The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884 Volume I, Part 123

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed. cn; Brockett, L. P. (Linus Pierpont), 1820-1893; Proctor, L. B. (Lucien Brock), 1830-1900. 1n
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1114

USA > New York > Kings County > Brooklyn > The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884 Volume I > Part 123

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Mr. Powell was a man who never accumulated much money ; nor did he ever make a dollar in any public office which he held, beyond the salary attached to it. He was unswerving in fidelity to his party, and hence was popular. He was charitable, dignified though easily accessible, and gentlemanly in his manners.

He was a favorite with the Methodist church, though not a member, as his wife was. "I guess," he said, "it is be- cause I look like a Methodist." He received the richest and poorest alike, courteously. He was a helpful neighbor, a tried and upright official. It is doubtful if he ever made an enemy, uttered a sentence, or did an act that would justify personal resentment.

During his administration, the much debated question as to the advisability of running the street railroad cars on the sabbath, was settled affirmatively, after a fierce contest. The measure was recommended in an official message from Mr. Powell to the Common Council. When the war of secession commenced, Mayor Powell actively sustained the govern- ment in all measures for the suppression of the rebellion ; and, although a Democrat, and in no way identified with the dominant party, he aided to the full extent of his powers, the enlistment of men, and by open speech justified all meas- ures necessary to destroy the power of rebellion and to re- store the Union.

In 1871, he was again elected (his third term) to the mayor- alty. In 1874, he was nominated for Comptroller, against F. A. Schroder, and was elected. His administration of finances was intelligent and successful. The credit of the city was improved, and its bonds sold at a premium, which had not before occurred. In 1877, he was appointed a Park Commissioner, which office he held up to the time of his death, devoting to it the same care and attention which al- ways characterized him. He was next elected County Treasurer, his term beginning August, 1878, but the disease of which he ultimately died (cancer in the face), had then made such progress that he could not often attend at the office, although he kept himself well posted as to what took place there. He died February 6, 1879,

Quiet and unobtrusive in his manner and habits, there was no citizen of Brooklyn who possessed a more intelligent knowledge of the city's history, growth, and people. He was a director in the Central Bank, the Brooklyn Life Insurance Company, the Citizens' Gas Light Company, and an original director of the Nassau and Lafayette Insurance Companies.

February 11th. A Board of Water Commissioners was appointed ; and on April 15, the Board was also constituted, by legislative enactment, a Board of Sewer Commissioners.

February 17th. By the legislative " act for the bet- ter regulation of the firemen of the city of Brooklyn," passed on this date, was created the Board of Com- missioners of the Fire Department of the Western Dis trict of the city of Brooklyn; and April 7th, by a

similar act, the legally organized firemen of the Eastern District were constituted a body corporate, to be known as The Brooklyn Eastern District Fire Department ; and on the 17th, by act of legislature, the fire limits of the Eastern District were established.

April 23d. The Metropolitan Police law went into operation, by which the counties of New York, Kings, Westchester and Richmond, and the towns of New- town, Flushing and Jamaica, in the county of Queens, were constituted and territorially united for the pur- poses of police government and police discipline, to be governed by a board of commissioners, of which the Mayors of the cities of New York and Brooklyn were members ex officio. The original commissioners were James W. Nye, James Bowen, J. S. T. Stranahan (of Brooklyn), Simeon Draper and Jacob Cholwell, to- gether with Fernando Wood, Mayor of New York, and S. S. Powell, Mayor of Brooklyn.

December. The Mercantile Library Association of Brooklyn was organized.

1858. The two marked events of the year were the introduction of the Ridgewood water into the city (it being first let into the mains, on December 4th, and first used in extinguishing a fire on the 17th of the same month); and the inception of measures which resulted in the establishment of the Academy of Music, both of which events reached their culmination of success dur- ing the next year.

1859. March 19th. The Brooklyn Academy of Music was incorporated, with a capital of $150,000, with power to increase it to $200,000. Land in Montague street was purchased for $41,000, plans agreed upon and work commenced,

April 5th. Samuel S. Powell was re-elected to the mayoralty, by a majority of 3,265 (out of a poll of 21,- 203) votes over John A. Cross.

April 18th. By enactment of the legislature, Messrs. John Greenwood, J. Carson Brevoort, William Wall, James Humphry, John A. Cross, Nathaniel Briggs, Abraham J. Berry, Samuel S. Powell, Thomas H. Rod- man, Nathan B. Morse, Thomas G. Talmadge, Jesse C. Smith, Daniel Maujer, Wm. H. Peck and Luther B. Wyman, were appointed commissioners to select and locate grounds in the city of Brooklyn, and adjacent thereto, for parks and public parade ground.

During the month of November, 1858, the first water had been introduced in the city through the pipes, and so highly gratified were the people, especially after its efficient aid in extinguishing one or two fires, that a general demand arose for a grand public demonstration. The Common Council arranged for such a celebration on the 27th of April, 1859, and on that day, and the next, it came off. Such a demonstration had never before been witnessed in the city of Brooklyn ; and as a pageant it has rarely been equalled even in the Metro- polis. Its main features were a grand civic and mili- tary procession, with some 15,000 persons and 3,000

487

CONSOLIDATED HISTORY OF BROOKLYN, 1860-'61.

horses in line ; speeches in the Common Council cham- ber by Governor Morgan and Peter Cooper and others; also, a chaste and elegant oration by Richard C. Underhill, Esq. The eity was profusely and beauti- fully decorated ; and a splendid illumination of public and private buildings in the evening, with a grand dis- play of fireworks, elosed this most eventful day.

During this winter (1859-60) the collegiate depart- ment of the Long Island College Hospital was organ- ized, and the announcement of its first course of lec- tures made.

1860. This summer, forty-six cases of yellow fever were reported to the health department. (See chapter on Medical Profession in Kings County.) Thirty-four cases occurred in the block commencing at the corner of Columbia Street, running thence westerly to the water along Congress street, on both sides of the street. It was supposed to have originated from some lighter- men who resided in this neighborhood and were en- gaged on lighters at quarantine.

1861 .- April 5th. The charter election resulted in the choice of Martin Kalbfleisch (democrat), as mayor, by a majority of 5,136 (in a poll of 28,280) votes, over his republican competitor, Frederick Scholes.

April 15th .* The dispatch from the Secretary of War, announcing the surrender of Fort Sumter, and the President's proclamation, calling for 75,000 volunteers, electrified the citizens of Brooklyn, as well as those of every portion of the northern states. The excitement was intense, business was virtually suspended, men could hardly realize that war was begun ; but the ino- mentary paralysis of surprise was quickly followed by a rebound of loyalty, as universal as it was magnifi- cent. The Stars and Stripes were flung to the breeze upon all public places, from almost every store and from hundreds of private dwellings ; so intense, indeed, was the public feeling that the absence of the national flag in certain quarters invited a suspicion of disloyalty. On the 17th, a mob visited the Eagle, News, Standard and Star newspaper offices, compelling their proprietors to show their colors ; and on the street and all public places, incautious sympathizers with the South were ad- monished by arguments more striking than pleasant, of the propriety of keeping their thoughts and words to themselves. The young men of the Seventh, Ninth and Nineteenth wards, commenced to form a volunteer com- pany. By the 19th the news of the dastardly attack on the Massachusetts Sixth, aroused the excitement to white heat, and the excess of loyalty seemed to threaten an outbreak of mob violence. An amusing instance of this occurred at the Packer Collegiate Institute, where the exhibition of a palmetto badge by some of the south-

ern young lady pupils, provoked a sudden outburst of red, white and blue badges among the northern girls ; and finally the principal, Prof. Chittenden, deemed it best to order the total suppression of all badges. This sensible proceeding called forth the ire of several hun- dred young men around town, who proceeded to the Institute and called for the exhibition of the Stars and Stripes, which were, of course, forthcoming; and the police dispersed the over-zealous crowd, in view of which Mayor Powell issued a proclamation counseling moderation and peace. The four militia regiments, comprising the Fifth Brigade, viz., 13th, 14th, 70th and 28th (previous to this the ranks of these regiments had been poorly filled, viz., the 13th having about 250 ; the 14th, about 150; the 70th, about 350; and the 28th, about 400 men), began to make ready for the fray, re- cruiting offices were opened, and their ranks were largely swelled by accessions of patriotic young men. Capt. Wm. H. Hogan, the former gallant commandant of the Napper Tandy Light Artillery, commenced among his countrymen the organization of an artillery company, which eventually did good service in the Irish Brigade. The Common Council appropriated (19tli) $75,000 for the relief of families of those who should volunteer. On the 20th, Gen Duryea received orders to send forward two of the Brooklyn regiments, and selected the 13th (Col. Abel Smith), and 28th (Col. Mich. Bennett). Major Anderson, the hero of Fort Sumter, also this day quietly visited the city, and was warmly greeted by the comparatively few citizens who knew of his coming.

April 21st. (Sabbath). The recruiting offices werc kept open, and the work of enrollment went bravely on. In Plymouth Church the sum of $1,000, and in the Pierrepont Street Baptist Church, $1,077 was contribu- ted towards the equipment of the 13th and 14th, and this without previous notice being given. A. A. Low contributed $300 for the 13th1.

April 22d. Messrs. Whitehouse and Pierce, 188 Ful- ton street, furnished equipments for those of their em- ployes who volunteered, and guaranteed their sitnations to them upon their return, as well as the payment of their salaries to their families during their absence. The city was alive ; companies parading the streets, preparatory to being formed into regiments ; every- thing betokened preparation ; the Zouaves were active- ly drilling ; nothing but the war was thought of or talked about ; business was at a stand-still. In the evening, an enthusiastic mecting was held at Music HIall to organize a home-guard, and 200 signed the roll of members. The Common Council this evening also authorized the effecting of a loan of $100,000 for the equipment of Brooklyn volunteers, and the support of their families. Father Rafina, priest of the Montrose Avenue Catholic Church, with his own hands, raised an American flag upon the top of his church, in the pre- sence of over 2,000 people, whom he addressed with a

* Brooklyn's share, in the war for the suppression of the civil rebei- lion-the narration of which comprises the greater portion of Brooklyn history for the four years succeeding this date-can only be given in outline. Under the head of Military, in our concluding chapter, the reader will find brief notices of the various regiments from this city, engaged in the war.

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HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

few appropriate remarks, and whose plaudits were enthusiastic. The eaptain (a southerner) of the United States Survey vessel, the Varina, very quietly attempt- ed to move his craft out of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and down the river in the night, with a view, it is supposed, of taking her to Dixie. The crew, however, suspecting his design, managed to communicate with the command- ant of the receiving-ship, North Carolina ; a line was thrown aeross the stream, the Varina was stopped, and her crew removed to the guard, and she left empty in the stream; much to the joy of the loyal tars, who checred for the Union and hooted at treason, while they were leav- ing the vessel.

About this time, also, occurred what was, at the time, characterized by some of the daily papers, " the Navy Yard scare ;" but which, in fact, possessed a far greater importance than many supposed. One day, about 2 P.M., Mayor Powell was waited upon by Capt. (afterward Commodore) Foote (then in command of the United States Navy Yard here, in the absence of Commodore Bell), who stated to him that he had rea- son to believe that an attempt would be made that night to burn the Navy Yard, and that he had but eighty men (all told) capable of bearing arms in the defense of the government property. He requested aid from the city authorities ; and in response to his demand, aetive measures were at once put forth by Mayor Powell to meet the difficulty before sun-down. It was understood that the proposed attack upon the yard was to be made by a force of rebel sympathizers, erossing from New York in small numbers at the dif- ferent ferries, and rendezvousing in or near the City Park, under the Navy Yard walls, from which point, after dark, they could easily have possessed themselves of the place ; and, after a liberal use of fire-balls and other combustibles among the inflammable contents of the yard, eould have eseaped before a general alarm had been communicated to the city. Plaeing himself in communication with the headquarters of the Metro- politan Poliec, a heavy foree (some 1,000 in all) of po- liee were distributed near the yard, the ferries, ete., while the river in its front was patrolled by the police- boat and numerous well-manned row-boats. Col. Gra- ham's artillery regiment, the Seventieth, took posses- sion of the Arsenal, on Portland avenue, and the Thirteenth (Col. Smith) were under arms at the Arm- ory on Cranberry street; and the militia generally, un- der direction of General Duryea, were in readiness for instant service. So promptly was all this effected, that no attempt was made, and hence the ery of scare; but faets which subsequently came to light, prove that the attempt would certainly have been made, but for the activity and vigilance of the eity authorities.

The Union Ferry Company guaranteed to those of their employes who should volunteer, a eontinnanee of salary to their families, and their places again upon their return, Forty Brooklyn ladies volunteered as

nurses ; and quantities of lint, ete., were offered. The Washington Division, No. 4, of the Sons of Temper- ance, voted the appropriation of $3 per weck to the family of any member who should volunteer; and, in case of his death, $20 in addition to the $30 given as a funeral benefit, and also pledged themselves to provide for the widow and orphans. This day was held an immense war meeting on Fort Greene, at which it was estimated that 50,000 people were present. There were three stands for speakers, music, etc. Mayor Powell presided, and a salute of 34 guns was fired. At 3 p.M. of the same day the 13th Regiment left for the seat of war, 450 strong; 200 being left behind owing to a lack of equipments. The National Home Guard was also organized; and the eitizens of the 9th Ward orga- nized a Home Relief Association, of which Mr. J. Car- son Brevoort was chosen president, and $1,950 was subscribed on the spot for the purposes of the society and for aiding the families of volunteers from that ward.

April 24th. The members of the Kings County Medical Society resolved to render gratuitous profes- sional services to the families of volunteers, during their absenee.

April 25th. The Mechanics' Bank took $25,000 of the eity loan of $100,000.

April 26th. A Ladies' Lint Society was in opera- tion in Monroe Place and vieinity, and another among the young ladies of Brooklyn Heights Seminary. The mayor sent a communication to the Common Council proposing the organization of a force of 2,000 men, in companies of 100 each, properly offieered, for the pro- teetion of the city and its surroundings. The Brook- lyn Yacht Club tendered to the United States Govern- ment the use of their vessels, for any service for which they might be required in the shallow water along our coast, including the maintenance of a small armed screw-propeller, as a coast-guard from Barnegat to Fire Island.

April 28th. (Sabbath.) Impressive religions services were held at the arsenal, where the 28th Regiment was quartered, preparing to leave. During the preceding week this regiment had received 1,590 yards of band- aging prepared by the ladies of Clinton Avenue Con- gregational Church. On this day, also, Major Oatman raised the American flag on the old "1699," or Veehte Cortelyou house.

April 29th. At a meeting of the Association for the Relief of Volunteers' Families, between two and three thousand dollars were raised.

April 30th. The 28th Regiment left for the front, and were eseorted to the doek by the Lancer Troop and howitzer battery of the 70th Regiment. The Common Couneil appointed committees for relief to volunteers' families, each committee consisting of three from each ward.

April. During this and the succeeding month, Col.

489

CONSOLIDATED HISTORY OF BROOKLYN, 1861-62.

Pratt and others, mostly of Brooklyn, organized in New York city, the Thirty-first Regiment of New York Volunteers.

May 2d. The Home Trust of Volunteers of Brook- lyn organized, with A. A. Low as President ; Messrs. Geo. Hall, Luther B. Wyman and Hosea Webster as Vice-Presidents, J. H. Frothingham, Treasurer ; W. S. Griffith, Secretary ; and R. R. Raymond, Correspond- ing Secretary. The Board of County Supervisors appro- priated $50,000 for the relief of families of volunteers, and pledged themselves to continue the salaries of cm- ployes who might volunteer. The ladies of the 8th Ward organized a Patriotic Relief Association for pro- vision of hospital stores, etc., for sick and wounded soldiers.

May 6th. The new mayor, Martin Kalbfleisch, en- tered upon his official duties.

May 9th. The reserves of the 13th Regiment (425), left for the seat of war to join that regiment. The Hunter's Point route of the Long Island Railroad was opened.

May 20th. The 14th, under Col. Alfred M. Wood, left for the seat of war. Their departure was a scene of enthusiasm which evinced how firm a hold this regi- inent had upon the affections of Brooklyn citizens.

Junc. Early in this month $50,000 was appropri- ated by the Board of Supervisors, exclusively for the relief of volunteers' families.

June 26th. The corner-stone of a Home for Desti- tute Children was laid, under the auspices of the Brooklyn Industrial Association.

July 1st. The Common Council appropriated $2,500 towards the equipment of the 14th Regiment, on the application of Lieut .- Col. Fowler.

During this and succeeding months, the "Continental Guard," afterwards the Forty-eighth New York Vol- unteers, was recruited under the command of Col. Perry, formerly pastor of the M. E. church.

August. During this and the following month, the New York Fifth Independent Battery was organized at Brooklyn ; and the Ninetieth New York Volunteer Regiment, at East New York.

August 6th. The Board of Supervisors appropriated $10,000 to the relief of volunteers' families.

August 22d. The First Long Island (Brooklyn Phalanx) Regiment, recruited in Brooklyn, by Col. Nelson A. Cross, departed for the seat of war.

Dec. 5th. The Supervisors appropriated $35,000 to the support of volunteers' families.

1862. January. On the 30th of this month, the iron Monitor was launched at Greenpoint ; was placed in commission on the 25th of February ; and eleven days after (March 8th) liad her celebrated encounter with the rebel ram Merrimac, in Hampton Roads.

February 4th. The Capitoline Club was organized. The small-pox was very prevalent in the city.

March 3d. A grand publie reception was given to

Col. A. M. Wood, of the 14th Regiment, on his return from captivity in Richmond, by the authorities, mili- tary, fire department, and citizens generally.

March 27th. Brooklyn received a new charter, by an act of the Legislature, amendatory of the consolida- tion act of 1854.

May. A new regiment (the 56th) of State Militia was organized at Brooklyn.

May 17th. A large and enthusiastic public mecting of the citizens of the 17th Ward (Greenpoint), licld early in this year, organized an association for the re- licf of the families of soldiers enlisted in the army and navy. Messrs. Jabez Williams, A. K. Meserole, Wmn. M. Meserole, James Ross, Jonathan Moore, James Val- entine, Th. Hutchinson, T. F. Rowland, Wm. Foulks, J. N. Stearns, Geo. W. Bell, Jolm McDiarmid, C. V. Rivenburg, John B. Downing, Geo. W. Kelsey, Ab'm Meserole and Rev. Peter Boyce, were appointed an ex- ecutive committee, of which Mr. Boyce was President ; A. J. Provost, Timothy Perry, Adrian Meserole, Vice- Presidents ; Ab'm Meserole, and afterwards J. N. Stearns, Secretary, and Mr. E. F. Williams, Treasurer. A subscription was started, and the large sum sub- scribed on the spot was subsequently increased to over $10,000. The executive committee met every wcek- day night, for months ; visited soldiers' families, and furnished regular relief to over 100 families, contain- ing about 140 children, besides occasional relief to other families. Nearly 500 men enlisted from this ward .*

May 20th. The corner-stone of the new County Court-honse, at junction of Fulton and Joralemon streets, was laid on this day, by the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, of New York.

June. The Coney Island Railroad, from Fulton Ferry to Coney Island, was completed. It was eleven miles in length, being the longest road in the city.

August 15th. A great Union meeting was held on Fort Greene, in view of the draft ordered (Ang. 4th) by the Government, for 300,000 men for nine months' service ; the proportion of Kings County being placed at 4,294. On the 16th, the Board of Supervisors appro- priated the sum of $240,000, to be borrowed on the credit of the county, for ($50) bounties, for volunteers before the first of September following.

Brooklyn had, as we have seen, responded nobly to the first call of the government upon the loyal popula- tion of the north. Some 10,000 of her bravest citizens had testified their devotion to the old flag, upon every battle-field from Bull Run to Malvern Hill. To the second appeal she sent forth her 13th and 14th Militia Regiments ; but the third call for men, seemed, from some unaccountable reason, to be coldly received ; and,

* Report of 17th Ward Soldiers' Aid Association, March 17, 1863, states that during the winter of 1862-'3, relief was extended to 86 faml- lies containing 125 children ($2 to adult, 50 cents to child, per week). Whole amount received by treasurer, up to March 10, $7,510.06, of which $2,810 was paid out for bounties, and $3,929,20 for relief.

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HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

while all other communities bestirred themselves hold- ing meetings, arousing popular enthusiasm, and rais- ing money to pay bounties to volunteers, she remained inactive. But, with the impulse given by this great popular demonstration, Brooklyn quickly placed her- self right before the world, promptly resolving to do her own duty, and to furnish her quota of volunteers without recourse to the draft.

The city was all alive. Recruiting officers were seen everywhere. The recruiting tents in the City Hall Park increased in number, and the drums, in front of each, kept up their music from morning to night. Tents were also pitched in Washington Park, the City Park, at the Navy Yard, and other eligible points. The whole city, in fact, wore a military aspect. The wealthy men came forward with their contributions, and as a consequence, men of the right stamp were en- listed in squads. Mayor Kalbfleisch, on his own re- sponsibility, ordered 168 A tents and fourteen wall tents for the officers and men of the 1st Regiment of the Empire Brigade. Recruits came flocking in so fast that they could not be all attended to. The Mechanics' Bank in one day, cashed 175 checks for bounties to recruits ; and the day previous, 93, amount- ing to a total of $7,600. Mr. Charles Christmas con- tributed $200 to aid in recruiting and rendering a draft in Brooklyn unnecessary, to be paid as special bounties to the first forty volunteers, who signed thic rolls be- tween nine and ten, on Wednesday morning. Capt. J. Davenport was at this time raising in Brooklyn a com- pany of "Monitors." The smith's department in the Navy Yard, formed a Relief Association. The Hon. William Wall, representative in Congress, from the Fifth District, contributed $1,000 to aid in recruiting ($10 each), the first 100 volunteers in the 1st Long Island, and the 14th Regiments.

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The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884 Volume I, Part 123

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed. cn; Brockett, L. P. (Linus Pierpont), 1820-1893; Proctor, L. B. (Lucien Brock), 1830-1900. 1n Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York : W. W. Munsell & Co. Number of Pages: 1114

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed. cn; Brockett, L. P. (Linus Pierpont), 1820-1893; Proctor, L. B. (Lucien Brock), 1830-1900. 1n
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1114