pamrapo was condemned, hav- ing been cracked in the process of moving from Centre Street to Forty-seventh Street.
Up to this time the city contracted with Jersey City for its water supply. This water was very poor and unhealthy, and it was deemed a public necessity to obtain a better supply. As a re- sult, in September, 1894, the Common Council awarded a twenty- five year contract to the New York and New Jersey Water Com- pany to supply the city with pure water, the city agreeing to pay for two million gallons daily the first year, and two and one-half millions daily thereafter, at the following rates :- 2,000,000 gallons at $89 per million, 3,000,000 gallons at $80 per million, 4,000,000 gallons at $70 per million, 5,000,000 gallons at $55 per million, 6,000,000 gallons at $40 per million. This contract con- tained a provision by which the water company was obliged to purchase lands for dams, etc., and build water works and sell the same to the city at certain periods mentioned in the contract, should the city desire to purchase the same.
On February 28, 1895, the Charity Organization Society was organized.
During Farr's administration, more than $350,000 was paid for street improvements alone, for which bonds were issued and sold for as high as $IIO.
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The completion of the labors of the "Martin Act" Commis- sion and its discharge by the Circuit Court occurred during Farr's
Courtesy of N. J. Central R. R.
NEWARK BAY BY MOONLIGHT.
term of office. This was the means of saving an expenditure of about $12,000 per year in fees and salaries.
The organization of the detective bureau, the adoption of the present fire alarm signal system, and the paving of East Twenty- second Street from Avenues D to I, making it fit for public travel,* were also accomplished.
*The city endeavored to improve this road several times during the eighties, but always failed on account of court proceedings instituted by the Central Railroad Company.
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CHAPTER XVI.
1895-1904.
Seymour Elected Mayor-Trouble With Water Company-Hudson Boulevard Completed-Extensive School Improvements-St. Luke's Hos- pital Opened-Standard Oil Fire-President McKinley's Death-Small-pox Epidemic-The Meeker Act-Street Improvements-St. Luke's Hospital Burned-Avenue C Asphalted-Andrew Carnegie Gives City Library- Work Begun on Public Park-New School No. 8-Fire Destroys Tene- ments-Reports, Statistics, Etc., at Close of 1903.
At the mayorality election in the spring of 1895, Egbert Sey- mour, on the Democratic ticket, was elected Mayor. Several of the Councilmen who were elected at this election, and two or three city officials, were opposed to the new water contract, and at- tempted a "hold-up." The trouble reached its height one day during the first year of Seymour's administration. While em- ployees of the water company were tapping the old mains to make the necessary water connection, some city officials arrived on the scene. Immediately there was trouble. The Fire Depart- ment was called out and played the hose on the poor employees of the water company until they quit work. For a time, a small sized riot was in progress. The matter was taken before the Su- preme Court of the United States by the water company, and an injunction was obtained against the city. United States marshals were stationed at the scene until the work was completed, to arrest any city official who interfered.
In May, 1895, the Bayonne section of the Hudson County Boulevard was completed. The city did not have any share in
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the expense of its construction, and abutting property owners paid a portion of the cost for flagging. In the spring of this year, electric arc lights were placed on every corner along Avenue D, illuminating that thoroughfare from one end to the other.
For the first time in the world, a telephone and telegraph mes- sage was sent through a wire suspended by kites five hundred feet in mid-air on December 5, 1895, at Bergen Point. "Kite" Will- iam A. Eddy was making the experiment.
For this year the actual dwellings numbered 2,915, with 6.8 persons estimated to each.
The overcrowding of the schools necessitated the enlarging of several school buildings. Old No. 3, in Pamrapo, having long been condemned and out of use, warranted the erection of a new school in that section. On June 18, 1895, contract was awarded for an addition of four rooms to School No. 2, at a cost of $7,784 (opened for use January 23, 1896). On July 14, the following year, contracts were awarded for the following :- No. 3 School, new, Avenue D between Forty-ninth and Fiftieth Streets, sixteen rooms ; cost, land $6,400, building $44,888 (opened for use April 28, 1897). No. I School, addition of four rooms ; contract price $9,975 (opened for use April 6, 1897). No. 5 School, addition of four rooms ; contract price $10,975 (opened for use about April 6, 1897).
There were remarkably few fires during the year 1896. The report of Hymen Lazarus, Chief Engineer of the Fire Depart- ment for the year ending January 6, 1897, showed a total of nine- teen alarms in the whole year.
Improvements were still on the increase, so that on May 15, 1897, there were forty-one miles of opened streets and fourteen miles of sewers.
At this time the High School had outgrown its quarters in the old church building on Avenue D and Twenty-ninth Street. On
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this account the school was transferred on December 6, 1897, to Schuyler Hall, at Bergen Point, its present location.
On April 5, 1898, a contract was awarded for the erection of a new twenty-room school, No. 7, on property between Seven- teenth and Andrew Streets; price of land, $12,400; building, $71,300 (opened for use September 5, 1899). On April 19, 1898, contracts were again awarded for the enlargement of school build- ings, this time :- No. 4 School, addition of four rooms ; contract price $13,216 (opened for use October 10, 1898) ; No. 6 School, addition of four rooms ; contract price, $10,897 (opened for use about November 1, 1898).
On December 3, 1898, St. Luke's Hospital on East Twenty- second Street was opened.
During the summer of 1897-8 several balloon ascensions were made at "Salter's," in Pamrapo, to which thousands would flock to witness these daring feats. At one occasion the parachute failed to open in its descent, and the horrified spectators saw the aeronaut fall to the earth and killed.
The increase in population for the ten years ending 1900 was 13,689, making the total in that year 32,722 souls.
On the night of July 4, 1901, a number of oil tanks belonging to the Standard Oil Company at the Hook exploded. A terrible fire raged for five days, consuming millions of gallons of oil. Houses close by were threatened by the blaze, and the tenants, who were mostly poor, were compelled to remove their household belongings and camp out on the salt meadows. The local Fire Department fought splendidly night and day, and much property was saved by the heroic efforts of the men, who were assisted by fire tugs from New York. This fire proved to be one of the largest in the United States.
When, in September, 1901, President Mckinley was linger- ing between life and death, the result of an assassin's bullet wound,
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public feeling here was at its height. Upon his death, the city went into mourning ; sorrow was manifest everywhere. Memorial services were held in most of the churches, and several fraternal organizations expressed their sympathy in writing to Mrs. Mc- Kinley.
The city was visited by small-pox in November, 1901. Over seventy cases were reported, of which twelve were fatal. School No. 5, on East Twenty-second Street, and the annex on the Hook Road, were both closed by order of the Board of Health. Every effort was made to check the spread of this dreaded disease. Dr. Forman, the city physician, and other doctors were kept busy night and day in vaccinating people. It is said some 7,000 per- sons were treated.
In this year, by an act of Legislature, the commencement of the Councilmanic terms were changed from the last Monday in April, as prescribed by the charter, to the first day of January at 12 o'clock, noon. This was called the "Meeker Act." Owing to this, Mayor Seymour entered his fourth term on January I, 1902, being the first to do so.
Building Inspector Thomas Herbert reported that during 1901 more than a million dollars were invested in the erection of new dwellings and places of industry, together with improve- ments. The valuation of real estate amounted to over $15,- 000,000.
Great activity was evident in street improvements during this administration. From April, 1901, to April, 1902, there were added 3,608 linear feet of curbstone, 5,506 linear feet of flag- stone, 4,673 linear feet of macadam pavement, 5,800 feet of sewers.
About April 1, 1902, the old Masonic building on Eighth Street and Avenue C (formerly Schuyler Hall), which was being used as a High School, was purchased by the city at a cost of
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$14,500. (Alterations cost $11,661. School opened for use January 26, 1903.)
In September, 1902, St. Luke's Hospital, on East Twenty- second Street, was totally destroyed by fire.
Up to this period, Avenue C from Fifty-fourth Street to Twenty-fifth Street was a dirt road, with the exception of the stone blocks laid by the traction company between its tracks. It was thought advisable by the majority of the property owners to have this section asphalted, and the contract was awarded. This improvement was finished in the winter of 1902-3, at a total cost of $88,661.65.
In April, 1903, Andrew Carnegie presented the city with $50,000 for a Public Library. A site had been previously selected on the northwest corner of Avenue C and Thirty-first Street, costing $8,500, and work was begun on the building in the fall.
In August, 1903, work was commenced for the laying out of a public park on grounds owned by the city, bounded by the Boulevard and Newark Bay, from Sixteenth to Nineteenth Streets.
In the same year contract was awarded for the erection of a twenty-room public school building on Avenue C between Twenty-seventh and Twenty-eighth Streets, to be called No. 8. Cost of land, $13,700 ; contract price of building, $84,658 .*
In this year, property, real and personal, amounted to $15,- 324,767.
At the mayoralty election in the fall of 1903, Thomas Brady was elected Mayor on the Democratic ticket, to succeed Mayor Seymour, who was serving his fourth term.
On December 19, following, fire destroyed a row of frame flats on Avenue C and Eighteenth Street, rendering forty fam-
*Corner stone laid April 16, 1904.
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ilies (mostly Hebrews) homeless and destitute. The fire victims were given temporary shelter in the Hebrew Hall building near- by, and contributions in the way of food, clothing and money were given by charitable neighbors and church workers.
REPORTS, STATISTICS, ETC., AT THE CLOSE OF 1903.
Chief of Police Thomas Magner reported for the past year as follows :-
Total number of arrests, 1,962 ; males arrested, 1,462 ; females arrested, 320; over 16 years, 1,679; under 16 years, 283; total number of meals furnished for prisoners, 1,31I, at 25 cents each, cost $327.75. Nativity of some of the persons arrested :- Aus- tria, 140; England, 50; Germany, 117; Hungary, 21; Italy, 47 ; Ireland, 273; Poland, 125; Russia, 179; United States, 977. Total amount of fines paid in Recorder's Court, $2,109.50.
Superintendent of Schools, J. H. Christie, reported for De- cember, 1903, as follows :- Total enrollment, 5,504; average at- tendance, 4,644. This includes the night school, with total en- rollment of 334.
STREETS, SEWERS, ETC.
Belgian, 2.2 miles; macadam, 9.7 miles; asphalt, 1.6 mile ; opened streets, improved, 13.5 miles ; opened streets, unimproved, 36 miles ; total miles of streets in city, 77.5 miles. There were also 30 miles of sewer and 39 miles of water pipe.
The Treasurer's annual report for the City of Bayonne Fire Department Relief Fund showed a net balance of $19,190.35.
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CHAPTER XVII.
1904.
Thomas Brady, Mayor-elect, Enters Office-Police Trial Board Created -Destructive Fire-Report of Librarian-Bill for Bridge Between Bergen Point and Elizabethport-Annual Tax Budget for 1904-City Treasurer's Annual Report-New Building for Police Headquarters-Carnegie Library Opened.
Mayor-elect Brady entered office at the beginning of the new year.
By an ordinance passed January 19, and approved January 20, the first Police Trial Board was created. Egbert Seymour, Samuel Graham and John J. Cain were appointed a Police Trial Board to hear, try and determine charges preferred against mem- bers of the police force.
On January 25, fire destroyed a row of frame tenements on Avenue C and Twenty-fourth Street, and thirty-five families were made homeless. Sympathizing persons again responded and provided the destitute with shelter, food, clothing and money.
At the close of January, Miss Phoebe Ketcham, Librarian, reported that the Public Library had a total of 12,898 volumes, with 7,027 registered borrowers. The January circulation was 3,972, and for the ten years it had been in existence the total cir- culation had reached 382,076.
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