The Rutland weekly globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-09-29

Ter TO Marathon. when i recall the fact tnat |
Washington was in his latter days so WILL |
fed by portion of the press, and also by |
some of the partisans of that day, am not |
surnrised that the hero of Marathon was |
rewarded by persecution and impflson-
ment The belicosc month closes with the
battle of Sorr, (September 30, 1745,) in |
which Frederick (afterward called the |
greaO defeated his enemies in very decs- |
i've manner
NEW YORK oENTESNIALs.
September has other centennial points in
favor of this city, for yesterday was the
anniversary of the great fire of September
81, 1770. This was really the first great
fire that ever happened in America. 1t was
only part of train of disasters which
reminds us that misfortunes never come
single. The defeat at Long Island had
compelled Washington to abandon the
| city, and the public was so demoraliZed
| that It was in no condition to fight fire. In
! addition to this 1t may be said that there
was not an effective engine in the city. Un-
der such circumstances the fire. which
broke out at night, ragged nearly "a hours,
destroying Trinity church and nearly 800
other buildings. The burnt district was
not perfectly rebuilt in 90 years. During
the war it lay eDtTenched, but Trinity
church was rebuilt in 10 years. The edi-
fee then erected was demolished IN 1910
to make room for the present structure.
The "great fire." relatively speaking, has
never been equaled in this city. One-eighth
of the houses then standing here were de-
ttroyed. What would we think of fire
which should lay 5000 buildings in ruins
Such, however, was the proportion of the
calamity referred to.
ANOTHER INCIDENT.
Most of our readers are familiar with the
history Of the patriot spy, Nathan Hale,
nc centennial of whose death occurs to-
day. While the great fire was raging he
, was preparing fori the gallows, and the
prison in which he spent his last night was
, but short distance from the margin Of the
II burnt district. When a young man, just
= turned of 81, is told that he is ITO be hang
y ed TO morrow at day daybreak," it is hardly
possible for him to realize his condition.
In some instances the effect might be par
tial stupor, in others, frantic agony. Ma
, than Hale, however, only asked for bible
and writing materials. The former was
denied, but | will do provost Cunningham
not to be easily obtained under the circum-
Il stances. II is said that the doomed man
> was allowed to write letter to his parents,
but that it was destroyed. The Jail III
J which he spent his last night was trans
formed into the hall of records, and is now
| standing in the park. The gallows was
erected in an old cemetery, whose site is
now occupied by Stewards warehouse.
: y ere the young patriot suffered death on
r The morning of September %, 1776, leaving
b as his chitf regret that she had but one life
t to lay down for bis country" Nathan
< Hale was a college graduate and fac
( scholar. He taught school before the rev.
4, oution for two years, and loved this pro-
S fes.ion, but loved his country b, tier. His
e gave was soon lost in the frequent inter
E ments, and was never discovered, but fine
l. monument was erected TO his memcry
r about 30 years ago, in his native town
J, South Coventry, Conn.
# FIRE LESSONS.
!. Going back to the "great fire" it taught
b the public the necessity of care in avoid
n ing risks and also the importance of fire
department. A legislative act was passed
in 1880 forbidding the firing of guns, pts
& tolls, rockets squbs, or crackers below tht
> "FIeshwater, under penalty of fine c
Sc tweniy-shilliDgs.' The team "fresh water
re referred to the large pond which occupied
g. the present site of the Tombs. The fire de
p partment was organized by an act which
. called for the appointment of 400 strong
~ able, discreet, honest, and sober men, T.
u work the engines to be hereafter approved.
v These were to be called ''the firemen o
= Ney York, and We're exempted from jur,
\, lrquiYd to.provide leathern buckets which
n II damaged i'll service were to be paid ou
:. of the public treasury. Such was the be
= ginning of the fire department of New
% York.
II OTHER CHANGES.
q Among other changes it may be notet
. that the banquet given to the rifle team
n at Delmonico's club house, corner of Fiji
avenue and Fourteenth street, was the las
in that establishment, which is now re
moved to its new abode. The house thu
vacated has seen many interesting socia
gatherings before it passed into belmont
: co.'s hands. 1t was built by Moses III
1t Grinnell, who is still its owner. Here b,
t entertained Webster, Irving and other no
h ted men of the day, and no manIion in thu
d, Fifth avenue has been more honored in i'll
i guests. All these, however, are now dead
D Mrs. Grinnell, who was neice of Washing
ton Irving, is also in her grave. The only
survivor is Mr.. Grinnel himself, who hal
( seen more social changes than any Other
man In this city. After Delmonico opened
j his club house it became the resOrt of The
yle~neSSe dore of this city. Here jim
) Fisk spent Thousands. Here, too, Stokes
. took his last drink of brandy prior to shoot
Ing his worst enemy. How many sad talet
, OF ruined young men could be told if these
walls could speak Demonico has made
a fortune, but it has cost misery beyond
\ utterance TO others, whose misfortune;
have frequently come within the observa-
, ton of
! The HERMIT OF NEW York.