The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-10


sion Of the Territory-The Breaking OF
GrOund-The "vet." Of the p. d. ID. filings
the First ShOvelfuI Of Earth-COlOnel Dodd's
"Reminiscences.
Yesterday morning the United States government
through its representatives connected with the Post
ONCE Department in this city, took formal possession
OF the parcel OF ground In the City Hall Park when
forms the site Of the projected new Post once ana
United States Courts building. and commenced
the work of construction by putting up
fence to enclose the plot. A force of about
fifty workmen, armed with faxes, spades.
shovels and picks, marched on to the ground, with
coats of and barred brawny arms. A lot OF squared
timber for fence posts followed and chalk lines were
brought into requisiton. few stakes were driven
into the ground al points adjusted and determined
upon to a hairs breadth almost OF accuracy and
after taking extra reef or two In their walstpes
the workmen seized the picks and the WORK OF arg
ging post holesswas commenced. mo joke intended
about those post holes.'D BY noon about q dozen
posts had been erected on line somewhat diagonal
from that Of Broadway, and stretching across the
Park from about the commencement OF PARK place
to point opposite Beekman street.
At eleven O'CLOCK at the suggestion of Mr.. A. B.
Mullett. the supervising architect Of the Treasury
Department, under whose direction this work IL
being carried on force OF officers ana attaches of
the New York Post ONCE left the dingy old quarters
in Nassau street, and proceeded in somewhat for
NAL though imp-omptu manner 10 lake possession
OF the site. The party comprised Postmaster +. II.
Jones, Assistant Postmaster Van Brunt Messrs.
Strong Hallett, Coffin, Whitney, Norton, Collins,
Kelly and Knapp superntepdents OF departments;
the ofiice. These were accompanied by the
TWO veterans OF the postal service, Colonel Joseph
Dodd ana Charles Forster, Deputy superintendent or
Mails Arrived on the grounds they were met by
Mr. Mullett and proceeded to part OF the green en-
closure short distance norm OF the fountain
xvha
''breaking ground" took place.
Mr.. Mulett suggested that the nrst spadeiul OF
earth should turned by Postmaster Jones, but the
latter gentleman, with becoming modesty and nice
appreciation OF "the fitness Of tnngs" reinqulshed
the honor In favor Of
COLONEL D0DD,
the Oldest attache IN point OF years and duration OF
service at present connected with the department.
The old colonel. with somewhat feeble step, ad-
vanced, took SPADE which was handed 10 MIN, and
after some effort forced 1t into the groond couple
of inches and pressing on the handle, turned up
small amount Of rich, dark loan on the green carpet
OF grass. The ceremony was complete, and the old
man pushed his nat back on his head and wiped the
Precipitation from hls brow, after commencing the
excavation for the foundation for the New York
Post once. Shortly afterwards the party dispersed
and went back to their ONCE in Nassau street, but
about three O'Clock III the afternoon the group again
assembled IN the park anu were photograpned WIN
and pickaXes in the foreground.
sThe Col0neln has q history which Is in no small
tropolis and, while being very interesting, may not
| be out OF place when related briefly In connec-
seventy-nine years Of age, and was soldier In the
war OF lsl2-l3 with the rank and commission OF
captain in the United States army. In 1916 nifty,
three years ago. General Bailey was Postmaster OF
New York city, and the Post ONCE was located in
General Baileys residence at the corner OF William
and Garden streets. '.Garden street. Is now known
as Exchange place. The force OF employees at that
time comprised three clerks and messenger Joseph
Dodd filling the latter capacity Dodd received q
salary of 800 a year as messenger, and in al
dtion 10 this sum 5000 per annum for
Of mails; and 1s
"Joen carried daily mail IN wheelDarroW TO the
| foot Of what Is now COrtandt street, and there
transferring them to small boat the next install.
/ ment OF his duly was to row the boat and cargo
| across the North river to Paulus' Hook. that
| cargo comprised the washington daily mall the
| southern man aud weekly mail to Bufalo, those
being the only mails that crossed the Hudson river
from this city ct that time: Az Pauins' LOOK ne
side, who received $4,000 per annum for carrying
daily NALL by stage between Washington and New
| York and running weekly mali between washing
| The mail service, which Colonel Dodd performed
| in those days with the aid OF his wheebarrow and
skin will be done to-day by four four-horse teams.
three two-horse teams and three one-horse teams
making total force Of ten wagons and twenty-five
| work that was done at that time by Postmaster
| Bailey his three clerks and messenger. now engages
force of over 700 men, and the mails weigh about
Mr.. Forster, the other veteran mentioned above,
entered the postal service at the William and Garden
street Office, IortyfOur years ago, when there were
only SIX clerks and carriers employed. and mas
older With the
Time In 1924 there were no carrier deliveries maze
| above Canal and Catharne streets
Yesterday afternoon number OF the smaller trees
and shrubs growing the site OF the new building
were transplanted, under the superintendent or
| George W. Koome, keeper OF the City Hail. TO the
various lawn plots further north in the Park, and
the uprChts for the enclosing fence all erected
AS will be seen below, the necessity OF pulling up
| those posts may arise to-day.
| Meeting of the Common Council Committees
on Change Of site Of the Post Office.
| meeting OF the Joint Committee OF the Commc a
| Council on the New Post ONCE Site, with the o,cer;
representing the general government was allied 70,
one P. M. yesterday at the chamber Of me BOARD q
| Aldermen, City Hall.
At the appointed time there were present Alder
men Ward ana Repsef the latter representing AL
derman McGraih) and Assistant Aldermen Robin
son, B. Reilly and Welcn, lew citizens, and a lul
| representation OF the press.
| Alderman WARD called the meeting TO order and
stated that few days since Mayor Hall had re
quested him to convene the committee and that hs
Mayor Hall would notify the Officers Of the govern
| ment and the Commissioners OF the sinking Fund tc
attend the meetings for the purpose considering
posed new Post once SO as 70 bring it some hH
better frontage 10 the building au1 give more
Park Alderman ' Ward S further a G ssa as
the Mayor assured him that Monday, at one O'CLOCK
| WOulu De Tue DeSt llule ioT tue meeting The COM
mittee was accordingly convened and was now ready
| to proceed to BUSINESS
Assistant Alderman REILLY moved that commit
tee OF three be appointed 70 wait upon The Mayor and
| notify him That the committee was III session and
| ready TO receive any communication he might have
| to oner. The committee was appointed, and COM
| prised Messrs. Reilly, Robinson and Repper. After
| few minutes the committee returned and reported
| that the Mayor was out OF town aud would not re-
turn until tomorrow at one O'Clock
| Assistant Alderman ROBINSON then said that on
behalf OF the Common Council he wished to make a
Il ofQfA In no had haau
serted that the delay neglect to effect the pro-
posed change OF site was entirely the fault OF the
Common Council. He said that no proposition, off,
cial or otherwise had ever been made to the Com
mon Council looking toward a change OF the site;
that on the contrary the city government had been
ready to do all that lay In their power to forward
the matter to act In a reanecfs