USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Narratives of Newark (in New Jersey) from the days of its founding > Part 20
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29
Population and prosperity increased in Newark during the fourth decade. Capital invested in local industrial plants ยท in 1840 amounted to $3,170,658 and the output was only $3,350,558, a decline of $2,574,202 in four years. The optimist was abroad, however, and in 1846 the hum of busi- ness was again heard in Newark's factories.
An indication of more prosperous times was in the forma- tion of the Newark Gaslight Company on April 14, 1846. Oil lamps placed on Broad and other streets a number of years before proved unsatisfactory in lighting the city at night, and the introduction of gas was impatiently awaited. Samuel Meeker was chosen president of the new corporation, and Joseph Battin, who constructed the plant, appointed superintendent; James Kane, secretary and assistant super- intendent, and John Van Wagenen treasurer. Acting with these officials as directors were Beach Vanderpool, Mayor of Newark; Isaac Baldwin, Jeremiah Garthwaite, Reuben D. Baldwin, William Shuggard and C. B. Duncan. The sum of $100,000 was invested in the enterprise. Four miles of pipes were laid, and on Christmas Day the illuminant was sent through the mains and several homes lighted. The
275
LOUIS KOSSUTH ENTERTAINED
other subscribers were served on January 5, 1847. A contract was made in 1851 by the corporation with the municipality for lighting the streets and public buildings, supplemented in 1853 with an agreement to pay $28.50 per lamp per annum of 2,000 hours for 337 lamps. The light was feeble but it was the best of the period.
Frequent rains in the spring of 1852 reduced Broad Street to a mass of mud and water, but this fact did not deter the
Great Fice At Nesu
Feu 5- 18452
leading townsmen from inviting Louis Kossuth, the Hungar- ian patriot, who arrived in New York, December 5, 1851, to visit the city. When the train on the New Jersey Railroad bearing the city's guest stopped at the Centre Street station on April 21, 1852, copious showers were descending. Brass bands were playing national airs, while the people cheered and the famous brass field piece discharged salutes at minute intervals.
The procession was forming to escort the guest through the
276
NARRATIVES OF NEWARK
city when a flood of rain poured upon the valiant marchers- but they kept manfully at their task.
Kossuth found a large crowd at the City Hotel on Broad Street, near William Street, where he reviewed the parade. Vehicles of every description were pressed into service, as a coign of vantage for viewing the scene.
Suddenly one of the wagons collapsed. In an instant twenty-five or more men and women were struggling in the mud. They were brought to solid ground none the worse for their experience, excepting their ruined clothing.
Frightened by the commotion, the horse on which Colonel A. C. M. Pennington, grand marshal, was seated, swished his tail, gave a snort, reared on his hind legs, and threw the rider, sash and all, backward into the mire. Pennington, too, was rescued and made a sorry sight, as he beat a hasty re- treat. Kossuth was informed that these events were not on the regular program.
While Mayor J. N. Quinby was delivering the address of welcome a trumpeter proclaimed the arrival of "King Mud." Down Broad Street, drawn by four horses, came a scow, and upon it were seated "his majesty" and several citizens. Wide-spreading waves of mud rolled away from the bow and extended to each side of the roadway. This prank had its good effect in bringing about the paving of the thoroughfare, an improvement much needed.
Dinner was served at the City Hotel, and the Hungarian was formally presented to Newarkers on the morning of April 22, at Washington Hall. Colonel Pennington, none the worse for his mud bath, delivered the address of welcome, and Rev. Ansell D. Eddy, pastor of the Park Presbyterian Church, offered prayer. Young women of Rahway presented the guest with a beautifully decorated basket containing $200 in gold, to be applied to the Hungarian Relief fund.
A banquet was served at the Park House at which Mayor Quinby presided. Governor Pennington, Justice Horn- blower, Colonel Pennington, Rev. Dr. Eddy, Cortlandt Parker, Colonel Stevens, Dr. Congar, several Common
277
LOUIS KOSSUTH ENTERTAINED
Councilmen and other citizens acted as hosts. Thomas Burnet, Newark's leading confectioner, prepared the centre- piece, pyramidal in form, and surmounted with figures labeled "Kossuth and Liberty." Speeches were made and sympathy was expressed for the suffering countrymen of the Hungarian.
The Germans entertained the guest in the evening, the festivities concluding with a torchlight procession and a re- ception by St. John's Lodge of Masons.
Newark's population in 1852 numbered about 42,000. John H. Stevens was president of the Aqueduct Company, supplying water for domestic and fire pur- poses. Headquarters of the Essex County Institute were in Newark, and its purposes were "the furthering of agricultural, horti- cultural, and manufacturing interest of the country." Charles C. Crossley was chief engineer of the fire department consisting of eleven fire engines. There were forty-two churches in the city.
William Morgan was running the Broad Street omnibus line, leaving South Park and going north to the Black Horse Tavern, near William Morgan's Horn the Stone Bridge over Mill Brook at Eighth Avenue. Three trips were made each way, morning and afternoon, the 'bus being drawn by a team of horses. Single fare was six and one-half cents.
Four trains daily made round trips over the track of the Morris and Essex Railroad, which had been in operation seventeen years. Cars were switched at Division Street to Broad Street, running to Centre Street, and there connecting with the New Jersey Railroad for New York. The steamer Passaic made regular trips from Newark to New York. Captain John Gaffey was the skipper. The round trip cost 25 cents.
The Camptown stage and the Elizabeth stage made trips from the southwesterly and southerly sections, while the
278
NARRATIVES OF NEWARK
Orange stage, driven by Erastus Pierson, famed for his ability to drive his team with one hand, accommodated passengers along the Orange Street route. One day Mr. Pierson read the passage in the Bible, "If thy right hand offend thee cut it off." He presumed this to be a literal injunction. Proceeding to the chopping block, in a moment of remorse for his sin, he severed his right hand. The Bloomfield stage was owned by N. R. Dodd & Company, while Stephen Bond had charge of the Caldwell line, Hugh & Hay of the one running to Belle- ville, and J. P. Doremus the stage to Parsippany by way of Paterson.
About 500 buildings were erected in Newark, including five church edifices, in 1851-1852. The peace of the town was guarded by twelve constables, three elected in each of the four wards. Summer vacations were unknown. Donation visits to the pastors of the churches were fashionable and church-going popular.
1
CHAPTER XLVI A PERIOD OF HARDSHIP
M ANUFACTURING and business interests, the churches, societies and all organizations of the city were thriving in 1850, and primitive customs had not wholly disappeared from the homes. Wood fires were kindled on the fireplace; hot-air furnaces were about to replace the iron stoves for heating the churches in winter; men wore heavy boots, winter and summer, and boot-jacks, V-shaped wooden boards, in which the heel was placed, were required to remove them; night air was considered unwholesome and windows of homes were tightly closed in cold weather; the sewing machine was a novelty, and training day, usually in early June, brought the soldiers and nearly all the population to the Common, where the maneuvers shared popularity with tables upon which were heaped ginger bolivars (about four times the size of a ginger snap) and other articles of food.
In 1854 the Asiatic cholera germ found its way across the ocean and into the city. Several local families had a pre- vious experience with the dread disease in 1832, when, ap- pearing in June, it spread over the country.
Among the victims of the cholera's second appearance was Alderman Eleazer M. Dodd, chairman of the Health Com- mittee, who died on the last day of July, at the age of thirty- nine years, after a few hours' illness. He was born in Orange, a college graduate, a writer of prose and poetry and skilled in music. Said the Newark Mercury;
His last hours were serene, his mind calm and clear, meeting death firmly and with confidence, reposing his trust in Providence and seemed particularly desirous that the young men of Newark should withhold from folly and wrong.
279
280
NARRATIVES OF NEWARK
The Board of Health, consisting of the Mayor, public health committee of the Common Council and the health physician, was not created till 1858. Efficient has been the work of the organization through the years, dealing vigorously and fear- lessly with every occasion requiring its services.
The financial crisis of 1857-1858 was severely felt in New- ark's industries. Factory doors were closed to workingmen in large numbers, half-time schedule was maintained at
Winter Scene on Passaic River (1855) Looking North from Clay Street
others and some opened only a few hours in the week. Orders were few, resources carefully saved and the privations of the unemployed were pitiable in nearly every centre in the country. Soup kitchens were opened and relief of more urgent cases demonstrated the broad, charitable character of the people. Wage earners had not saved funds for the inevit- able "rainy day." Too often, however, the weekly pay was not more than sufficient for the family daily need.
Inflated values in Wall Street speculation caused the stringency in the money market. An instance of the shrink- age is revealed in a property having an appraisal of $800,000, which was reduced to $50,000 in eighteen months.
Chilling winds swept over Military Park on November 18, 1857. Over 2,000 of Newark's unemployed met there in the afternoon and in deep distress adopted this sentiment:
We ask not alms, but work, that our wives and children may not starve. Peace and good will is our motto.
MORIAL.
Statue of Abraham Lincoln in Court House Plaza
281
A PERIOD OF HARDSHIP
Such was the citizens' spirit in adversity. Anarchy was not in their hearts. They reasonably asked for honest toil and fair remuneration. A committee was appointed to visit the Mayor and request employment for those in needy cir- cumstances The sympathy and material assistance of the more fortunately situated were helpfully extended. The financial condition improved in the spring and former sched- ules of working hours were soon resumed in the factories.
Early in August, 1858, the announcement was made of the Atlantic cable being joined in mid-ocean. Another im- portant event was the completion of the Morris & Essex Rail- road to Hackettstown during the summer. Newark's popu- lation was now increased to 64,000.
Shad were running well in the Passaic River during the spring of 1860, and Belleville was a favorite place for netting this delectable fish. Sunday schools held annual picnics at Morris Grove, Rahway; Day's Woods, Orange; Simeon Harrison's Woods, West Orange, and elsewhere. Sidewalks were irregularly laid and the few in existence were of brick or plank boards.
The national political situation was the principal theme of conversation of Newark people as the nominating conven- tions were preparing to meet. The questions of the hour were human slavery and State Rights.
The American Party of 1856 was merged into the Con- stitutional Union Party. John Bell, of Tennessee, was its candidate for President, and Edward Everett, of Massa- chusetts, the nominee for Vice-President.
Abraham Lincoln, of Springfield, Illinois, was nominated for President and Hannibal Hamlin, Vice-President, by the Republicans, and the Democratic Convention chose Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois, and Herschell V. Johnson, of Georgia, for the respective offices.
Newark Republicans erected a wigwam on James Street, near the corner of Orleans Street, where lively meetings were held during the campaign, the enthusiasm culminating on Monday evening, October 29, 1860, when the famous Wide-
282
NARRATIVES OF NEWARK
Awake Companies, 5,000 in number, which supported Lincoln and Hamlin, marched about the streets in a torch- light procession. William D. Russell was grand marshal and the five divisions were commanded by Major David Price, James W. Grover, William E. Sturgess, Albert A. Cleveland and James M. Henry.
Then came the Anti-Republican demonstration. Both parties were favored with clear weather. The Republican managers gasped with astonishment as marching organiza- tions, under the names of Minute Men or Hickory Clubs, ap -. r
North on Broad Street, from Corner of Market Street About 1855
peared early in the evening from New York and other places. Estimates of the number in line varied from 4,000 to 7,000. Bands of music and drum corps played lively tunes from sun- set to sunrise. The leaders planned well. Hundreds of dol- lars were spent in red fire and fireworks and Republicanism was, it seemed, doomed to defeat. Refreshments, inex- haustible, were supplied at every oasis in the night desert. At Broad and Market streets the mass of humanity con- gested the thoroughfares so that the marchers were compelled to halt till a lane was opened through which they could pass.
A transparency read: "For President, Anybody but a Black Republican." One float carried a tableau repre-
283
A PERIOD OF HARDSHIP
KAL SONGER
South of Academy Street on West Side of Broad Street in 1860
senting a party of negroes in a boat, steered by Horace Greeley, editor of the New York Tribune, and a strong aboli- tionist. Lincoln was at the prow. White girls were sitting in the negroes' laps. "No Negro Equality for us!" was the motto printed on the transparency. Then came the day of election. Excitement was intense.
Bell and Everett carried the city of Newark and the county gave a majority of 1,000 for these candidates. The State registered its disapproval of Lincoln and Hamlin by a majority of 1,880.
Abraham Lincoln was elected to the Presidency, however, causing discontent in the Southland and resulting in seces- sion and one of the costliest civil wars of history.
CHAPTER XLVII
LINCOLN VISITS NEWARK
L
INCOLN is coming to Newark!"
This information passed swiftly from house to house on the evening of February 20, 1861. The people, excepting the Southern sympathizers, who were known as copperheads, were out of doors at sunrise or soon thereafter, their steps directed toward the Morris and Essex depot, the entrance being on Division Street.
Chief Wambold, eighty policemen, and Garret Haulen- beck, Grand Marshal, were among the first arrivals. Lincoln remained just forty-five minutes, but every one was charged with an intense patriotic spirit. J. W. Woodruff was in charge of the train, consisting of an engine and two cars all decorated with the Stars and Stripes. The approach was heralded at 9.30 o'clock by young men and boys perched on telegraph poles and buildings.
Mrs. Lincoln was seen in the first car, smiling on the people and not at all abashed by the feminine inventory of her gown, made of rich black silk with its conventional hoop skirt. She sat at a table upon which was a large bouquet of flowers, placed there by admirers of the President- elect in Jersey City. From this point the train started for Newark.
Mr. Lincoln, Attorney-General Dayton and several other gentlemen were in the last car. Respectfully the men re- moved their hats as the tall, familiar figure of the one upon whom the hopes of the nation were centred descended the steps. Cheer followed cheer from the multitude while the music of the band added to the greeting. Newark was emphasizing its fealty to the Union, the Flag and Lincoln. On this February morning Rubsam's Band excelled all
284
285
LINCOLN VISITS NEWARK
previous efforts in playing "Hail Columbia!" and "The Star-Spangled Banner," the favorite selections.
The ceremonies were brief. Judge Cleaver, chairman of the local reception committee, introduced Mayor Moses Bigelow to the President-elect, brief speeches were exchanged and the line formed, and proceeded southerly on Broad Street. Marshal Haulenbeck, with his aide, James W. Grover, and 100 horsemen, uniformly dressed in dark clothes and felt hats, were first in line. The band preceded the official barouche, in which were seated Mr. Lincoln, Mr. Dayton, Judge Cleaver and Mayor Bigelow. Twenty carriages, occupied by citizens, completed the procession. Broad Street along the entire distance to Chestnut Street, was a mass of humanity, reaching from the house lines to the middle of the roadway. Banners and flags were waving from the buildings along the route. Encouraging shouts were heard, some of which Mr. Lincoln acknowledged, but his face was deep-set. He was meditating, no doubt, upon the strenuous experiences in store for him in the nation's awful drama.
He first entered into conversation with the occupants of the carriage at Military Park. The beautiful elms, their graceful branches silhouetted against the gray sky in a man- ner most picturesque, attracted his attention. He remarked to Mayor Bigelow that they were among the finest speci- mens of shade trees he had ever beheld. The patriotic spirit of Newark was also commended.
The Ninth Ward public school pupils, arranged upon three platforms in front of the building, sang "Hail Colum- bia" as the column passed through Chestnut Street to the depot, while a young woman waved a silk American Flag above her head in salutation to the President-elect. He was deeply impressed, raised his hat and smiled upon the assembled young Americans. The train was in waiting to transport the party southward. At Philadelphia, on the morrow, the anniversary of Washington's Birthday, Lin- coln hoisted the Flag of Stars and Stripes over Independence
-
286
NARRATIVES OF NEWARK
Hall, in the presence of thousands of his countrymen. Dur- ing the parade in Newark a snow squall appeared, but this did not dampen the ardor of host or guest.
Memorable were Saturday and Sunday, April 13 and 14, 1861. An attack by Southerners upon Fort Sumter, in Charleston Harbor, provoked intense excitement and the war spirit was running strong after the news flashed over the telegraph wires on Sunday morning that Major Ander- son had surrendered to General Beauregard of the Con- federate Army.
"In such a crisis no man can remain neutral," was New- ark's slogan. Leading men of the city met in Union Hall on April 19, and discussed the critical condition of national affairs in a dispassionate manner. Colonel John R. Crockett was chairman of the conference, which decided to hold a mass meeting in front of the Court House on the following Monday, April 22.
Newark's banks made an immediate free will offering of $170,000, for use in equipping troops, and the Common Council appropriated $500,000 "for the support of the fami- lies of our citizens who shall enter the military service," and $5,000 for supplying the troops with clothing.
Lincoln issued a call for 75,000 volunteers from the coun- try's militia organizations. The First Regiment, of New- ark, responded and prepared for active service. From the spire of Trinity Episcopal Church, at the north end of Mili- tary Park, and other buildings the American Flag was dis- played on Sunday morning, April 21.
Colonel Adolphus J. Johnson, of the First Regiment, paraded the command through several streets on Monday, April 22, for the purpose of stimulating interest in the mass meeting arranged for 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Thou- sands of people blocked Market Street and Springfield Ave- nue at the hour announced. Mayor Bigelow presided, and speeches were made by Governor Pennington, C. L. C. Gifford, Rev. Father McQuaid, Justice Joseph P. Bradley, Cortlandt Parker, Gen. Theodore Runyon, A. Q. Keasbey,
287
LINCOLN VISITS NEWARK
Joseph J. Jackson, Samuel H. Baldwin and others. Clergy- men of nearly every church occupied seats on the platform.
Colonel Johnson was ordered by General Runyon, com- mandant of the First Brigade, to which the First Regiment was attached, to report with his command at Trenton on Monday, April 29. They were distressing days. The country was in danger of disruption. Were the achievements of the Revolutionary Fathers in vain? This was the question asked most frequently in the hour of distraction. Business with the Southern States, in which the local boot and shoe manufacturers sustained heavy losses, was suspended. Southern sympathizers blamed President Lincoln for the disaster befallen the nation, but the spirit of patriotism dominated at the end of the week with offers of service by citizens, irrespective of their party affiliations. The politicians associated with the organizations opposed to Lincoln's election were now among his most ardent supporters. The Union must and shall be preserved was the universal expression heard in Newark and all through the North.
Uniforms were issued to the First Regiment on Saturday, April 27, and on the following day the members appeared at divine service in military dress. Operatives in Peddie & Morrison's leather factory, working overtime, finished the knapsacks on Sunday afternoon.
The regiment was ordered to assemble at Military Park -the training ground of the Minute Men in the War for American Independence on Monday, April 29. Assem- bly was sounded at 7 o'clock and as each man responded to his name he was handed a knapsack, and then dismissed till 10 o'clock. Company F was marched to the quarters of Union Hook and Ladder Company, where the members were entertained at breakfast. A pleasant feature was the presentation of a sword to Lieutenant John E. Beam.
The assembly sounded punctually at the hour announced for the regimental formation, the companies took their position, Rubsam's band played as tirring march, and
288
NARRATIVES OF NEWARK
escorted by Chief Engineer Soden and the Fire Depart- ment the line paraded to the High School on Linden Street. Thousands of men, women and children, formed a narrow lane through which the regiment with impaired alignment moved slowly.
The students were seated on a platform, arranged in tiers, in front of the building, and City Superintendent George B. Sears was in charge of the exercises. His inspir-
ORUCGIST.
Huntington Homestead, Southeast Corner Broad Street and Eighth Avenue
ing words evoked applause from all within sound of his voice. At the conclusion he presented a handsome silk flag, 62 x 6 feet in size, with staff and ornaments, a gift of pupils and teachers, to Colonel Johnson. The latter requested Dr. John J. Craven, surgeon, to accept the emblem in behalf of the regiment, which he did with a ringing address.
"Hail Columbia" was then sung by the children followed by prolonged cheering from the spectators. Quiet was partly restored, and then the "Star-Spangled Banner," played by the band, caused another outburst of enthusiasm. The
General Philip Kearny. Killed at Battle of Chantilly. September 1, 1862
From Foster's History of New Jersey and the War of the Rebellion
289
LINCOLN VISITS NEWARK
noon hour having arrived, the regiment was marched to the farewell dinner provided by Newark citizens.
Affecting were the scenes at the park at 2 o'clock, the hour scheduled for departure. The soldiers were surrounded by kindred and others. Strong men were not ashamed of the tears coursing down their faces. The Sixth Massachu- setts Regiment had been fired upon in the streets of Balti- more on April 19, and the Capitol at Washington was threat- ened by the Confederate Army. The regiment seemed destined to undergo perilous experiences. The drummers vigorously sounded the assembly, the adjutant formed the regiment, and Colonel Johnson, every inch of him a sol- dier, gave the command which sent the first contingent of Newark's patriots to the Southland, while thousands of persons looked on admiringly through their toars.
The beautiful silk regimental flag displayed in the April breeze, and the emblems of the country, raised upon nearly every building along the march through Broad Street to the Chestnut Street station, made a memorable scene. Twenty cars were in waiting to transport the troops to Tren- ton, where the Brigade, organized by General Theodore Runyon, was mustered into the United States service on May 1, 1861, for three months' duty.
Handkerchiefs and flags were waved till the train carrying the boys in blue was out of sight. Newark was being initiated in a long and sacrificial war and heroically it met every obligation placed upon its citizenship and its treasure.
CHAPTER XLVIII
CIVIL WAR SACRIFICES
M ARTIAL music was familiar to the people during the long, heart-breaking period of the Civil War. Thou- sands of young men volunteered for service in the United States Army or Navy, and the light vanished from homes as father, husband, son and brother donned the trappings of strife and marched away to battle for the perpetuity of the Union. Poverty and sorrow were common as the months passed and the struggle continued to exact its heavy toll. All stations of life were affected through loss of business, lack of employment, or bereavement. Cemeteries were dotted with mounds under which patriots slept in their shrouds of blue. . On southern battlefields, too, brave Newark soldiers found their last resting place, where the cypress and the palmetto swaying in the summer zephyr constituted their only requiem.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.