The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-07-04
Pill. cure constipation. a5c.
A STORY OF DE1kCr1pE ROW
Decline OF the Colony OF Inspector Byrres'
Men In Morrisnnia.


Men In Morrisania.
In tho long block on 18th street, between
Brown place and Willis avenue in Morrisania
is row OF houses which has always been re-
Rarded with peculiar interest by the owners and
tenants OF the surrounding property. Prob
ably long after oil remembrance OF the origin
OF Its title will have passed away 1t will con-
tinue to be known as Detective row." In
fact 1t is very unlikely that even now many
OF the newcomers in the neighborhood can
tell the derivation of the name which
passes their tongues so frequently. The
row referred to begins half way down
the block from Willis avenue on the north side
of the street. and extends to within about $50
feet Of Brown place. All the houses are Of
brick. with light stone trimmings and founda-
tions. and are three stories high The fronts
are attractive and the interiors comfortable,
and the builders made them moro substantial
than most Of the residences which have recently
been erected in the annexed district. That was
because they expected to occupy them. whereas
most Of the other houses were built by specu-
lators who expected to sell them or by large
land owners who wanted to get some income
from tleir property, but did not want to invest
very much money in the buildings they
put up for renting purposes only. The houses
in Detective row" were finished according
81
that is why no two are exactly alike. although
their exteriors are similar. They were the
flrst buildings to be erected in that block. and
when they were begun the neighbors believed
that the entire block would be devoted to SINH
lar residences, owned either by the same per-
sons or by their friends. That supposition
proved unfounded. however. and only one Of
the houses In Detective row" is now occu-
pied BY its original owner. All the rest have
either sold or rented their houses and have
moved elsewhere.
The detectives from whom the row derived
its title were all on the staff OF Mr.. Byrnes be-
fore the latter was promoted from tho head OF
the detective bureau to his present place. 1t
is said that Detective Sergeant Heidelberg
was the promoter Of the scheme. and he had
six associates. 1t Is also said that by uniting
they we're able to reduce the cost OF the prop
erty The land came cheaper per being In one
Of the latter was aiso materially iessened.,
berg's idea was to found a. colony of employees
Of the Police Department. in the block. Why he
remote from Headquarters has never been ex-
Hes S the HI BIZ snns Is a i fs s
years. and the suburbs north Of tho Harlem
haye always been attractive to the Central
that the detectives were inspired to invest
when therdid b.. an understanding that the
Im n authorities PROPOSED to improve that
OF the property greatly. The detectives are
there were many sharps who were ready to
wager that this meant an immediate improves
ment Of that SECTION of Morrisania by the city.
II the detectives had any such expectations
they must have been disappointed. for the
by the authorities in any manner. 1t has not
been improved any quicker or more thorough
ly than Its neighbors. and not as much as
some. It has not yet been paved: although
some q the dioinipg streets have been
only few months ago. and 1t has obtained no
other ., advantages through any action by the
has X thu
other streets. That is due to the isct that latin IN
other parts OF the block ordinary fiat houses
Il has been asserted that only ono Of the
Original oWneE Of Detective row" still re-
All the others have settled elsewhere. De-
tective Heidelberg sold his house. and the |
others followed his example SO far, as they
q very small percentage q the value Of the
houses IS anoher rdde To he nae
SSsted when they found that the city
the street any quicker than it's neighbors. |
while others assert that the remoteness from |
the Mulberry street headquarters was the
ton is THAT the detectives were disappointed
the block, and that they decided to get out
the restriction of the adjoining property to
private residenees. All the gossips agree In
rom start to niss has BEEN as lex as
one might OK poet from men who are constant.
ly dealing In mysteries.