New-York tribune., 1896-09-28

The surrrise was great when the carpenters ex-
tended the fence right across the two ends of Two
Rod Road. thus inccsing A large triangle OF Iahu
ard including the small street as front Yard TOT
the refinery building. At each end gate was
hung and some OF the property-owners OF the
rsehhorhood thought the public was to be accom-
modated TO the extent of having the right 10 use
The street by driving through the gates TINS
hone was dispeled on Thursday night. when the
gates were closed and locked.
The Sugar Trust is now using the fenced-in prop
ertv. including Two Rod Road. as storage yard
for old machinery and scrap iron. To apologists
for the Sugar Trust. who think that concern mas
the right TO protect its junk even by closing small
street the indignant people OF the nelshDorhooo
reply that the little street is of more Importance
than It's size would indicate. II has served as a
time-saving short cut for teamsters between Kent
ave and the Grand-st. ferry for many years
The early history Of Two Rod Road is unknown.
The oldest maps obtanable yesterday recognize the
little street. and man who has lived IN the hels"-
borhooi for thrty-sx years told Tribune reporter
that the road old one when ne nrst came 10
the neigbborhood
The triangular strip Of land surrounded by Kent
ave. South Firsr-st and Two Rod Road was for hfty
years the property Of Patrick McElroy. who made
his living this strip as a blacksmith. MS snoI
was until fits removal several years ago an old land
There is legend in the neighborhood TO the effect
that McElroy originally squatter, but, however
that may be. he paid taxes on his strip ana ms ue
property Controller jackson was the MORTGAGE.
Mcilroy died about six years ago. and the sugar
Trust bought the property
4 copy made in 1875 OF an old assessment map. now
in the Registers Office designates the McEiroy prop
erty as lost Nos l27 and 26. and gives the TWO Rod
Road as bounding IT, In every possible way this as
sessrne1t map recognizes the road thOrouShia
A search through the minutes Of the Board OF Alder
men and the records of the Local Improvement Bu-
,ea did no, show that this part Of the road was ever
officially closed There apparently. have been no
proceedings within years. and such proceedings
are countenanced only when thoroughafe ceases 10
be used such III, ..,o.. .-
many years. Twenty years ago the tracks OF the oi
Bushwick and GreenpOint horsecar Hhe ran thrOugh
the street. and when the Frankln-ave horse Inc
was built a loop made around kent-aVe ana
Grand-st. returning through this niue ,norousno
fare Then the trolley came. and took me same
route About three years ago me tracks Ss wets
changed. TO turn into Kent-ave. by way OF S9uth
First7st. and no longer ran along Two Rod road IN
front Of the Sugar Trust. g.. ,r,.. 80
The Brooklyn managers for the sugar trust osaS ex
pres ignorance as 10 why the street has Deen Closed
bur saw they suppose IL was done lawfully william
r Parsons counsel for the corporation was n0t az
his Once when Tribune reporter called HIS clerks
said they lnew nothing Of the existence oi the
fence. 49,, l,,,,. y,-or,,s
Commissioner Wills 10 learn by what autnorly tle
Warehouse Trust has closed Ferris and CohoNer SIS
and Commercial Wharf A similar inquiry as TO
what authority the Sugar Trust had for cioshs Two
Rod Road Is probable.