New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-10-08
NEGLECTED CLAIMS. =
WINES AND GAS AT THE CITYs COST.

SINGULAR DOINGs At A CENTRAL PARK REsrAU-
RANT.
When this city was triae over ten years younger
than is at the present time aud when the people
regarded the ofice-hoders above suspicion, there
stood on slight elevation Of ground at the northern
end of Central Park ancient building OF hght-
cOlored brick, within whose shadows so tho legeno
ran, Washington had often stood. In fact ne stooo
tbere-but only in effgy-until the monastery Of
Mount st. Vincent was burned and the flames lelt
behind them nothing but ruins. And while this Ell
fpv of the first President stood there the influence
of his serene smile did not extend across the nall
yay into the restaurant that had been attached 10
the monastery 1t stopped OF the door. and most OF
its honesty was lost before 1t found its way through
thepanels
The Park Department-or asst was then called
the Park Commisson-had control OF Mount 81
Vincent as ii was within the boundaries OF Cen
trail Park and it also had the privilege OF rentlng
the restaurants which are scattered so inconVen-
isntly over the length and breadth of that pleasure
ground after the restaurant wasrented and Delorei IL
was destroyed by fire. IL was one OF the most popular
resorts on the island for riding parties. Almost Hoin
the time when it was first opened 1t was IeaSed
TO Mr. Stetson, who was the then proprietor OF
tho Astcr House and one of the best known
hotel.keepers In the country But Mr. Stctson' IN
not thoroughly relished by bis creditors, and in con-
sequence they Withdrew from him their support,
and in 1872 he was stranded high and dry in bank
ruptcy Among the items of his indebtedness was
rent charge of nearly SIS 900 due to the city, Ills
financial affairs wero in so bad a condition that DC
was unable to discharge his debt in money, DuI an
equally satisfactory way Of clearing MS account
with the city suggested itself to him. in MS collar
he had a large quantity of choice wines ana liquors
much of which lie had imported from Europe
Mr.. Stetson abandoned his lease aud DIS
wine at the same time, and stepped out rom
the Mount st. Vincent restaurant Win only MS rep
utatiOn.
A THRIFTY EATINGHOUsE KEEPER
While Mr.. Stetson was proprietor Oh inc eaI'ns>
house at the northern end of tbs Park Columbus
RYAN had charge of the Casino near the Arsenal
When Mr. Stetsou reinquished control OF Mount
St Vincent. Mr. RYAN cast his eyes thitherward and
suggested TO Mr.. Wales, who was then one OF the
Commissioners that ho would be pleased to take
the lease By vote of the Commissioners
Mr. RYAN was given the lease. Inc
vines and liquors which Mr.. Stetson had
assigned to the city still remained IN the ceHars
Of the restaurant Mr. Ryan, being aware OF the
assignment and knowing that the liquor had not
been disposed Of by the city, used the same ireeIy
so freely IN fact that in a short time the wines ana
hand Ia a.
liquors "rIeno 'UHE.i ol D. AID the citvis
recover 'neL rtl"T i nf sis 600 through the free
dom of Mr. Ryan and the carelessness OF the PaEE
Commissioners 10 this day. The prhc'Pl WIZ o (o
simple interest would now amount to nearly FouVug
In 1889, while Charles r. NacLean was j. "a a. ,,f
Commissioner, things IN the DtpaI tIheI u'o' h
apucar as clean 10 him as thcy Ah"uIu Us u" Ia
since thcn explained TO n lIaBCNE Iepo.ttI--ahu
he thought he would make qIel iIl.'I NV t.
ton He was not known TO the GtIehuau's q. tuo
Mount 81. Vincent restaurant, ana ne l'9h u.l.'..
there one evening. In tne course W w N',L,tsL
naked the waiter where Mr.. Ryan GOT the gas Wh'cn
D.. ned The waiter replied In the luuUCrbce Oh
H.. Ic,rt From the Arsenal And so
D'r ,.'.,'r t.r yr.r. Mr. Rvan had been barring
,y,IicI tlr cifv had paid for Suspicion being
1rrII I'm Nh NacI cams mind at tins discovery, no
i,vr.fig3ed the leases aud inventories relating 20
The restaurant and then made the ot,coTIy oil tnc
Ia...Iu. wines and liquors. si. NarL'dh "'g"I".
bufu In. DISCOVERIES 10 the the attention 90 MS
,,Iog. grrrrurs.pur t8rrgUiar meeting" on N"NeI-
Irr2, I--2 and 10 was resolved that the Commis-
..n.rr. ot Account, should hc requested 20 IHN'-N
,r. The lease. and privileges of the Department
Enc January. $50" On November II MI Ryan,
10 I,rrsr y..s directed 90 prov ae q. ono" meters
a., ...-Ty the bu..dug now lea red D} Nlu "i'A Gas