New-York tribune., 1869-05-19
TIE HART8 ISLAND REFoRMAToRE.

The last OF the city reformatores established by the
Commissioners of Charities and Corrections is that Of
Hart's Island about 20 miles above New-York, on the
East River. During the war 1t was leased by the
Government, and used prison for Rebel soldiers
The island covers area OF about 100 acres portion OF
which has been converted INTO city buryg ground or
Potters Field. 1t purchased from John Hunter in
1868. for S75OOO with all the buildings upon It. and the
Commissioners have already sold or used 70 advantage
an amount Of the lumber upon 1t representing money
value OF $4,000 1t is about 20 feet above high water
mark, and lies within few hundred yards OF the famous
Execution Rock" on which there Is now Government
lighthouse.
The Commissioners of Charities and Correction to-
gether with the members OF the Fire Commission, and
several members OF the Legislature beside members Of
the press, and other invited guests made visit to
Harts Island yesterday in their steamer the Min
nahannOnck. They left the foot OF Twenty.sixth.st
East River, at IL o'clock, and after pleasant sail OF
hours reached the landing at Harts Island where they
were received in true military style by company Of
greycoated boys from Randalls Island and another
company of blue coats belonging to Harts Island, who
went through the manual with commendable success.
On reaching the plateau in front OF tho superintendent
Office, the boys were addressed in few weltmed
remarks by Mr. Isaac Bell, Of tho Commits
sioners. To this feeling speech from ono Of the
Se e aT 5nG o S Syj Sn ySGagSr O from
came characteristic little talk from the Street Commits
W.
charge have been indebted for many Summers for their
feasts Of Strawberries and other good things.
After this little ceremony the boys marched the
Island to " the vie squeakng OF tho wryneeked NE
and the mixed treble and bass roll OF velum thunder,
while the visitors went through tour OF inspection.
They found about 100 buildings the Island, nearly all
in frstrate condition. large schoolroom. bakery.
three or four comfortable dormores workshops, offices,
dwellings and 0uthOuses OF dozen different kinds were
found scattered in orderly disorder the well graded
plateau and all commanding fine view OF the blue
waters sleeping IN snnt smiles south east ana West;
and away of To the open north They found hospital
too and only one invalid therein-a paefaeed boy 10
whom the enforced loss Of the grand holiday three
fold than the pain that ached his body Three or four
lost leg the railroads in and around New-YOrk.
Women IN striped cotton dresses hustled about tue place
performing the manifold duties Of the madservant under
the ready eye Of faithful matron. These women are all
from the public institutions belonging TO the city For
the mental labor done the Island for tho 80 boys aud
the officers and the servants not dollar expended by
the Commissioners The Warden receives $500 year
and the physician the teacher and tho matrOn are paid
fair saaresths is all that is expended for hired help
number Of pupils shall have increased TO i5O.
The Commissioners are now negotiating for the pur
chase Of ship. which they intend to school OF
lighted with the prospect, and indulge in glorious
Visions Of maintpgnt n rceHnr. Of broadsdc shooting
OF shroud manning and Of man-brace splicing, myster
ious operations Of which the elder ones speak with the
confidence Of veteran tars.
Descending the dock after agreeable hour spent
Visitors were treated by Mr. Bel 10 a sight OF the
now fire apparatus with which the Commissioners
pcuse Of 1890 A trial OF the engine with
four streams of water showed that the Mnnahannonck
90 short range good Itngushcr, whore success
depends upon volume W water but with one stream AT
long range she is brigade In herself Under an agree
mont between the Fire Commissioners aud the COmms
sOucrs OF Charities and Correction the steamer may be
ordered by the Che Engineer Of the Fire Department 20
. fire anywhere the waters about New York. provided
the Captain Of the OF the opinion that his yes
sci can be thus used without danger The Minnalan
uonc h now supplied with 800 feet OF hose and Will no
doubt prove valuable auxiliary 90 the laudcuglucs m
queuchug fires Oh the docks and on shipboard IN the
harbOr.
short visit Day1's Island followed, and on her re-
turn the city, after bOuneOus rcpast IN which Theory
wines OF France were no mean feature the Mnnahab-
uouck lighencd of her freight and her passengers
sped homeward wen pleased with their days dyctson
the more since while enjoying Themselves they had
greatly encouraged Of the most worthy chaucs OF
Le a.