Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-16
wAsHINGroN1ANs Ar5CApE MAY.

wAsHlxGTox1ANs Ar5cApE MAY.
The Past and Present of This Well
Known Seaside Resort.
Correspondence of The Evening Star.
CAPE MAY. n. J.I July IA, 1894
This old seaside resort which has been
putting forth its claims as a water
ing place more than q century, is again
in the beginning Of a season of life and
gaiety, such as were known by the old in
habitants in ante-bellum days, when Henry
Clay, James Buchanan, Franklin Pierce.
the elder Bayards and many southerners of
fame came in the summer to enjoy pleas
ant sea breezes and renew acquaintance
OF those of the north. Cape May is the old
est watering place along the Atlantic coast.
save Newport, and as early as 1903 the
Philadelphia Daily Aurora contained adj
vertisements of Cape May inns and of the
directions and roads to be observed in driv
ing south from Philadelphia to this point.
Benjamin Franklin is said at one time IN
nave sent guests to the old town when the
present Main street. Washing ton was not
IN existence, and it's parallel sister I,afav-
cite street, was only cow path. The vii
lage then had but about one hundred in
habitantS, and four five inns
The place gradually grew in size until
In 1910 it had about forty houses prinei-
pally boarding places. The streets were
only made as necessity demanded and be-
cause of this there is hardly a perfect block
in the whole plan Of the city, as 1t is now
called by the grace Of the New Jersey leg
islature. The early mode Of travel. aside
from driving was by packet, and a regular
weekly service was conducted from New
York and Philadelphia until the steamboats,
gradually took their places. The place
doomed rapidly after the steamboat service
was established. The daily comings of the
principal events. and 1t was then between
lS4O and the breaking out Of the rebellion
| that Cape Mays halcyon days were noted
The hotels were filled from early June to
late September and the visitors were of
the toliest sort, mostly from New York
Philadelphia. Baltimore and Washington
The southern element was the most con-
spicuous for its hospitality and this ele-
ment was a staying part Of Cape May life
until the late rebellion began The patron
age which Cape May lost then has never
been regained After Long Branch be-
came prominent, and the other resorts
nearer Gotham also attracted the Knick-
erbocker's sons. the New Workers seemed
to lose interest in this resort.
After the Railroad Came,
What Cape May lost in war times was
partially regained just before the close by
the construction Of a railway line, which
is now operated by the Pennsylvania rail-
road. Just after the building of this road
a great boom in cottage and hotel building
followed. To the old hotels. with their long
piazza columns, reaching to the top of the
hostelries, were added those Of modern ar
chitectural appearance. which gave the
place a distinctive popularity. Fires did
much damage about a decade ago, but from
these ruins sprang up more modern hotels
and much prettier summer villas. The ad-
vent Of a second railroad, the South Jersey
fed by the Reading and the Baltimore and
hoC IN Inf sad h f.xN-
people. This line, though hardly in regular
running order as yet,was started four years
ago. but the first regular train did not be-
gin to run until Tuesday of last week.
The life at the resort Is again resembling
that Of years gone by. There are no Pierces
Henry Clays, Grants, Buchanans, Harri-
| sons here this season. no Washington Light
Infantry camping here with such a gallant
colonel as Col. Moore, to take the lead iE
entertainments. but nevertheless the guests
that are here seem to be having a Jolly
time.
The Washington Contingent.
The Washington guests are numerous this
year. and a glance over the hotel registers
reveals the fact that at every hotel and
every day the Washington residents are
coming. and the colony from that city is
already large. Representative J. Z. Wash
ington Of Tennessee and family are here
for the season. Representative and Mrs.
John Fletcher Lacy of Iowa are here
Representative David H. Mercer and bride
have been enjoying a portion of their
honeymoon here. Representative and Mrs
McAleer and Representative and Mrs.
Marriott Brosius of Pennsylvania are sum-
merlng here. Representative Robert Adams
Of Philadelphia and Representative Lou
denslager Of New Jersey are passing their
leisure time here.
Cardinal Gibbons is here as the guest OF
Mr.. CoCkroft Thomas of Philadelphia, at
his cottage He will remain a fortnight,
as is his usual custom each season.
Mrs. Diana NJ. Kearney, widow of the late
Gen. Phil Kearney, is occupying her Beach
avenue cottage and has her daughter, Mrs.
Powell and grandchildren with her.
Senior Zeballos, minister from the Argen-
tine Republic, is also at Congress Hall.
Among other Washingtonians here are
George Sproston. Mrs. John Boyle Tilford,
Miss Tilford, Miss Milton, William A. Leete
and family. Miss Kate Dousal, Edmendo j.
Plaza second secretary of the Mexican le-
cation; II. Simpson. Mr. and Mrs. W. w.
Heron Miss Edith Heron. Miss Helen Ham,
ilton, Mrs. Austin p. Brown, James Freres,
A. Y. Bradley, Mr.. and Mrs. r. Buchanan,
Mrs. Frank Bennett, Mr. and Mrs. George
l.. Smith, Joseph Z. Leaning, r. A. Muir
ray. John Murray, NJ. Lown and L. NJ.
Gillespie
Minister Romero Of Mexico and family
are to pass the summer here.
Minister Cana of Chile and his first sec
rotary of legation, Senior Don Anibal Cruz.
are her with their families for all summer.
Minister Arriaga Of Guatemala and Fran
cisco Betencourt, his private secretary, are
also here for the season.
Col. Arthur Herbert of Fairfax, wife and
children are here.
Theodore A. Havemeyer the sugar trust
president. is also here.
Count Mitkine Russian, and his bride
are here for their honeymoon.