The Brooklyn Daily Eagle from Brooklyn, New York • Page 37

GLASS BLOWING A BROOKLYN ART IN THE 1280s SECTION OF THE BROOKLYN EAGLE TpriVm SUNDAY, JUNE 22, 1941 1 Jj1JJ Taxes on House and Lot $3.43 a Year-Back in 185C in a fix 255., I 3 i fr nl I ti 1 i 1 -m Jawbw emmMw umiiii ftiiiiiirni i i Willi i i "i.iwi mi i i ii nnn mi in i DOUGLAS PHONOGRAPH BASEBALL TEAM of 1908-1909 Left to right, top row, Joe Hurst; Fred Kiendl (now president of East New York Civic Association), Fred Wojidkow, Frank Madden and Joe Schnessler. Second row, W. Note-boom, Tommy Smith, Fred Holman (who managed and ployed with Bushwicks), Manager Charles Kelley, Jack Daley, Fred Kraus (now in legal department of East New York Savings Bank), end Arthur Linyander. Bottom row, George Llspenard (the old Howard pitcher), the mascot (son of the manager of the Douglas Phonograph Co.) and Al Bormann. Java Greenpoint, Plot Cost but $50, Records of Ship Carpenter Show Editor, Old Timers: My grandfather, David A.

Kings-land, built nis first home on a lot at 186 Java In 1844. He paid $50 for the ground. Four years later he acquired title to the ad-Joining lot at 184 Java paying $150 for it, and planted fruit trees thereon. I came upon this Information while going through some old papers I had stored away, Most interesting of all were the tax bills, which showed that $3.43 was paid in taxes to the Town of Bushwick for the year 1850. For the year 1855 (when Oreenpoint was annexed Jojhe City of Brooklyn) the taxes amounted to $12.75.

In those days it was "possible to buy lots on upper 5th Ave. for about the same figure, butthe ground was covered with Immense rocks and held no attraction for the land developers of that day. The trade of a ship carpenter was the one plied by my grandfather. He worked in shipyards located In Greenpoint and Manhattan. His trips to New York were made in a rowboat and, when he was working in Manhattan, the windier the day the broader his smile, for then his crossing was hastened without physical effort by means of a small sail.

He, too, heard the call of adventure and riches, for in '49 he Joined the "Gold Rush" and traveled to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama. Henry Dixon and my grandfather formed a partnership in 1853 and started a house and ship Joining business at 188 Washington St. (now called West St.) in Greenpoint. Part of their original shop still stands at the rear of the present building on that site. When grandfather passed away In 1854 he was survived by six children; my father being 9 years of age at the time.

Many times did I hear my father tell of the "nearest" water pump, at Manhattan Ave. and Huron St. My father owned the schooner Hydrangea, which carried from New England the stone used in the construction of the Williamsburgh Savings Bank Didn't Have Much Money Then but We Had Lot of Fun We Haven't Got Much Money Now, Says This Old Timer, But Priceless Treasures Are His Golden Memories Submitted by Alexander P. Klnpsiand. HRO E.

37th 9t. IN THE GOOD OLD DAYS This house, at 1S4-186 Java was built in 1844 by David Kingsland on a lot that cost $50. His widow, Mrs. Janet Kingsland, and Mrs. Lud-der (standing), a neighbor, are pictured on the front stoop back in 1 890.

Taxes on the property in 1 S50 were $3.43 and were paid to the Town of Bushwick. Taxes for year 1855, when Greenpoint was annexed to the City of Brooklyn, amounted to $12,75. 'Carrying Boy' In Williamsburg Plant Oeicribei Procen Editor, Old I would like to hear from any person that was employed with the Brookfield Glass Works, during the years 1880 to 1883. It was located on the south side of Grand between Morgan Ave. and Waterbury Williamsburg.

Mv father and I came to Brook- lvn in the vear 1880. On Aug. 3 1882, my father purchased the premises at 179 Jackson wnere we resided for a number of years. At the age of 14 I secured employment as an apprentice with the Brookfield Glass Works, In the capacity of a "carrying boy" at $3 per week. This company made large carboys, demijohns, beer and soda water bottles and smaller medicine bottles.

In those days, in the factory, they had large circular soft coal furnaces and shops all around the furnace. Each shop was composed of two glass blowers, and a gatherer and carrying boy. There was also an oven boy, who would serve three or four of the shops with the exception of the making of carboys and demijohns, there would be one oven for each. The names of some of the glass blowers were Kirk Watson and Mc-Bride; the oven boy was George Ganglof. Our foreman was Bebee, and his son was a carrying boy.

I cannot remember the names of other employees. Blowing Bottles The procedure In making glass bottles in those days was for the gatherer to first gather a certain amount of the melted glass from the large pots in the furnace on a bloiv pipe, which was given to the glass blower, who would then marver it on a slab to give It form. It was then put Into an open bottle mould which was in a pit below the floor level, he then would close same with his foot and then blow into the blow pipe. The bottle then would be formed, still hanging on to the end of the pipe. It was placed Into a circular receptacle, which was then separated from the pipe.

He would take some of the melted glass and form a ring around the neck of the bottle, then use a certain tool to finish same. It was then placed in a pan and rolled several seconds to cool off. The carrying boy would pick It up with a wooden ladle and carry it in to the oven, which was heated with wood. The oven boy would then pick it up with a large Iron fork and place the bottles in tiers, In said oven. After the day's work, the oven was filled up and closed for the night to cool off.

The next day the bottles would be taken to the store house for shipment. Our working hours were from 7 a.m. to 4 m. with Va hour for lunch. All glass blowers were paid by piece work; all other employe were paid weekly.

I continued at this work for about 2'i years, after which time I went into the dairy business, which was more to my advantage. CHARLES UHLINGER. 489 Graham Ave. Glory of Bay Ridge Editor, Old Timers: I drove past the corner of 48th St. and 4th Ave.

the other day and was struck by the desolate air of that spot. There was the old Home Talk building in full glory, but as quiet as a mouse and almost as useless as last Summer's ice. It made me think of a time when Bay Ridge was a really great place. I remember when the building In which Home Talk was located was merely a D. S.

C. stable and how Major Haines, Harry Peck, A. H. Messing, Edgerley Scmlch, Frank Paterno and Claude Porter made it over into a real Journalistic palace. I understand the old stable was purchased at a low price, but what a beautiful building these folks made of it.

BAY RIDOEITE. sack and Passaic rivers In what la now Kingsland, N. J. Kingsland in Greenpoint, was a part of property once owned by Ambrose C. Kingsland, mayor of New York from 1851 to 1853, who was one of my grandfather's cousins.

ALEXANDER F. KINGSLAND. 1380 E. 37th St. mm I remember the good old gun factory lot where they would place all the white hats In the lot to dry.

Many a hat got "swiped" when nobody was looking. Nearly all the boys of the neighborhood worked for Wichert it Gardiner's shoe factory. This factory was locally known as "The Navy Yard." How about the ball games every Sunday morning, when the gang would play for a 60-cent Kiffe and a dime-a-man. The umpire (Chaun-cey Manning) used to hold the money because of his honest face. I SHOOK HANDS WITH BLAINE, building, at 175 Broadway, Brooklyn.

He later became an engineer in the Brooklyn Fire Department. I am a direct descendant of Gus-tavus Kingsland, who bought 3.400 acres of land In New Barbadoes, Bergen County, N. from his brother on Dec. 30, 1697. This property was between the Hacken- the twin boys, Ed and Fred (I have forgotten their last name) had a drug store on Wythe Ave.

between Morton and Clymer? I went to Mrs. Taylor's dancing school In Knickerbocker Hall on Clymer St. Saidee Harding was her star pupil. Later the school was moved to Amphion Theater Hall. I remember the Amphion Theater's opening night, attending with mv mother, brother and uncle, Charles M.

Newins of Floyd and Newins Sts. We were guests of Peter Wyckoff. Then there was Slocum's candy shop on 4th and Reidmuller's bakery on 5th. Across Broadway was the old Wall House where Luke O'Reilly, the lawyer, and Jack Auliffe, the gentleman prizefighter, used to sit around. And I remember Dr.

White's church. "Daddy" White would marry' anyone who asked him. I also attended the Misses Mc- Erasmus Students Got Holiday When Armistice Was Declared Editor, Old Timers: Twenty-four years ago our local draft board was No. 66, which met in the original Erasmus Hall High School building. The writer registered at P.

S. 89. E. 32d St. at Newklrk Ave.

and served a military clerk of the board of which Ed Frankel was chief clerk. I well remember Armistice Day, Nov. 11, 1918, when Erasmus students gathered between the new and old buildings and demanded of 'ZLa '3 After the game the winners would spend all their dough In Hippy Von Glahn's "Palace of Seewts." The losers would be content to spend their pittance in McDer-mott's Sugar Bowl, opposite the "stadium." Fred Hopper used to pitch with his famous flat hat, day In and day out year in and year out. The museum now has It. We didn't have much money then but had lots of Lfun.

We haven't got much money now, neither. JAKE KLEM. 103 Schenectady Ave. want a holiday!" They got it, after my home on E. 35th near Clar Elks Old Timers To Toast Byegone Days Editor, Old Timers: Brooklyn Elks Old TimeM will hold their annual outing next Saturday at Kennedy's Casino, Breezy Point, in the Rockaways.

In the afternoon there will be a baseball game and in the evening a shore dinner. Fred O. Schafer heads the committee In charge, assisted by Theodore B. Hennenlotter, Edward J. Mooney, Michael J.

Zaengle, Robert L. Smith, Emanuel Cohen, Thomas F. Culte, Abe Cohen, George A. Colgan, William Koufleld, James C. Cotter, John Feltner, Frank Cooper, Samuel Hosford, James A.

Magher, Moses L. Parshelsky, Jimmle Brown, Edward S. McGrath, Fred Schumm, John Tlmmey, Henry Hesterberg, Herman Horn, William F. Keenan, Frank G. Primrose, Joseph Dunn, Harry Barnett and Vincent Meehan.

FRED G. SCHAKER. My.Boyhood Pal Some 60 Years Ago Editor, Old Timers: I noticed the picture and storv of the Belle Harbor Yacht Club last Sunday, noting In particular the name of Charles Fash. I have never seen this name since I was a boy living In Richmond Hill, back In 1879-82. I wonder if this Is my old playmate of 60 years ago and if he is still living.

H. HALSTEAD RHODES, 4631 Cedar Ave, Philadelphia, Editor, Old Timers: Who remembers the "first" flat house In Eastern District at 13 5th opposite Dicks? Other well known places were MuUer's on S. 9th between 4th ana oin Eheiler's grocery at 4th and 9th, John Stover's department store, 4th and 8th (it burned down one Sun-nmn in the Summer), McKeon and Todd's at Broadway and 4th, Smith and Grey's, Liptrott, the butcher, Brown's shoe store, Pete Meyer's fancy grocery store. remember Grace Church and Dr. Darlington.

Dr. Fisk (one son was Rooney), Moses May ana ur. Hurd and Dr. Terhune Congrega tional Church on Bedford and Clymer. The pastor's wife was Marion Harlan, of cookbook lame, whn remembers the night they lifted the mortgage from the church, thanks to Nicholas Wyckoff? The church bell rang half the night.

Cross' house was at Taylor and Bedford, and a little farther down '9. KnariDs. Cross always enter tained the Democratic candidates, and Knann the Republicans. I shook hands with Grover Cleveland at the Cross home and with James G. Blaine at Knapp's.

Amphion Theater Who remembers when the Clymer St. station was on Clymer St. be tween Kent and Wythe Ave. and I the principal, Dr. Gunnison, "We a prolonged demonstration.

I I also remember returning to Mother Tied Towel ToBackPorchWhen We Went Swimming Then Dad, Coming Home From Work, Would Join Ui for Dip Before Supper Editor, Old Timert: Thirty years ago Bay 20th St. between Benson Ave. and 88th St. one of the beautiful blocks In Bath Beach. Dr.

Hull's home was at the corner of Benson Ave. Fire Chief Pat Maher and his family of boys and girls lived next door In a big rambling house. A few doors farther on lived Dan Griffin, the mounted patrolman, and his five daughters. I lived next door. Vacant lots stretched back of our When the fire gong rang and the engines left the 18th Ave.

house, we kids would rush down to Chief Maher's home to find out where the fire was. If It was close we'd run to take it in. Hollweg's Ice cream parlor was on 18th Ave. between Bath and Benson Ave. I also remember Levl-on's drygoods store where my stepmother bought my patent leather Shoes we had to grease them with vaseline to prevent cracks), Koster's bakery, a big soda bottling company, Fagen's moving vans, Stern's meat market on Bay 19th and next door where my maternal grandmother, Mrs.

Blackwell. lived. Delicatessen of Sunday Evening Who recalls the line, three and four persons deep, you bucked when you went to Fisher's delicatessen Sunday evenings. Opposite was Wyckoff, the undertaker. The movie house Plaza on Bay 19th St.

gave away tons of coal, etc Remember Father Gardener from St. Flnbar's and Pastor Happ of St. John's? Some of the girls on Bay 20th St. I recall are Veronica and Genevieve Maher, Murial Young, Helen, Edith, Joste, Flossie and Mayme Griffin, the Hyatt girls, the Sommers and Murrays. This time or season reminds me when my stepmother, Annie Sickling Albers, tied a towel on the back porch pole to let my father know we were down at the beach and he should meet us there for a iwlm before supper.

He would see It from the train that ran on the tracks of the present West End trolleys. MAZIE ALBERS. My Happiest Days In Old SI. Ann's Editor, Old Timers: The old timer who wrote about old St, Anne' (my alma mater) brought tears to my eyes. Yes, I remember our beloved Sister Mar-tine.

I was one of the pal of Re-glna Flynn, Mina Flynn, the Flanagans, Molly Judge all of whom lived on Bridge St. Id like also to mention Mae Canning (now Mrs. F. Campbell) and Mamie McFarland (now Mrs. Johnson), who always wore a smile.

I was a friend of Mary and Alice Burnham of Water St. and had many a nice time In their home. I also knew Father Horan well. I wonder If he is living? I'd love to tell him that I am the mother of a Redemptorlst missionary. I attended six o'clock mass every morn ing, was In all the sodalities and entertainment and attended 8t.

James Academy, then on Chapel St. Do you remember Sisters Roslna, Stella, Bernugna and Genevieve? Those were the happiest days of my life. K. Mc. G.

OLD TIMERS LETTERS Appear Jally In the Brooklyn Eagle under the heading "Only Ttaterday." endon Road, that day, being kissed by practically every woman I passed, with a "God bless you." Vividly do I recall my first automobile ride with H. Delventhal. a grocer, who had a store at Flatbush Ave. and Avenue C. My face turned Corned Beef and Cabbage Was Favorite Dish of Williamsburg red at the taunts of youngsters.

At Highland Park one called out, "Git a horse!" (not too original, to be sure). Again I recall the first automobile outing of Flatbush Tent. No. 169, Maccabees, held in August in the early 20's. We stopped at Trommers where a solemn faced waiter Informed us that August wasn't the month to order oysters.

I wish more old timers would write about Vanderveer Park. 52-62 72d Place, Maspeth. JOHN H. HASEMANN JR. The good old days we spent around St.

Mark's and Schenectady Aves. In the early 1900's bring yesterday back once more. From the Eagle Club, next door to Adam Elhoff's barber shop, where many a song floated through the air from the lips of Big Tom McGulre, Butch Woelfle, Larry Nagle and Little Freddy Ludrien (nephew of the Republican leader). Rufus Cos-grove, of happy memory, was a member in good standing. He played the outfield for the old Uticas and could run like a deer.

Joe Woelfle was the catcher. Headsy Klcm kept the crowds back until somebody showed up with a can of beer and he'd go It." Across the way was Gus Van Hasseln's place where Judge Ful-lerton and Snlddles Farrell made their headquarters. I shall never forget the boxing bout between these two; It ended In a draw In less than a minute a double K. O. P.

S. 98 Class of '04 Has Fun Renewing Old Friendships Editor, Old Timers: As a result of articles on the Old Timers Page graduates of class of 1904 of P. S. 98, Sheepshead Bay, held a very enjoyable reunion at the Granada Hotel last week. It was also a party to pay honor to their class teacher, Miss Drumgool, And quite an occasion it was, for many had not seen Miss Drumgool since graduation days, nor had they seen each other, and all agreed that 37 years time does make some changes in one's appearance.

The graduation song of the 1904 class had been resurrected and from the archives of some homes old report cards and notes from Miss Drumgool were exhibited. Credit for the "round-up" goes to Miss Lillian Wilson, who had to reach out to Westport, and Vineland, N. for two of the graduates. Classes were small In those days at No. 98 and only 15 pupils had been graduated in that year.

While some had passeS on and because of illness three could not be present, Miss Wilson brought together Lizzie Poggl, Margaret Foley, Male Hanlon, Walter Jones, Harry Sunderland and the writer as graduates, and Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Hanlon to Join the party. ED HANLON. Old Forf Hamilton Editor, Old Timers: It was nice to see that some one besides myself saw beauty and serenity In the Shore Road of another day.

"Ex-Fort Hamiltonite" was more explicit in recalling some of the outstanding homes that graced the tree-lined drive, but does he or she recall the old red dock, the volunteer life-saving station on Tohnson's dock or Hcge-man's home and dock? I wonder if folks can recall the frankfurter stands that lined the bank side of the road opposite Fort Hamilton Park and the bathing houses, on the sandy beach below, or the fine old dork that was ownM by the Gates family who lived in the big yellow houst across the street from the fort at 100th St. CLEVELAND Querrie's school on Ross and I remember well the Wilson St. school I children and Pop Dunkley, the I Hawley house. McLoughiin place, Mayor Worster's, the Millard I Smiths, the Scholes mansion, Other names that come back to me: Will Beard who drove the four-in-hanri; Will Schultz. the baker's i son, ar.d his sister, Nellie: Dr.

Heniy i Powell, the minister; Perry Glea-i son; Dr. Olcott, whose daughter went on the Otis Brainsiard. who had the first tandem bicycle, Danny Post. Norman Prouty, Charles Sicardi Who recalls the Calumet Wheelmen who met in a I store on Clymer St. near Lee Later several wheelmen groups united and built a clubhouse near the union League ciuo.

I remem--ber the day Charlie (Mile-a-Min-ute) Murphy set his record. ELEANOR VanCOTT PERRY. 147-15 Sanford Flushing. glar's Daughter." "Nellie, the Beau-j tiful Cloak Model," "Rags to Riches." Charlie," "Parted on Her Bridal Tour" (by Laura Jean Libby). Favorite playhouses in downtown Brooklyn: Montauk.

Broadway, Majestic. Percv Williams. John Drew. Frar.k Cravel, Weber ar.d i Fields and Chauncey Olcott were among the actors. Vaudeville was in its heyday.

At Luna Par and Dreamland I you could see the Creation, End of the World, Fighting the Flames and a Trip to the Moon and have your fortune told for 10 cents each. Freaks were a common sight on Surf Ave. Whalen furniture store, was giving tickets to the poor of Williamsburg to witness such attractions. I And you could hire a bicycle at 15 cents an hour or a tandem at 25 cents to take your Daisy Belle to Prospect Park or McCarren Park in Greenpoint. J.

A. TAGGART. Groom Bakes Cake on His Golden Wedding Edifor, Old Timers: Fifty years ago. back in May 11, 1891, Ernst Giessler of Commerce St. marie and decorated a wedding cake for his bride, the former Phoebe Lohr.

I They celebrated their golden neridine anniversary the other day, with Mr. Giessler baking and deco-ra'lim a wedding cake for his bride, Just as he did SO years ago. The now live in Hawthorne, N. and a party of 100 persons helped tliem mark the occasion. Mrs, Glessler is the sister 1 of Lena.

Lohr Lawrence and Louise Lohr Pynn of Brooklyn. Mrs. T. E. LAWRENCE.

6660 Shore Road. ii Editor Old Timers: Do you remember when your girl wore a rat in her hair? When Frank White of Leonard St. near Grand was tarring the town as the leading I. S. Remsen on Grand St.

was making buggies ar.d carriages for the swells of the town. Former Park Commissioner James J. Browne, with his brother Valentine, was tending bar. Your mother bought her potatoes, onions, tomatoes, apples and beans by the barrel, bushel, peck and quarters, never by the pound. Comed beef and cabbage was considered an elegant meal.

Also big heavy steaks, pigshead and tripe. Famous Williamsburg butchers were Fitters, Vlmmers, Straub's on Orand and Henry Manx's and Denningers on N. 1st Street. Nanny goats were not uncommon and many a baby was brought up on goat's milk. Swells of the Town Gay young blades of Williamsburg in my day were: Dick Burke Willie Meagher, Joe Stoddard, Jim Kerrigan, Nay Snydecker, Ed Lockwood, Henry Mueller Frank Schneider, Tommy Geoghan Jr.

(of S. 1st Rudy Knlpe Herman Feeser and Billy Cook. Fair young damsels: Anna and Katie Brentano, the Habekost girls, Sadye Shevlin, Marlon Cochran, Gussie Schneider, Clark sisters, Irene Dickinson, Grace Kerrigan and sister Helen. John Bunny and Flora Finch of the old Vltagraph Co. had the silent movie-goers rolling in the aisles.

Favorite movies were "Birth of a Nation," starring Henry B. Walthall, and "The Great Train Robbery." Oldtlme blood-and-thunder melodrama favorites: "Kidnaped tor Revenge," "The Bur- About Gunther Railroad Editor, Old Timers: Will Miss Breen please tell us when Mr. Cowell operated the Gunther R. I remember the line since 1865. Does any one remember the fare in those days, wasn't It 50 cents each way? MORT STOUT.

Remembers 'Sho FLY' Editor, Old Timers: To J. G. R. You must remember "sho fly." I was only a child but I remember giving her pennies and she would sing on the other side of the street. A.

L. SHEERIN. 631 Sterling Place. A Charming Place The old section was a chummy place. There were the Behrs, the Hatflelds, the Bells, the Kirks, the Hartmans and Hegemans and a host of others who were rooted in the community.

Of the Behrs the youngest son is the Capt. Kenneth Behr now stationed at LaGuardla Airport and whose sister married Dr. Walker, brother of the former Mayor James J. Walker. Most of these folks lived In that part of the Shore oad section near Fort Hamilton.

Of the lire-saving group I wonder If Joe Gate is yet around, or the captain, a man named 8wen-son. I heard it said that Joe could not iwlm but he was a reckless man In a rowboat. Let's hear from some of yo'i old timers on the subject. FORT HAMILTONITE. I BACK IN THE in the heydey of the St.

Patrick's Literary Union, some of its most distinguished members were, top row, left to right, Mike Hayes, Hen Polmer, Ed Lyons and Tom Corry; second row, the Rev. Michael Flaherty, Jim Hamilton, president, and Charlie McAuley; bottom row, Am Gallagher, Mike Dunn, Jim Freel and Tom Kearns..