New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-25
NEW- YORK IN TIE LAST CENTURY,

RrCoILECuoNs or A VERY OLD LADY-THE cItY's
WELCOME TO WASHINGTON AFIER TIE REyoLU-
TIoN-THE CONDITION OF STREETS AND FERRIES
Al THAT TIME.
A TRIBUNE reporter called on Thursday upon
one the rapidly disappearing cenienarans Mrs Mary
Gallon o. years Of age, whO Notwithstanding her age
still retains her memory in "A remarkable degree she
was found be lady who has evidently IN former days
lived in aucnt circumstances and Possesses con
siderable intelligence, During the past year she has
failed in health and memory and she is TO longer able to
read nor can she 20 out without companion. This
cradle LADY, having reduced In circumstances, IL
Obliged To live in hoye fast cTumblng to decay in the
rear Of No. 1879 Cbryste-st. Mrs. Gallon was born III
Barcayst March H. 1881, at which time her father
John Iozier in the Revolutionary army stationed
at Fshkill.
We'll do remember" she said, " when Gen Washing
ton came 10 New-York after the close of the The
people were so enthusiastic and an 0us 10 show him then
appreciation that they demonstrated II by laying carpets
from the old Fly Market now Fulton Market to his
house CheTry-s for him TO walk upon. The display
did not meet his approval he ordered the carpets to
be taken mp, romaIkng, am no more than man. ana
desire TO be recognized such only" The people III
those days were supplied with water from the pumps.
which were plcnfy distributed throughout the city,
but the water complained OF as brackisl, ard MOI III
for drinking with the pon Of that obtained at two
pumps the junction OF Pearl and Cherrysts. and
r.
head New ChambeTst where all tho water Tor drink
ing making tea and cooking purposes was procured.
There were several Wacrcars which obtained water ut
The tea-watcr pump. and supplied families with u AT the
rate of penny pail In few years the horses were
supplied with " Manhattan water from the reservoir up
town This was used freely by everybody mt tho body
of Juana Ehu0rc sands found in the reservoir She
was supposed have been murdered by young man by
the name Of Weeks who engaged to be married to
her He took her out Safeguarding the night before
her body was found, and, though suspicious
~ guilt rested very strongly upon him,
there was not evidence enough to secure
his conviction from this circumstance the people dis
continued using the "Almhattan wafer and returned
TO the use of pump water until Rose Butler coortd
woman was hung for having set fire 10 her mistress :
house. when the colored element became exasperated
and threatened revenge. Fears entertained that
they would poison all the pump water ~ the pcoplr
r0uC COL ut er's residence. on Rri2crs-'t. and
supplied themselves from his wei. The city Hal! Par1
ID my young days" said Mrs. Gallon WIS Ecloscd 10y
postandran fence. and contained in the Enclosure the
Jail. BidrWell, and wbpIins-ios Those were ne days
when thieves did not scHrc punishment ~ easily hs
conviction nogHg.' sine Thought IL would be good
preventive against much of the strlng III the present
square was then laid out IN vegetable gardens and
tAltier where ali tIe inhrLri-"omca went every
flock IN the vicinity for apples and nuts. on tho cas- side
al The i,ower near her present fesidcnre il was all COM
cattle 10 pasture. When sle was young girl she had
relatives living IN brooklyn whom sac used 20 visit
crossing the river at the foot of Cathariuo--t, ia row.
boathe only ferry at that tmc-payiu g for the privi
lege cents each At that time the waters edge
in Wullst. where Wnmst. now l.. The FIRST ferry
boat she crossed IN called periaugcr, with
padllc-whecls on the side, and propelled by
hOrsa-pOWcI-the horse walking "A circular trcadway.
Where the TOInbs stand pond where washer
women were IN tho habit OF congrCgatng wash their
cOthts, and where boys sailed or skaied. bridge was
erected at tins point which had to be crossed to get INTO
Broadway. Where the BOweIy Iheatrr stands was
called Bulls Head running from the BJwery To hottest
All the country people brought their cattle there for dis
posal. Mrs Gallon married IN lsOl 90 james Gallon
by the Rev. Dir. Williams of the Iaycte street now
OliyerstD Baptist Church. Her husband in the
United states Navy bOatswain. He served on board
the ship Independence and several other vessels. He
died board the Franklin on oct. ., ISIS. she re
ceives pension o - per month from the Government
which il her sole Of support and thinks she j.
titled to land warrant but has never received one Mrs.
Gallon now lives with her daughter Mrs john Qun. an
Old lady whose husband ia The Mexican War and
afterward patOlman the police force, which position
resigned 1861 and went out captain in tine 4th
Regiment OF NewiOrk Volunteers. He IL now an in
valid and inmate OF the Soldiers Home In Hampton