Civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the County of Kings and the City of Brooklyn, N. Y., Part 58

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : Munsell
Number of Pages: 1360

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By an act passed November 27, 1827, entitled “An act to invest in the United States of America the ex- clusive jurisdiction of certain lands in the town of New Utrecht, in the county of Kings, and for other purposes," 60 acres, 1 rood and 6 perches of land in one parcel, and 162 acres contiguous thereto, were ceded to the United States, and by an act amendatory of the above act, passed April 17, 1826, an additional parcel, containing 17 acres, 14 perches and 105 yards of land, was ceded ; the entire cession being "for the erection of fortifications on the said tract."

In 1859, it was deemed expedient that the several statutes of this state relating to its territorial limits and divisions should be consolidated and arranged in appropriate chapters, titles and articles, and that the language thereof should be simplified; and an act con- cerning the territorial limits and divisions was passed, in which the boundaries of the Fort Hamilton tract were carefully given, corresponding (with the exception of a small parcel in the south-east portion of the origi- nal grant, exchanged in 1852 for a parcel in the north- west part, then belonging to George S. Gelston) in all respects to those of 1824 and 1826, and, at the present day, the boundaries remain the same, it being part of the old Denyse cstate.

In 1843, that part of the Fort commanding the channel mounted 14 casemate and 26 barbette 32-

pounders ; and 32 casemate guns of large calibre ; 32 and 26 pounders were distributed along the land sides, which also admit of musketry defence; in addition to which, there were 18 guns of similar calibre for the defence of the ditches. At present, there are mounted, twenty-six 15-inch smooth bore Rodman guns, and one monster of 20-inch bore; there are, also, a number of dis- mounted guns in readiness for mounting in case of an emergency. There are no rifled guns in the Fort. In modern times, but two 20-inch guns have been cast in the United States, or elsewhere, one of them being already referred to, and the other now lying, dis- mounted, on the wharf at Governor's Island. Its weight is 116,497 lbs .; the weight of 15-inch guns averaging a little less than 50,000 lbs. It was mounted in 1862, and since then has been fired about sixteen times. A record of the number of times a heavy gun is fired is kept by military authorities, the object being to ascertain the length of its working life. Previous to the present commander's assignment to this post, this was not done here. From the official record kept by him of its firing, we find, dated October 15, 1883, as follows:

" Weight of ball, 1,080 lbs .; weight of powder, 200 lbs .; 8° elevation; range in yards, 3,114; internal pres- sure registered 8,500 lbs. per square inch ; line shot at floating target, 3,336 yards ; ball fell short about 200 yards." And record of November 1, 1883, as follows : " Weight of shot, 1,080 lbs .; weight of powder, 150 lbs .; 14° elevation; range, 3,328 yards; with 11,000 lbs. per square inch, internal pressure; fired at deviation to the left of 2.8 yards." Each firing of this monster costs the government $160. It is doubted by military men whether cannon of such large calibre will, in the emergencies of war, excel as much in effectiveness as in size.

The fort proper, the " walled enceinte" in military parlance, is not armed, and is only used as quarters. It is customary for the government to change every five years the districts of the five artillery regiments. The present commanding officer, and also of Fort Wadsworth, is Col. John Hamilton, to whom we are indebted for many of the facts recited in this article. His predecessor was General Gustavus Adolphus De Russy, of the Third Artillery. Col. Hamilton came from McPherson Barracks, Atlanta, Ga. IIis command is the Fifth Artillery Regiment, of which he has at Fort Hamilton three companies of foot batteries, and one light artillery battery, making a total of only 250 men. The company of light artillery, comprising 65 men, 5 officers, 50 horses and 4 guns, under Major Ran- dolph, is denominated a peace allowance as a school instruction.

The regimental band of the Fifth Artillery is com- posed of two men from each company and a drum- major, under the able leadership of Prof. Wiegand.

The annual cost of the maintenance of this post is about $125,000.

874

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

FORT LAFAYETTE is situated on the easterly side of the Narrows, at the entrance into the Bay of New York, and upon the reef known as Hendricks' Reef. It is separated from Fort Hamilton by a shallow channel.

The deed of cession describes it as 30 aeres, 2 roods and 4 perelies of land, covered with water; and in the General Act of 1859, finally settling the, territorial limits and jurisdiction of New York state, the descrip- tion, of the cession of 1812 was adopted, and so remains up to the present day.

The erection of the fort was begun the same year, it being made of solid free-stone masonry. At its com- pletion on account of its peculiar shape, it was called Fort Diamond.

At that time it was the only means of defence we had at the entrance of the bay; and from its parti- cularly advantageous position, in an attempt of the enemy to affeet a landing, it would have been our chief aid in repelling him.

During the visit of General Lafayette in 1824, it was re-christened, and has ever since borne the name of that true friend of liberty. In 1843, the battery con- sisted of 73 guns in three tiers; the lower 42, the mid- dle 32, and the upper 24 pounders. During the late war, it was used principally as a place of safe-keeping of prisoners of state, being under the command of Colonel Burke. In 1868, it was dismantled and the guns re- moved to the adjoining forts. The first of December, 1868, in midday, while the roof was being repaired, the interior caught on fire and the fort was rendered useless; and, to-day, this onee famous and now historic fortress is fast erumbling in decay, its naked walls re- sonnding not with military life, but doing humble duty as a storehouse. It is under the charge of the com- manding officer of Fort Hamilton.

Across the channel and directly opposite Fort Hamil- ton, on Staten Island, stands

FORT WADSWORTH .~ From its position, it commands more perfectly than does Fort Hamilton, the channel and entrance of the narrows, and during a foreign invasion, it would be our greatest protection.

Its area of about 90 acres was purchased from New York February 10th, 1818, by the United States, and by them its territorial jurisdiction, so far as affecting state rights, was transferred to the State of New York in 1827.

There are five auxiliary water batteries, -Richmond, Tompkins, Hudson, North and South Batteries. Tomp- kins was built in 1812; the others were begun in 1861. Fort Wadsworth was named after the lamented Gene- ral James S. Wadsworth, of western New York, who lost his life in the memorable seven days' battle of the Wilderness. It was commenced in 1827 and finished in 1869. It has 20, and Richmond 9 eight-inch mounted rifled guns. There is now stationed there, under the command of Colonel Closson, one foot battery of artil- lery as a guard-denominated the Wadsworth Guards.

The narrows between Forts Hamilton and Wads- worth are one and one-fourth miles wide, being about six miles from the Castle Garden and twelve miles from Sandy Hook .*

HON. WILLIAM H. LYON, U. S. Indian Commissioner. -In this gentleman, Brooklyn possesses, asa resident, not only a representative of the highest mercantile eireles, but a representative of one the most important interests of the General Government.

By Act of Congress, approved April 10, 1869, the President of the United States was authorized, at his discretion, to organize a Board of Indian Commis- sioners, to consist of not more than ten persons, to be selected by him from men eminent for their intelli- gence and philanthrophy, to serve without pecuniary compensation; who may, under his directions, exercise joint control with the Secretary of the Interior over the disbursement of the appropriations made for main- taining the peace among, and with, the various tribes, bands and parties of Indians, and to promote civiliza- tion among said Indians; bring them, where praetica- ble, upon reservations ; relieve their necessities, and encourage their efforts at self-support.

From the inauguration of the so-called Peace Policy with the beginning of President Grant's first adminis- tration, until the present, the progress in civilization among the Indian tribes has been marvellous; and the labor, time and zeal given to this work by the Board of Indian Commissioners, cannot be measured by dollars and cents. The practical business men of the Board ereated a revolution in the purchase, inspection, trans- portation, delivery and distribution of Indian supplies. The old corrupt system of making awards to favorite politieal contractors was abolished, and the same prin- ciples and rules on which honest trade among indi- viduals rests, were adopted by the Board of Indian Commissioners. Gen. Grant was fortunate in selecting competent, experienced men, of national reputation for ability, integrity and philanthropy. Among the Com- missioners have been Felix R. Brunot, of Pittsburgh ; George H. Stuart, of Philadelphia; Robert Campbell, of St. Louis ; John V. Farwell, of Chicago; General Clinton B. Fisk, of St. Louis ; General H. II. Sibley, of St. Paul ; General George H. Stoneman, of Cali- fornia ; Gov. D. H. Jerome, of Michigan ; Edward S. Tobey, of Boston ; William E. Dodge, and William H. Lyon, of New York.

When, in 1876, Hon. Zachariah Chandler, the Secre- tary of the Interior, was requested by President Grant to select a practical business man in the city of New York as a member of the Board of Indian Commis- sioners, he chose WILLIAM H. LYON. The government and the Indians are to be congratulated upon this most fortunate selection. Mr. Lyon was assigned to the Purchasing Committee immediately, and for many

· Furnished by Henry D. Kingsbury, Esq.

William H Lyon oyun

875

UNITED STATES INTERESTS.

years has served as its chairman, giving to the business of the Government the same measure of devotion that had made him one of the most success- ful merchants in the city of New York. The bus- iness of the Government's Indian Warehouse in New York received from Mr. Lyon the same con- scientious attention that he had given his private affairs. The best article for the purpose, at lowest possible price, was the one rule governing him and his associates. These methods stampeded the "shoddy" contractors, and now the best merchants, millers, manu- facturers, and cattle dealers in the country, compete by hundreds for the contracts. Mr. Lyon's visits to Chi- cago, St. Paul, St. Louis, Denver and San Francisco, in the interest of the Government's purchases, established at those great centres the same careful, honest methods that governed in New York. His visitations among the northwestern tribes have contributed largely to- wards securing justice for the Indians, schools for Indian children, and industrial education in its broadest sense. The Government was wisc in establishing the Board of Indian Commissioners, and most fortunate in securing, as members thereof, gentlemen of the ability, experience and character, of Hon. Wm. H. Lyon.

Mr. Lyon is, at present, Chairman of the Purchasing Committee, which is credited with having saved the Government millions of dollars in the purchase of In- dian annuity goods, supplies, etc., since this Board was established. In former years, the purchases were so conducted that certain contractors were sure to get the awards. Last year 354 bids were received and awards were made to 145 different parties; and, under the present management, those persons are considered the lowest bidders who give the best value in goods at the price, and such invariably get the contracts. Dur- ing several summer vacations, Mr. Lyon, as a member of this Board, has visited, and held councils with, the fol- lowing Indian tribes: Chippewas and Pembinas, in Northern Minnesota; Sioux, Mandans, Arickarees and Gros Ventres, in Dakota; Poncas, in Nebraska; Utes, in Colorado ; Northern Araphoes and Cheyenncs, Ban- nocks and Shoshones, in Wyoming; the Pi Utes, in Nevada, and the Mountain and Yellowstone River Crows, in Montana.

We have spoken of Mr. Lyon in his public capacity; let us now consider him in his personal relations, as a merchant and as the senior and founder of one of the most prominent importing and jobbing houses in Fancy Goods in this country.

He was born at Holland, Hampden Co., Mass., Octo- ber 18th, 1819 ; and (as was also Gen. Nathaniel Lyon, killed at the Battle of Wilson's Creek, Mo., in the late war) is descended from William Lyon, one of the early English settlers of Massachusetts, and who located, in 1635, at Roxbury. At the age of 14, Mr. Lyon was sent to Hartford, Conn., to attend school, with the pur- pose of ultimately studying law. But, after leaving

school, he went to Wayne Co., N. Y., and was for some time engaged in teaching ; the last two years as Principal of the Clyde High School. It was while he was in charge of this school, that Prof. Morse first put his telegraph in operation between Washington and Baltimore. The subject of telegraphy greatly in- terested Mr. Lyon; and, in the course of some experi- ments which he made, he invented a printing-telegraph; or, rather, he demonstrated, by means of a model which he constructed, that pen and ink, or type and ink, could be used in the conveying of messages by the tele- graphic wirc. Mr. Lyon, strange as it may sccm, never pressed his claim as a scientific discoverer, or ever took any means to secure to himself the honor or benefits of this discovery. Yet it became, no doubt, the basis of a theory which has since been utilized.

The Clyde Eagle, of July 11, 1844 (Vol. 1., No. 9), has a two column editorial, headed "The Electro Magnetic Telegraph Improved," in which was the follow- ing : " With this machine Mr. Lyon is able to write with pen and ink with the same facility that Professor Morse scratches characters upon paper with points of steel." This editorial was copied into the New York Commercial Advertiser, Evening Post, and Boston Traveller, and journals of lesser note.

A card, in a subsequent number of the same paper, says : " We have seen Mr. Lyon perform experiments with his machine for writing with pen and ink on Professor Morse's system of Electro Magnetic Tele- graph, and take pleasure in saying that it worked to our perfect satisfaction, and displays no small share of ingenuity. The inventor, Mr. Lyon, explained to us his intended improvement by which he will be enabled to convey intelligence by means of the real letters of the alphabet as readily and speedily as Morse can make his scratches with stcel." This was signed by seven prominent residents of the place.

About this time he changed his mind in regard to studying law, and decided that a mercantile profession would be more to his taste.

In 1845, Mr. Lyon came to New York, and engaged in tlie wholesale dry goods business. In 1847, he changed from dry goods to what was then termed the Yankee Notion and Fancy Goods business, which he has con- tinued successfully up to the present time. He very early began the importation of goods for his trade, and was among the first of our merchants to visit Europe for the purpose of securing a better assortment of Fancy Goods than could be procured from the New York im- porters.

In 1848, after having completed his orders and selec- tions in England, he proposed going to France, but was prevented from so doing by the revolution then in pro- gress therc. While waiting in Belgium, he learned of the flight of Louis Phillippe to England, and the estab- lishment of the provisional government of the French republic under Lamartine. He left immediately for

876

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

France, and was the first American merehant to enter Paris after the insurrection. Everything was in eonfu- sion, business prostrated, and the commission houses and manufacturers had large stoeks of goods on hand, which they were very anxious to turn into money. Mr. Lyon bought largely, at very low price, and also made plans for future shipments, many of which arrangements con- tinued to this day. He afterwards extended liis eon- neetions to all the leading manufacturing centres of Europe, until few houses are better known throughont the commercial world.

Mr. Lyon first commenced business in 1845, at No. 169 Pearl street, New York, then the wholesale jobbing eentre, where he remained until the business began to move towards Broadway; when, in 1851, he moved to 4 Dey street, near Broadway, and afterwards, in 1860, to No. 19 Cortlandt street.

The business steadily increasing, larger quarters were needed, and, in 1864, the firm of Wm. II. Lyon & Co., removed to No. 371 Broadway, where they re- mained until 1870, when they changed their location to the spacious warehouse which they now ocenpy, Nos. 483 and 485 Broadway, a store 50 feet on Broadway, running the entire block, 200 feet to Mercer street. The basement and several floors cover a space of 50,000 square feet devoted to the display of their extensive stock.

In all these nearly forty years, his house has kept in the van of progress. They import goods from Europe, China. India, and Japan, and their sales extend not only to every State in the United States from Maine to California, but also to Mexico, West Indies, South America, and Canada.

Mr. Lyon has been a member of the New York Chamber of Commerce for many years; is a di- rector in the Brooklyn Life Insurance Company, and has been Chairman of its Executive Committee sinee the organization of the company.

He was one of the incorporators of the New Eng- land Society of Brooklyn, and a director since its organization. Ile is a member of the Long Island His- torical Society; also of the Oxford Club, and one of its direetors.

In 1878, while absent in California on Indian busi- ness, he was nominated for Congress in the Fourth District on the Republican ticket. This district has always been strongly Democratic, but Mr. Lyon's candidacy redneed the usual majority about one-half, which strongly attested his personal popularity among his fellow-citizens.

In 1879, his name, contrary to his wishes, was brought before the Mayoralty Convention, and on the regular ballot laeked but a few votes of a majority. In the next contest for the mayoralty nomination his name was prominently mentioned, but he peremptorily declined to allow it to be used.

Mr. Lyon is a gentleman of imposing figure and commanding appearance. Although his attention has

always been given strictly to his business engagements, he has found time for social enjoyment and public duties; his congenial temperament enabling him fully to enjoy life, as he journeys through it. His energy and business ability have contributed mueh not only to the business progress of New York, but of other portions of our country. Many years ago, he invested largely in property at Lake City, on Lake Pepin, Minnesota, where he built the principal hotels and stores of the place, and where the main avenue is named after him. This property he still holds, together with much other real estate in Minnesota, Iowa, and Dakota. He is a large owner of real estate in this city, on New York avenue, where he resides, and where he has recently built several elegant dwelling-houses, which greatly improve that section of the city.

United States District Judge .- It is the duty of the District Judge to preside at trials for, or motions concerning, violations of the United States Statutes in his distriet. The present Judge, CHARLES L. BENE- DICT, was appointed on the organization of the Court, in March, 1865, and has continued to serve from that time, without interruption, up to the present.

He also presides over the Circuit Court of the United States for the southern district of New York. The Cireuit Courts being held in New York, and the Distriet Courts in Brooklyn. Courts are held monthly, except in July and August. The judicial matters un- der his charge are divided into four branches, namely: Jury, Admiralty and Equity eases and Criminal Trials.

Samuel T. Jones served as Court Clerk from 1665 to 1873, from which time to 1875, Edward B. Husted was acting Clerk. In 1875, B. Lincoln Benedict was appointed, which position he now holds.

United States District Attorney .- The duties of this officer are to prosecute all violations of United States Statutes, committed in his distriet, which com- prises four counties-Kings, Queens, Richmond and Suf- olk. The first District Attorney appointed in this district was BENJAMIN D. SILLIMAN, in 1865, who resigned in 1866, and was succeeded by General BENJAMIN F. TRACY, who was sueeeeded by ASA W. TENNEY, the present ineumbent, 19th February, 1873.

The United States Commissioner .- His duties are mainly to issue warrants for arrests in criminal cases, to preside over the U. S. Commissioner's Court, and he is also Chief Supervisor of Elections for the Eastern District of New York.

JOHN J. ALLEN is the present Commissioner, and he was appointed by Judge Benedict September 22, 1574. Under the administration of Gen. Benjamin F. Tracy, as U. S. District Attorney, Mr. Allen was the Assistant.

The United States Marshal's Office for the Eastern District of New York, is located in a suitable building, on the corner of Montagne and Clinton streets, Brooklyn, New York. This district com

UNITED STATES INTERESTS.

877

ALITTLE

Al. Fate:

prises Long and Staten Islands, and also has jurisdic- tion over the waters of New York county. The office was organized here in March, 1865, the first Marshal being ANTHONY F. CAMPBELL, who was appointed that year, and served up to 1867, when he resigned, his deputy, FRANCIS L. DALLON, succeeding him. Mr. Dallon served until 1871, when SAMUEL R. HARLOW was appointed by President Grant, and until March, 1883, Mr. Harlow continned in charge of affairs. In that month the present incumbent, Major AUGUSTUS C. TATE, received the nomination by President Arthur for a term of four years, and has, since then, had charge of the office.

It is the duty of a United States Marshal to secure the arrest of any person or persons engaged in counter- feiting United States legal tender, smuggling, the illicit manufacture of whiskey, or purloining of United States property; and, on proper notification, to arrest and detain thieving or embezzling post-office officials or clerks; also to see that no dangerous explosives, such as dynamite, are shipped to foreign ports, for improper use. The Marshal of this district is now acting under an order of the government, dated 12th March, 1884, relative to the shipping of dynamite.

There is, yearly, more money involved in the cases issning from this office, than in all other courts of Kings county combined.

One-fourth of the admiralty business of the United States is done here.

A marshal cannot be removed save by death, resig- nation, or for cause.

AUGUSTUS C. TATE was born in New York City, Janu- ary 6, 1835, and received the rudiments of an education in the public schools of that city. When fourteen years old he went to the "Charlotte Academy," in Delaware county, New York, for further instruction, staying there three years, at the end of which time he returned to New York City, and was engaged with his father, William Tate, in the dry goods business. At the breaking out of our late war Mr. Tate, then twenty-six years of age, was one of the first to respond to his country's call, and enlisted as a private in the 12th New York State Militia, April 19th, 1861, and was promoted to color sergeant two days later. He served three months; and then re-entered service as Cap- tain of the 131st New York Volunteers, August 20, 1862, for a term of three years, and September 8, 1863, was promoted to Major, which position he held at the time of his honorable discharge in 1865. In 1863 he was sent to New York with a detachment, to quell the famous " draft riots," but before he reached the city the disturbance was

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HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

practically over. Major Tate participated in most of the im- portant battles of the south-west, and also the stirring events of the Shenandoah Valley campaign, under General Sheridan. September 1, 1865, as a reward in part for his meritorious services and gallant conduet, he was appointed to an inspee- torship in the New York Custom House, which he held uutil March, 1883. From 1869 to 1873 he was aid to Sur- veyor Alonzo B. Cornell. In March, 1883, on the recom- meudation of General U. S. Grant and the Republican or- ganization of Kings county, he was appointed United States Marshal for the Eastern District of New York, which office he now holds. Mr. Tate, since the formation of the Republi- can party, hasever beeu a hard-working, consistent member. He was secretary of the Soldiers' National Convention, held

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Civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the County of Kings and the City of Brooklyn, N. Y., Part 58

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909. Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York : Munsell Number of Pages: 1360

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : Munsell
Number of Pages: 1360