New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-15
THE LIE GIVEN BY GARDINER
A RED-HOT DISCUSSION BEFORE The
PARK BOARD.
CHARLES T. RIKER OPPOSES GRANTING TO TIE
SOCIETY OF THE WAR OF 1872. WHICH COLO
MEL ASA BIRD GARDINER REPRE-
SCENTS THE HONOR OF RAISING
THE FLAGS on EvACUA-

TON DAY
There was a lively tilt yesterday at the meet'he
of the new Park Board between Colonel Asa Oh -
Gardiner representing the Military Society Oh ~.
War of 1872 and Charles b. Rker. The society :"
under the presidency of the Rev. DR.. Morgan pN
OF Trinity Church At the close OF the long, p''e'
argument Colonel Gardiner said to MI h'Ae'
"You have proved yourself liar
To this Mr. Riker replied: Your socieN! -
sham and fake. and will expose IL ,-
The Board OF Aldermen had passed resoiu''o"
fsvoring the Society OF the War Of 1872 as tne
proper to have charge of the raising OF nass IL
this city on November %. Evacuation Day AZ
the Battery and In Central Park. Inc bo"i ~
however. referred the society to the PARK Coiiiii'
sion
Charles b. Riker is grandson Of John van Ais
dale. who 1t is generally believed, pui-eu uo""
the British flag from Fort George when the b'''''"
evacuated New-York.
He presented to President Cruger. Of the PARK
Board a typewriter statement protesting aga'"''
the awarding of the honor Of raising the nag "
the society represented by Colonel Gardiner.
THAT society ceased to exist some time ago ne
said "as the successor Of the Veteran Art'heiy
Corps which itself grew out OF the artillery corps 10
which John Van Arsdale belonged"
Mr. Riker finished the presentation OF his case
by saving that some legitimate society ought 10
have charge OF the ceremonies. Instead OF 'o.o"e'
Gardeners society. and added: This matter "aS
pushed through candestineiy by Colonel Gardner
society but | told the gentlemen what wished
to do. as / don't want to b. candestine. IKE ne
was"
COLONEL GARDENERS STATEMENT
In the course of an hours talk. Colone' Gar
diner among other things told the story OF the
evacuation and the history Of Captain John van
Dykes artillery corps. which was ordered to pro-
coed to Fort George.
He said the last public appearance OF the VET
ARTILLERY Corps was at the Inauguration GslT
acting as escort to President Cleye.and s,,,rg.
have letter here rom stephen NJ Wright to the
out Of ' eS,,ence that General Daily tie las.
commander and tina. the Military socieiy Of the
W" Mr o. R Ike "a aouTsSed Mr Wright while
Colonel Gardner va ASKED repe aS Mno IS '"
MY granifaiher first raised. the flag. lie lived
Bav Sf rsssd s nag y'fHfs Re S
Old Then on his death bel he asked chrstop asg
the tn stars and Stripes FORBES promised and has
kept MS word Ny uncle David, knq Ho.r 9ie ~
Aldermen has given the Military Society o. the
war Of 1872 the desired permission because It pc
organization It's a sham organization. a gentle.
man recently wrote an open i letter denoun'ns
Mr. Riker kept shaking his finger in the direction
of Colonel Gardiner as he Continued: we 40 b not
been by saam organization
AFFIDAVITS OFFERED.
President Cruger here asked: "Who raised the
flag july i?'
Colonel Gardner started to reply by saying Or
Dix when he quickly interrupted by Mt
Riker who said exciedly: Forbes raised the flag
and I was there. He had permit to do so.
Why no." interrupted Colonel Gardiner.
'I'l make an affidavit TO that effect, shouted
Forbes at this point. .
''I'll make another" added Mr. Riker exctedly.
Il was at the battery on Fourth OF July sad
Colonel Gardiner. Il found this man.. pointing
to Forbes. and not Mr. R,ker there" ,.. o., 49,.
II was there" retored Mr.. Rker, holly. Let's
get down 10 afldavlts there's been too much ques-
tonlng of anotneT's word
Commissioner Mcmillan here said: Produce your
documents and afidavts and we Will consider.
President Cruger said that as the Board Of Alder
men had given the society the right TO super.ntend
the putting up OF the flags the Park Board would
hesitate without good reason, to act contrary TO
the Aldermen.
Mr.. Riker said he had no more to say at present,
but Forbes said: Colonel Gardner Is one OF the
worst liars ever heard
Colonel Gardiner said afterward that the man
who had denounced the Military Society, as Mr..
Riker had said. Appleton Morgan. against
whom the society now intended 10 proceed He
said the Military Society incorporated and
that the Legislature had passed bill allowing
it retain the privileges OF the Veteran Artillery
Corps.