USA > New Jersey > Cape May County > The history of Cape May County, New Jersey : from the aboriginal times to the present day > Part 31
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On the fourth of July, 1893, the celebration was partici- pated in by ex-President Benjamin Harrison, who made the principal address from the piazza of the Stockton Hotel, Cape May City. Those who took part in celebration were Mayor James M. E. Hildreth; General William J. Sewell,
COUNTY PRISON, BUILT IN 1894.
of Camden; Congressman Jolin E. Reyburn, of Philadelphia; Hood Gilpin, Esq., of Philadelphia, and Rev. James N. Cockius, pastor of the Presbyterian Church.
The one hundred and eighty-second anniversary of the founding of the First Baptist Church of Cape May was held at Cape May Court House on June 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21, 1894.
In 1894 South Cape May was created a borough out of West Cape May.
The first hanging which ever took place in Cape May county was that of the murderer Richard Pierce, a colored man, of Goshen, aged about 24. The hanging took place in
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IHISTORY OF CAPE MAY COUNTY.
the court house yard on the afternoon of July 13, 1894. Sheriff Robert E. Hand was in charge of the execution. Pierce had killed his wife on February 19.
In 1894 the present county prison was erected.
By the census of 1895. the school property in the county was valued at $64,000; public property. $46.150; church and charitable institutions, $173,450; cemeteries, $2,100. The total number of residents in the county was 12,855; each politi- cal division containing the following inhabitants: Anglesea,
11.1
EDMUND L. ROSS.
247; Avalon, 155; Cape May City, 2452: Cape May Point, 136; Dennis township, 2370; Holly Beach, 300; Lower township, 1063; South Cape My, 65; Middle township, 2500; Ocean City, 921; Sea Isle City, 424: Upper township, 1420; West Cape May, 742; Wildwood, 109. There were 3367 dwelling houses in the county, occupied by 3193 families.
Edmund L. Ross, who represented Cape May county in the Senate during the sessions of 1895. '96 and '97, was born at Cape May Court House, March 10, 1852. He was educated in the public schools and at Mayville Academy. He followed the sea for some years and then entered into
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DISTINGUISHED VISITORS.
"the mercantile business. He has been nine years county collector. He was a member of the Assembly in the ses- sions of 1892, '93 and 94.
Furman L. Ludlam, who was Assemblyman in 1895 and x 896, was born at South Dennis, on November 23, 1832, and is a farmer. In early years he was a sea captain.
Andrew J. Tomlin. of Goshen, was in 1805 elected Sher- äff for a three-year term. He was a brother of John F. Tomlin, who was a distinguished soldier from Cape May county during the war of the rebellion. He was born at
ANDREW J. TOMLIN.
Goshen, March 15, 1845. He grew up on the farm and went to the village schools. In 1862 he went to Philadel- phia, where he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, and was detailed for duty at the Washington Navy Yard. After remaining there for one year, he was sent with a bat- talion to Morris Island, participating in the attack upon Fort Sumter in September, 1863. He was then detailed to "the revenne cutter "Cuzler," and later to the U. S. steamer ""Wabash," being with the latter in the Fort Fisher cam- paign. He helped to storm the breastworks and for his per-
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HISTORY OF CAPE MAY COUNTY.
sonal bravery received a medal from Gideon Welles, Secre- tary of the Navy. At the close of the war he was trans- ferred to the U. S. steamship "Mohongo." of the Pacific: squadron, upon which he remained until his five years' en- listment expired. He returned home, remained a short while, and enlisted again, being detailed to the U. S. steam- ship "Plymouth," of the European squadron. While on the- "Plymouth" he was in Europe during the Franco-German war of 1870, and was also enabled to visit the Holy Lands. and ports on both sides of the Mediterranean Sea. He,
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SYNAGOGUE AP WOODBINE.
upon returning home, allied himself with the Republican party. He was township committeeman of Middle town- ship for ten years, school trustee fourteen years.
By reason of the unconstutionality of the State borough laws, all the boroughs in Cape May county ceased to exist, but the Legislature, in 1896, passed an enabling act to al- low boroughs to hold on to their government until legisla- tion could be enacted. They all continued their existence excepting Cape May Point, which became again a part of Lower township. Ocean City was incorporated as a city in 1897, and on April 13 held its first election under its new charter.
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DISTINGUISHED VISITORS.
On Sunday, November 29, 1896, the Synagogue at Woodbine was consecrated. Every part of the structure was made by the colonists themselves. It cost about six thousand dollars. The day was made a memorable one, a large number of visitors being present.
In September. 1896. Aaron W. Hand, of West Cape May, was appointed County Superintendent of Public Instruction by the state Board of Education, and entered into the perform- ance of the duties of the office with an earnestness which greatly stimulated interest in the publie schools. He was of Cape May stock, and born at Camden, N. J., February 10, 1857. He
AARON W. HAND.
was educated in the public schools of Camden and Phila- delphia, and was for a considerable time a student at the U. S. Military Academy at West Point, N. Y. He began teaching school in 1877, and taught twelve years, being stationed at Dennisville, Rio Grande, Cape May Point and Cape May City. He was one of the most efficient principals of the schools of the latter place, and resigned the position to enter into the newspaper business in 1889. From 1880 to 1887 he resided at Cape May Point, and was tax collector and teacher there six years. He was also a merchant there. In 1887 he removed to West Cape May and began a mercantile business. He was assessor of the borough in 1895 and 1896. He was as- sociate editor of the Daily Star in the summer season from
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HISTORY OF CAPE MAY COUNTY.
1881 to 1889. In 1889, in company with N Perry Ed- munds, he purchased the Star of the Cape, and in 1890 Mr. Edmunds sold out to Thomas R. Brooks, who became a partner. In 1894, Mr. Hand sold his interest to Clarence R. Brooks, son of Thomas R. When the Star of the Cape Publishing Company purchased the paper in 1895, Mr. Hand became its editor and manager. In his newspaper career he has been fearless as an editor and successful as manager.
Robert E. Hand, who served in the Assembly in the session of 1897, was born at Erma, Cape May county, June
ROBERT E. HAND.
28, 1854, and still resides there. He was educated in the public schools. He owns large tracts of lands, is engaged in cultivating and shipping oysters. He was a member of school board for twelve years. He was a member of the Board of Freeholders from Lower township from 1887 to 1892. In the latter year he was elected Sheriff and served three years. In politics he is a Republican. In June, 1896, he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention at St. Louis, which nominated McKinley and Hobart for President and Vice-President.
CHAPTER XXIX. CAPE ISLAND.
All that portion of Cape May county, beginning at a point in the Atlantic Ocean opposite the mouth of Cold Spring Inlet, as far southerly as the jurisdiction of the State extends, and running a westerly course until opposite an inlet (now filled up) between Cape Island and the light- house; thence following the several courses of the inlet, or creek, to Mount Vernon Bridge, and Broadway; thence along the northwest side of Broadway to the north side of its junction with the Cape Island turnpike; thence along the north side line of the turnpike to Cape May Island Bridge and creek; thence, following the several courses of the creek down the main channel to the place of beginning, is by law of 1875 declared to be the City of Cape May. Previous to this the territory was called Cape Island.
The first reference to Cape Island was when George Eaglesfield in 1699 built the causeway. The first reference to the island by law was in 1796, when a law was passed to make a road on which boats could be stowed. The old way of getting to Cape May, formerly called Cape Island, was by carriages, the visitors from Philadelphia driving down. In 1815, a sloop was built to convey passengers. Sometimes it would take two days to get down. The old Atlantic, the only hotel, was at the foct of Jackson street, and was the resort of men of prominence and wealth for many years. Commodore Decatur, the gallant and lamented American naval officer, for years was a visitant of Cape Island and was a constant habitue of the old Atlantic. Among its proprie- tors may be mentioned Ellis Hughes, William Hughes, Dr. Roger Wales, Aaron Bennett, Alexander McKenzie, Daniel Saint and Mr. McMackin.
The old Congress Hall did not occupy the site of the present brick structure, but in 1812, when built by Thomas
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HISTORY OF CAPE MAY COUNTY.
H. Hughes, its rotunda stood where Drs. Marcy & Me- cray's Palace Pharmacy now stands. It was a wooden building, of extensive exterior, being 108x140, but not as elegant as the newer class of hotels. Thomas Hughes, Jo- seph Hughes, Jonas Miller, W. Burr Miller, Richard Thompson, John West and Jacob F. Cake were among the proprietors before its destruction in 1878. Jackson street was the first regularly laid out thoroughfare.
The reason why Cape Island was not laid out in squares, like he more modern towns, is because streets were only made when they were needed. Jackson street was the first made street in the town, and that was more than one hun- dred years ago. Lafayette street was a cow path for the most part, and for convenience it was made a wagon road, and finally adopted as a street. Washington street was made to run parallel with Lafayette. Delaware avenue is probably the next oldest. Franklin, Jefferson and Queen are also very old streets.
There was a hotel on the lot north of the old Atlantic, built in 1822, and kept by Ephraim Mills. The first steam- boat began to run in 1828. Before that freight was brought to Cape May in sloops up to Schellenger's Landing. Old Captain Whilldin ran the first steamboat to the present land- ing place on the bay side. The boat stopped at New Castle to take up the Baltimoreans and Southerners who would come down on the old Frenchtown and New Castle Rail- road-the first railroad ever run in this country. They would come over in carriages from Baltimore to French- town, in Maryland, on the Susquehanna, near Havre de Grace.
The hotel next erected after Congress Hall was the Man- sion House, raised in 1832, covering four acres of ground. It was the first lathed and plastered house on the island. Richard S. Ludlam built it, and also opened a street fifty feet in width, called Washington, between Perry and Jack- son. The first summer cottage was put up by Thomas Hart, of Philadelphia. "The Kersal," meaning a place of amuse- ment, was a wing or extension of the Mansion House, 124 feet long, built in 1849, had hops and concerts in it; also
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CAPE ISLAND.
used as a large dining room. Among the proprietors of the Mansion House were Ephraim Mills, Isaac Schellenger, Eli B. Wales, Daniel Saint, John Sturtevant, Richard Smith Ludlam in 1839; William S. Hooper and Albert H. Lud- lam from 1850 until the house was burned in 1856.
The Ocean House was erected about 1832 by Israel Lea- ming, and was located on the east side of Perry street, be- tween Washington street and the beach.
After the old Mansion House, the next house was built by Mrs. Reynolds, called the American, with accommoda- tions for 125 guests.
About 1834 the steamer "Portsmouth" began to make weekly trips to Cape May and Lewestown. In later years she was followed by the "Wilmon Whilldin," "Kent," "Rip Van Winkle." "Zephyr," "Wave," "Mountaineer" and others.
The first Methodist Episcopal society in Cape May City was formed in December, 1837, and fourteen years after this, 1843, the first church was erected near the site of the present one, and it is now the A. M. E. Church, on Frank- lin street. Socrates Townsend, Israel Townsend, Jonas Miller, Israel Leaming and Jeremiah Church were the most active workers for its foundation. Joseph Ware was the builder, and Rev. Clark Polley was the first preacher. He was also the first town Superintendent of Schools for Cape Island. The church is now located on Washington street, having been last rebuilt in 1893.
In 1846 the Old Columbia Hotel was built, extending from Ocean to Decatur street, erected by George Hildreth Messrs. Harwood and Bolton were its proprietors.
The Merchants was built on the site of the New Colum- bia and Messrs. Mason and Eldredge were its proprietors before it was swept away in 1878.
The Centre House, erected in 1840, was kept by Jeremialı Mecray on the corner of Jackson and Washington streets, until the fire destroyed it with the rest in 1878.
The New Atlantic was built in 1840, and conducted by Benjamin, Joe and John McMackin until its destruction in 1878.
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HISTORY OF CAPE MAY COUNTY.
On Decatur street stood the Madison, whose construc- tion dated from 1845.
The Washington Hotel was first erected on Washington street and was built in 1840. It now stands at Beach and Madison avenues. White Hall was erected in 1850, by Dr. Samuel S. Marcy, and the Delaware in 1840.
National Hall was erected in about 1850 by Aaron Gar- retson.
The first Baptist Society was formed about 1844. and a church was erected in the spring of 1845. It was replaced im 1879 by the present one, costing some $19,000. The first pastor was Rev. M. B. Tindall. The following were the original members of the church: Isaac Church, Philip Hand, George Stratton, Stephen Mulford, Alexander A. Shaw, John Price, Thomas McKain, William Price, John K. Church, Aaron Schellenger, Rebecca H. Church, Sarab H. Hand, Abigail F. Stratton, Hetty Barnett, Elnor Fisher, Jane E. Shaw, Elizabeth MeKain, Phoebe Webb, Louisa M. Schellenger, Elizabeth Brooks, Eliza Burch, Mary Lea- ming, Keziah Price, Isabella Stevens and Hannah Rob- ertsoll.
The need of local government was apparent and Assem- blyman Richard S. Ludlam began a movement in the Legis- lature which on March 8. 1848, terminated in the passage of the act "to incorporate Cape Island into a borough." This instrument named James Mecray chief burgess; James Clark, assistant burgess; Thomas B. Hughes, high con- stable, and William Cassedy, borough clerk; and these men were to constitute the government, with an assessor and col- lector of taxes, until t e first Tuesday of May. 1849, where the people were from year to year to choose their succes- sors. The government existed until 1851, when in March the Legislature incorporated the "City of Cape Island." There was a mayor, six councilmen, an alderman and a re- corder. who as a body were legislators for the new city.
The first Council met in the school house on the corner lot of Franklin and Lafayette streets (south side), on Satur- day evening, March 15, 1851. There were present Isaac M. Church, Mayor; Waters B. Miller, Alderman: Joseph S.
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CAPE ISLAND.
Leach, Recorder, and James S. Kennedy, David Pierson, John G. W. Ware, Joseph Ware, Aaron Garretson and James Mecray, Councilmen. The only thing done that even- ing was the election of Charles T. Johnson, a carpenter, as City Clerk.
On the following Saturday evening, Marclı 22, Mayor Church delivered his inaugural address, in which he said:
"Gentlemen and Fellow Citizens:
"Allow me the privilege of congratulating you upon the happy auspices under which we are now convened.
"Our unfeigned gratitude is due the Great Author of all good, for the bounties of Providence we so largely enjoy. In addition to wealth, peace and plenty, our 'lines have fallen to us in pleasant places.' Situated as we are, tipon one of the most delightful spots to be found within the fair do- main of our beloved country, from this location we may look out upon the heaving bosom of the broad and fathom- less Atlantic, and listen to the ceaseless roar of its rolling billows as they dash upon our sandy beach. This island prominence is worthily noted for its unsurpassed beauty and salubriousness, and has lately become truly celebrated for the pleasantness of its climate, and the invigorating in- fluence of its summer sea breezes. These advantages, to- gether with the convenience and safety of its bathing- grounds, contribute so many attractions that it is often thronged by thousands of the wealthy and fashionable from various and even remote parts of the Union. And their an- ticipations are usually more than realized in the agreeable- ness of the retreat from the sultry and sickly atmosphere of crowded cities and inland towns. It is our good fortune here to have our dwelling places, as free and independent citizens, and to enjoy uninterruptedly the privileges of the Gospel, with the rights and immunities of the civil and so- cial institutions of our highly favored land.
"But this occasion requires especially that I should con- gratulate you upon the success of your late application to the Legislature of our State for the rights and privileges of a city charter. We have. for a few years past, been wit-
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HISTORY OF CAPE MAY COUNTY.
nessing with much gratification the unparalleled growth and prosperity of our place, which has only been equalled by its widening notoriety and increasing popularity as a desirable summer resort. A large amount of capital is annually ex- pended in the erection and furnishing of commodious and magnificent hotels and boarding-houses for the comfortable entertainment of the multitudes who visit us during each successive bathing season. So that, in point of fact, our formier village is rapidly assuming the real appearance of a splendid city. And to maintain the respectability to which the rapid progress of the place entitles it, as well as for the se- citrity of the stock invested in its improvement, it was deemed expedient to procure a city charter. For this, and other reasons, such as the preservation of just rights and good order among us, it was thought indispensable that an efficient municipal government should be organized.
"Moved by a commendable spirit of enterprise. you, my fellow citizens, after mutual and mature deliberation, pre- pared a bill which, in the dictates of your best judgment, should meet the exigencies of the case. This bill was in due time presented to the Legislature by your committee ap- pointed for that purpose, through whose efficiency it se- cured the early attention of that body. And being duly considered, with the circumstances which called for its en- actment, it was slightly amended to meet the views of the members interested, and finally secured the Legislative sanction by a passage through both houses, and was ap- proved and signed by the Governor. And by our bill thus becoming law, we were constituted a chartered corporation. On the tenth of the present month, Cape Island took her place among her older sisters of the Union as a legally in- · corporated city. And though she may be the least among the thousands of America bearing such a title, yet the vigor . of her infancy promises well for a speedy. a propitious and a far-famed maturity. The realization of this result, how- ever, depends very much upon the spirit with which our · chartered privileges are improved and carried out to their ,practical operations.
"In this responsible business we have just embarked.
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CAPE ISLAND.
Agreeably to the provisions of the charter, the polls were legally opened on the eleventh instant, for the election of municipal officers; and our citizens, with a zeal worthy the cause, came forward to the enjoyment of their right of suf- frage. The voice of the sovereign people, spoken through the medium of the ballot-box, has summoned us, the offi- ·cers-elect, to take the first administration of the public af- fairs of this municipality.
"In accepting the honor to which my fellow citizens have called me-that of serving them as chief magistrate of the city-it may not be amiss for me to remark that at the late election was the first time I ever allowed my name to be used as a candidate for a public civil office. And not- withstanding the misgivings I may have respecting my capability for the duties devolved upon me, I should still be an ingrate, indeed, not to feel and express the emotions of unaffected gratitude to my friends for placing me in this 'honorable position, by such a decided expression of the public will. Yet I should be reluctant to obey even this summons to official duty, were it not that I have the fullest confidence in the abilities of my compeers in office. Feeling satisfied that they are every way competent to meet and dis- charge the respective duties assigned them, and to grapple successfully with every emergency that may arise, and, moreover, cherishing the assurance that they will give me their cordial co-operation in all measures that concern the public weal; with such coadjutors, and with entire depend- ence upon the direction and assistance of God, I venture cheerfully into the new department of civil obligations. And we feign hope the public will be prepared to make all rea- sonable allowance for errors in judgment that may arise through inadvertency or inexperience on the part of their ·official servants.
"And now, gentlemen, you who have the honor to be the elected functionaries of this body politic, and especially the members of the City Council, permit me with due deference to your respective views and abler judgment, to state in brief the principles I wish to be governed by and would
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HISTORY OF CAPE MAY COUNTY.
recommend to you as the basis of our official administra- tion.
"We are placed by the favor and confidence of our con- stituents in a position that will call forth our best energies. to sustain satisfactorily all the interests of this corporation. To us is committed the responsible work of setting in opera- tion a new form of government for a newly constituted city. And this is to be done with very limited financial resources, amid the paralyzing influence of fear on one side, prejudice on another, and perhaps derision on the third. And this responsibility is necessarily laid upon those altogether inex- perienced in the work they have to perform. A govern- ment is to be established and kept in effective motion, with the least possible friction in its machinery, although its op- erators be unused to many of its delicate wires.
"With such raw material, both as agents and principals, it will be difficult to prevent some creaking in the contact be- tween new rules and old usages. For, no doubt, it will be expected of us, as a condition of our public approval, that all the varied and somewhat conflicting interests that here concentrate, be maintained and promoted. Yet I trust we shall not be deterred from launching the ship, though the channel be narrow, shallow and difficult to navigate; for if we do our duty, we think she will float out to good sailing; at all events it will be satisfaction enough to be conscious of having done the best we could under the circumstances. Among the several interests that will demand our attention, the first are those of a local character, confined within the limits and to the inhabitants of the city itself. Embraced in this class will be internal improvements, proper care of health and cleanliness, the preservation of peace and good order, the protection and fostering of moral institutions .. the detection and punishment of vice and misdemeanor, the judicious management and suitable encouragement of edu- cational interests, with the prudent direction of finances. To these things we must carefully look, in order that the city, so far as its internal police is concerned, may be kept in a thriving and prosperous condition. By these meads .: it will present a standing invitation to its visitors to con-
CAPE ISLAND. 413
tinue their periodical visitations; and to those who are in search of a location to make it their permanent residence. And this evidently will be the surest and quickest way of increasing the value of city property, by which all are bene- fited.
"The next claim upon the deliberations of the Council is the interest of the surrounding vicinity, and the county at large. With these our municipal enactments should con- flict as little as possible. It is an obvious fact that the pe- cuniary interest of the adjacent country is closely identi- fied with the prosperity of this city. The more rapid and permanent its growth, and the greater number that can be induced to visit it during the summer, the longer and bet- ter market it will afford for their produce, and the more em- ployment it will provide for their teams and carriages. While the effect of wholesome restraints and regulations in the city will go far to prevent a poisonous influence of immor- ality from spreading around, which otherwise would have a tendency to contaminate the whole region. It is to their ad- vantage, therefore, not to fight against, but to assist in pro- moting the interests of the city. Yet, on the other hand, there is a reciprocal dependence upon them in securing and perpetuating the advantages of the corporation. We want their marketing, their fish, their hay, their wood, their labor, their teams, and their vehicles. Hence it will be but pru- dent economy for both city and country, far as practicable, to give mutual encouragement to each other's interests.
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