The New York herald., 1876-07-10


tor McDcrmott and Captain Petty. The lines well
preserved
One Of the bravest the fire a boatswniu Of
the United States man-of-mar Minnesota, Commander
johnson, in the harbor, who happened TO be
present He heard that some immigrants had been
lett in The burning building and after the furious nre
had broken he rushed into tho ior dashed along the
corridors and leaping out OF one embrasure
and into another until sure that all had been saved.
Then he assisted in saving baggage and runnng lines OF
hose. He would give hisname Mr.. Patrick Gney of
No 371 Eighth street. officer OF the steamboat squad
commanded by Sergeant Gasslin on post from pier
No to pier No o. North River about haIfpast lveP NJ
While patrong his post on Battery pace'he saw the
smoke rising from the balcony on the north end Of
Castle Garden. lie Immediately ran to nre box No.
give the alarm found the alarm already ringing
on the wire Then he rushed 10 Castle Garden dock
and sgnalled police boat Seneca just rounding
the Battery The signal obcyed Immediately. All
hands we're detailed the lives OF the Immigrants
and get out their baggage Several Of the steam
boat squad among them Sergeant Gassln. Roundsmen
Burns Gney and others, had their clothing fire and
threw away their flaming hats but still continued their
gallant work until they driven back by the rrc
Now that it evident that tho fro. had been got
thoroughly under rather bad burned itself the
engines began, by one to withdraw; the crowd
surrounding the park were allowed to draw the
ruins and those who iel indsposed to do their
several ways AS evening was beginning to creep on
the news spread all New York and the neigh
boring cities, and many thousands OF people visited the
scene of the disaster before and after nightall The
crowds from staten Island aud tho who frequent
the Battery on warm evenings for mouthfuI OF the
cooling air sweeping over the bav, stopped on their
way past what was Castle Garden to get a
peep at tho havoc wrought by the recently sub
dued flames. Gradually, however, darkness came
on, and save to those permitted TO pass the fire lines
very little OF the effects Of the fire visible But
inside the lines strange picture was presented.
Within the outside Enclosures Of the Garden the
nearly rcscmbled the popularity accepted notion
of battlefield than any ything else that readily be
imagined. Tho baggage saved from the flames
scattered about tho yard, mostly the little strip Of
grass running along the wall south OF the
main entrance. This baggage consisted OF boxes,
bags and packages of oil and sizes In the in
tcrspaces between these bundles somo garments had
been spread for beds, and on these, we'll as on
and the bundles and bags, stretched In every
imaginable way, were the forms Of scores Of imm-
grants These were principally Russians, the men
being noticeable for their fat caps, long loose coats
and high boots Those outside all their clothing
men, women and children. Several OF the little ones
were stretched peacefully the hastily prepared beds,
all fully dressed and OF the smallest
ing long boots and fiat caps like the In one spot
four Of these little men, ranging from four TO nno
years OF age, slept calmly side by side shawl
spread out upon the grass A still more remarkable
scene might have been witnessed at the time
within the sheds belonging to the Labor Bureau
and the Intelligence Office. The exhausted emigrants
Law sDrnwlinr manner O WAYS these places
Both structures furnished with long, highbacked
benches, and these were constructed improvised
beds A picture OF the secrage Of an overcrowded
ship in excessively hot weather might give one some
idea OF this scene Most OF the women having young
children to for gathered here. Their cond-
ton was pitiablc to Ovcrpowcred by the great
heat they had partially relieved themselves Of their
loose garments and huddled together promiscu-
ously Their little babies were wholly nude and dis
posed upon the floor on beds made of their mothers
garments. Beside them lay the mothers, sunk
into sleep, with hand resting her little ones
head or spread Its body to ward Off anticipated
danger.
THE CASTLE
was originally fort built out nearly 300 yards from
the mainland, beng connected Herewith by a draw
bridge of stone and wood Circular in form and
ing both bsrbcte and easement guns the Castle
formidable structure for that time. Its moat
really the river, and when the drawbrdgc was up it
would have been difficult for an enemy to successfully
attack or seize it. Though built after the Revolu
ton the walls would have proved insufficient
to withstand rined In fact, 1t very slmi
lar In general outlines and internal economy TO Fort
william, which still stands on Governors Island The
only difference Is that one was erected on dry ground
the other in the rocky foundations The long
peace that followed the war OF 1912 rendered the
r.. n G,ctI
dsmantlcd by the government Then tho site became
known to the public.
CHANGED TO GARDEN
About the year 1889 the fort private hands
on a long lease. Mr.. Richard French, afterward well
known as Colonel French" and the original pro-
prictor OF Frenchs Hotel, corner OF Frankfort street
aud Printing House square, was the lessee He asso
ciated with himself Mr. Hescr, and they proceeded
to change the appearance as much as possible. Like
tho Hippodrome in these days, the stlc
was planted with trees, turf and flowers
Where barbcitc guns frowncd the
parapcts shady walks arranged. and
the garden umined at night by lamps and trans
parcncics. The interior cleared out and the
like aspect OF the structure took more peaceful
appearance For many years tins cool delightful
spot the favorite resort OF the people, those
days the fashionable part of below Chambers
street But finally the garden became deserted Mr.
French built his hotel and Castle Garden Underwent
another change about the ls47 this time cmerg
ing opera house or large concert hall. For two
three years the various musical celebrities who
visited New York appeared there, and here tt that
the wonderful excitement over Jenny Lind occurred
THE JENNY LIND CONCERTS.
When r. I. Barnum aged the famous Swedish
songstress Jenny Lind. he introduced ber to tho
American people al Castle Garden. by ingcni ad-
vertsing the veteran Snowman created Juror the
''Swcdish Nightingale and actually sold the choice
of for the first performance by public auction.
The scenes at these sales, Tor they occupied
several days, very exciting and unique