New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-08-02
JUVENILE THIEVES AND PROSTITUTES.
Of the Public Charity
Progress Of Reformation.
THE ISLAND.

We gave an account, few days ago, of
Blaokwells Island and its institutions. RAndall's
Island not less interesting and its institutions of
equal Importance. Further than thIt it fsvorite
fishing and trading poet Of the various Indian Tribes
who resided and roamsd in its vicinity In the oden days
there Is lit,c known ~ iis aboriginal history. The
Island and the larger dci.ing it, with other
fscsiod property. passed from Dutch into English
hands In the year 1884 and became the property Of
Thomas Dclavan. then Collector OF the Customs Of
Now York. Tor oonsde'a alton equivalent to $50 OF the
present currency The two Islands were then called
Great and Litto Barents Islands. anerward corrupted
into Barnes Islands
Little Barnes (RsndairO Island remained IN the
possession OF Deava and his dcsccndsns until i7t7
when II passed a,o the hands OF English gentleman
st. George Talbot, who charmed with tho romantic
beauty Of the SPOT afsrward made II his Sesi-
denoe. Dying in 1905 Talbot, By his will devised hs
lands 10 the Society Grest Britain for Propagating
the Gospel In Foreign Parts" and r772 his executors
sold tho island TO John Moniresor. csq. Captain Of
Engineers In tho British service. who removed his
family thither. and again changed Its name to Mon
trcsors Island He le the country, however. at the
time Of the cvacu ,ion OF New.Yok BY the British;
and April l. l7s4 tho island disposed OF 10 Samuel
Ogden Of Ncw.Yort who sold 1t. Nov. 20 Of the same
year. to Jonathan Kendall. young farmer. for So 400
Randall-af,er whose name the island thereafter
callod-cuivated 1t diligently. and enabled TO pay
of the entire purchase money In 10 years. He resided
upon IL for 20 years Amer bis death Os5) the title
was made over to the Corporation of NewYork FOR the
consideration Of so 90 1t devoted to public pur
poses. Extensive buildings have been erected as
nursery schools for children at the public charge and
moro recently by tho Society for tho Reformation Of
Juvenile Dolinquents for a House Of Refuge. Thus.
while the island noi,es the public interest which Is in
vaaby felt In institutions for correct training Of the
youthful mind has an additions, attraction. as afford
ing most substantial evidence Of the enlarged chart
tics which distinguish the Metropolis Of the Western
World.
THE NURSERY GROUNDS.
The Nursery grounds occupy tho upper extremity
and more than fourhs Of the entire island They
comprise from lO5 70 40 acres and in high state
of guilty alton and improvement. More than enough
vegetables are produced to supply the entire island the
surplus being distributed among the charitable instu
tions Of Elackwes Island. There beautiful groves,
lawns meadows with salt water Of the river feeling ts
soft way far up through the waving grasses spacious
play grounds and plots aud the blooming gardens
in the vicinity Of the houses tasteuly ntersocted
air Ia most delightful and invgorating The foliage OF
the trees is never silent or quiet breeze is always
blowing; and all around sweeps and swirs the broad
waters Of the eddying stream-the COOL strong arm Oh
the sea- which seems to twne these islands with
than its usual loving that the entire group or
chain appears to have been specially designed by nature
for tho charitable to which they have been devoted
The Nurseries, with their dependencies. comprise
sixteen buildings In all One Of these the Quaran
tine or Reception building; six arc Nurseries, propesi
one Ohio centrh building Of stone, round which the 9th
ers cluster devoted to offices and schoorooms three
are hospitals and the remainder workshops. store
houses &C.
The population Of the Nursery Department at pres
ent O62 including 10 officers and % paid domeslics
The latter arc employed TO fill the mofe responsible
positions and have number Of assistants. obtained by
acquisitions upon the Aims House and Workhouse OF
Blackwclls Island.
The present officials Of the Nurseries are Mr. WIN.
H. Stephens the Warden. who has held this office for
nearly six years. having been appointed by tho Coa
nissoners Of Charities and Correction when they hrst
assumed Office; John M. Conan. Clerk. who has held
his position for la or IL years. H. s. Kans keeper OF
tho largo boys Department. Alexander Mclean
Engineer; Mrs Jane Ley. Principal Matron. who has
occupied her position for over 81 year, MIS- Strong
Matron Of the Qusrantine Mrs Barnett Msron OF the
Infant Nursery; Mrs Bother. Matron OF the Small
Boys Nursery; Miss Edith L. Coz, Matron Oh 'ne u''
Nursery.
There arc two school rooms comprising two classes.
the primary and grammar with Is recitation rooms.
The Island IL incorporated ~ public school district
I'D The ashQ'sr sss MSxh'by u s''qa'sh appointed