New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-04
MRS. LANGTRY'S FENCE GONE.
THE AUTHORITIES COME TOO LATE.
WORK BEGUN BY THE ACTRESSES ORDERS EARLY
IN TIE MORNING-rHE PILLARS LEFT.

IN THE MoRNING-rHE PILLARS LEFT.
The fence In front Of Mrs. Langtry's house at
NO. 36l West Twenty thrd-st was successfully
torn down yesterday morning. Superintendent
Richardson and Inspector McClnnis of the Bureau
OF Encumbrances arrived with dozen men and
two trucks promptly Mt 8 o'clock but were some
wht fNtOnishcd to find that their services were
not required after all. About half an hour before
hve men In the employment of Frederick Rode,
who decorated the interior of the house, had be-
gum acting under instructions from Platt and
Bowers, Mrs. Langtry's lawyers, to demolish the
offensive fence Superintendent Richardson cx-
changed few words with the young man in
charge of them, and then ordered his own men
to right about face
All the expcctant neighbors had imagined that
Mrs Langtry would delay until the Bureau for
chilly removed the wooden wall. and therefore it
was not until after o'clock that they began to
peep from windows and stare from doorstepS.
The spectators who the work begin were few.
When " the dear neighbours however, looked
abroad, their eyes were gladdened with what
they saw that by and by they stroled out of their
houses, and, assembling on the sidewalk con-
graduated each other, as slowly but surely the
work went on. First of all the gates were taken
of their hinges. and rested against two trees IN
the little yard. Then the bolts which joined the
woodwork were loosencd, the cappings were re-
moved, and one board was taken from the centre
OF the fence
Applause, LOUD AND SILENT.
"llooray!" said small boy when this ac-
omplishcd. Several elderly gentlemen smoking
cigars smiled to each other and felt hoorayl"
if they did not say it. Two or three cats came
out of obscure corners, and looked deiectedly at
the ruin overtallng the fence. They were the
only mourners present 1t isn't every day that
eats find such an elegant. eligible wailing wall
for their accommodation in front Of "a house
When another plank was removed the bystanders,
seeing that the house closely blinded bgan 10
| hn and aiol
with curious crowd.
Cit Quit" said the oversecr of the worlmen
but they didn't get out They tired to peer pc
low the blinds; as if fondy but vdny hoping
that Mrs. Langtry had surreptitlOusly returned
from Pttsburg They kicked about the ODDS
and ends that Uttered the yard and commented
| loudly on its untIdy appearance. lhcy pointed
| the finger of scom at the two trees. stlll lying
| where they thrown when uprootcd to make
room Tor "a carriage way. Revenge Is sweet. IHcy
had high old time.
The hardest part of the work Of clearing away
the fence was cXrlcatlng the base from the grip
of tie frozen ear which held il as tightly as
cement. Picks and shovels had to be vigorously
applIcd before the woodwork cOId he all removed,
and it after o'clock in the afternoon before
! Mrs. Langtrys famous fence lay pled up, a heap
| Of hva:,s and spllntcrs and bolts III corner oil
| the yard.
| lit was as hard as tooth pulling" said one Of
the worlmcn afterwards: bits of what you mi ght
call the roots of the blamed thlng lad TO dc haIcu
| out with plnccS"
THE BRICK PILLARS NUsr co. TOO,
| The fence was gone; but four brick pillars or
piers, two at each of the gateways, and all sur
amounted by lamps, still remained. Mr. Bowers
gave instruction to Mr. Rodcs men not to touch
these, and they left them alone.
You sec," said Mr.. Bowers W Il TRIBUNE re-
porter, in explanation, there is gong 10 be rail
| ing of ornamental IRON work put up. l asked at
| The Bureau OF membranes ia>t night WhctI"f
i've could not let the pillars remain so that gates
To match the railing might be hung between them.
WIS told we might To-day j was told that We
would have to remove them. We wont. The Bu-
rcau may do 80 if they please. | suppose they
will They have all along done just the opposite
of what we looked for. They waited untll MIS-
Iangtry was away before they served the notice,
and ali our communications with her on the SUB
lect had to be made by telegraph. We told the
Bureau that the fence only temporary ana
s, $40 he removed. There lots Of other en-
cumbrances on that street besides the fence: i
wonder how many people in the city have their
area ratings encrOahing on the street. l asked
SUPERINTENDENT Ric ardson. Of the Bureau, If the
Bureau could not take action against some OF the
neone who have such ratings and ne said, No,
ear the house where the encumhrancc exists be
fore we can take action oh. them said. 'one
of Ms Iangtry's neighbors made formal com
plant" but he did not give definite answer to
that question:
So the Bureau Of Encumbranccs has the task
Of removing the pillars before it Ms lnngtIy
has improved on an old motto. Her version ap-
parcntIy reads Defence and dciianccl'