Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1889-06-13

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Former Glory Has Dparted-A Re-
proqch Ia NeC Iorks Boqsted CirRisa-
ton "A Pathetic Incident
Correspondent Baltimore Sm.
New York, May 21-Standing at the
conjunction of Third and fourth avenues
and Eighth street is an imposing brown
stone building, over the front entrance to
which is this inscription: Cooper Insli-
lute-To Science and Art" Almost be-
meath the shadow of this magnificent gift
to The city OF New York-a gift designed
to beneft the masses and incuIcate in them
the higher and nobler qualities OF mind
and heart-the pa>ser by may read upon
the street lamps one word, "Bowery
word synonymous with poverty, vice and
crime.
FLOOD OF RECOLLECTIoNs.
What food of recollectons even the
very name Of this old street recalls. 1t
would indeed he IA vivid Imagination
which could wander back through the
long vista of years and picture to the
mind this crowded, busy thoroughfare as
shady, grass covered lane, through
which the ancestors of Mr. Ward Meal
.ister's arislocralic "F F~ur Hundred" were
wont to drive the lowing kline at early
morn and dewy eve What contrast .
Not much resemblance does it now bear
to a country land. The heavy trucks
and wagons rolling over the cobbestones,
the noise Of the bells and shouts Of the
drivers of the cars of half dozen street
railways, and the rumbling Of the elevat-
ed trains overhead, suggest anything else
but rural quiet. And it is not likely
that tae deposed manager Of the late
Centennial ball would feel complimenled
at the thought Of the average haJitue OF
the Bowcry in any way resembling the
ancestors of his "set."
Yet in the story Of this street may be
found many Of the influences which are
quickly changing Fifth avenue from the
place OF aristocralic homes To 4 business
lnroughfare. Indeed, not few OF the
more unpl asant features Of the Boweri
have already begun TO intrude upon liz
sacred precincts.
1he Bowcry, in the long ago, was the
home Of the fashionable and elite Of this
great city. But after awhile, as the com
merce of the city increased, the resi-
denccs gave way to business houses. with
here aud there Il saloon, where the shrewd
Dutch merchant OF the olden time might
lake a customer TO bind a bargain nol
quite complete At a still later period
Owncv Geoghcgan, Billy McGlory and a
dozen lesser lights of the same stamp made
their appearance upon the scene. With
their advent the more respectable portion
OF the old street gave up the fight and
surrendered to its fate.
As it has been necessary to refer To
these men in order to more clearly show
the influences which led to the dcgenera
ton f the street, a glance at their career
may not prove unIuteresting.
THE CAREERS OF GEoGHEGAN AND
MGLOry.
Owney Geoghegan opened n dance
hall, which in short time became nolO-
riuus. This man had such political IN
hu,nce that he once had police captain,
who offended him in some manner, re
moved to another precinct. Geoghegan
conducted his resort for number OF
years, but finally broken down in health
and premaiurely aged by dissipation, h'
was compelled 10 90 South, where he died
Ills Punishment from New York and the
society OF the boon companions Will
whom he associated here was the greatest
punishment which could have been in
| lllctcd upon a man OF his character Al
most without exception, men Of his clas,
are deyoied to New York, and life else
where 10 them i not worth the living
/ Geoghegan left considerable fortune.
which i, now being fought after in lh'
courts by three or four women, Gael
claiming 10 be bis widow
Billy McGlory's Armory Hall is onl,
am unpleasant memory now. 4 few DAYS
ago the building which had been occu-
pied by him for So many long years VIZ
soll. ard it Is SAID il will lie torn dowl
and church erected Oh the siie. In hi,
palmy DAYS McGlory was leading ligh
IN New York >p1ringiom, and his figure
was one Of the most familiar to lie seeI
on the Boulevard, where his equipage'
we're among the finest and bis horses The
aeetest and best. Il i ~ old story nov
but the one act which brought him NOR,
uotoriety than all tire others 10 his check