The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-29
FIFTY YEhR-OLD NEWS.
The "sun," Nose. the Fireman, and Other
Early New York Institutions.

news. was in those days little more than q
bright spot just inside on tho horizon. Mr.
Benjamin II. Day. its originator and founder
told me that II was with the utmost difficulty he
could prevail on two or three young men. work
ing mechanics. to act "a carriers for the paper"
Reporter-Why was that2
Old Gcntleman-Smply from the Indifference
TO and prejudice against the thing called penny
paper The Wall street journals. known ~ the
respectable slxpennys. or blanket sheets held
the sway but in time the penny paper gained
upon the track. and. in the case OF THE Bun. tho
gain was good deal due to tho ability OF Mr..
Day as condenser OF paragraphs which brought
tho nows OF the day within compass.
Reporter-I see you are looking out OF tho
window again toward tho City Hall Park. What
do you see now. sr7
Old Gentleman-I SEQ a building that stands
there no longer; 1t once stood Just at this end OF
the ground. where tho new brown-stone Court
building now stands. and was known as the
Rotundn.
Reporter-Anything particular aboutlt7
Old Gcntlemen-les, several things, II was
originally built for the old American Academy
New York city Post ONCE. and also ~ the Court
House for the Marine Court; Il was in its last
one Of his principal professional roles.
Reporter-What was the case
Oh GentIlsepgia.nnm.sGeorge. WHsshington Dixon
prIetor Of q noted paper Of the Bedouin- Arab
tribe entitled the P0ivdndgus which acquired
singer In this character he was engaged 10y
Mr.. Simpson. manager of the old Park Theatre,
70 eing one or more songs by way OF interlude
Reporter-Was Dixon gifted singer.
od Gepteman-You shall hear. On the first
night Of his engagement. the first piece being
over. Mr., Dixon made his appearance. and gave
the audience The Firenian'e Alarm" En-
Alarm" The same 'i incidents % occurred "S on q
Tuesday evening; also on Wednesday evening.
Reporter-Mr. Simpson was OF course very
Old Gentieman-Decidedly. He discharged
Dixon. alleging that he thought they had had
quite enough Firemen's Alarm" The buffo
accordingly brought an action aRain inst Mr.. Simp-
son for breach OF contract In the Marine Court.
was in the circular hall or main chamber Of the
judges bench. When Mr.. western came TO to
say the jurors were gentlemen and like him
sell. wanted no nonsense. no questions q taste
and the mus ical glasses. but actual facts. Where
upon Mr.. Western waving his hand. after the
manner Of an orchestra leader. toward the gal
leryi Mr.; Dixon made his appearance and i'm;
and was able to finish an entire stanza before
the catchpole OF the court could reach aim, l
they were TO Mr. Dixon. Mr.. Simpson. or to tho
Court and jury.
Reporter-l sea you are casting your eye
the City Hall. What do you see there sirP
Old Gentleman-I see the old Bridewell
when prisoners were first confined therei
with its heavy doors studded with bullE-eyck.
1t was from this building that the murderer's
professions set out for the hanging ground out
old Crosby Street High School. whose open
through n crevice in the playground fence ihnt
l saw pass one OF these professions. The
prisoner IA murdererl had been taken from the
Bridewell. placed in an open cart or wagon.
dressed in his grave clothes and seated on his
coffin. guarded by the High Sheriff. enflladed
with soldiers aud followed through the streets
by procession OF citizens.
Reporter-And where was he taken to be
hung1
Old Gentleman-Another experience OF mine
will explain that. / might have been ten or
twelve years old when one OF these public hang
murder OF Murray in Scheyler's alley / for
get. For some extraordinary reason, unknown
| the hanging. The scaffold was erected in the
| fields out OF town. Just beyond St. MARKS
| Gov Peter Stuyycsant then standing on q h!ll
| in that n"ighborhood, nearly abreast OF the
church A red windmill, remember. stood not
| duo time and was received by crowd Of thou
sands Of people gathered to witness the ceree-
mony The prisoner mounted the scnffold.
which was surrounded by a squad of soldiers.
the trap was drawn, and don't know but that
was the last banging Of amurderer In the open
given the proprietor OF a dirt cart which was In
the crowd n shilling to allow me 70 stand ON the
derers cap in my dreams without charge for
several nights aiterward.
Reporter. turning to more cheerful subject
i wish you would give me something OF tho
was i NJ TO tho New YORK puSl$ '
Glance at New YORK, was The ei greatest local
| ever made at any theatre In this country. II
w5 Gn sy ihH Gd p
| Theatre. and produced for his benefit night al
that theatre. i had is origin or suggestion in
plimentary Ball at Vauxhall Garden" OF a
novel then in some vogue, and Frank Chan
| frau in the stock company. performed Nose
| the fire boy. and made an immense hit.
| Reporter-So have heard
Old Gentleman.It WIS Nose or the bhoy
| everywhere. CHricnturee cant speeches, ges-
tures. buRgies. &c. all In the Nose style. Mr.
| Mitchell. the manager, pocketed $4,000. and
| VIM. 4. Burton made his fortune out OF It.
Reporter-How was that2 never heard OIL
Old Gentieman-Just in this way. While the
| piece was playing at the Olympic. Mr.. Burton
then managing the Arch Street Theatre IN
PHILADELPHIA. went upon the Olympic stage md
play tn use In Philadelphia. II was produced
there with the name Of Nose changed to Jdkey
From the performances in Philadelphia Mr.
Burton realized some $4,000, which he brought
10 New York and invested In Palmo's Opera
House. rechristened Burton's Chambers street
Theatre. From thar root Mr.. Burton, who had
never succeeded before. 1ourshed. built hin
u Ane house in Hudson street. opposite ~
Glen Cove. and held his head up generally
among the most prosperous managers OF the
land.
Reporter-And what became Of Chanfrau
He certainly did not lose by III
Old GentlemHn-On tho contrary. Nose made
his fortune. He had never been much attendet
TO by the public before that in fact, II WAS Will
difficulty that he edged in at the Olympic on
small salary. But Nose changed all that A
couple OF young friends with money took tn
lease of the National Theatre in Chatham street
shared II with ChHnfrau. who played Nose a
the beginning OF the evening at tho Olympic
and closed with II at the National, and has sine
become. understand. u very rich man.
Claiming 500, 900, 900 New York city Prop
erty.
CINCINNATI. June 27.-For the past two o
three days the heirs and attorneys repres nting abou
100 line al OF Robert Edwards who owned
one time property in New York city. valued
$50 OOOOOO. have been IN conference in Akron ohi'
| John A. Edwards Of Seward. Ncb, represented hny
these heirs, aud II. W IngerSOl NJ Akron ana Cap
| Henry Edwards OF kawhkA, Canada, the Ieniainin
ninety After full comparison az facts AMI views,
satisfactory conclusion was reached that the doculnen
and other proofs AZ hand we're sufficient TO wArrht
| legal proceedings whenever they choose to institui
| them one Of the heirs isA wRsherwomAn named She
handy, who lives In the suburb, Of Akron
-
Old Echoes.
| From he Dpmefic Hoahh
| You wonder that my tears should fow
| In listening t. thtt Hmpie strain; 40