Morning journal and courier., 1890-03-12
nEooLLECrrors OF THE PAST.


 Some ofthe Interesting "Reminiscences Found in Henry Peck's Book Upon | the Oid state House. An old resident of New Haven cannot but 1 And many interesting "reminiscences to catch the eye in the look which has just been pub lished by Henry Peck upon the bygone his- tory of the green and the old state house. It is full of the aged iournalist's good stories. Mir. Peck was assisted in compiling the volume by George H. Coe. A few extracts are here given. They will show in what an entertaining manner MT. Peck has filled his pages:
 more distinguished for high quality, old school manners, than Hon. Alfred Black man, elected mayor in 1865. He knew Pro- lessor Silliman and the professor knew him. But frequently when the two men happened to pass each other on the street Professor Silliman would not appear to be aware of the circumstance. The latter fancied Professor avenue aristocracy, offensively displayed, and once called the attention of friend to the matter. Said he: ''I do not know why Professor Silliman, who is walking this way, will not see me as we pass each other, but please note that he will be doing something to prevent him. As the men neared each other Professor Silliman took @ look at the sky and did not appear to see anybody. A short time afterward during the mayoralty of Henry Peck, the president of the United States-James K. Polk-was the guest of l the city and had fine reception in the state house. Hon. Alfred Blackman, as chairman of the committee, introduced some | of the leading citizens of New Haven to the | ukrx,y nh iaf oocia The aocOnd to be introduced to the president was Theo- dore D. Woolsey. MT. Blsckman, impress- | lively and with much polish of manner, intro- duced President Woolsey of Yale to Presi- dent Polk, the latter making remark at- testing his qualification at meeting 90 re- nowned . scholar and eminent @ gentleman. Following President Woolsey were some Of | the college faculty, and next to President | Woolsey approached Professor Silliman. Judge Blackman had seen him in the line. As he reached the proper place, Judge Black man said to him:
 "Do you wish to be introduced to the pres. identt
 "Yes, sir," said Professor Silliman.
 "What nameg epquired the polite com- mitteeman.
 "Silliman."
 Raising his voice little and inclining his head toward the professor, Judge Blackman again enquired: ''Whst name did you say 2"
 "Sillimap," once more announced the owner of the name, evidently astonished at | "Ahi Yesl" Turning to the president, the introduction was effected. President Polk-Silliman."
 The president, taking his cue from the curt method of the introducing committee man, nodded to the professor as though somewhat surprised, and in a moment an- other gentleman was being politely intro duced.
 .Hs'I r.a-t-h-er think" remarked Judge | Blackman, to his friend whom he met on | Church street, soon after the reception was over, "that the next time we happen to meet, Professor Silliman will really recollect me-" -.
 The boys of New Haven had great deal more fun out of the canal than the subsorib. CTS who put money into it's construction. | They skated on it in winter, ran blenders to. ward the spring and bathed in it in summer, and caught lamprey cells and fresh water clans and bullheads and sinners. Certain | religious societies used 1t for the baptism of converts, and on Sunday afternoon there could sometimes be seen on the bank of the canal just above where the water ran under | the Grove street bridge, large assemblies of devout persons taking part in the exercises attendant upon baptism. The canal water was never very nice, but it answered the pur- | in running benders when the ice was danger ous, than any other Lanoasterian school boy. Very pleasant in the summer nights sounded the music of tho boatman's horn as it was heard on the long level above the Hillhouse avenue bridge, and one musical fellow sum- moned the loch keeper by a melodious tune played on . brass instrument with keys. Sometimes there would pass through the canal a boat on which the canal men were :iDsins..
 The builders of tho state house were fortu- nate in exemption from fatal accidents. At the building of Trinity church on the green, man lost his life; another man was killed at the building of the College street church, and still another at the building of St. Pauls. The latter was stone mason, and his death was reported to have been . judgment and punishment for his wickedness in working into its walls four stones rudely shaped to represent the four suits in a pack of playing cards. These stones were in recent times removed from the wall.
 One of New Haven's prominent residents and taxpayers was King Lanson. He was pre-eminsnt in depravity, and died at the almshouse in the night of May 2S, 1851, aged about seventy-6ve years. He was a tract and at ono time was worth not less than $40,000. King Lanson, in early life, was engaged in various works requiring some engineering skill. In time he became | abandoned and grew to be notorious as 6 representative of wickednees. The old u. berian hotel, which was totally destroyed by fire September 17, 1895, stood at the foot of Mallory, Wheeler 6 Go. lock manufactory. The house was the resort of lewd and absolute persons, both white and coiored, and the fremen made no reasons. M ble efforts to prevent the fire from burning
 A very shocking thing occurred on the green the Fourth of July, 1850. As each MT. Hubbard. The gun was not elevated SC as to throw the wadding used in loading over the heads of people, but before each discharge warning was given and the people , among whom were scores of children, divided right and left. Just before firing, while the Welch, aged ten years, started to follow hel twin sister, who had crossed the open space She was little nervous and hesitated . mo- ment while in range of the gun. The hesita ton was fatal to her, for her head wal knocked of by the ball of wadding.
 Every body voted in the state house unti 1858. By that time it was not always easy for the moderator of e city meeting to de- termine whether the person offering his vote had legal right to deposit it. The compiler of this history of the state house remembers the disputes which used to take place be- tween the challengers of voters for both political parties. Amos Bradley wa. for . long time thought to be an exceptionally good challenger. He had wonderful memory for faces, and if he ever saw voter once anG was told his name he never forgot him. | is related that on one occasion, ai Sylvester Potter was about to vote he was, challenged. Hon. Ralph l Ingersoll was tho counsel for thu democratic party, and he inquired: "Wh! do you challenge this mans vote" Th' challenge made reference to e certain record It was sent for and examined, and MT. Inger soil said "Mr. Potter, you can't vote. The would-be voter replied: "Mr. Potte don't want to vote, but he's as good demo erat as any of you" According to the recort 1t was Mir. Potter's misfortune to go entaneled with shovel belonging to anothe
 
 New Haven is indebted to Hon. Luciel w. Sperry, for the introduction of the pug