CHAPTER XVI. TROY AS A CITY. Part 3 The erection of the present Troy hospital was begun June 28, 1868, when the corner stone was laid by Bishop J. J. Conroy of Albany. The history of the hospital dates back to the year 1845, when the city was compelled to erect temporary buildings for the care of feverstricken immigrants who came from Ireland during the famine in that country. As the majority of these sufferers were Catholics the Rev. Peter Havermans interestedhimseif in their behalf, with the result that money was raised for the erection of a hospital. The site selected for it was on the southwest corner of Washington and Fifth streets, whei5e the corner stone was -laid August 15, 1848, by General John E. Wool. Upon the completion of the structure in 1850 it was placed in charge of the Sisters of Charity. When the Troy & Greenbush railroad was constructed the noise attendant upon the passage of trains made that location an undesirable one and in April, 1866, the handsome property of Ebenezer Prescott on Eighth street at the head of Fulton was purchased. June 28, 1868, the corner stone of the new hospital was laid by Bishop Conroy, and in the fall of the following year it was occupied for the first time, Ever since its foundation it has been in charge of the Sisters of Charity. The ceremonies attending the burial in Oakwood cemetery of that gallant soldier, Major-General George Henry Thomas, who died in San Francisco March 28, 18W, occurred April 7 of the same year and were most imposing. The body lay in state in St. Paul's Episcopal church during the early part of the day, and the funeral pageant was one of the most notable ever witnessed in Troy. Many of the nation's great soldiers and statesmen were present, including President Ulysses S. Grant and his cabinet, General William T. Sherman, General Philip H. Sheridan and General George G. Meade. On account of the rapid increase in the population of the city the State Legislature, in response to a request of the citizens of Troy, on April 29, 1870, increased the number of wards in the corporation by dividing the eighth, ninth and tenth wards and thus creating three additional wards. That part of the eighth ward lying south of a line running easterly through the middle of Adams street and a line running southeasterly through the middle of Hill Street from its junction with Adams street, to a point in the middle of the Poestenkill creek, was constituted as the eleventh ward; that part of the ninth ward lying southerly of a line running easterly through the middle of Jackson and Trenton streets became the twelfth ward; and that part of the tenth ward lying northerly of a line running through the middle of Middleburgh street became the thirteenth ward. May of the same year the name of the corporation, which since the granting of the old charter of April 12, 1816, had been "The Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen, and Corn monalty of the City of Troy," was changed, by act of the Legislature, to "The City of Troy." The evolution of the theatre in Troy would make a long and interesting chapter in itself, but in a work of this character all that can be done is to touch upon a few of the prominent points in the history of public amusements in the city. One of Troy's well known historical writers gives the following sketch of the development of this feature of life up to the construction of the two leading theatres of the city: The first dramatic exhibition given in Troy was that of the "Muse in Good Humor," at Ashley's Inn, on Monday evening, May 20th, 1793, by "Mr. Moore," who had as a member of a theatrical company played in Albany, in December, 1785. The tickets for the admission of adults were sold at two shillings and sixpence, and those admitting children at one shilling and sixpence. The evening's entertainment began at half-past seven o'clock precisely. An African lion, "ten years old, three feet four inches high," and "eight feet from his nostrils to the end of his tail," was exhibited for a number of days, in October, 1800, at Ashley's Tavern. Grown persons were charged two shillings, and children one shilling for the gratification of seeing "the King of Beasts." In August, 1803, "a new and elegant collection of wax figures" was placed on exhibition in "Platt Titus' Long Room," by "Messrs. Bishop & Dawson." - In October, 1805, "a live elephant," on exhibition at Moulton's Coffee House," was seen for twenty-five cents by the curious inhabitants of the village. In December, 1822, "a novel exhibition of natural curiosities" was "viewed at Mr. Babcock's hotel," on River street. The advertised attractions of the show embraced a dwarf cow from Spain, two feet nine inches higk, "allowed by butchers of New York to be a complete model of beauty in the animal creation;" a living coeater, an animal of the ape family, having a "great use of his tail ;" and a learned bear which could "read, spell, subtract, multiply and divide," and "make out any number with figures." The ears of the people visiting this aggregation of wonders were to be charmed with "music on King David's cymbal;" an instrument as advertised, "of the kinds used so much by the ancients, and calculated to excite anitnation, it being plaintive, lively and melodious." Also by "music on the Leaf," accompanied by the violin and organ. The sounds produced by the "Leaf," they were further informed, were "admired by the lovers of music, and considered a great curiosity." In April, 1823, Mr. Keene was heard as a vocalist in a concert at Babcock's City Hotel, who played accompaniments on the piano-forte. A card of admission could "be had at the bar" for one dollar. In May, 1827, Mr., Mrs., and Miss Russell were seen in a theatrical entertainment at Mr. Churchill's store-room, on the corner of Fifth and Ferry streets. The pieces were "selected from moral authors." The front seats were reserved for ladies. The opening of the Troy Theatre, in the Assembly Room of the Rensselaer House, on Tuesday evening, September 9th, 1828, by "Mr. Parker," with his "theatrical corps," was a local event of considerable interest to those who could "conscientiously enjoy" a play when public sentiment was so adverse to dramatical exhibitions. "Douglass, or the Noble Shepard," and a farce, "Raising the Wind," were performed the first night. "The Young Widow," "Family Jars," "Fortune's Frolic," "Venice Preserved," "The Village Lawyer," and "Miss in her Teens," were billed for Friday, Saturday, Tuesday, and Friday nights of that and the following week. The Assembly Room, having been fitted for a summer theatre, with boxes for ladies, "The Mountaineers" was played there by a traveling company on Tuesday night, July 21st 1829; Joseph Jefferson, the grandfather of Joseph Jefferson, the distinguished actor, making his first appearance as "Sadi," and Mrs. Joseph Jefferson, his daughter-in-law (Miss Burke, before marriage), "celebrated no less as an actress than a songstress," taking the part of "Agnes." On the following evening, July 22d, "Mons. & Mad. Canderbeeck, from Brussels, the capital of Belgia," attracted an audience to a vocal and instrumental concert, at the courthouse in State street. In 1829-the hall on the second floor of the North market was opened as the Troy theatre February 22, 1847, the hall on the second floor of Fulton market was also opened as a theatre, and about the same time the hall on the second floor of Washington market was fitted up for similar purposes. For several years theatrical entertainments were held in the hall in the Cannon Place building. August 23, 1847, Peale's Troy museum, on the northeast corner of River and Fulton streets, was opened. In 1855 the Troy Adeiphi, having a seating capacity of 1,400, was erected on the site of the Griswold opera house, on the east side of Third Street between Fulton and Albany [State], by the Troy Dramatic Building association. 'On the night of October 2 of the same year it was opened to the public. The building was destroyed by fire early in the morning of October 10, 1862, and Griswold hall, named in honor of Hon. John A. Griswold, was erected the next year on its site. Griswold hall was opened January 11, 1864, but this building too was burned April 1, 1871. - Soon after the construction of the Griswold opera house was begun on the site of the two burned buildings, the formal opening occurring' October 30, 1871. The play that evening was "Lady of Lyons," the role of "Pauline" being taken by Mrs. Emma Wailer, the lessee. Soon after the opening of the Griswold opera house, Rand's hall, located on the northwest corner of Congress and Third streets, was enlarged for use as a theatre and opera house. For years it had been used as a lecture room and hall for general purposes. After the changes in it had been made it was formally opened November 11, 1872, with readings by Mrs. Scott Siddons, under the name of Rand's opera house. Other changes made in 1888 made the theatre practically what it has since remained. The structure known as the Congress street bridge, crossing the Hudson river between the foot of Congress street. Troy, and West Troy, was completed and opened to traffic October 2, 1874. It was erected at a cost of $350,000 by the Troy & West Troy Bridge company, organized April 23, 1872, the work having been begun in the fall of that year. - April 15, 1874, the Episcopal church home, on the northeast corner of Broadway and Seventh street, which had been erected the previous year at a cost of about $30,000, was dedicated. Six years after the chapel north of the home was erected by the children of Mrs. Jacob L. Lane to her memory. The home was founded November 13, 1854, by the brotherhood of St. Barnabas, its first name being the House of Mercy and its location No. 5 Harrison place. Four years later it was removed to Federal street, between Sixth and Eighth streets. It was destroyed in the great fire of 1862, but was immediately rebuilt. April 17, 1863, it was incorporated under the name which it has since borne, "The Church Home of the City of Troy." Two notable events occurred in the year 1875- the completion of the splendid Troy Savings bank building, which includes Music hall, one of the finest concert auditoriums in the country; and the laying of the corner-stone of the handsome city hall, which was erected principally through the efforts of Edward Murphy, jr., then mayor of Troy, afterward United States Senator. These two structures are among the handsomest and most substantial in the city. The foundation of the massive and imposing building of the Troy Savings bank was begun July 8, 1871, on the northeast corner of State and Second streets. The erection of the building occupied nearly four years, and its entire cost, including the land on which it stands, was about $435,000. The building was first occupied by the bank March 24, 1875, and the dedication of Music hall, which occupies its entire upper portion, occurred on the evening of Monday, April 19, of that year, when Theodore Thomas's famous orchestra, assisted by noted vocalists, gave a concert. The structure has a frontage of one hundred feet on Second street, and extends one hundred and thirty feet eastward on State street. Music hall is one hundred and six feet deep and sixty-nIne feet wide, exclusive of the boxes, twenty-four in number, and the corridors, twelve feet in width; and has a maximum height of sixty feet. The hall has a seating capacity of 1,250 persons. In 1890 the great concert organ, one of the finest and most powerful in the country, forty-two feet wide and thirty feet high, was placed in position. The first effort to secure a city hall was made May 7, 1869, when the Legislature passed an act incorporating "The City Hall Company of the City of Troy." This law authorized the incorporators to purchase a site and erect thereon a public building to be used as a city hall and for other purposes. The original intention of the promotors of the project was that the Troy Savings bank should occupy part of the building, which by the new law was permitted to contribute a portion of its surplus funds to provide quarters for itself in the building in contemplation, and to own the building jointly with the City Hall company; but when the bank decided to erect a home of its own the plans of the company were abandoned. For five years after this the plans for a city hall languished. Finally, in 1875, Mayor Edward Murphy, jr., called the attention of the Common Council to the necessity of the erection of a building for the exclusive use of the officers of the various departments of the municipal government, and urged upon them the foolishness of temporizing by purchasing the old Athenaeum building for the purpose. Despite his opposition, however, the Common Council, on April 1, directed a committee to purchase the Athenaeum building, which the city officers had occupied for several years, at a cost of $60,000. Mayor Murphy promptly vetoed the resolution and set to work to promote his cherished plan for a new and appropriate home for the city. So well did he and other progressive citizens succeed that the Legislature, on May 21, 1875, passed an act authorizing the city to purchase a site and erect a city hall at a cost not to exceed the sum of $120,000. June 8 a committee of the Common Council selected the site on the southeast corner of State and Third streets, then owned by the heirs to the Vanderheyden estate and occupied as the Third Street Burial-ground, and paid therefore $10,000. The work of removing the bodies was begun soon after and November 15, 1875, the plans of Architect M. F. Cummings having been accepted, the corner stone was laid by George M. Tibbits. The building was occupied for the first time in October, 1876, its total cost having been $119,761.61, a little less than the total amount allowed by law. The clock in the tower was purchased in 1885 and began running August 21 of that year; and the fire alarm bell, which was cast at the Jones bell foundry, was put in position April 21, 1887. The building is one hundred and fifty feet long and eighty-three feet wide. A new era in navigation on the Hudson river was inaugurated in. 1876 when, on April 1, the handsome and fast steamer City of Troy was launched at Greenpoint, L. I., for the Citizens' Steamboat company of Troy. This company was organized in the winter of 1871-72 with a capital stock of $250,000 and these directors: Norman B. Squires, Charles Eddy, Charles W. Farnam, Robert Robinson, Robert Green, Harry H. Darling, Charles L. MacArthur, E. D. Beach, James R. Fonda, William Kemp, Thomas D. Abrams, George W. Horton and Joseph Cornell. The next spring the steamboats Sunnyside and Thomas Powell, which had been purchased of Cornell, Horton & Co. of Catskill, began making regular trips at night. The former boat was lost December 1, 1875, and the company at once contracted for the construction of a new steamer, which they named City of Troy. Soon afterward a contract for her sister boat was made, and she was launched from the same shipyard March 26, 1877, and named Saratoga. Both beats have been running regularly between Troy and New York ever since, in the season of navigation, making alternate trips in each direction. With the acceptance by the city of Beman park October 1, 1878, a sightly lot of ground given by John Sherry, a wealthy and publicspirited citizen, the park area of Troy.was greatly enhanced. Beman park contains about six acres of land and occupies a splendid location on the summit of a hill in the eastern part of the city, its southern and eastern boundaries being, in 1896, farm lands. From time to time improvements have been made and the park, with possible additions, is destined to remain, as it now is, the most popular and in many ways the most desirable in Troy. The two other parks are Seminary park and Washington park. The former is little more than a good-sized lawn and the latter cannot be called public property. Seminary park occupies the northern half of the block bounded by First, Ferry, Second and Congress streets, north of the First Presbyterian church and the buildings of the Emma Willard Female Seminary. It was established in 1802, when the trustees of the village of Troy appropriated $300, which was expended in grading the grounds, planting trees, laying walks, fencing in the grounds, etc. Washington park since 1840 has been "devoted to the purpose of a private, ornamental park for the use and recreation of the owners of lots" fronting on it. It is bounded by Second street, Washington place, Third street and Washington street and since its establishment has been maintained, within an iron fence and locked gates, for the exclusive use of residents of those portions of the streets fronting on it. - The facilities of the Day home for children, on the east side of Seventh- street between Congress and State streets, were greatly improved in 1879 when E. Thompson Gale erected the Day home chapel and school building on the north side of the lot, as a memorial to his son, Alfred De Forest Gale. The institution was established in the fall of 1858 by a number of women as an industrial school for poor children, its first home being the rooms of the Ladies' Home Missionary society on Seventh street. It was incorporated as the Children's Home society April 10, 1861, and May 1 of that year the Tibbits mansion, on the present site, was purchased for $7,000, its dedication taking place June 27. The name was changed to its present one March 5, 1866. Between eighty and one hundred children there receive free daily instruction in the elementary studies and in domestic handiwork. The Grand Central theatre, on the west side of Fourth Street just below Broadway, was opened June 7, 1875; was burned December 24, 1881; reconstructed the following year, and was again burned March 21, 1887. - The original theatre was formerly the First Unitarian church edifice. The Troy club was incorporated November 27, 1867. December 14 of that year the club rented the house on the northwest corner of Congress and Second streets and occupied it in the following January. In 1887 and 1888 the club erected a handsome home of its own on the southwest corner of First and Congress streets and occupied it for the first time November 29 of the latter year. In 1889 the Troy & Lansingburgh Railway company began the work of equipping its various lines with electricity. The work was so far progressed in August that at 11 P. M. on the 28th of that month the first electric motor car started on a trial trip. Since that time every line in the city and Lansingburgh, and those running to Waterford, Cohoes and Glen Island have been similarly equipped, the company furnishing a service equal to that of any other city in the country. In 1896 a transfer ticket system was adopted, by which patrons of any of the lines controlled by the company may be transferred from one line to another and ride to or very near any point in the city for a single fare. As has been related, the name of Vanderheyden, by which the settlement which afterward became the city of Troy was first known, was abandoned and the name of Troy formally substituted by proclamation in the Albany Gazette beginning January 5, 1789. As the centennial anniversary of the event approached it was decided by prominent residents of the city to celcbrate it "in a manner worthy of its importance and creditable to the citizens." The first meeting of citizens was held in the rooms of the Troy Young Men's association December 11, 1888. December 14 another meeting was held, at which C. E. Dudley Tibbits was elected president, Walter P. Warren. William E. Hagan and Lewis E. Gurley vice.presidents, William H. Young, Francis N. Mann and Edward F. Murray secretaries, and Joseph J. Tillinghast treasurer. The committee to arrange for the celebration, named at that meeting, was constituted as follows: C. E. Dudley Tibbits, Derick Lane, Walter P. Warren, Lewis E. Gurley, Edward C. Gale, William E. Hagan, William H. Young, Jonas S. Heartt, Walter P. Tillman, James A. Burden, Charles B. Russell, George B. Warren, Thomas W. Lockwood, John I. Thompson, Henry B. Dauchy, Samuel M. Vail, Dr. Henry R. Lane, Benjamin H. Hall, William Kemp, William A. Thompson, E. Warren Paine, J. Wool Griswold, Francis N. Mann, Joseph Hillman Edward Murphy, jr., William E. Gilbert, Isaac McConihe, William H. Doughty, Adam R. Smith, William S. Earl, James A. Eddy, Edward M. Green, Gilbert Geer, jr., James F. Cowee, Peter Baltimore, Foster Bosworth, Charles S. Brintnall, Gardner Rand, Henry Swartout, John H. Knox, Willard Gay, Charles W. Tillinghast, William Orr, Joseph W. Fuller, Martin I. Townsend, Rev. Dr. J. Ireland Tucker, Rev. Dr. George C. Baldwin, Rev. Peter Havermans, John M. Francis, Daniel Robinson, John D. Spicer, George B. Cluett, Thomas Coleman, J. J. Gillespy, George H. Cramer, George H. Freeman, Henry C. Lockwood, Col. Charles L. MacArthur, Norman B. Squires, Otis G. Clark, Harvey J. King, James H. Kellogg, Henry O'R. Tucker, Dennis J. Whelan, Edward Bolton, David Bastable, James W. Daley, Francis A. Pales, Samuel H. Lasell, Chauncey D. Packard, George A. Stone, Robert Cluett, Justin Kellogg, Arthur J. Weise, M. F. Cummings. General Joseph B. Carr, Charles Cleminshaw, Michael F. Collins, Jesse B. Anthony, George H. Mead, Henry G. Ludlow, John J. Purcell, George P. Ide, W. J. Tyner, William L. Van Aistyne, John P. Pratt, Edmund Fitzgerald, Charles A. McLeod, David M. Ranken, Clinton H. Meneely, Edward F. Murray, James W. Cusack, Henry B. Nims, Gilbert Robertson, jr., Emanuel Marks, Henry Kreiss, Dexter Moody, William W. Whitman, Edward Carter and William H. Frear. The celebration began on the evening of Wednesday, January 2, 1889, when a concert was given in Music hall under the direction of John H. Knox, Edmund Cluett, Justin Kellogg, William H. Hollister, jr., J. E. Schoonmaker and A. W. Harrington, jr. Those who participated were Mrs. William B. Wilson, soprano; Miss Jeannie Lyman, contralto; the Troy Vocal society, the Troy Choral union, the Troy Männerchor, Doring's military band and Maschke's cadet band. A feature of the concert was the singing of the Centennial hymn, written especially for the occasion by Benjamin H. Hall, by the three vocal societies. Thursday was known as "Historical Day." In the afternoon a largely attended meeting was held in Music hall under the direction of Norman B. Squires, J. W. Alfred Cluett, Henry B. Dauchy, M. F. Cummings, Edward Carter and Henry Clay Bascom. Edwin A. King, a lineal descendant of Jacob D. Van der Heyden, read a paper on "The Patroon of Troy;" Benjamin H. Hall read an original poem on "The Naming and Progress of Troy;" J. W. Alfred Cluett read an address on "The Future City Improvements of Troy;" Lewis E. Gurley read a paper on "The Manufactures of Troy;" Walter P. Warren on "The Mercantile Interests of Troy," and William E. Hagan read a poetical version of an ancient tradition of Troy, entitled "Dirk Van der Heyden's Dream." Thursday night was known as "Church Night," at which nearly all the pastors of Troy were present. The programme for the evening contained the subjects of the addresses to be delivered as follows: "Introductory Address," Rev. N. B. Remick of the Ninth Presbyterian church; "Presbyterian Churches of Troy," Rev. Theophiius P. Sawin of the First Presbyterian church; "Troy Pastorates," Rev. Dr. George C. Baldwin, former pastor of the First Particular Baptist church; "Baptist Churches of Troy," Rev. Dr. L. M. S. Haynes of the First Part.icular Baptist church; "Past and Present," Rev. Dr. J. Ireland Tucker of the Church of the Holy Cross; "Episcopal Churches of Troy," Rev. Edgar A. Enos of St. Paul's Episcopal church; "Methodist Churches of Troy," Rev. Dr. George W. Brown of the State Street Methodist Episcopal church; "Recollections,' Rev. Peter Havermans of St. Mary's Roman Catholic church; "Roman Catholic Churches of Troy," Rev. John Walsh of St. Peter's Roman Catholic church; "Universalist Church of Troy," Rev. Dr. O. F. Safford of the First Universalist church; "A. M. E. Zion Church," Rev. George E. Smith of the Zion Methodist Episcopal church; "United Presbyterian Church of Troy," Rev. R. D. Williamson of the United Presbyterian church; "Liberty Street Presbyterian Church," Rev. A. S. Mays of the Liberty Street Presbyterian church; "Unitarian Church of Troy," Francis O. Dorr; "Jewish Synagogues of Troy," Rev. A. N. Coleman of Berith Sholorn synagogue; "Churches of Christ in Troy," Rev. W. W. Witmer of the First Church of Christ; "Lutheran Church in Troy," Rev. A. F. Walz of Trinity German Lutheran church; "Evangelical Church of Troy," Rev. Otto Becher of St. Paul's German Evangelical church. On account of the lateness of the hour the addresses of Revs. George E. Smith, A. S. Mays, A. N. Coleman, W. W. Witmer, A. F. Walz and Otto Becher were omitted: While the meeting in Music hall was in progress the German citizens of Troy were celebrating the event at Apollo hall by singing, historical tableaux and an address by Werner S trecker. Friday afternoon the public school festival occurred under the direction of Lewis E. Gurley, Harvey J. King, Francis N. Mann, David Beattie and Albert Smith. Several national hyms were sung by a chorus of 500 pupils of the public schools and prizes of $20 each were awarded the writers of the best essay and the best poem on the history, progress and promise of Troy, the contest being limited to pupils of the public schools. The prize for the best essay was awarded to Charles S. McSorley and for the best poem to Warren S. Gardner. Addresses were delivered by David Beattie, superintendent of schools, on "The Public Schools;" by Albert Smith on "The Future of our Public Schools," and by Benjamin H. Hall on "Emma Willard and Amos Eaton." Friday night was "Lawyers' Night." The public meeting in Music hall was presided over by Supreme Court Justice Charles R. Ingalls, assisted by Judge Gilbert Robertson, jr., Charles E Patterson, Justin Kellogg and George B. Wellington. After the introductory address by Judge Ingalls, interesting papers were read as follows: By the Hon. Edgar L. Fursman on "A Plea for My Own Profession;" by the Hon. Franklin J. Parmenter on "The Life and Character of the Hon. George Gould;" by the Hon. Martin I. Townsend on "The Life and Character of the Hon. David L. Seymour;" by the Hon. Roswell A. Parmenter on "The Life and Character of the Hon. William A. Beach;" by Benjamin H. Hall on "The Life of the Hon. John Paine Cushman," "The Life of David Buel, jr.," and "The Life and Character of the Hon. William Learned Marc5y." The closing features of the centennial celebration began at midnight Friday by the discharge of fireworks in profusion, the ringing of many bells, the sounding of whistles, numerous bonfires and one hundred strokes on the fire alarm bell in the city hall. At sunrise the next morning a salute of one hundred guns was fired on Centre island by a squad of artillerymen from Watervliet arsenal. The festivities in the city continued throughout the entire day and late into the night. The town was in gala attire, the national colors and other decorations being exposed everywhere. Thousands of strangers flocked to the city from all directions. The committee in charge of the day's festivities was composed of General Joseph B. Carr, Walter P. Warren, William E. Gilbert, James W. Cusack, William S. Earl, William E. Hagan, George H. Mead, Edward F. Murray and C. Whitney Tillinghast, 2nd. The parade began at 11 o'clock under General Carr as grand marshal, the six divisions being in charge respectively of Colonel Walter P. Warren, J. Lansing Lane, Cornelius F. Burns, George H. Mead, Colonel William H. Munn and Albert Tompkins. Among the prominent men who rode in the parade was Governor David B. Hill. In the evening there was another big parade under the direction of Captain James H. Lloyd, grand marshal. Nearly every residence and business house in. the city was illuminated and at the close of the parade there were extensive displays' of fireworks. This ended the celebration, which was in every particular a success. As a memento of this memorable occasion in the history of Troy a bronze medal was struck, on one side being a representation of the village-at the time the name was changed from Vanderheyden to Troy, and on the other the seal of the city of Troy in 1889. The 100th anniversary of the inauguration of President Washington was celebrated by the citizens of Troy in a becoming manner April 30, 1889. Services were held in many of the churches. At the First Baptist church a historical address was delivered by Justice Charles R. Ingalls of the Supreme Court. Public buildings and many residences and business houses were decorated with the national colors, typifying the spirit of the day. The Gardner Earl Memorial chapel and crematory was erected in 1888, beginning April 12, by William S. and Hannah M. Earl, in memory of their son, Gardner Earl. The structure was completed in November, 1889. The first cremations in the Earl crematory took place Monday, January 6, 1890, when the bodies of Jonas S. Heartt and Hamlin Black, the four year-old son of Hon. Frank S. Black, were incinerated. The operation was in charge of an expert and was entirely successful. Three lives were lost early on the morning of Saturday, March 15, 1890, by a great landslide down Warren's hill, a part of Mount Ida, where such disasters had ,occurred on several previous occasions. The killed were Mrs. Margaret Noonan; Mrs. Timothy Hogan, her daughter; and Annie Burns, aged eleven years. Several other persons were injured. Sunday night, September 21, 1890, fire destroyed the handsome residence of George N. Manchester and E. Smith Strait, known as Sycaway Villa, located on the Stone Road just east of the western limits of the town. Ralph Manchester, aged 11 years, son of George N. Manchester, became dazed by the flames and was burned to death, and his father was badly hurt. Several other occupants narrowly escaped with their lives. The old Schuyler mansion, situated on the bank of the Hudson river near the foot of Harrison street, with the farm was purchased of Philip S. Schuyler about 1809 by the Hoyl Farm company, which held it until 1835, when Francis N. Mann purchased it at a mortgage foreclosure sale. It remained in the possession of Mr. Mann until 1861, when it was sold to William Burden. It remained in the possession of the Burden family until 1891, when it was torn down. The famous Columbian Liberty bell, which was on exhibition at the world's fair at Chicago in 1893, and is now in the custody of the city of Philadelphia, was cast at the bell foundry of the Meneely Bell company, Thursday, June 23, 1893. The bell weighs about 13,000 pounds, and into it was infused 17,000 pounds of material, consisting of 12,000 pounds of copper, 3,000 pounds of tin, 1,000 pounds of bell material, 200 pounds of pennies, a quantity of gold and silver, and a piece of the famous liberty bell of Philadelphia, contributions having been received from many persons in all parts of the country. The material which was not used in the bell was made up into miniature bells. Two disastrous fires occurred in Troy December 14 and 15, 1893. About 8.45 P. M. on the first-named day flames were discovered in the mammoth general store of William H. Frear, on Cannon place, known as Frear's Bazaar. The entire fire department was called into service and fought valiantly, but as the flames had originated in an upper story it was hard to get water to the spot. To increase the difficulties which confronted the firemen zero weather prevailed, and the water broke into a fine spray and froze before it reached the fire. The flames were confined mainly to the two upper stories of the building, but most of the stock on the lower floors was more or less damaged by smoke and water. Mr. Frear's loss was not far from $100,000, which was covered by insurance. Other smaller concerns occupying part of the building suffered losses aggregating about $25,000. On the afternoon of the day following fire started in the fourth story of the big store of J. M. Warren & Co. on the southwest corner of Broadway and River street and before it could be controlled a loss of nearly $100,000 had been caused, most of which was covered by insurance. During the latter months of the year 1893 the inhabitants of Troy, especially the large wage-earning class dependent upon the score or more of shirt, collar and cuff manufactories for a subsistence, raised their voice in protest against the passage by Congress of any tariff bill which should appreciably decrease the import duties on the products for which Troy is famous the world over. This opposition increased upon the introduction of the measure prepared by Representative William L. Wilson of Virginia, called the Wilson Tariff Bill. During the early days of the session of 1893-4 hundreds of citizens besought United States Senator Edward Murphy, jr., of Troy, and Representative Charles D. Haines of Kinderhook, by letter and interview,, to oppose the passage of the bill on the grounds that it would greatly injure, if not ruin, the collar and cuff industry of Troy. On the evening of Tuesday, December 19, 1893, one of the greatest mass meetings in the history of the city 'was held in Music hall to protest against the enactment of the proposed law. Mayor Dennis J. Whelan presided over the great gathering and many representative men occupied seats on the stage. Speeches denunciatory of the proposed law were made by Corporation Council William J. Roche, Rev. Theophilus P. Sawin, pastor of the First Presbyterian church; Jeremiah K. Long, a lawyer; Hon. Lewis E. Griffith, county judge; James P. Hooley, ex-member of assembly from the first district of Rensselaer county, and Rev. John Walsh, pastor of St. Peter's Catholic church. A memorial presented by John Flynn and addressed to Congress, asking that body to retain the protective duties on collars and cuffs, was adopted by a unanimous vote at the close of the meeting. In addition to this meeting a petition to the same end was circulated, receiving the signatures of many thousand persons of both sexes and all political parties. As a result of the meeting and petition and the combined efforts of Senator Murphy and Representative Haines, Congress left a protective duty on collars and cuffs. The necessity for a government building in Troy for the use of the post.office and other local federal officials had been apparent many years before the federal government finally decided to erect one. February 5, 1885, a bill making an appropriation of $200,000 for such a building passed the house of representatives and soon afterward became a law. In the summer of 1886 a commission appointed by the secretary of the treasury purchased for $99,000 the Gross-Hall and Griffith properties on the northeast corner of Broadway and Fourth streets. Subsequently the appropriation for the building was increased to more than half a million dollars. The structure was completed in the spring of 1894 and the post-office opened therein in May of that year. The building is fireproof throughout and its architecture is very handsome. The exterior is of 'gray stone and all the floors are of tile. Before the establishment of a post-office in Lansingburgh in 1792 residents of Troy received letters through the Albany post-office. When an office was established in Lansingburgh letters for Troy were left there and sent to the latter place by a carrier. The first postmaster appointed for Troy was Nathan Williams, in 1796. He was a law' student in the office of John Woodworth, surrogate of Rensselaer county, - where the first post-office was opened. Since the establishment of a post. office in Troy, twenty-one postmasters have held the position of postmaster: Nathan Williams, 1796 to 1797; John Woodworth, 1797 to 1800; David Buel, 1800 to 1804; Ruggles Hubbard, 1804 to 1806; Samuel Gale, 1806 to 1.829; William Pierce, 1829 to 1832; Isaac McConihe, December, 1832 to 1842; Charles H. Reed, August, 1842 to 1843; George R. Davis, August, 1843 to 1849; Thomas Clowes, 1849 to 1851; William T. Willard, 1851 to 1853; Foster Bosworth, 1853 to 1854; W. W. Whitman, 1854 to 1858; James R. Fonda, December, 1858, to October 15, 1861; George T. Blair, September, 1861, to 1862; Thomas Clowes, 1862 to April 9, 1866 (J. W. Freeman, Thomas Clowes's bondsman, on the death of the latter, performed his duties until the appoinment of his successor); Alonzo Alden, appointed June 1, 1866, to 1874; Gilbert Robertson, jr., appointed February 18, 1878; reappointed April 4, 1882-term expired March 16, 1886; Edward Dolan, appointed April 28, 1886, and entered upon his duties May 17. Francis N. Mann, jr., 1890 to 1895. Michael F. Sheary was appointed by President Cleveland June 10, 1895. The present free delivery system was inaugurated in Troy in 1864, with five carriers. The system now includes Lansingburgh and Green Island. The death of one of Troy's most distinguished citizens, Major General Joseph Bradford Carr, occurred at his home on Fifth avenue on the morning of Sunday, February 24, 1895. General Carr had been a sufferer from a cancer on the jaw for several years and had undergone several surgical operations, but the only effect was to prolong his life. The 'funeral was held on the afternoon of Wednesday, February 27, from the house at one P. M. and from St. Peter's Roman Catholic church at three P. M. The body lay in state at his residence from ten A. M. to one P. M. and during that time was viewed by thousands of persons. After the service at the house the funeral cortege proceeded to the church, headed by Doring's full military band and members of the municipal police department, Superintendent W. W. Willard in command. The local companies of the New York National Guard followed, after which came the caisson, flanked by the active pall bearers-Major Edward Murray Green, Colonel Francis N. Mann, Colonel Charles S. Francis and Colonel Arthur MacArthur, representing the Third Division Staff association; Past Commanders W. W. Rousseau and George H. Ennis of Griswold post, G. A. R., and.Arthur W. Bradley and J. J. Hagen from the Second New York Volunteer Regiment association. The caisson was covered by the American flag which was used at Fortress Monroe; and the flag preserved from the battle of Yorktown was wrapped about the remains. The honorary pall bearers, who were next in line, were General Daniel E. Sickles, ex-Governor Alonzo B. Coriiell, General Tremain, Major Richardson, General Alonzo Alden, Colonel Charles L. MacArthur, Lieutenant Governor Charles T. Saxton, Hamilton Fish, speaker of the Assembly; Congressman John A. Quackenbush, John M. Francis, Williath Kemp, Gçorge H. Starbuck, James H. Breslin of New York, Thomas C. Breslin of Waterford, Major Isaac Arnold, U. S. A., Captain Isaac' P.. Gregg, William P. Devery and William A. Smith of General Carr's Massachusetts brigade, Colonel Sidney W. Park and the following members of the Third Division Staff association: Colonels Jacob C. Cuyler, Chester Griswold, Le Roy McLean, Edgar L. Fursman, Matthew H. Burton, John A. McDonald, John Don, David M. Greene, Lee Chamberlain, Harry M. Alden, Robert C. Pruyn, George P. Lawton, Charles H. Stott and Major Albert Hoysradt. Then followed the United States Army officers, Brigadier General Robert Shaw Oliver and staff of the Third Brigade, New York National Guard; Second Regiment association, Tibbits Veteran Corps, Grand Army veterans, city officers, a committee from the State Senate and Assembly and representatives of Governor Morton. At St. Peter's church the entire service was conducted by Rev. Father John Walsh, assisted by Rev. Fathers O'Connor and Fogarty of St. Peter's church and Rev. Father McQuaid, S. J., of St. Joseph's church. The Grand Army ritual service was performed at the grave in Oakwood cemetery and was conducted by Post Griswold. Commander E. A. Fry was in charge, assisted by L. M. S. Haynes, D. D., as chaplain. The death of Rev. John Ireland Tucker, D. D., for more than half a century rector of the Church of the Holy Cross, Episcopal, occurred just befort. noon Saturday, August 17, 1895. Five days before he had been stricken with paralysis, from which he never rallied. Dr. Tucker was born in Brooklyn, November26, 1819. He euteredthe ministry in 1844, coming to Troy in that year, where he remained until his death as the beloved rector of Holy Cross church. His funeral occurred Tuesday morning, August 20, at 10:30 o'clock, from that church, and was attended by a very large number of clergymen from various parts of the country. The officiating clergymen were Rt. Rev. William Croswell Doane, Bishop of Albany; Rev. Dr. Edgar A. Enos, rector of St. Paul's Episcopal church of Troy, and Rt. Rev. Henry C. Potter, Bishop of New York. The honorary bearers were Rev. Canon Fuicher of Albany, Rev. Joseph Carey of Saratoga, Rev. James Caird, Rev. G. A. Holbrook, Rev. R. B. Fairbairn, General Selden B. Marvin of Albany, William Kemp, C. W. Tillinghast and John I. Thompson. The active bearers were Wil1iam H. Young, Thomas Coiwell, Elias G. Dorlan, A. G. Goldthwaite, Dr. J. D. Lomax, F. W. Crawford, Swift Martin and E. J. Cridge. At the grave the service was conducted by Bishop Doane, assisted by Rev. Dr. Eaton W. Maxcy. One of the mostfamous murder cases in the annals of Troy was that of Robert Ross by Bartholomew Shea. The crime was committed during a charter election March 6, 1894, at the polling place in the third district of the thirteenth ward, and was the outcome of a political quarrel. During the fight several shots were exchanged, and Robert Ross was killed and his brother William badly wounded. Bartholomew Shea and John McGough were both arrested for the crime. The inquest continued from March 14 to March 21 and resulted in holding Shea for.the crime. So great was the public feeling over the matter that mass meetings were held and public committees of safety formed. For a long time the crime was the leading topic of conversation in all circles and charges were freely made implicating high officials as being indirectly responsible for the murder. Shea was tried at an extraordinary term of the Supreme Court, presided over by Justice Pardon C. Williams of Watertown. The prosecution was conducted by Assistant District Attorney Thomas E. Fagan, assisted by George Raines of Rochester, and Shea was represented by John T. Norton of Troy and Galen R. Hitt of Albany. The trial began May 28 and continued until July 3, and at one o'clock on. the morning of July 4 the jury brought in a verdict of murder in the first degree. Shea was sentenced July 10 to be executed by electricity in Clinton State prison during the week beginning August 21, 1894, after which every possible legal effort was made to save him. The case was taken to the Court of Appeals, which affirmed the decision of the lower court, and November 11 Shea was brought to Troy and again sentenced by Justice Edwards to die during Christmas week. December 20 a respite was ordered by Governor Morton until January 7, 1896, and January 6 be was again respited until February 4, 1896. The second respite was caused by the confession of John McGough that he shot Ross, following which Shea's attorneys applied to Judge Mayham for an order to show cause why a new trial should not be granted. After a two days' argument on the motion it was denied and the sentence of death was executed February 11, 1896. Before the excitement caused by the execution of Bartholomew Shea had begun to subside a colossal calamity visited Troy in the burning of the big Burdett building on the northwest corner of River Street and Broadway. Fire caught in the fifth floor of the building on the afternoon of February 17, 1896, and so rapidly did the flames spread that escape by way of the stairs was impossible. The upper floors were occupied by two collar manufacturing firms, and nearly all the employés were women and girls. Nearly all these reached the street in safety by way of the fire escapes, assisted by the firemen, but several jumped to the street. Mrs. Patrick Carroll, Mrs. Robert Kane and Mrs. Ann Foley were killed by jumping, and Millie Brock was burned to death. John J. Farrell, a member of the Arba Read steamer company, distinguished himself by saving fully a score of lives, and subsequently he was made a fire commissioner, at the time of his appointment being the youngest man in New York State to hold such an office. The total money loss by the fire was about $185,000, and was practically covered by insurance. The building was owned by Mrs. George C. Burdett. The building of the Truesdell estate, adjoining the Burdett building on the south, was also burned, and several occupants of the McCarthy building on the north suffered more or less damage by smoke and water. The fire was one of the fiercest that the firemen of Troy were ever called upon to fight. During its progress the thermometer stood at zero, and most of the water froze before it reached the upper stories, forming a mass of ice from twelve to fifteen feet high on the street and sidewalk. On the morning of May 26, 1896, the steamboat City of Troy, of the Citizens' line' of steamers, arrived at her destination in Troy at 3:15 o'clock, having made the trip from New York in nine hours and eight minutes, the fastest time ever made by a boat of this line. The usual running time of the steamboats City of Troy and Saratoga had been about eleven hours.