USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume I > Part 36
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George W. Ballou furnishing funds to meet the indebtedness to the contractor. This delay necessitated an application to the city council for an extension for completion to October 15, which was granted.
In the meantime Judge Cowenhoven resigned the presidency. The railroad from its inception has been known as "the Cowenhoven road," to distinguish from "the Strong road." Judge Cowenhoven had been its godfather at its birth and during its sickly infancy; it was to his patience and perseverance that its completion was due; he had fulfilled every pledge given to the public or the city council, and shirked no legal or moral obligation in connection with the enterprise. He resigned the presidency and directorship in the company and was succeeded by F. M. Delano.
The road was opened for public travel October 14, 1886, and in honor of the occasion the city buildings, business blocks and residences were decorated with flags and bunting. Soon after noon, along George street the people began to collect; five cars were promptly lined up, the first carried Union Cornet Band, the second, members of the city council and press, the others being filled with the clergy and citizens. The train started at half past two o'clock and proceeded to the Elmwood Cemetery ; on its return trip passed St. Mary's Orphans' Home, finally landing the passengers at the Central Hotel, where the cars were given over to the public for a free ride during the afternoon. The invited guests were entertained with a collation given at the hotel ; while salads, both lobster and chicken, with bread sandwiches, cold ham and corned beef, played an important part on the menu, the liquid wants of the invited guests were not neglected, as both brandy punch and claret punch added their charms, to be dispensed to the hungry and thirsty partici- pants. The tracks for this road were laid on College avenue, but later were taken up and the Easton avenue route substituted.
The days of street horse car railroads have long since passed into oblivion; those of the elder generation can recall when they had to leave their comfortable seats to place their shoulders at the front or back of the car to help the overworked equines to proceed on their journey. Electricity in course of time was applied to the street railroad system of New Brunswick, and with its introduction the city became the center of a trolley system diverging north, south, east and west, giving connection with New York, Philadelphia, and neighboring cities and towns.
The oldest fire organization formed in New Brunswick was in 1764, when a bucket company was established; in 1796 two engines were purchased by the city. There had been previous to this several dis- astrous fires. In the dead of night on February 17, 1741, the home of Philip French, with its entire contents, was destroyed. The residence was one of the largest and most complete in the province of New Jersey,
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and had only been built a year. Mr. French and his family hardly escaped with their lives ; two of his daughters were forced to jump out a window two stories high. A noted conflagration was that of April 14, 1768, when a fire broke out in the house of Widow Dilldine ; the residence of the widow, also the bake shop and house of John Van Nordan, Jr., were a total wreck. A high wind spread the flames across the street to the house of James Neilson, which was destroyed, with cooper shop and bottling establishment. The dwelling house and store of Peter Vandenburg and the residence of Widow Cramer were also burned ; with the help of the military and citizens, adjoining buildings were pulled down to stop the progress of the flames. At one o'clock on the morning of February 28, 1771, a fire broke out in the barn of John Dennis, which resulted in the loss amounting to over £ 1,000. During the occupation of the city by General Howe and the British troops, the house of Brook Farmer, with adjoining residences, was completely destroyed by fire.
The Washington Engine Company was organized October II, 1795. They were equipped with buckets only ; later a hand engine was supplied, and in 1867 the first steam engine was purchased, which was kept in use until 1902, when another engine was purchased from the American . Steam Engine Company. The Neptune Engine Company was organized within the same year. Its first home was on the Christ Church grounds, corner of Neilson and Church streets. The company was reorganized and at the time they received their first hand engine became known as the "Red Jackets." Later the company removed to the corner of Bayard and Neilson streets. In 1857 they were housed in the City Hall on Liberty Street, but in December, 1877, they removed to New Street. The first steam engine was purchased in 1865; it was replaced by a La Franc engine in 1888. The Phoenix Engine Company, organized in 1798, had three engines before receiving their first steam engine, an Amoskeag apparatus, March 31, 1866. This was replaced in 1902 by a Metropolitan engine. The first home of the company was on Little Burnet street. Later they were located on the corner of Neilson and Bayard streets. Their third removal was to the old City Hall on Liberty street, and finally to their present quarters on Dennis street.
The first great conflagration took place in 1796, when nearly the entire city was wiped out. The State at that time appropriated $5,000 for the relief of the sufferers. The Christ Church steeple was struck by lightning on Washington's birthday in 1802, causing the spire to burn to the base of the tower, when a snowstorm put the fire out. In 1813 the city was visited by another disastrous fire; this was of an incendiary origin. A negress nursing a real or fancied grievance against a resident of the city, fired his house in revenge. Five years later there were twenty-five wells in the city to be used for fire protection, and in
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1818 fifteen more were added. It was about the year 1820 that the common council named nine citizens to act as "bagman." Their duties were to attend fires, with large leather bags in which to place valuables and remove them to a place of safety. This was one of the first salvage corps organized in the State. A fire broke out October 18, 1821, in a paint shop near Dennis and Church streets. The flames quickly spread to the Schenck homestead; it was thought at first that A. V. Schenck, later a mayor of the city, then an infant of two weeks, had perished, but later developments revealed the fact that the baby had been bor- rowed by a neighbor before the commencement of the fire. Two hotels and stables on Water street were destroyed by fire July 11, 1832. In that year the Raritan Engine Company was formed with a roll of thirty members. Their first apparatus was the box engine originally used by the Phoenix Company. The company's first home was a frame building on the corner of George and Schureman streets, where it remained for fifty years. After a temporary location of seven years, the company secured quarters on Remsen avenue. Previous to obtaining its Clapp & Jones steam engine in 1881, it had used several hand apparatuses. The company was furnished with a new engine in 1907. The Protection Engine Company's history dates back prior to the year 1830, when it was located on George street. In 1843 it moved to George and Somerset streets, and is now ensconced in a handsome building on Wall street. Like other companies in the city, it started out with a hand engine. After it entered the city department it was supplied with a Hope steamer, which was replaced in 1885 by a Silsby engine. Before the organization in 1835 of a Hook and Ladder Company, ladders were placed in the homes of various citizens for the use of firemen. An up-to-date truck was purchased in 1876. The White Hall Hotel stables were for a sec- ond time destroyed by fire July 3, 1834. A large fire took place May 21, 1842, when the Raritan Hotel near the depot was destroyed. The Liberty Hose Company was organized July 31, 1853. It was later equipped with combination wagon with hook and ladder outfit, chemical apparatus and a full supply of fire hose. The Hibernia Engine Company started in 1865 with a hand engine, which was replaced by a Dennison steam engine in 1871.
Among the other important fires of the city was that of the Baptist church in 1849; the previous year the steamboat "Raritan" on its pas- sage from New Brunswick to New York was totally destroyed ; the machine shop of Randolph & Holmes, July 15, 1850, the rubber factory on the corner of New and Drift streets in 1853 also suffered loss by fire. The fire on Commerce square occurred January 15, 1862; the Star Lin- seed Oil Works were a total loss November 21, 1871; was rebuilt and burned again in September, 1875. The Canal stables suffered a loss by fire October 24, 1873, and were totally destroyed by another fire March
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16, 1874. The grocery stand of Suydam & Nevius succumbed to the flames in November, 1875, and in the same year the old Swan stables near Washington street were destroyed by fire. The Augustus Hyatt Rubber Company's works on Neilson street suffered a complete loss of property and machinery in 1876; the same year fire broke out in Charles Lemon's dwelling on the corner of Suydam and Drift streets, its owner being consumed in the flames.
The Pennsylvania railroad's wooden bridge was burned November 9, 1878. Its successor was an iron structure which in turn was replaced by the present stone bridge, the first train passing over the latter May II, 1903. The railroad shops on Easton avenue were the scene of a fire November 22, 1879. The next year, June 30, Hammell's store was reduced to ashes and George Rebotham was killed; the same year, November 20, the old ice house at the upper lock was destroyed. The important fire in 1882 was February 28, when the Holmes canning shop, foot of Albany street, was a total loss; the following year, on May 6, Jarrod's cigar factory was burned. The great oil train fire occurred February 7, 1883, Frank Deeman, brakeman, and Patrick Dougherty were burned to death. The fire was caused by two oil trains colliding on the Pennsylvania railroad bridge. The flaming oil ran into the sewer and reaching the buildings of Janeway & Company, completely destroyed the building. The well known landmark "The Rink," was burned July 28, 1891. The steamboat "New Brunswick," when on its regular trip between New Brunswick and New York, was consumed by fire August 7, 1902. It was a total loss, and the remains of the steam- boat were towed to Gregory's Graveyard at Perth Amboy. The large factory of Janeway & Carpender on the corner of Schuyler and Pater- son streets was destroyed by fire in 1907; the present factory was then built in Highland Park. Fire swept the plant of the Empire Foundry Company on Jersey avenue, March 19, 1909, causing a loss of $100,000, the pattern storage house, the engine house and one or two other small buildings were destroyed. The plant was originally built by the New Brunswick Foundry Company in 1897. Gray iron castings, gas and coal stoves and automobile cylinders were manufactured.
The present paid fire department of six companies is equipped with four steamers, one hook and ladder truck, one chemical engine; all of automobile construction.
Free Public Library-The foundation of a public library in New Brunswick was agitated in the latter part of the eighteenth century, when a meeting was called January 15, 1796, for establishing such an institution. The library of Rutgers College, founded thirty years pre- vious to this, was exclusively for the use of the students. The fifteen gentlemen who attended the primary meeting agreed that a share in the new library should be five dollars, subject to an annual tax of one
PUBLIC LIBRARY, NEW BRUNSWICK
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dollar and fifty cents. The name chosen was the "Union Library Com- pany." It was located on the northwest corner of Albany and Neilson streets. The librarian was John Hill, who continued to perform the duties until his death in 1811, when he was succeeded by Miss Hannah Scott. During the War of 1812, the library was wholly suspended, but later was revived by a few of the original members.
A second library was incorporated in 1820, but in May of the fol- lowing year the two libraries were merged into one, under the name of the "New Brunswick Library Company." This company continued in existence for over a quarter of a century, but finally suspended; the books were consigned to the trustees of Rutgers College for safe- keeping. In May, 1868, they were transferred to the Young Men's Christian Association for the foundation of their library, and continued
under their control until 1888, when the directors presented about 2,900 volumes to the New Brunswick Free Circulating Library, incor- porated March 3, 1883, which was opened to the public March 23, 1883. This was the first free circulation of books in New Jersey ; previous to this date, while a number of libraries had free reading rooms, a charge was made for the home use of the books. The library was situated in a small frame house on the corner of George and Church streets; afterwards moved to a building on the northwest corner of Albany and Peace streets.
At the municipal election in 1890, the question whether the library should be supported by taxation was submitted to the people, and resulted in practically a unanimous vote in its favor. The Free Public Library of New Brunswick was incorporated and began its work April 1, 1891. The Free Public Library and Free Circulating Library both moved in 1892 to the southwest corner of George and Paterson streets, which they continued to occupy until November 17, 1903. The city of New Brunswick was presented by Andrew Carnegie in 1902 with $50,000 for the purpose of erecting a library building, on condition that the city engaged to contribute $5,000 a year for its maintenance and support, and provide a suitable site for the building. A lot was purchased by the city on Livingston avenue, between Morris and Welton streets, on which was erected the present building. Notable donations of books have been received at various times, among which mention is made of the Ladies' Book Club of 1,14I volumes, and the New Bruns- wick Book Club of 310 volumes. The Free Circulating Library was disbanded May 8, 1907, and its 10,480 books were given to the Free Library ; the cash balance of the former, amounting to $2,800, was expended for new books, making a total of 26,000 volumes on the shelves of the Free Library, and increased at the present time to 40,462 vol- umes; the circulation for the year 1920 was over 108,000 volumes. The present librarian is Miss Mary A. Walker, who has been connected with the institution for over a score of years.
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There was established by the Board of Education in 1921 a Public School Library Advisory Board of six members, for the purpose of extending and adding the school libraries of the city. The members of the board are: John P. Wall, chairman; Mrs. Robert C. Nicholas, vice- chairman; Miss Susan V. Knox, secretary; Mr. George A. Osborn, Mrs. Ira T. Chapman and Mrs. A. L. Smith.
The "New Brunswick Times," now published at New Brunswick, New Jersey, as "The Sunday Times," is one of the five oldest newspapers in the United States, having first appeared as the "Guardian and New Brunswick Advertiser" in 1792 as a weekly. It has the distinction of having been published in three centuries.
Its founder, Abraham Blauvelt, who was born in Tappan, Rockland county, New York, was one of New Brunswick's leading citizens. Under his direction the "Guardian and New Brunswick Advertiser" was a staunch Federal organ, and had quite a circulation in Central New Jersey. On June 1, 1815, the name was changed to the "New Bruns- wick Times and General Advertiser." The paper was then published every Thursday by Deare and Myer, at Washington's Head, New Brunswick. The subscription rate was $2.50 per annum, the same rate at which it is now published, one hundred twenty-nine years later. Then Albert Speer became the publisher and the newspaper became Demo- cratic in principle. Mr. Speer continued the publication until his death in 1869. The "Daily News," started by Alphonso E. Gordon in March, 1851, and a new Democratic paper, the "New Jersey Union," first issued in May, 1847, also by Mr. Gordon, were sold by him to Mr. Speer. He combined all three papers under the name of the "New Brunswick Times." On his death, William B. Guild of Newark bought the paper and in November, 1869, published "The Daily Times." Mr. Gordon returned from Grand Rapids, Michigan, on December 28, 1871, and again became owner of "The Times." He conducted it very suc- cessfully for several years, being offered $35,000 for the business at one time. Mr. Gordon became a United States marshal under the admin- istration of Grover Cleveland, and for a time the paper was run by subordinates. In 1890, former State Senator John Carpender of Clinton, New Jersey, became its owner.
Two years later the Times Publishing Company bought it out. This stock company was composed of Millard F. Ross, William H. Price, James Deshler, Oliver Kelly, W. Parker Runyon, J. Kearney Rice and Edward Furman. The paper was made an eight-page daily and other- wise improved. It still remained Democratic in politics. J. D. Chandlee acted as editor until 1896, when Francis W. Daire succeeded him. On September 11, 1906, he purchased the stock, with the exception of four shares to continue the life of the corporation, and became owner as well as editor. He sold his stock in May, 1908, to Linn E. Wheeler,
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who was editor until October 25, 1909, when he resigned. Samuel M. Christie succeeded him.
The control of the paper was purchased on May 15, 1912, by J. David Stern, no change being made in the staff until January 23, 1913, when Mr. Christie resigned as editor and George D. Johnson was elected his successor. In May, 1915, the "New Brunswick Times" was purchased by the Home News Publishing Company, and George C. Ingling was made editor. A year later, on May 16, 1916, it was discontinued as a daily, and has since been published as "The Sunday Times" under the same management and editor. The paper is independent in politics, its chief policy being to boost every movement for the welfare of the city.
Board of Trade-With a clear vision of what might be achieved for the advancement of the city by the cooperation of the merchants, manu- facturers and professional men, a conference of public-spirited citizens was held May 10, 1909, to discuss the organization of a Board of Trade in New Brunswick. Those who took an active interest in the movement felt that a time had arrived when the interests of the city could be better advanced by the formation of some civic or commercial body to serve as a clearing house for many of the activities that were likely to develop with the further growth of the community. The list of men interested comprised Henry G. Parker, Charles A. McCormick, George A. Vieh- mann, William R. Reed, Edward W. Hicks, P. P. Runyon, H. B. Zim- merman, Peter F. Daly, Neilson T. Parker, James Mershon and George Berdine. A committee of twelve was named to submit plans for an organization, with Mr. George A. Viehmann as chairman. Mr. H. G. Parker, president of the National Bank of New Jersey, was the first president. Mr. F. M. Yorston was chosen secretary, and served con- tinuously in that capacity until February 12, 1920. Fresh impetus was given to the work of the Board of Trade on January 12, 1910, when eighty-seven new members were elected, and twenty-six more names were added at the meeting held February 9, 1910.
Each successive year saw an increased membership and a broadening of the activities of the organization with a corresponding benefit to the city. It took the lead in all movements for civic improvement, and in June, 1916, a comprehensive plan for a "city planning" scheme was prepared by Mr. H. J. March under its direction. Although nothing has as yet been accomplished along these lines, the matter was revived several months ago when the Rotary Club had Mr. March outline the details of his plan at a public meeting, and all of the various organiza- tions of the city were asked to name a representative to serve on a committee to take up the matter with the City Commission. Some day New Brunswick will have a definite City Planning Scheme, and it will owe its success to the preliminary work conducted by the Board of Trade.
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Good government is a subject in which the organization has displayed great interest. Its members have advocated clean, honest and efficient government in city, county and State affairs throughout its existence. It started the campaign for a Commission Form of Government in June, 19II, when resolutions were adopted committing the Board to that movement, and its members fought valiantly for the change until it was ultimately accomplished.
The interests of the taxpayers, both of the city and county, have always appealed to the Board of Trade. Through its active work in following the affairs of the county, the burden of repairs incident to the two big bridges spanning the Raritan river-the one between Perth Amboy and South Amboy, and the bridge at the foot of Albany street to Highland Park-were both taken over by the State Highway Com- mission, thereby relieving the taxpayers of Middlesex county of an annual expense for maintenance of approximately $50,000; and the erec- tion of a new bridge at Perth Amboy at an estimated cost of $2,500,000, of which $1,000,000 will be paid by the Federal government, the balance representing an expense the county would have had to bear had the present bridge not been taken over.
The Board took up the matter of the bond issue in connection with the building of the Cranbury turnpike, and the ultimate outcome of the matter was a saving of $334,000 to the taxpayers. The organization made a fight for the annexation of the Lincoln Gardens Section to the city, which was finally accomplished, and it resulted in adding a pro- gressive community and giving New Brunswick additional railroad siding facilities. Repeatedly, the Board has gone on record in favor of "open specifications" for road work, and the efforts of Mr. S. P. Leeds, president of the Chamber of Commerce of Atlantic City, to free the State from the grip of the patent pavement trust, has had the endorsement of the organization.
When the rate of fare charged for commutation tickets between New Brunswick and New York was increased to twelve dollars in 1911, the Board of Trade championed the cause of the commuters. The fight was won, and approximately from $10,000 to $12,000 a year was saved to the commuters until the Federal government took over the big trans- portation lines and arbitrarily raised the rates.
In civic affairs the Board of Trade has always been found as sponsor for every movement that meant a Bigger and Better New Brunswick. It recommended a Paid Fire Department ; appointive School Board ; Voca- tional School System; a filtration plant for the Water System ; a Traffic Ordinance ; better paved sidewalks and improved streets-and had much to do with the extension of a sewer system to a part of the city which was quickly developed into a residential section.
Much work has been done by the Board of Trade towards better shipping facilities for New Brunswick and vicinity. Just before the
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war, the Pennsylvania railroad had agreed to spend nearly $100,000 for a new freight station and yard facilities. When the railroad is in better shape financially, this will probably be done. The Lehigh Valley railroad industrial siding is now within a mile and a quarter of Highland Park, to which point it will be extended before long. The extension of the express service has been accomplished both in the city and High- land Park.
Through the work of the Board of Trade it is estimated that more than a score of important industries have been located in and near the city, and there has been spent for plants and equipment approximately $8,000,000. The Simplex Automobile Company was brought here in 1910. Through an agreement whereby the Board of Trade agreed to assume a certain part of the taxes of that concern, the Company remained in the city, enlarged its plant and its payroll was considerably increased. It was followed by the Wright Martin Automobile Company, which in turn was succeeded by the Wright Aeronautical Corporation. When the Armistice was signed, November 11, 1918, there were close to eight thousand war workers employed in this one big essential industry. Many other industries, too, had their share of war work, and the city enjoyed a wave of unparalleled prosperity due to the high wages that were being paid to the workers.
In 1915, when the movement was launched for the establishment of the New Jersey College for Women, it had the endorsement of the Board. The organization has always stood back of Rutgers College, the Rutgers Preparatory School and the school system of New Brunswick, the interests of which the members have always sought in advance.
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