USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Montclair > History of Montclair township state of New Jersey; including the history of the families who have been identified with its growth and prosperity > Part 26
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The corridor connecting the wards with the main building is six feet wide ; it is well lighted and heated. There is a fine concrete cellar under each ward. The wards are each supplied with a bath-room and hot and cold water, and a nurse room is attached to each. There is accommodation for ten patients in both the men's and women's wards ; three in the maternity ward.
The door for the reception of patients is at the rear of the corridor on the first floor. The ambulance can be driven into the square and backed up to this door. The old hospital building will be used as a fever room. It is isolated from the other buildings. Three large cesspools take the drainage from the whole institution.
THE MONTCLAIR EQUESTRIAN CLUB.
This unique and very successful Club was organized in 1-76. although it was really started several years earlier in an informal manner by the young people of Mont- clair. devoted to horse-back riding and other social pastimes.
The first regular meeting was hell at the residence of Mr. C. K. Willmer in the spring of 1-76, at which time George II. Francis and Frederick Merriam Wheeler were elected President and Secretary, respectively. Among the other gentlemen who constituted its organizers were Carleton W. Nason, Edward W. Sadler, Charles J. Pearson, Charles Francis. C. N. Bovee, Jr., W. Lanman Bull, James R. Thompson, Charles K. Willmer, N. Sullivan, Arthur Foley and Dr. Frank Ely.
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HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
Among the lady members, and perhaps one of the most enthusiastic equestriennes, was Miss Florence Willmer (now Mrs. Frederick Merriam Wheeler) and to whose efforts was due the early success and permanent establishment of the Club.
The other lady members were as follows: Miss Bovee, Miss Nannie Thompson (now Mrs. Onterbridge), Miss Alice Thompson, Miss Amy Willner. Miss Lord (now Mrs. Lloyd), Miss Mamie Clark, Mrs. J. W. Pinkham, Miss Grace Pillsbury, Miss Jennie 11. Beach, Mrs. E. W. Sadler, Miss Draper. Miss DeLuze, Miss Hellen Sullivan (now Mrs. Delevan Baldwin), Miss Marion Torry, Miss Chittenden (now Mrs. Wm. E. Pinkham). Miss Power (now Mrs. Arthur Schroeder) and Miss Conradt.
The Club was afterward strengthened by the addition of the following : Alfred E. Beach. P. E. Van Riper, Frank Rogers, Thomas Russell, Dr. J. W. Pinkham, Charles A. Heckscher, Joseph A. Blair, John H. Wilson. Samnel Wilde, A. Ferguson Brown, W. Delavan Baldwin, J. C. Mott, J. M. Wing and others.
During the spring, summer and fall the Club had its regular riding parties at stated intervals, usually holding the meet at the residence of some one of the members, and during the winter months they had exceedingly attractive social evenings every fortnight. There were readings, recitations,
THE RENDEZ-VOUS
1
THE "MEET" AT ROSWELL MANOR.
vocal and instrument- al music and dramatic performances-in short. this Club seem- ed to fill the place. in those days, now ocen- pied by distinet socie- ties. devoted to litera- ture, music or dramat- ics.
At some of the equestrian meets it was a common thing to see twenty or thirty ladies and gentlemen in the saddle, and as
this sport is exceedingly exhilarating the parties were usually very enthusiastic. The regular rides were on Saturday afternoons, but parties were often made up for moonlight nights, or for early morning rides.
At the meets there was always present, at the invitation of the host at whose house the meet was held, a party of friends to see the riders start.
During the second year, the Club inaugurated " hare and hounds" hunting. These paper chases gave considerable zest to the sport, and helped to keep up an active interest in the Club. A description of one of these paper chases taken from the Montelair Times of November 17, 1877, will give an excellent idea of the event :
" The Equestrian Club had their second hunt of hare and hounds Saturday afternoon, and from all we can learn the sport was decidedly exciting and enjoyable. The meet was held at the residence of N. Sullivan, Esq. Two
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prominent members of the Club, a lady and gentleman, represented the hares, and displayed equestrianship of exceptional merit by riding through some very difficult places. They gave their pursuers over an hour's chase across country, but were finally overtaken beyond the mountain near Verona Lake. Dr. Pinkham was Master of the Hounds, and managed his party so well that no accident occurred to mar the pleasure of the day. Miss Rogers was first in at the ยท death,' and was awarded a sprig of evergreen to represent the . brush.' These paper chases have been so successful that the members of the Club will have several more before the season closes. The next social meeting will be held 'Tuesday evening at the residence of J. R. Thompson, Esq."
The following year the Club imported a pack of beagle hounds and inaugurated " drag " hunting. The beagles, which were purchased in England, were perhaps the first lot of hounds of the kind brought to this country in any large number ; being a much smaller dog than the regular fox-hound or harrier, they are slower running and better adapted where there are lady riders in the fieldl.
The Club having become so enthusiastic over cross country riding, it was decided to permanently adopt hunting, and the name of the Club was changed to the Montelair Hunt, and Mr. Edward W. Sadler was made the first Master of Hounds.
The meet on Christmas day (1>75) at Mr. Sadler's extensive place on Grove Street will long be remembered in the history of this Club, as the host had invited the farmers from the country about, and a large number of friends, to see the hunting party start.
The next year the Club decided to procure a draft of regular fox hound- from the kennels of the Queens County Hunt of Long Island, and, in addition, engaged the services of the famous athlete and sportsman. Harry Howard, who continued in their employ until his death some years later. Howard was a typical specimen of a sturdy English huntsman, and his merry voice, as he encouraged his hounds on- ward, was often heard to the delight of the riders during the different chases. In the year 1879, Mr. Frederick Merriam Wheeler succeeded Mr. Sadler as Master of the Hounds, the kennels being located on the old Baldwin farm, now the site of " Roswell Manor," the present residence of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Iness. Jr. About this time a number of members from Orange and other parts of the surrounding country joined the Hunt, among whom were Charles A. Heckscher, Henry N. Muun, Edward P. Theband, Frank E. Martin. Douglas Robinson. Jr., the Messrs. Hudnut and Charles HI. Loc.
In Isso the kennels were moved to the vicinity of Tory Corner, about half way between Montclair and Orange, and Mr. Henry N. Munn succeeded Mr. Wheeler as Master of the Hounds. The kennels were newly stocked with a draft of very fine fox-hounds purchased from the sons of Sir Hugh Allen, of Montreal, and the use of live foxes instead of the " drag" was inaugurated. From this time until within a few years ago the Club continned the practice of fox hunting, having changed its name from the Montelair Hunt to the Essex County Hunt.
In 1>83 Mr. Charles A. Heckscher became Master of the Hounds, but was succeeded the following year by Mr. Edward P. Theband. who continued to carry on the hunting in a most successful manner until the Club was absorbed by the present Essex County Country Club. During Mr. Theband's time of office (1554 to 1857) the kennels were located in the Verona Valley, where there was plenty of pasture for the hunt horses, and a comfortable club house for the use of the members.
It was a great sight at the opening Meets every autumn to see the pretty little club house decorated with flowers and the Club colors, and presided over by a party of ladies to entertain the company, which latter never numbered less than 500 to 600 invited guests from the Oranges, Montelair, Bloomfield. Short Hills, Morristown, Newark and New York.
General Geo. B. MeClellan was also a member of the Club about this time, and was frequently seen at these affairs, and his wife was usually on the reception committee, with Mrs. I. C. Wilmerding. Mrs. I. Merriam Wheeler and other well known ladies from Montelair and Orange. A band of musie was always in attendance, and there was generally a high jumping contest of the hunting horses, after which an exhibition of the hounds on a " drag " hunt was given over the surrounding meadows.
Once every few years the Club gave amateur races, at which there was always considerable fun, if not expert sport.
It was in 1887 that the Country Club absorbed the Hunt, but the Montelair riding fraternity,
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HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
desiring to still keep up the sport of horseback riding. re-organized the Equestrian Club, and during the last few years have been holding their Meets regularly at the residences of the different members- generally on Saturday afternoons during the spring and fall seasons.
The illustration on page 160 gives an excellent view of one of the Meets, which in this case was held at " Roswell Manor." In the party of lady and gentleman riders shown ean be recognized the faces of some of the more recent members of the Club, whose names will be found among the list following, viz. :
Mr. E. A. Bradley, Mr. Il. S. McClure, Mr. Ogden Brower, Mrs. A. Ferguson Brown, Mr. Seelye Benediet, Mr. Walter Benedict. Mrs. A. E. Bostwick, Miss Bussing, Mr. D. P. Cruikshank. Miss Darwin, Miss Hawes, Miss Campbell. Miss Birdseye, Miss Hening, Miss Conradt, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Inness, Jr., Mr. F. A. Junkin, Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Marcus, the Messrs. Meyer, Mr. T. W. Porter, Miss Rodman, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Stewart, Mr. T. W. Stephens, Mr. and Mrs. JJ. W. Kirlin, Mrs. Burt. Mr. Willis Sawyer. Mr. and Mrs. A. Shroeder, Mr. Tearle. Miss Russell. Miss Eleanor Junkin, Mr. and Mrs. F. Merriam Wheeler, and Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Mott.
MONTCLAIR CLUB.
That the Montelair Club has been a potent factor in the rapid increase in the population of the township since 1887, any one who has observed its workings and noticed its influence on the community will freely admit. Starting with a membership of one hundred and twenty at its first publie meeting, it reached about four hundred within five years ; and has afforded the means of pleasure and entertainment to more than four times that number annually.
The initiatory movement began in the early part of 1887. Mr. C. L. Topliff and Mr. HI. C. Carter conceived the idea of starting a social club on a more general scale than had previously been attempted in Montelair, one which should merit the support of a large class of professional and business men who felt the need of recreation and enjoyment after the worry, care and anxiety incident to life in the great neighboring city. These gentlemen, knowing that several previous attempts had failed. deserve special credit for proceeding in a very thorough, careful and business-like manner. to lay a foundation which should insure ultimate success. They visited the leading clubs in New York, Brooklyn and Jersey City, and communicated with others at a distance-thoroughly informing themselves on all matters connected with club management ; they studied carefully the organization-forms of many different clubs ; and, finally, taking Lincoln Club of Brooklyn as a general model, prepared a tentative set of By-Laws and had them printed for distribution. They then submitted the matter to Messrs. Jasper R. Rand and William D. Baldwin, who, in turn, interested others : and on June 25. 1887. an invitation was sent ont inviting co-operation, signed by W. D. Baldwin, Jasper R. Rand, E. A. Bradley, E. G. Burgess, H. C. Carter. C. L. Topliff, Frederick Engle, E. B. Goodell. S. Benediet, J. II. Wilson and R. G. Park.
The first meeting was held at the house of Mr. Baldwin, and subsequent meetings at the house of Mr. Bradley, and on July 27th. a large number of invitations were issued to attend a general meeting for organizing a club-the paper being signed by the above named gentlemen and others to the number of twenty five in all.
The public meeting was held in Montelair Hall, on Angust 1. 1887. Mr. W. D. Baldwin opened the meeting : Mr. John R. Howard was elected Chairman, and Mr. H. C. Carter, Secretary. The enrollment showed one hundred and twenty names of those wishing to become members. The By-Laws were discussed and with modifications adopted. The first Board of Directors were nominated and elected-consisting of W. D. Baldwin, Seelye Benedict. E. A. Bradley, E. G. Burgess, H. C. Carter, W. V. Carolin, E. B. Goodell. John R. Howard, Dr. John J. 11. Love and Cyrus L. Topliff ; and the Directors were instructed to have the Club incorporated, and to make arrangements for temporary quarters, pending the purchase of ground and the erection of a permanent home. The first officers were Jasper R. Rand, President ; W. D. Baldwin, Vice-President : Il. C. Carter, Secretary, and C. L. Topliff, Treasurer ; Mr. Richard G. Park was elected a Director in place of Mr. Carolin. who resigned.
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HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
After much searching and investigation of eligible sites it was determined to purchase the property of Dr. John J. H. Love, on Church Street. as being both near to the business centre of the town and vet sufficiently retired. This was done at a cost of $10,000, and the old dwelling-house on the premises was altered for temporary quarters until such time as a club house should be put up, it being then expected that $25,000 would erect. furnish and equip the building. The Board of Directors was instrueted to invite plans and estimate- from five different architects. To these a sixth was added, later, when the scheme proposed included a music hall in addition to the club house proper. The firm of Lamb & Rich, of New York, were finally selected as the architect-, and the praise universally given their completed work proves the wisdom of the selection. The fine bowling alleys in the basement, the convenient arrange- ment of the offices, retiring rooms, eard rooms, billiard and pool rooms, and reading room, on the first floor. the ladies' parlors and dressing rooms and the beautifully proportioned music hall on the second floor; the special dining room, steward's apartments, kitchen, etc .. on the third floor, and the artistic harmony and architectural beauty of the whole house, within and without, combine to make it an exceptionally admirable edilice.
Mr. C. L. Topliff. of the Board of Directors, was very active in the matter, and some of the best of the interior arrangements were of his suggestion. The Board passed a special vote of thanks to Mr. Toplitf for his " long continned and intelligent efforts in the interest of the Club, and especially in the matter of the new club house, with music hall attached." The original plan- contemplated the erection of a building to cost 850,000, but the addition of the music hall to the main building involved an additional outlay of $10,000. A loan on first mortgage was seenred from the New York Mutual Life Insurance Co. of 825,000 at 5 per cent .. and bonds were issned under a second mortgage to the amount of $35,000 at 6 per cent. Probably the two gentlemen most successful in " placing " bonds and inducing club members and others to join in securing the financial basis for the enterprise, were the President, Mr. Rand, and Mr. Seelve Benedict, of the Board of Directors. This once assured, matters moved vigorously.
The Building Committee consisted of Messrs. John R. Howard, Frederick Engle, Dr. John .I. II. Love, and Seelye Benedict. The club house was begun in Angu-t, 15SS, and completed ready for veenpancy in the autumn of 1599. A brilliant opening took place on November 7 of that year, and the " Anniversary Reception " has been an " institution " ever since.
In a circular issued by the Board of Directors, accompanying a set of reduced engravings of the Hoor plans and some perspective sketches. for the information of the members when the taking of the bonds were in process. i- this statement :
" The building of this house, securing by its accommodations a large income, secures also possibilities of artistic, social, dramatic, musical, and various interesting and useful entertainments, which will make life in Montelair a different thing for every gentleman and lady in it. Especial arrangements are included, both in the house and its use, for the accommodation and pleasure of the ladies and families of members. This Club is intended to be instrumental in pro- moting, and not in disturbing, home happiness ; to offer attractions to the feminine as well as to the masculine element in our society, and it is hoped that the carnest interest of Woman may be aroused and her potent influence exerted in its favor."
It was unquestionably a wise move to solicit the feminine interest of the town, for that was the final turning of the scale which made the financial scheme a snecess, assuring the building of the house. To the credit of the management of the Club it must be said that the promises of the circular have been fulfilled in letter and in spirit. Monday is " Ladies' Day," when the house is thrown open to them from noon to midnight. and in the evening special entertainment is provided and music for dancing in the hall. This is of regular recurrence : while the special occasions of all agreeable kinds that call both men and women together in the hall are constant, and have truly "made life in Montelair a different thing." The Presidents have been Messrs. J. R. Rand. Edward G. Burgess. J. R. Howard and Dr. J. J. HI. Love : the Vice-Presidents, Messrs. W. D. Baldwin, J. R. Howard. J. II. Wilson. Dr. J. J. H. Love and J. R. Livermore. After the expiration of Mr. Carter's term as Secretary and Mr. Topliff's as Treas-
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urer, the offices were combined, and have since been filled successively by Messrs. Edwin B. Goodell and Win. L. Ludlam.
One feature of the Club management is peculiar: "No intoxicating beverages shall be sold or allowed in the club house." This house rule has often been condemned by club men as sure to be the ruin of the Club; but, as a matter of fact. in the minds of the best observers it has been and is the most influential factor in the Club's undeniable success. "Sweethearts and wives" are not afraid to see the men they love go there, and mothers feel safe in having their young men become junior members in a elub where they can find rational enjoyment and recreation, without danger. And more than this: the men think what the women feel ; there is many a member of the Montelair Club who drinks wine at his own table, and yet is firm in the determination to keep the club house free from the perils of club tippling.
This and other features of the wise and business-like management of its affairs from the first have kept the Montelair Club in a continuous career of agreeable usefulness and financial prosperity. It is without doubt the most important representative institution of the town, and every inhabitant of Montclair will hope for it a long and prosperous life.
THE OUTLOOK CLUB.
The object of this association is to hear the discussion of themes of eurrent and vital interest by prominent thinkers in various fields, and especially to enlarge the views of its members by the wholesome process of hearing " the other side."
The Outlook Club was foreshadowed in a series of fortnightly gatherings for the discussion and reading of pure literature during several winters. from December. 1883, to the spring of 1887. held in the lecture room of the First Congregational Church. Rev. Amory H. Bradford, pastor. The writers and readers were drawn from the town at large. and the general interest made the unpretentious evenings signally successful.
When. in 1887, the Montelair (Social) Club was organized. the efforts of many active workers centred in that, and the literary evenings were discontinued ; but two years later, when the Chib had passed its infancy. and built a fine club house, it was thought good to revive on a somewhat broader plan the holding of meetings for general culture. Accordingly, the new Ontlook Club was organized. A meeting was called in the Congregational Church lecture room, by a printed note of invitation, signed by Rev. Dr. Bradford. Rev. Dr. Junkin, Rev. Mr. Carter, Mr. Paul Wilcox, Mr. John R. Howard and others : and on a raw, sleety, stormy evening, early in December, 1889, about seventy five ladies and gentlemen came together, adopted their brief constitution. and appointed a committee to nominate officers and Executive Committee, and to prepare for a December public meeting.
The first officers elected were : President, John R. Howard : Vice- Presidents, Rev. F. B. Carter and John R. Livermore ; Secretary, Win. II. Peck ; Treasurer, F. Merriam Wheeler, Executice Com- mitter: The foregoing officers, and Rev. A. Il. Bradford. D.D. Rev. W. F. Junkin. D.D., Paul Wilcox, Win. 11. Peck. Mr. Paul Wilcox was President for the years 1893-94.
The experiment was a marked success from the very first. The membership was fixed at 200. but the limit has since been raised to 300, and there is always a large waiting list for vacancies at the end of the year. Each member pays annual dues of $4 and receives two tickets for each of the eight meetings. This gives an income of $1,200 a year and insures good attendance at the meetings. The hall of the Montelair Club, where the meetings are held, will seat 500, and is always well filled and sometimes crowded when the Outlook has it. The only expenditures, aside from the rent of the hall. programme and ticket printing and postage, are the compensation and expenses of the speakers. There are eight meetings a year-on the fourth Friday of each month, excepting June, July, August and September. so that the average allowable monthily expense per meeting is $150. This giving out of so large a number of tickets to eight literary entertainments of high grade, at an average cost to the
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membership of twenty-five cents per ticket, is certainly unusual and evinces the great popularity of this method of educational entertainment. The first publie meeting after the organization of the Club was held in Montelair Hall, with an audience of about two hundred. The subject discussed was, " The Sensnous and the Spiritural in Modern Literature." The speakers were Rev. Wm. Hayes Ward, of the Independent, Miss Agnes MeC. Hallock and Rev. Wm. F. Junkin, D.D.
The range of subjects since discussed has been very wide, including philosophy, science. literature, art, industry, and even politics and religion, although subjects belonging to the two classes last named have had to be handled with delicacy. With observance of all the courtesies of debate, varied and op- posing views have been effectively presented with entire freedom ; and the educational value of this is highly appreciated. not only by the members but by the community. The speakers are always explicitly informed beforehand that their remarks are expected to be expository rather than disputatious, and the opening speaker furnishes a brief abstraet of his positions in advance for the information of those np- holding " the other side." Thirty-five minutes are nominally allotted to the first speaker. and, if there be but one opponent, thirty-five minutes to him also. If more than one, twenty minutes each, while the first speaker is allowed ten minutes for rebuttal. These limits, however, are rarely enforced, and considera- ble latitude is given to the speakers. The character of the work done by this Club is shown in the selec- tion of subject- and speakers- the latter including many of national reputation.
In 1990. January. " The Press-It- Powers and Responsibilities." Rev. Chas. 11. Eaton, D.D). Joseph Howard, Jr .. and Alexander D. Noyes.
February. ". Looking Backward '-Nationalism." Rev. W. D. P. Bliss, John R. Livermore, Clarence W. Butler, M.D., Prof. Daniel de Leon and Charles H. Johnson, Ir.
March. " Prohibition-or What ?" E. C. Wheeler, Robert Graham, D. F. Merritt and Starr J. Murphy.
" The Negro Problem " was divided into two parts. The first meeting devoted to that subject was held in April. George W. Cable, the novelist, and Rev. J. C. Price. D. D., the famous colored orator. taking part. .. The Other Side," was heard in November. Thomas Nelson Page, the writer, and Rev. Wm. Junkin, D.D., pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Montelair, formerly of Charleston. S. (., being the speakers.
May, 1890, " Shelley-Poet and Man." Rev. J. H. Ecob, Hamilton W. Mabie. Rowlings. Miss Josephine Rand.
October. " The Economic Theory of Protection." Prof. Van Buren Denslow and Henry George. December. " The Higher Education of Woman." Mrs. Alice Freeman Palmer, Mrs. Ella Dietz Clymer, Rev. A. J. MeVirar. D.D., and President James W. Taylor, of Vassar College.
In 1-91 : January, "The Silver Question." Hon. A. J. Warner, of Ohio, and Prof. J. Laurence Laughlin, of Cornell University.
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