The evening world., 1889-01-11
two LOST GLOBES.
They Were Italy's Kindly Gift to
the American Metropolis.
Boss Tweed Took Them from the
Union Square Gate Posts.
They Should BE Found and Placed In
the City's Museum.


Two globes of ITALIAN granite we're chis-
elled near the base of Mount Vesuvius in the
year 10, A.. d. They were about eighteen
inches in diameter, beautifully polished and
finished.
One of the 400 of the historic city of Her
culaneum bought them and installed them on
either side of his staircase-just as one Of the
the modern 400 of New York might do.
Subsequently aseothing cauldron of molten
lava overAowed and completely inundated
Herculaneum, Pompeii and the adjacent
country.
The cauldron was that same Mount Vesu-
yius.
For many centuries thereafter the cities
lay completely obliterated. Then antigua
rlans began to excavate here and there.
Gradually the ruins of the once sumptuous
cities were unearthed. Many beautiful art
treasures were discovered. Among other
things out came the two granite globes.
This digging out occurred early III the
present century. Monarchic Italy has always
been stanch admirer of Republican Amer
lea, where 30 many of her citizens have found
new homes. The Republics greatest city has
been especially an object of interest.
In course of time the Italian Government
secured possession of the granite globes and
decided to present them to the city of New
York. The precious Jumps were accordingly
entrusted to n faithful envoy to bring hither
and engrossed resolutions accompanied the
present, ornamented with the proper number
of fiourishes befitting the importance of the
document.
Much pomp and ceremony marked the
DTeSpntAtlOn nppenfnncn-
The City Fathers held solemn conclave
regarding suitable disposal of the globes
Many weighty opinions were delivered with
much emphasis and sage wagging of the
head.
1t was finally decided that the globes should
grace the tall granite columns at the Broadway
entrance of Union Square Park. aud they were
forthwith perched thereon
This was then private park, such as
Gramercy Is now, and the aristocracy of the
neighborhood possessed keys. 1t was turned
over to the city and became public i'll 1868.
Prior to 1870 massive granite coping and
iron fence surrounded the park. The cop
ing was feet high. The handsome iron bars
surmountlng 1t lowered to height of 10 feet.
The Park was then of an Oblong shape.
There We're four entrances: On Fourth
avenue, Seventeenth street. Fourteenth
street and Broadway. On either side OF the
Gatewavs were tall granite columns.
The Broadway entrance was wider than the
others and the columns were higher. Hence
they were the favored columns chosen TO be
crowned WITH tie historic globes,
tassers-by used to stop and gaze curiously
upon the giant balls. The children of the
neighborho0d studied them with wrapt
attention. In those days they were fraught
with interest.
Who knows where they are to-day?
Many of the little folks, who were wont to
gaze at the globes with feelings akin to awe,
became famous III their day. Among them
were Philip L. Ruggles, al one time one of
the best known lawyers of the city Messrs.
Townsend and Nevins, well known bankers;
Henry &. stebbins, once Park Commits
side of the Park. David Austin, head of one
of the time; Thaddeus Burcoyne,
a retired English gentlemen;, Corne;
Daniel Drew lived on the Broadway side.
Also ON Broadway and on Seventeenth and
Fourteenth streets dwelt many more big
guns of the day Urich Smith, Capt. Charles
A. Marshall, Samuel Pennymun, John
Bridge, Cornelius Roosevelt grandfather of
Theodore Roosevelt: Judge Bailey, old
Judge Roosevelt and Robert Goelet Royal
Phelps lived at Sixteenth street and Broad
wav, and James Suydam lower down.
The family of eX-Aderman John j. Nor
rls who is at present living at 16l West
Thirty fourth street. formerly resided on the
bers the globes.
In 1868 William NJ. Tweed was Chairman of
me Board OF SUPERVISORS ana was Deputy
Street Commissioner; The latter office
works of the city and gave him almost un-
limited control of the department affairs.
At about the same time he was chosen
Grand Sachem of the Tammany Society
which then intensely admired his brilliant
mind and executive abilities.
BY amendments to the State Charter in
1870 the State control over the municipality
was withdrawn and the executive power was
vested in the Mayor and the heads of the
several departments, wEo were appointed by
the Mayor. The powers of the Street Com
missioner and of the Croton Aqueduct Board
were vested in a Commissioner of Public
Works, to which important Office the Mayor
appointed Tweed.
One of the Bosss first acts after gaining
control of the city parks was to remove all
the park fences.
Most of the granite coping about Union
Square Park was carted to Central Park and
laid Us the foundation of the conservatory
destined never to be built.
What became of the eight handsome gate.
posts and of the iron ratings is not known,
but question more particularly interesting
is the whereabouts of the granite globes
They were presented to the city and are its
A SAFE, sure cure for coughs and colds. ADAMsoN'l
BOTANIC BALsAM, kINsMLN, 25th st. and 4th ave.