USA > New Jersey > Atlantic County > Atlantic City > The Daily union history of Atlantic City and County, New Jersey : containing sketches of the past and present of Atlantic City and County > Part 8
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It was at this time that our national government, appreciating the great help 9
CAPT. S. S. HUDSON.
131
EGG HARBOR CITY.
which light, pure wines would afford to combat the use of strong and dangerous drinks, authorized the Department of Agriculture to make a chemical analysis of some of the American wines, and the following was the report from the sample from Egg Harbor City:
Washington, D. C., May 3d. 1881.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
Examination of "Black Rose" wine, vintage of 1877, from Chas. Saalman, Egg Harbor City, N. J. Received April 11th, 1881.
Specific gravity 0.0921
Weight per cent. of alcohol 9.86
Volume per cent. of alcohol 12.31
Per cent. of total solids 1.94
Per cent. of total ash
0.170
Per cent. of potassium
0.095
Per cent. of bitartrate
Per cent. of volatile acids stated as acetic acid. 0.375
Per cent. of fixed acids stated as acetic acid. 0.287
Per cent. total acids as tartaric acid. 0.756
A sound agreeable "Claret," free from harmful or unwarrantable additions, moderately astringent, and well suited for medicinal use. It has evidently been carefully made and preserved.
Very respectfully. PETER COLLIER, Chemist.
DEWEY'S WINE VAULTS.
Recent results are much more favorable than the first, and since then many medals and honors have been bestowed upon the products of these vineyards, like
-
NICHOLAS J. JEFFRIES.
EGG HARBOR CITY.
the gold and silver medals from the Pennsylvania Fair of Philadelphia and the Exposition Universelle at Paris. The fostering care of the directors of the Camden and Atlantic Railroad Company brought many prominent men to the vaults and vineyards. The industry prospered beyond expectation till 1886, when a threatening cloud came upon the horizon. The grape rot appeared and soon spread over the entire district, destroying year after year this important crop which had become the main dependence of many a German settler and farmer, filling with dismay the owners of productive acres. Grape vines were extensively dug up and the land devoted to other crops.
Through the persistent efforts of the Department of Agriculture, a remedy for this terrible scourge was found at last in the spraying of the vines, with the so-called Bordeaux mixture. Hope returned to our vintners; neglected vineyards were trimmed anew and new vines planted. There is now a strong belief that the wine whose virtues are praised by the poets of all nations will bring pros- perity again to our farmers and happiness to man.
The accompanying illustrations are of the vine-embowered home of Capt. Saalman and the large, crowded vaults of H. T. Dewey & Sons Company, whose enterprise makes a ready and unlimited market for the products of every vine-
DEWEY'S WINE VAULTS.
yard of the surrounding territory. Few appreciate the special knowledge and skill required in converting the several varieties of grapes into the many varieties of wines to give the proper color and flavor which distinguishes them.
During the harvest season, day and night Mr. George E. Dewey, one of the firm whose main office is at No. 138 Fulton street, New York, gives hi- in- divided attention to every detail of the work. Only an experienced wine make.
134
DAILY UNION HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY.
can fully appreciate the great care necessary in handling the juices from the several varieties of grape as they pass through the various stages of fermentation and purification to produce the proper color and flavor. The hundreds of casks of all sizes and ages in the large vaults, kept under the strictest regulations are a sight worth seeing ..
Unfermented grape juice for medicinal and sacramental purposes is sent to market by the carload to meet an unlimited demand. Should grape growing regain its old time proportions the Messrs. Dewey would still be unable to meet the demand for this product of German skill and industry from South Jersey soil.
Others at present engaged in this industry are John Schuster, S. Oberst & Sons, Joseph Butterhof. Herman Kayser, August Heil, Charles Borm, L. F. Schirmer, Frederick Fiedler. Philip Bergmann, Rev. A. Van Riel, and L. N. Renault.
The best varieties of grapes grown in this vicinity are Norton's Virginia Seedling, Claevenar, Ives Seedling, Concord, Diogenes, Franklin, Elvira.
Among the oldest settlers of Egg Harbor City still surviving may be men- tioned: Louis Roesch, Ignatius Roesch, Christian Oeser, John Neubauer. Chris- tian Wey. John Butterhof, August Heil, Herman Kayser, William Beyer, Charles Schwoerer, Christian Gaupp, William Karrer, Philip Bergmann, Sr., John Ul- brich, Frederick Storz, Franciz C. Regensburg, George Freitag, Henry Winter- berg, John Reichenbach, Louis Lurch, Charles Kraus, Frederick Masche, Moritz Rohrberg, John C. Steuber, John Prasch, Kasimer Stattler, Bernard Grawe, B. A. Wennemer, Sr., George Eckelkamp, Jacob Kaenzig, Joseph Wehming, J. Daniel Roeder, Frederick Neff. J. J. Seilheimer, Conrad Karrer, Philip Doell, Frederick Bub, Charles Grunow, William Krieg, Peter Joseph Schwickerath, Gustav Guenther, Edward Richter, Frank Lothspeich, V. P. Hofmann, Ernst Roel, Peter Hartmeier, Edward Rauscher, L. N. Renault, John Huenke, A. Kienzle, Jos. Salıl, E. W. Auerbach, August Ebert, Mrs. Agatha Schorp, J. L. Baier, Sr., Mrs. Henry Brander, Mrs. E. S. Mueller, John Schuster, Mrs. J. J. Fritschy, Frederick Hennis, Mrs. F. Weisenborn, Mrs. Martin Henschell, Mrs. E. Weldy, Mrs. Sophia Kaelble, Mrs. Casper Breder. Henry Bange, Mrs. Peter Goebbels, Mrs. A. Beyer, Dr. Robert Reimann, Hugo Maas, Carl Winterberg, Peter Braun, Mrs. E. Meister, Mrs. E. Braunbeck, Mrs. Sophia Hiller, Mrs. H. Trisch, J. F. W. Schulz, Mrs. Mary Heitz, Mrs. Rosine Oberle, Louis Messinger, Henry Winterberg. John Nanke.
Atlantic County OFFICIAL ELECTION RETURNS As Canvassed by the County Board of Election at Mays' Landing on Friday, November 10, 1890.
ASSEMBLY.
SHERIFF.
CORONER.
WARDS, TOWNS
AND
TOWNSHIPS.
Abbott. R.
Somers, D.
Powell, Pro.
Plurality.
Johnson, R.
Barlow, I.
Newcomb, Pro.
Plurality.
Senft, R.
Somers, D.
Moore, Pro,
Plurality.
Atlantic City.
First Ward-1st Precinct
271 290
88 74
16 15
183 216
266 273
97 95
13 11
169 178
90, 74
17 13
218
Second " -1st
=
191
71
16
120
163 286
97 98
17 15 12
66
70
16 17
125 245 166
Third =
-Ist
6.
145
114
10
31 122
242
109 148 150 146 167 170 34 1
6 12 20 17 5
188 133 36 107 *29 *42 458 45 1
247 217 290 145 177 152 58 4
114 116 123 5.1 15
26 18 5
29 4
Absecon.
Brigantine-1st Precinct.
-2d
14
14
*)
12 16
Egg Harbor City.
179
69
1
110
15 117 187 145
67 75
1
4 120 70- 100 6 55 97
121 205 150 130 68 233 119 101 47
105 48 71 117 64 132 62
4 21
79
Galloway-Ist Precinct.
105
18
:40 *35
176 69 210 143
76 63 155 46
15 27
Hammonton-1st Precinct. ..
120
63
24
57
-20
104
28
21
76
105
Linwood
49 10
30 4
1
6
Mullica.
61
26
13
35
59
27
13
96
66
98
56
Somers' Point
38
23
2
15
40
20
->
20
34
27 11
2
-1
South Atlantic City
14
11
3
Weymouth
60
37
9
23
55
41
59
39
Totals
3864 1×90 391
36-15 2139 369 ... ....
3844 1:56 426
Total Rep. Pluralities ..
1974
..
1506
70 81 112 116
12 6 16 10 13
105
.
"
-2d -3d
-1st
=
134
175
114 116 117 56
10 13 25 18
41 1
6
6
4 22
113
Egg Harbor Township
155
66
21
89
21
24 6 1
80 10
10 58 122
29 33 2 26
93 6 1 14
32
Pleasantville
140
70
75
70
158
15
10
5
14
66
-3d
=
227 298
106
5 16
192 31 59
184 257 117 1:25 112 79 5
6 13
Fourth .6
=
-2d
158 57 6 10 1:25
6 103
145 83 123
48
Hamilton.
243
13
120
6
19
11
Longport
45 3
25 35 11
1
1
Buena Vista ..
13 4 101
15 24
57
=
=
-2d
66
..
-2d
=
313
73
17
240
105
174
31 61
7
157
2d
" Democratic Plurality.
(135
177
267 292 195. 315
65
136
DAILY UNION HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY.
State Census, 1895.
The following is a copy of the tabulation of the State Census of 1895, as prepared by the Secretary of State; and for the purpose of comparison, the United States Census of 1890 is also given:
ATLANTIC COUNTY.
1805.
1890.
Absecon
522
501
Atlantic City
18,329
13.055
First Ward
3.622
Second Ward
3,114
Third Ward
5,720
Fourth Ward
5.873
Brigantine Borough
138
. . . . .
Buena Vista Township
1,424
1,299
Egg Harbor City
1.557
1,439
Egg Harbor Township (not including Borough of South Atlantic City)
1,372
Borough of South Atlantic City
85
Galloway Township
2,375
2.208
Hamilton Township (not including Mays Landing). . Mays Landing
462
1,359
1,821
1,512
Hammonton Township
3.428
3.833
Linwood Borough
526
...
Mullica Township
825
697
Pleasantville Borough
1,543
Somers Point Borough
230
...
Weymouth Borough
575
538
34.750
28,836
HISTORY
of ATL
CITY.
AN"
IC
THE EARLIEST SETTLERS.
REVIOU'S to the advent of Jeremiah Leeds upon "Absecond" beach as a permanent settler, there had been squatters or temporary residents here. Whatever title to the lands there might have been at that early day seems to have vested in the numerous Steelman family or in the West Jersey proprietors, successors to the King before the War for Independence.
The abundance of game and fish. the frequency of shipwrecks and the un- disturbed isolation of the island, must have made it an attractive spot for refugees from war or justice.
Several cabins had been built and clearings made among the sandhills when Jeremiah first stepped foot upon the soil, making it first his temporary and in about 1783 his permanent abode.
These different clearings or "fields," as they called them, even after Leeds little by little acquired title to and control of almost the entire island, bore different names. "Dan's Field," so called from it> traditional pioneer. Dan Ireland, contained several acres and was located within gun shot of where the Elks' Building now stands. The ruins of an old shanty are still remembered by surviving members of the Leeds family.
"Fid's Field," so called from Frederick Steelman, its first cultivator, was between DOUGHTY'S CABIN, BUILT 1740. Arctic and Baltic. Tennessee and New York avenues, where Richard Hackett built his first house. in 1844, and lived for nearly or quite fifty years.
1187
LIFE SAVING STATION.
--
FOOT OF MASSACHUSETTS AVE IN 1876.
READING DEPOT.
TENNESSE AVE FROM THE BEACH.
FIRST BIG WHEEL.
VIEW FROM LIGHT HOUSE IN 1878.
4
OLD SEAVIEW EXCURSION HOUSE.
Team L.
IST LIFE
SAVING STATION.
INLET FROM THE LIGHT HOUSE
INLET FROM THE LIGHTHOUSE
IN DAYS OF OLD.
139
HISTORY OF ATLANTIC CITY.
"Samp's Field," which took its name from Ilezediah Sampson, included the present site of Central M. E. Church and the First Baptist Church, on Pacific avenue.
"Inlet Field" was a leveled clearing, where the old salt works were built at the Inlet, at present mostly located in the Inlet Channel outside the Boardwalk.
"Beach Field" was near the corner of Massachusetts and Atlantic avenues, nearer the beach than the "old field" where pioneer Leeds spent the last fifty years of his long life.
On the inside beach at South Atlantic in an obscure spot was a cave or hiding place occupied for a time during the war of 1812 by one Bill Day, an alleged deserter, who was employed by Hezediah Sampson, who lived near, and who would give Day a signal when danger was nigh so he could escape to his cave and elude his pursuers.
PLENTY OF WILD GAME.
Robert B. Leeds still owns the old-fashioned shot mould which his father used in preparing ammunition for his big gun which destroyed so much game in providing fresh meat for his family. This gun was larger and heavier than an ordinary man could easily handle. With it the owner once killed twenty-six black ducks at one shot, and firing into a flock of squawks he killed forty-eight of them. On another occasion Leeds fired into a flock of lady snipe, a bird larger than a mudhen, which then abounded, and killed seventy-five at a single discharge of his big gun.
The eggs of wild fowl were gathered by the peck or bushel and were very rich and wholesome food.
There were acres of duck ponds where now are graded streets and hand- some homes. The section from Maryland to South Carolina avenues from At- lantic avenue to the meadows, was known as Squawktown,-low, swampy ground, with trees, vines and briars, where flocks of squawks could always be found. Many kinds of birds which are now rarely seen could be gathered on the meadows and about the bays by the bushel.
CITY COAT OF ARMS.
D R. JAMES NORTH designed the municipal coat-of-arms for Atlantic City. The escutcheon consists of a shell, in which is a view of the ocean, a section of the boardwalk and three yachts, supported by two dolphins, and two Grecian maids personifying health, holding the caduceus, meaning power, wisdom and activity in one hand and flowers of pleasure in the other. Sur- mounted by dolphins and the light-house. The motto "Consilio et Prudentia" (by counsel and prudence), makes complete the typical characteristics which are repre- sented. The city colors are blue and white.
-
OLD WHALER BEACHED.
Storms and Wrecks.
R. OBERT B. LEEDS, who was born on this island in 1828, and has always lived here, tells of the worst storm that he ever knew as happening when he was a boy. 11 years old.
He remembers distinctly of hearing the roar of the surf along the beaches particularly loud and threatening as he stood in the doorway of his home while the northeast storm was gathering.
It was in December. 1839. the year after his father. Jeremiah Leeds, died. Their house stood at the corner of Baltic and Massachusetts avenues, with a large field and farm eastwardly from the house where it is now all built up. There were only four or five houses on the island at that time: the house of Andrew Leeds, where the Island House now is, the old salt works at least one square out in the Inlet channel from the Boardwalk at Mediterranean avenue, and the Ryan Adams house still standing near Maryland and Arctic avenues.
The storm raged for several days as only a coast storm can, driving the waters into the bays and flooding the meadows and higher land as they had never been flooded before in the memory of man. Boats could sail in the fieldls about the house. Water stood one and a half or two feet deep around the barns and haystacks where sheep and cattle were. No storm tide since that time has ever flooded the island there as the great storm of 1830 did.
The most remarkable storm Mr. Leeds ever knew was a St. Patrick Day nor'easter. in March. 1852. He was a young man then and used to go off shore to see his girl. a certain Miss Caroline English, who, the following April, became his wife, and has been his devoted helpmeet ever since.
On March 16 two distinct sundogs were noticed. an omen of foul weather, but that did not prevent the smitten Barclay from going in his sloop yacht across Lake's Bay to attend a party. The next morning the storm was worse, but he hardly realized how severe it was as he started in his boat to return. He was nearly swamped on the bay before he reached this island, cast anchor and dropped his sail. A temporary lull in wind enabled him to proceed and safely make his landing. after an exciting and de-perate experience.
That was the time that 125 vessels of all sorts found a harbor of refuge here. It so happened that a large fleet, none of them larger than 200 tons, had left New York for the south when the storm came up. Some of these vessels put in at Little Egg Harbor, above: some made Great Egg Harbor, below, but most of them filled the bay and thoroughfare here, from the Inlet around to where the draw- bridges are now. For two or three days they were here waiting for the storm to clear up. The scene of so many sails and sailors can better be imagined than described. There were collisions and more or less excitement and confusion. but no serious losses. Never before nor since has such an incident occurred.
About 1847 or 48. the Florida came ashore on Brigantine beach, loaded
141
JOHN COLLINS RISLEY.
:13
STORMS AND WRECKS
with tea. silk. fire crackers and other goods direct from Chaga. Plus re .1. occurred in broad daylight and was a total loss. The people gathered up chests of tea, cases of shawls and other goods only partly damaged by the water.
April 23. 1866, the ship Zimbo, of Portsmouth, bound from Calcutta to New York, with a cargo of jute. struck on Brigantine Shoals during a heavy fog and had to cut away the spars. Her rudder was gone and she was leaking slightly. A wrecking steamer was sent to her assistance from New York.
Capt. Jehu Price of Egg Harbor Township perished on the meadows during a very severe snow storm on Friday night. March 25. 1868. It was understood that he had run his vessel, loaded with manure, into the mouth of Cedar Creek, and was floating a scow of the manure up the creek. The scow sunk during the night, while up the creek, and after walking some distance Capt. Price told the lad who was with him to go for help, as he could not hold out much longer. The young man was unable to find his way of the meadows, owing to the violence of the storm until morning. When at last he had reached the mainland and given information, search was at once made, but when found Capt. Price was frozen dead.
.A storm which began on Friday, March 25. 1868, was by far the severest of that year. The wind was terrific, howling, tearing and driving the snow in all directions, piling huge drifts behind every building, fence and tree, completely obstructing travel on the highways as well as on the railroad. It was estimated from careful measurement that the snowfall was 18 inches. The trains were not able to resume their regular trips until the following Monday.
On December 17, 1866, the British brig Huron, Capt. Rayt, from Cardenas. loaded with sugar, went ashore about two miles south of Great Egg Harbor and became a total wreck.
February 5, 1867, there was a large steamer ashore off Brigantine Shoals. bearing the name of Cassandra, from New Orleans for New York. She was an oak-built vessel of 1284 tons register, and about three years old. Hler cargo consisted of 836 bales of cotton. 82 bales of moss, 301 hhds. tobacco. 2535 hides. 14 rolls of leather and 16 packages of merchandise. She was commanded by Capt. Daniel Mclaughlin and was a total wreck.
A very severe storm of rain and wind occurred on Sunday, March 27. 1870. The tides were very full.
The schooner Rapidan, from Yorktown, Va., was dismasted and driven ashore by the heavy sea near the lighthouse, on October 13, 1870. She was gotten off by Capt. J. Townsend, after being ashore over four weeks.
Among the severe storms recorded as visiting Atlantic City was the snow storm of December 23. 1870.
The schooner C. P. Hoffman, Capt. J. \. Albertson, from Chincoteague for New York, loaded with oysters, went ashore fifteen miles south of Fenwick's Island. on Saturday, March 2. 1872. The crew were all saved. but suffered severely from the storm and cold. In this storm Capt. Henry Risley, of the schooner Wm. J. Rose, and a brother-in-law of Capt. Albertson. was lost with all her crew off Hog Island.
JOHN LAKE YOUNG.
115
"DOLPH" PARKER'S ADVENTURE
Capt. Samuel H. Cavileer, of l'ort Republic, was lost at sea in September. 1876. During the civil war he served with great credit and came home a lieu- tenant. He was Sheriff of Atlantic County during the years of 1868, 1869 and 1870, and was elected by the Republican party to the Legislature in 1871, and re-elected in 1872. After conclusion of his legislative labors, Capt. Cavileer opened a store at Port Republic, which he attended until he again became de- sirous to follow the sea.
The tempest in September, 1876, was the most severe experienced at Atlantic City for the previous ten years. The intense force of the wind snow-capped the breakers, and drove the tides in which washed away the frail boardwalk, upset- ting bath houses and sweeping away pavilions. No dwellings were injured.
The heaviest snow storm that had visited Atlantic City for several years was on January 1, 1877.
"DOLPH" PARKER'S ADVENTURE.
One of the most thrilling adventures and escapes that ever occurred in this city was that of Adolphus Parker, who, alone on the schooner Twilight, was driven to sea in a severe storm on the morning of Thursday, January 23, 1878. Young Parker, then a boy of fifteen, was alone on board this seventy-ton schooner, which was anchored in the Inlet off Rum Point. A furious gale from the north- cast was blowing when, at II a. m., the cable parted and the craft was like an egg shell at the mercy of the storm. In passing out the Inlet channel the boat struck bottom below the pavilion and then veered to the north. Young Parker, at the wheel, tried to beach her on Brigantine, but in vain. Off the inside buoy he dropped the kedge anchor, but lost it. The life saving crew discovered him and launched their boat, but were unable to reach him through the boiling surf. Citizens saw the boat pass out the Inlet and soon learned of the peril of the boy on board. That was an anxious night for his people, who could render no aid in such a storm. Parker realized his danger, but with great courage and presence of mind kept at the wheel all that day and night as he was driven away from the continent. Morning dawned and brought slight cessation of the storm. Hunger forced the boy to lock his wheel and go into the cabin for a lunch, which his con- stant exertions and privations the previous twenty-four hours made imperative. While eating he was startled by a voice outside, "Hello! Do you want your boat sunk?" Rushing on deck he saw a vessel that had passed and was soon out of sight.
The story of the Twilight and the boy at the helm might have ended there. The weather continued thick, but Parker bent all his energies to pointing his ship towards the shore and before nightfall was gladdened by the sight of land. He tried hard to reach the Inlet he had left, but alone and exhausted he was unable to do so. Finally, worn out and with bleeding hands he succeeded in beaching the Twilight at Shell Gut Inlet, near Little Egg Harbor station, No. 24. where he was rescued by the life savers and where his vessel went to pieces. It was several months before Parker recovered from the exhaustion of his severe ordeal.
10
1
HARRY H. DEAKYNE.
The Volunteer Fire Department.
The early history of the Atlantic City Volunteer Fire Department is practi cally a history of, and begins with, the United States Fire Company, No. 1. This company is the pioneer of the present extensive and modern department, but it was not surrounded with any luxuries at its birth or in possession, during the early years of its existence, of even what would now be considered the barest necessities in the way of fire apparatus. The city had no organized fire protec- tion or apparatus excepting two small hand pumps, one belonging to Wm. G. Bartlett and the other to Alois Schaufler, until 1874. Early in that year City Council, by resolution, appointed thirteen citizens as a fire committee, who were to turn out and fight fire when needed, and on October 19, 1874. a committee of Council was appointed with power to purchase such fire apparatus as, in their estimation, the city needed. This committee, on November 2d, reported the pur- chase of a hand engine and truck of Thomas H. Peto, a well-known dealer in second-hand fire apparatus in Philadelphia. The total equipment was one hand engine, $650; one ladder truck and fittings, $450: 700 feet of second-hand rubber hose, $658; total, $1.758. Also a two-wheeled hose crab.
It will be observed that our city fathers did not believe in purchasing any new apparatus. Probably they had their doubts about the city existing long enough to wear out new goods.
In the meantime the fire committee of citizens (the majority of them having been members of volunteer fire companies in Philadelphia. Baltimore and other cities previous to taking up their residence here.) had decided to merge themselves into a fire company, the result being that the United States Fire Company, No. I. of this city, was organized on the evening of December 3. 1874. in the West End Hotel, occupied by Archie Field.
The original thirteen citizens appointed by Council, constituting the charter members, are as follows:
George W. Martin, Robert A. Field, George Keates, Andrew Snee, Samuel Trilley. Thomas Trenwith, William S. Cogill. D. K. Donnelly. Byron P. Wilkins. William Somers, Hosea Blood. William Baker, Henry Mckinsey.
Of these original thirteen four are deceased, four have long since moved away, and the remaining five are still living in this city.
On December 7th Council appointed Messrs. Repp. Riley and French a committee to select a lot upon which to erect an engine house. and on December 2Ist the committee reported in favor of the rear portion of the City Hall lot. fronting on Tennessee avenue. On January 4. 1875. the committee's report was accepted and a committee consisting of Messrs, French, Riley, Johnson and Shinn appointed and instructed to secure bids for the building. The contract for erecting the engine house was awarded to Joel R. Leeds on February 15th
(14;)
WILLIAM A. BELL.
149
THE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT.
and on July 17th following, Councilman Repp reported ordering, from the McShane Foundry of Baltimore, a fire bell to weigh 1500 pounds, at a cost of $450. This bell was placed in the tower of the City Hall, and its iron tongue sounded many a fire call in deep and well remembered tones, finally striking its own death knell on the morning of August 17. 1893, when the City Hall and Opera House were burned.
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