New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-09-28
THE MILIrARY ORDERED OUT
TROUBLE AT FORT HAMILTON OVER THE GRADING
OF A STREET..

TROUBLE AT FORT HAMILTON OVER THE GhApiNo
OF STREET
The commanding officer at Fort Hamilton is
Colonel Hamilton and Thomas 7. Church, Peter Byrne
and c. Ferguson are the Commissioners Of grading and
paving the town OF New Utrecht. Between the Col
onel and the Commissioners there has for some time
existed a want OF harmony. In fact Colonel Hamilton
does not be particularly beloved by the inhab-
tants Of New Utrecht in general. They accuse him OF
attempting to carry his military HABITS OF
command outside the walls of tie fort and
Instances OF his arbitrary acts arc freely quoted
by the tOwr gOssips. In the early part OF
the a contract made by the Commissioners
with James F. Gien of Brooklyn Tor the grading aud
paving of Ninety second-si. Tnird-aVe. along WHICH
the Brooklyn City Railroad Companys ltne runs was
graded some years ago by private subscription, and tue
work was thoroughly performed, and, in conse-
quenoe at intersection with Ninetysecondst there
was a considerable elevation which had TO be cut down.
The railroad company worked In harmony with the
Commissioners and each bore their share OF the
expense, and though some 700 ieet
OF track had to be torn up the
running Of not interfered with for single
day But a third party had be considered. Four feet
or so below the surface incline winch had TO be
cut away runs inch cas-iron main, which supplies
the fort with water from the Brooklyn City main II
was found that this would be In part exposed by the
work 10 be done, aud accordingly on August ii the
Commissioners wrote Colonel Hamilton. informing
him of tile and asking him to take steps for the
sinking of the Waterman to n sufficient depth.
Colonel Hamilton expressed dissatisfaction that
thirty days notice had not been given him,
but eventually wrote to Mr. Glen aud asked him to es-
innate on the Job Gilen offered 10 do it for 40 cents
foot which would have made the whole job come to
something ike $3.50. Colonel Hamilton took Gllen's
bid to young reni OF his Charles J. Doyle who under
bid Gillen cents foot total OF 81 odd on the
whole. He afterward backed out
In the meantime Colonel Hamilton referred the matter
TO General Hancock, said that the contract might
betar be put competition and bids were therefore
asked from several Brooklyn builders who in the ma
iority or cases declined TO bid. Eventually Ihoinas
McCann ir son OF large Brooklyn contractor agreed
to do work 40 cents foot An interesting point
then arose. Gilen was under bonds for $1,000 to the
town to complete his work without rendering the town
liable for damages. II Mccain. in lowering the main.
caused damage, Gilen would be responsible. The III
spector Captain Ward, who sent By General Han
cock to look the matter, was asked by
Commissioner Church II McCaun might not better
be asked to give bonds to GiIlen IN the
town. His reply was that this matter to be set
tied between contractors. Gillen asked counsePs
opinion, and advised TO let one NEEDLE with tie
road until it was out OF his hands, and so the matter
rested.
Ye.tertay morning about O'Clock some seven or
shovels TO Ninety and Third-ave They were
followed hy a company OF soldiers commanded by
Captain Briukey who stacked their arms among
the heaps OF earth lett by Gilen's worSmen
Uuder the guidance of Lieutenant Thorpe the men set
10 work digging "A trench. In about an hour cCann
arrived and looked on. and shortly after Gilen and
Commissioner Church rode up IN buggy, followed Oy
gang of men with teams pOughs, who, In obedience
40 Gillen's orders, began shOveng back the earth
faster than IL was shOveed OUT that MeCann dryy
observed To the snOveng out II you don't want
10 tie buried YOU had better quit" They took us advice
As Gilen was looking al his men Hing up the
trench Captain Brinkey asked him who he wa. he
rst0r,eu by query the Captain was and what
he was doing there. g. am mere ny colonel hamJOns
orders sir, protect the Government property anu
their wOrkmen."
"Protec away" answered the unaOashed contractor
land I'll ii lip You well as | eau"
Finally the men marched quierly away aud captain
Brinkley returned his quarters, while tue aDOrers
hird themselves their homes ehuckng AT the thought
of having earned a days pay for two hours work
Colonel Hamilton last night refused 10 give
any exclamation for this action The 1act, as
above stated, he admitted to be correct,
bur h said he only responsible 70 the
military authorities for what ne had done. Inc COlOne
also INDUCED several structures on the tOwnsS
people and Commissioners of New-Utrecht, and upon
ne spapers in general.
due to Colonel Hamilton indisposit0n to do anything
IN accord with people. IL was squabbe over
a few dollars hut a nigh handed and OespOuc pro-
ceeding on the part of the Colonel
one OF the aDOrers thath bad beensngaSed Dy
Lieutenant Thorpe aud not by McCann