The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-24
CENTRAL PARKS OLDEST SWAN
The Death OF "JeHg' the ChiIdren's FavOrite,
ut m Advanced Age.

six young swans sat in circle on the ice
In the reserve pond at Seventy street in
tho Central Park yesterday. Other swans.
black. red. white. or yellow beakcd. were gath
cred about them. and the smaller varieties Of
water fowl were scattered around. The little
swans we're dispirlted and mournful. and their
web-footed companions apparently sympa-
thized with them. Every few minutes one Of
tho cygnets arose on tho tips OF its toes.
stretched out its neck. and. after giving vent to
n mournful note. settled back into dependency.
The six young swans were orphans. Their
mother. JEFF" the oldest OF the Park swans.
lay dead beside them when daylight davned
last Sunday.
Superintendent Conklin spoke in terms OF
affection Of the old swan.
She was known all over the country. he said.
Sho was presented to the Park by tho trustees
OF the Spring Grove Cemetery Of Cincinnati in
1865. She waddleo 40 funnily and was so mas
culine in her disposition. that the keepers nick
named her Jeif She soon won the affection
OF the children who camethere daily and always
brought JcfT some luxury. She refused to mate
with any English swan and many were the
fights Jeff had with any swan that dared to
trespass on the lake, Jen was peculiar in hor
likes and dslikes she loved children, and there
nre many that will mourn the death OF their pet;
To policemen she bore "A special aversion, and
the sight Of a gray coat wis sufficient 10 drive
Jen crazy. She would leap out of tho water and
fly Mt an officer. Tapping her wings and with
feathers RULED she would attack him and
compel him to quit the nuighborhood Of the
lake. The police however. made capital us Is
customary with them. of their enemy. Instead
Of attempting TO curry favor with Jcr. they
made her hnte them so that at the very sound
OF their feet. either in the night or day she
would startle the echoes OF the Park by blowing
her shrill trumpet. To the patrolpen jon
how quickly she would detect their steps. the
men. when seeking to boat time" 10y hiding
In ono of the many cottages near the lake.
would on hearing her shrill piercing blast.
know that the Sergeant or Captain was ap-
preaching. and would scampor buck TO theic
At breeding time" Superintendent Conk-
lin said. the swans having. mated divide the
lake among themselves. Then II is death to
any SWIM that dare trespass on the, reserve.
The male stands jealous guard. and will be
killed before no will permit another swan. or
man or boast. to approach the nest Jeff alone
disreearded this rule. and would swim boldly
around the lake. defying all, "
Two years ago Mr.. Conklm succeeded. after
great difficulty. in mating Jeff with fine Afr-
can swan who became devoted to her. Last
summer she selected a small island in the mid
die OF the lake. and there made her nest In
the course OF time SIX young swans were
Matched. The African was even prouder OF his
young than Jen. and when JEFF sought her after
noon siesta the African would tow the LITTLE
cygnets around and guard them jealousy. Last
August two stray hungry dogs who had wan
dered in the Park on seeing the six Tat little
hedglings. attacked them. The paternnl Atr-
can blew his warning trumpet Jen swan
quickly TO the rescue Of her young and landed
them ON the island. but when she returned she
found her mate torn to pieces and dead. JEFF
mourned her loss deeply.
Three years ago the Park police observed
young and pretty woman. dressed In mourning.
who daily sat at the edge Of the Lake and fed
JEFF with cake and bread for hours She would
remain talking TO Jef. who would allow her to
caress her. Sometimes the young woman
would begin TO sing in soft, low tones aud then
Jer showed the greatest pleasure. The police.
curious 10 know who this strange acting young
woman could be. followed her home one day.
They saw her enter an elegant house on Madi-
son avenue. and then learned that the youlg
woman's mind was affected by the grief caused
by her lover having been killed in the late war.
Her family knew Of her visits. and. unknown to
herself. had her closely followed.
Superintendent Conkln yesterday sent JefTs
remains TO the museum OF the Brown Uniyer-
sitv in Prevalence