New-York tribune., 1878-07-19
GUARDING HIS GATE.

JAMES HOGG ASSEkIS HIS hlGhlS'
HIS EXPERIENCE IN KEEPING PEOPLE FROM A PIER
THAT HE CLAIMS AS HIS owN-THE WAY OPENED
WITH AN AXE.
About one hundred and fifty men, women
and children residents OF YOrkyille stood in East
Eghty-fourthst yesterday morning, at O'Clock wait
ing to 20 on board the osseo her first trip
to Fulton Ferry The gate at the entrance OF the pier
was locked and no was allowed TO enter A thin,
tall man. with gray hair and shaggy head stood at the
gate and said: al will allow one TO enter this pier
to-day. own Il. and the owner Of the steamboat re-
fuses to pay me any rent" But the protested that
they had TO 60 TO business could not AFFORD to be de-
Iayed ladies said they had only just time TO catch the
steamer 10 take them 10 the sea-shore, All that
said about the excessive heat and the long Journey TO
return home had effect the venerable gentleman.
lie pointed 20 three policemen who had been detailed 70
watch the pier and said that the first trespasser would
be dealt with according TO law. The men declared that
they would not be foed in their endeavor 20 get 20 bus
ness, and accordingly climbed along the rocks
at the northern side OF the pier, and In this
way got on board the steamer. Some Of the
more yenturesome ladies tried TO follow In their foot
steps but few mshaps by clipping from the rocks damp
ened the ardor OF the rest The steamer sailed with only
few passengers She returned at $50 m, when the
same scenes took place. Men who had brought their
families long distance were obliged 70 return home,
but without expressing their opinion OF The gatenan
The trouble began the day before. when James Hogg,
who claims that he the pier refused admtance 20
anyone All discussion speedily ended, however, by
the passengers removing few pckes at one side OF the
pier and creeping through. This prevented yester
day by the presence the police Five years some
residents Of YOrkvlle offered TO build pier at Eighty
fourt-s II the Harlem Navigation Company would al
low its It's steamboats, 10 land there. subscription Of
50 500 was raised and plank walk, house and pier
were built Mr. Hogg claimed that he owned the prop
srty and consented 20 give the land, provided the
ctr 10 n
Boats landed for three years and according to agree
ment no rent was demanded The boats then dis
continued, they did not pay About
year ago the Morrsania Steamboat Company put boat
on but soon took It Of Captain Longstreet who Is
perintendent Of the company, thinking that boat max
ing frequent trips between Yorkvile aud Fulton Ferry
would pay, received permission from the company 20
reht the osseo at his expense He spent consider
able money rettng the steamer and ran her all last
Winter at loss rather than profit The residents
thst owing 10 a resolution passed In the Board OF
Aldermen few days ago. authorizing the opening Of
Eghtyfourthst the river the pier will become pub
lie property and Mr. Hoggs rights will thus The
people think he is simply trying to make little money
during the short time he VIII nave any tltie 70 H.
cred rock near the river and carefully guarding the gate
downrgRt 90 rn swinde The property belongs to he
said, and have TO pay the Dock Department $40
Longstreet said he wanted TO land excursion boats TO
ROckaway at the pier, and told him he would have 70
pSy y Gmarteriy at the rate Of 600 year also de-
manded $25 a mouth during the Summer. when travel
was heavy for allowing the landing OF the Osseo. When
Winter approached and travel was light, would de
the amount He refuses to pay me, and there
fore won't allow his passengers 10 go on board"
The story told by Captain LOngstreeps clerk on the
Osseo Is very different In speaking yesterday Of the
trouble he said: Captain LOngstreet begged by
the people Of YOrkve TO run boat for business men,
lie spent 900 repairing the OsseO. IL did not
pay. Mr.. HOgg with other property owners pleaded
with him to continue the trips Mr.. Hogg offered the
pier free OF all CHARGE The trips were continued At
the opening of the Summer the boat found
great convenience TO business men and pleasure
seekers The increase in the number OF passengers has
been great and the boat is now paying very WELL
Mr. HOgg therefore thinks that he iB entitled TO OF
the profits. II he thought money due him, he ought
10 have beed the vessel He Is now lighting with the
Captain Longsreot will pay the 500 year for the
cursOn boat" Mr. TwOmey, clerk OF the Board OF Alder
men, and regular passenger complained to supeTTin-
Mr. TwOmeY that he learned through the Controllers
office that the pier built at hgwater mark and be-
lOnged 10 the city. He says that Mr. Hogg is only
WGen the business men landed at o'clock in the af-
ternO0n the gate locked. Mr., Hogg allowed them
10 leave the pier but refused 10 let any enter
When the door was opened there was q rush, he was
knocked side and about hundred persons went
the boat, cheering and shouting. One man, William
Rutter, merchant, left bthind who wanted TO get
ashore. Open that gate, Hogg," said he. " You
should have before" replied HOgg. Give me
that axe" Mr.. Rutter said OF the steamboat
and the gate about 10 be broken. HoRR appealed
to the police They said there had not yet been breach
Of the peace. He csitatcd and finally opened the door,
jeered at by 200 people Before the next boat landed
he stuffed the lock. Everybody then looking FOR
encounter, over hundred people were locked In.
stuffed the lock" Not word was spoken until young
present got the steamboat and cut the lock and
chain In several pieces shouting, ieerlng and whstl
ing, the crowd rushed through tho gate Hogg sun
declares that II il a swndle."