The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-02-20
BIDDING ON an Old txSDmAnK.
A Famous Resort for Merchants ana ship.
pers Sold nj Vendue.

Tho old Pacific Hotel, in Greenwich street,
between Cortlandt and Dey streets was sold by
auction yesterday by order OF tho executors Of
the former owner. the late John Pntten. The
announcement that the property was to be sold
brought little cluster Of real estate dealers in
front Of an auctionecrs stand in the Exchange
Salcsroom. and after some delay bid Of $50 900
was made. This was followed by other tardy
bids. until $50. GOO was offered at which sum II
WAS Knocked down to Mr.. James II. Harger.
The Pacific Hotel. for more than forty years.
has been we'll known rs a resort for pennsyl-
vnnin and New Jersey merchants and for
steamboat and steamship men visiting this city.
Ell Hart built the main building over flfty years
ago. He was flour merchant. and occupied
the promises for his business. IL is told that
his was one Of the first -four stores broken open
in the -four riots. and his stock seized bv the
mob; About 1888 Capt. Bunker. who had made
much money on the seas. thought that a good
hotel established In that section Of the town
would pay. ,and he bought the property. and
opened the Pacific Hotel. The house was sue
cpssful Then. and for many years. IL was in
The very midst OF the business district OF New
the landing places OF the many crnft that piled
on the Hudson River. and many Of the Atlantic
STEAMSHIPS were berthed IN that neighhorhood.
warrant Capt Bunker in adding wings 10 the
mnin building until the Pacific Hotel became
one OF tho largest in the city. II was here that
the late Hiram Crnnston; so well known IA tho
proprietor OF the New York Hotel began his
motel career 10y becoming n clerk. In 1872.
Capt Aaron Flowers bought out Capt. Bunker.
md he continued the business until 1859. when
MIR. John Patton leased the property. He inn
proved the hotel much and was so successful
that five years later he bought the property.
which he owned until his death in May last He
always made money His customers were quiet
merchants, steamboat owners. shippers. and
marketmen.
When tho elevated railroad through Green
wich street was projected Mr.. Patten opposed II.
His opposition wns mild. however. as long ms
there was but one track and that on the side OF
the street opposite To the hotel; but when the
company announced it's determination 10 build
the second track he stoutly opposed II. He said
that II would ruin his business and deDreciate
his property. and he saw no reason why he
should be thus Injured. He fought the COM
pany vigorously. and carried the matter into the
courts only to be beaten. and the road was built.
IL Is said that Mr.. Patten during the contro-
vcrsy said that he would not live to see n train
run over the new track. and he did not. for he
di, Il q few hours before II was opened.
- Since Mr. Patterns death the executors.
Spencer Gregory and Charles Jones. have man
aged the hotel. Mr.. Jones said yesterday that
the business had not fallen OF much. u any.
since the opening Of the elevated road. The
Mr.. Harger who bought the property Is one OF
the heirs to the estate. having married niece
OF Mr.. Patten. II is understood that he bid II In
for the heirs. and that the hotel will be conduct
ed as usuni