New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-19
IN UNCLE SANS POTATO PATCH.

HOW CONTRACTOR HoPKINsoS SMITHS MEN GOT
INTO TRoUBLE-A sRA-wALL on GOVERNORS
ISLAND.
A sea-wall is in process Of construction on
Governors Island on the side facing the Buuermik
Channel extending from the coal dock TO the South Bat
terry. The contractor for the work Is T. Hopkinson
Smith VINO has considerable celebrity water
ARTIST Mr. Smith having all the energy and acute OBJ
servation OF an American contractor and artist COM
bined discovered IN his researches about the Island
deposit square blocks very suitable for his
seaw ALL and applied 10 the Engineer Department for
liberty TO them. which vas promptly given But he
had forgotten notice that the stone in question was In
the centre OF vegetable garden cultivated by the arti-
lerymen Of Battery A. Unconscious OF the Importance
OF this fact and strong in the permission OF the Engineer
Department he direcedsa foreman 20 rig powerful
derrick and hoist the stone wagons be conveyed
TO the place where the wall was 10 be built The men
led by the foreman. charged the garden calamity and
welding their spades nOby. soon had big hole Tor tue
reception OF the derrick when they were disagreosby
surprised by the arrival the scene OF corporal ana
six men Of the guard with fixed bayonsts. HaltP
,houted the corporal; "Order armsl" Then
advancing 10 the ore an and his party he said have
orders to lodge YOU and your in the guardhouse
Therefore fall IN, and make no resistance or you are
dead men" The astOnished foreman aud the bowIl
dereu diggers obeyed mechanically. and were marched
on When they had been safely lodged In the guard
TO beg the eeant of the guard to communicate the fact
that he was prisoner 70 the contractor. When Mr..
smith learned the news he eW TO the once OF the En-.
etneer Department and told his pteous tale. The
courteous colonel tho head OF that department
atey went of seek General Hancock. and came
back with eyes dancing with suppressed Fun viii
have your men released said he but be good "a TO
eaI AZ once upon General Hancock" Mr.. Smith de-
parted for the Generals quarers and sent bis in
by the orderly. He Immediately ushered into the
Generals ROOM Pray take seat, MI Smith, and tell
me what the trouble is" Mr.. Smith took seat and ex
planned YES said the General. 4" understand how
Il occurred. You obgingy dug up the potatoes and
deeaptated the cahba eads and pulled the
belonging TO Battery A. thinking TO do them essential
| service But as those potatoes and that corn and
those wanted some weeks OF being
| mature. you, IL fact with the best intentions
in the world destroyed the property of Battery A. This
Ioannot permit You must choose time 10 take that
stone whom you will not destroy the property OF Uncle
~ams boyA And n the sea-wai cannot be built untl
won take that stone, will have To walt until then
Make no apolo les Mr.. Smith. You acted from
cess OF zeal which led you forget the sancy OF pr
yafe property That Ia ALL Good morning" MT. smith
retired feeling and uncomfor able at the re-
bun admrng the same time the dun old warior
| who administered IT, - 80, =, -. -
great change ia that part OF the sand for will add
m ore tnan 10 s present area rhe " rises
bnt on 1oor foot thick and I'VE ee broad
The wall VIII be eight g ao9 arap hsa t1 lss,
slgn no ana boeRs seven fee. long, arranged in
headers aud stetohers that IL 10 the stones Will
be laid alternately lengtnways and headways. and the
vacant spaces behind will be hed IN with concrete This
alone would make stout wall but The blocks will FUR
Their bs bolted together with Iron clamps and dowel
bots The filing In considerable. amounting TO 10000
wards at the least The appearance OF the island from
the viii be greatly improved for on this side II
| is pretty shabby and ragged oil aspect