Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1873-07-03
THE 0cTAGoN. =.
The Latest Central Park Institution.

eminence overlooking the lake ir
Central Park, and a couple of hun
died yards from the Seventy second
street entrance, the corifiiissiotirrs have
recently erected a wooded Structure
known from its shape as the octagon
1t would stand in square of about
fourteen feet Numerous fttnnels Jus,
out from the side, straight or L shape
with the orifice downward. These arc
for ventilation. There are two doors
but no windows
The octagon stands on platform, land
is approached by steps, AS you enter
the door you see before you rotind
white table, about the size of all ordi
nary card table: In the centre over
head is a cylinder that resembles q
piece of stove pipe. A metal rod like
all elongated car hook hangs from this
within tile reach Of man hand This
octagon is the home Of cantefa obscura
the only one Of its kind in this country
1t has been In operation for some
time; although the fact is known to
comparatively few.
Recently Sun reporter visited the
octa9oii. The courteous gentleman
keeper invited him to enter. He did
so, and the door WAS shut. All was
dark except the surface of the white
table. Upon it was depicted a most
beautiful landscape, with men and
women walking about, children and
dogs frisking, and horses tratting along
at brisk gait. The scene was at once
recognized,
A perfect pictiire ct tile park to the
south of the lake was spread out upon
the table. a movement of the road
brought another section into view, and
by and by New York city as far down
us DR.. Bellows Church was distinctly
flung i'll miniature upon the table Still
another movement, and Hobeken and
the Palisades were presented. The
Eighth avenue cars rolled along on
one side, and the steam cars ratified
past on the other. The spoke of every
wheel and the face of every passenger
were clearly marked. Every color and
tint of the foliage was there, and the
slightest waving of a leaf was faithfully
represented. Every portion Of the
park not shut off pby some physical
obstruction was in turn reflected, and
the attitude and motion of each person
walking or seated was distinctly SEEN
The camera produced upon the table IA
series Of pictures most beautiful and
startling, the moving figures approach
ing, receding, crossing-makng it
seem like aglimpse of fairy land.
As may be well supposed, the camera
has yielded some surprising revelations
10 the gazers. A New York detective
who has several times made use of the
camera fol- professional purposes, ac-
cempanied the Ssue reporter in his visit
to the octagon The Deceive related
some interesting stories connected with
the camera, a few Of which are given
below. ....
About the beginning Of April two
elegantly. dressed ladies visited the
octago1, and were admitted alone to
see the wonderful sights it reveals. One
Of them, who was very beautiful, was
greatly excited, and had to be restrain
ed more than once by her companion.
Scene after scene passed before them
until at length the lake came in view.
An arbor on the opposite shore was
more than usually distinct, for the sun
was shining full upon it. Inside it were
sitting lady and gentleman in a
tender attitude. The features and dress
of both were as plain as though they
stood before the gazers as large as life.
The younger lady, after gazing at the
pair moment, exclaimed: 'sThere!
I told you; it is my husband, just as l
suspected"
She was intent OH starting for the
boat house to cross the lake by stealth
and confront the pair, but her friend
restrained her.
Toward the close of March All elderly
gentleman, a professor of a well known
college, visited the octagon, accompani
ed by detective. Scene after scene
was brought into view, until at last a
distant part Of the park was shown
Walking down a pathway in the centre
OF the picture was couple. The elder
ly gentleman at once recognized the
lady as his daughter, and the gentle
man as the young artist with whom she
had eloped two days previously.
Early this month Detective Lambert
came up here from Ohio in pursuit of a
forger and detaulter named McMurray.
He received information that he was
hiding somewhere in Yorkville or Har-
lam. The detective on his way thithel
recognized McMurray on Third avenue
near Seventy first street. The detective
sprang from the car, but his man had
L