davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1896-05-24
THE PRIVATES AT BASEBALL

Sound. between Execution Rock Lighthouse
rear Sands Point on the Long Island shore and
Harts Island on the NewYork side The guns
are not Of modern construction, being CT the
same pattern as those used in the Civil War.
and would not be able TO demclish war-vessel
f the present day. That they would do some
damage, however. II aimed effectively, was dem
onstrated recently when the larger one knocked
The target clean out Of water at distance or TWO
miles. This one IS Of 1J-inch bore, the smaller
being an S-inch rife. A popularity Of their
mounting has been OF great interest TO army en-
gneers. and has attracted visits TO the island for
the express purpose Of seeing II. Instead or nav
Ing pits dug out. is usual. for foundation
they are mounted upon the solid bedrock, which
crops out here in great masses. 1t has been cut
away and grooved TO form the proper resting
pace. and tie guns look as If they were sta
uoned there for all time to come. The target
ouus Tor smell-arms practice which TO ciViIan
look Ike old board fences canted over on one
nae oy the wind. not far from the guns
."e new mortar battery. also nearby. which was
.eua TWO years ago and is still far from nm
''"eu' VIII be fine specimen Of engineering
.".'' men are working on this constantly, and
:. % 'ne only spot on the island where the eye
- ''e visitor is forbidden TO penetrate. The
'easohs OF course are obvious, for keeping the
.eO'e's OF the Army's most powerful defences
"o" the general public. The battery will com
MANU- the same part Of the Sound--that Is, the
~'"ance-now guarded by the guns.
'"e OF the most remarkable things 10 a stran-
sei az this post is that eighty-sx acres can be
"~'e 10 afford ample room for so many pur-
nSes through the centre OF the Island stretches
N os parade ground. with it's beautifully even
trace OF close-crorped turf. There IS space
Aee Tor whole companies to march and dcploy
81, .'n casa. At o every morning the bugcs sound
Dn!' When 1t has been repeated day after
s''' week in and week out. this loses every
'parS OF novelty which II ever possessed, and
%.,e is no grief II anything occurs to interfere
""h The performance AS the commanding Of
",er SAID lately. with twinkle in his eye:
"nen the grass is 60 wet. you know, that
ahs shoes soaked through after he has
.aAeh three steps. We jump al the opportunity
" omit drill for that morning"
EXILE FOR THE BACHELORS.
~ong the western side OF the parade ground
. omcers' Row, line of wel-bullt. comfortable
.'''e orick houses. with lawns and shrubs around
'Hem. The avenue Of arching trees planted at
euiar intervals. which stretches in from; Of the
"o'e row was many years ago the driveway
" the old Davids Mansion. The site where This
ooa Is still visible but the driveway s now
uueo over and makes delightful shaded walk.
.ae extreme end OF the row is a building used
'"e quarters OF eight bachelor oficens. dis
.S,pec'iuiiy dubbed. according 10 the regular
'",n'ary custom, the Corral
-, me soidiers barracks and mess nall are at
o'ner side of the parade They are long, low
sx1'"ss' also Of brick. and covered. many Of
w. WITH the delicate running vine Of the
New-York tribune., 1896-05-24
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CAMEL.
AN LH,r IsH CORRESPONDENT WHO THINKS II
AN ovERRATED BEAST
From The London News.

AZ I.N,i IsTI CORRESPONDENT WHO THINKS II
AN ovERRATEp BEAST.
From The London News.
our correspondent with the sordan expedite"
sends the following reflections on the camel eyerra,ea
beast There is great deal OF him. t bur he Snre Is nes
for his size nearly 50 strong as the use6u So
strangely conceived HIS legs are attached TO MS
sideraton FOR the uses 10 which (merely viewed as
egs) he might be expected TO put mem ana , ms S
the rest Of him. and both so useless. that ono
cannot avoid the thought that the camel Is soIne
new never finished of at all. r,,.,
Even the qualities he possesses tend TO strengthen en-
can KICK himself violently in the-let US say the
IRON, the backwh his fOreeg adIe,eS Me dSes ions
hours rutssy must adMD TO ne an ante attempt fsxoro 70
Win the M ne s 81 M ed TO- me han the
have wooed him with the soft notes not ,,,aG, OF my
Of Mimosa branches. have puffed tobacco smoke
into his supercllous nos;rils. And. then Just as l
in his ione-lashed eye he has risen all of one moves
TO his feet % at rSeb me IN and bFoken eeh
and gazing al me full, with more vindictye con-
has Tsps kched Hs himsef % vo'eaty in stomach and
Ian down again. who should say, Now. 60
'Ts Thsn aRs Re San gnaW naRs his
less ts rag Of en tan nab aai i ns Even fo m
he has be seven somaehs Of wseh b. vain s1
Sag me- is 10 50 b NTH w Se se Is W
fetching up one OF them 20 show you, and blows IL
out from his great. ugly throat in horrd, glitter
ing transparent bulb. for you 10 admire more
naliseating practice could hardly be conceived. but
the low brute will do it, One accomplishment, n-
deed | can give him credit for. He can flick a ny
from the top of hts head with his hind toe. Now.
this In the age We live in might. were he lucker
beast and the rest OF his bulk conducive, nave
served him in good stead But as things are fear
he Will make nothing OF H. HIS shape is iataiiy
agans; him. and he Will never become fashionable
as a step dancer. ,,,,.
But with all his faults. defects and disabilities
the camel has far this country is concerned
not vet been superseded by any more practical in.
venon and despite the fact that bis temper Is bad,
his appetite vast ana sordd. his capacity for pro-
longe1 existence without water giddy hction, his
carrying capabilities mean and his locomotive
powers exasperatingy meagre. yet he Is all We
have and on him must We largely depend through
out this Dongola expedition. Dr. Conan Doyle. who
is one of our party. believes after week or so OF
acquaintance with him. that he has discovered IN
his riding camel great decacy OF sentiment and
much dignity of demeanor. But then. Dr. Conan
Doy,e is man OF 50 wide charity that he actu-
ally believes in. and even admires-wel no Will
not say who II Is Let every one guess for him.
self Bu, II that person. why NOT the camel? Why
not. indeed? Perhaps | may have some day some
thing pleasa 70 say about my camels. Time must
decide. Is it a long-ved beast. wonder?
New-York tribune., 1896-05-24

Japanese Ivy. Inside these barracks the Ameri-
can Tommy Atkins is at home When not on
guard or fatigue duty he may sit or lounge
around here, in the neighborhood Of his own lit
tie cot and busy himself at almost any occupa-
ton he happens - fancy He usually embraces
the opportunity to doff his uniform and to adopt
varying degrees and styles Of neglige attire.
Everything inside the barracks Is kept scrupu-
lousy neat. At one end Of the room runs long
line Of washbasins each OF which has been
thoughtfully provided with a mirror of generous
size so that the soldier. who Is proverbialy par
ticuar about his appearance. may "prink" like
girl, If he chooses. before appearing for duty.
The officers dislike TO ntrude upon the mems
home hours. and seldom enter the barracks, ex-
cept at the regular inspection In the morning.
When, occasionally an officer happens in at
some other time the effect Is electric "Tenton."
shouts the sergeant or corporal who catches the
first glimpse of his superior and there Is a hasty
scramble among the men. In an instant each
one has dropped whatever he was doing and is
standing stiff as ramrod in front OF his par
ticular cot. If no non-commissioned officer
chances TO be present, the duty of warning the
men falls upon the first private who sees the
officer coming
New-York tribune., 1896-05-24
DEVICES AT JEROME PARK.
THE ELIMINATION OF MAN THE OBJECT
OF THEM ALL
WORK on THE GREAT REsERvoIR-TRANs-
MISSION OF POWER WITH ATR-sTEAM

WORK on THE GREAT REsERvoIR-rRANs-
MISSION OF POWER WITH AIR-sTEAM
sHovELs AND LOCOMOTIVES DIS
PLACE woRKMEN AND TEAMS
please, sir, can you tell us the way to Jerome
Park?'
The tall, bearded man looked smlngy down
at the morsel OF humanity addressing the ques-
ton and then glanced at his still smaller COM
panion whose face wore a pained expression, as
OF one who Is lost.
why, certainly, my little man. You just follow
your nose and the old aqueduct here and you can't
miss It. But why you going to Jerome Park?'
me and Jimmy is gon' up there TO see the big
air engine working"
We'll, | declarev' was the sententious eXclama-
ton OF the man, and turning slowly he followed
the boys determined to see what their air en-
glne' amounted to. Although a resident for
long time Of the immediate vicinity Of what is
10 be the greatest storage reservoir for city water
supply in the world. he had not paid sufficient at
tention to the movement OF things about him to
know that he TO see one OF the modern won-
ders Of mechanical progress. This Is the big air
compressor plant that the contractor, John g.
New-York tribune., 1896-05-24

"Why, it's an axiom that an Army post can run
Itself. The men recruited from every trade
and occupation imaginable. and no matter what
We want DONE 1t doee not require long search
as a rule to find some one who has been trained
to the work"
In the library the bla ck-covercd books look
as If they had been through many hands, ana
indeed this is popular place for the soldiers of
duty 10 spend their evenings. The jan,tor, or
librarian. IS a private who has been In the SER
vice many years, and who Is the wonder OF the
most on account Of HE artistic ability. Although
he has neN er had an hours instruction, the PANT
ing In oil Of General Howard, which hangs in
New-York tribune., 1896-05-24

to the northern extremity. some hundreds OF
yards to the north Of the old Boston Road. THIS
was the way the youngsters were taking in their
quest Of the "air engine" Perhaps 1t was the way
they knew best on account Of the old chestnut
trees that line the concealed waterway. and or
the bewildering tangle OF field daisies that en-
rich the emerald OF the sod with their glitter OF
white and gold in the prime of summer weather.
THE VARIOUS ROADS THITHER.
There is still another road to Jerome Park for
the city folk. 1t is by way Of the New-York
and Harlem to Bedford Park, and along the
Boston Road westward to the Aqueduct again
There is still another for all roads appear to
lead to Jerome Park. Take the East Side ele-
waited road to ne-hundred-and-seventy-
ST., or Tremont-ave, then transfer to the cleo
trio road. and so up through Fordham one
of the quantest we'll as one Of the Oldest
OF the many historic villages around and in
Greater New-York. II one Is hardy and seeks
open-air exercise, let him alight at Fordham
and walk round the curving ascent OF the Kings
bridge Road to the Poe cottage. then across by
an easy way to the aqueduct. This, be II re-
membered, cleayes the centre OF the Jerome
Park reservoir. Every foot of the way Is fra
grant with historic memories. memories Of the
War of the Revolution. There the Colonial
troops and the British camped by turns or
contended for the supremacy. 1t was along
the winding extent Of Kngsbrdge Road that
New-York tribune., 1896-05-24

Joining meadow, near the new mortar battery.
bicycle track has just been laid out, which will
surround the island on the waterfront, just as
does the one on Governors Island. II Will be
about mile and half in length. Most OF the
officers own boats, and rowing sailing and fishing
divide honors with the other sports
SPORTS OF THE PRIVATEs.
In their play hours The soldiers enjoy equal
sporting facilities. From thirty to forty row.
boats, many of which are rgged with impromptu
sails, are at their disposal. 1t Is not difficult
for them TO obtain permission to go ashore as
frequently could be reasonably desired and
this liberty. to their credit be II said. is seldom
abused when the island was a recruiting sta
tion," In the words OF OF the senior officers.
''it Is no wonder that men deserted at every pos
sbe opportunity. For the three MT nths they
were here they were absolute prisoners. never
for any reason being allowed to have even few
hours leave Of absence. Now that they are
treated with more confidence In their honesty
the number of desertions Is far less
Baseball and football are the soldiers favorite
games There Is "crack" rine picked from
among the players. which battles on the parade
ground in front OF the messhal against visit
Ing teams from Fort Schuyler ard other places.
One Of the young officers plays on this nine and
also on the football eleven.
On the day Of a game which is considered OF
Importance there Is general and evident desire
to hurry the work through early as far az this
may be accomplished under strict military dis
cpline. week or two ago a return game OF
baseball was played at the island with the Fort
Schuyler boys. The interest unusually
strong because Davids Island had been beaten
In the former contest, a.d was burning to
avenge the defect. Before the game was called
about fifty soldiers, few Of them visitors. had
assembled on the borders Of the field. Every
play was watched with the keenest enthusiasm,
ard ir the less exciting intervals the Onlookers
lounged on the grass. talking and laughing. and
apparently enjoying their hoday-time to the
full. Two -baggers' and home runs were ap-
plauded with all the fervor OF the genuine crank.
while errors were greeted with groans and
complimentary reflections upon the players. The
niDe wear gray baseball uniforms. with red
stockings and the words "Davd's Island In red
on their shirts. 1t Is. Of course. by special per-
mission that they are allowed TO appear OUT
doors in this costume instead Of their uniforms.
Life Is not urcnding round Of Joy at
military post any more than II is among civil-
ians. but there is a charm about the uniform.
the bugle and the drum There Is OF necessity
a closeness Of association among the officers
families which causes them TO resemble one
great household. and in the ranks n spirit OF
good fellowship which makes the NOR true COM
radeS in war and peace
New-York tribune., 1896-05-24

~ David's Island in October, 1894. At that time
1, became a regular army post, and received
earrison Of about 200, officers and men. Most
0, these belong 10 the 1st Artillery; there being
besides six members Of the Hospital Corps and
ahandfu Of infantry. 1t may be mentioned that
the gazetteer spells the name David's Island.
despite Thadieus DaTids
The island itself is a charming. green spot, set
down In the waters OF the Sound, amid varied
and picturesque surroundings. 1t lies about
north and south in a long narrow line. and con-
tans eighty-six acres. New-Rochelle the near
est mainland, is reached in a few minutes by the
Government steam launch Hamilton. which runs
frequently back and forth Glen Island is not
far of and the coming and going Of the eXcur-
sion steamers IN summer affords constant life
and movement without being near enough 10 be
annoying Eastward. further ou' in the Sound.
Il Huckleberry Island. II is n little beyond this
that the targets are set up when the men meet
for regular practice in firing the big guns.
OLD-FASHIONED GUNS.
There are two Of these situated near each
cher on the southern point Of the island. They
t<mand what is really the entrance 10 the
New-York tribune., 1896-05-24

time they have begun more than II nibble round
perhaps that the contractor is feeling htS way In
a sense. experimenting with labor-saving de-
vices Of one sort and another. Every expert
mental device. however has a value in forward
ing the work No backward step Is taken. the
air compressor plant. for instance, has been
tried before on other work under Mr.. McDoh-
AIDS charge The problem in jerome Park was
one OF dimensions. Could air be piped AT work
ing pressure for long distances? Without 'ex-
traneous aid this cannot be done. for the FUR
ther IL goes, the colder II gets. The great pipes
Will be coated with frost Under hot sun
How to overcome 1t the question for the
engineers, and they have 1t all worked out to
satisfactory solution.
There are a good many ways OF getting 10
Jerome Park. II you are down In the city you
can take the West Side elevated road To one
hundred d-hfty -hfth-st.. and there connect
with the NewYork and Putnam Roads train
leaving the elevated station on the half-hour
schedule Get off at Kingsbrldge, climb the hill
to the eastward, and there you are. Or II you
want to make pleasant walk OF il, alisht at
Fordham Heights. ascend the long hill TO the
old aqueduct. and go north along that spacious
and airy elevation. BY doing you will get
comprehensive view of the progress the work IS
making from the lower end Of the reservoir UP
New-York tribune., 1896-05-24

they marched down the hill and across Spuyten
Duyvi Creek and around to the spring at the
station where Washington drank. and where the
frowning hills still seem 10 echo 10 the last
defiant blast OF Antony Van COrears trumpet
as he went down in the darkenng current.
Already they have found undeniable PROOF
that Jerome Park was the scene OF warlike
gatherings Only few days ago, While the
workmcn were digging for the trench OF the
core wall at Sedgwick ave. and the Boston
Road, they discovered cannon ball about five
inches in diameter and old-fashioned bayo-
net The former was taken possession of by
one of the surveyors and the bayonet was
handed over 10 Mr.. Mcdonald. 1t Will un-
doubtedly find place in the relic case or a
museum somewhere This all illustrates how
interesting the locality Is where the topography
is being go radically and so rapidly changed.
and the visitor can work out double object
New-York tribune., 1896-05-24
THE TdLE OF TWO COINS.
THEY WE'RE IL JEFF DAvrs's POSSESSION WHEN
HE WAS CAPTURED.
From The Washington Post.

From The Washington Post.
General Nathan church, the Michigan represena ~ -
from captain 10 colonel OF the famous lwcn'y -sinh
Michigan, and then to assstihv, y, 40 arJu.h h,d vth
much pride while in Washington aH god picr9e
,hat has a wonderful history. " men He'sl T tei =
General Niles requested the War department to
allow him TO retain MS chiei oi SiH't M ~ sir months
after his regiment had gone nome; anu ulL'i 10 az =
SGfnGa h apdqa 1 Mes at 5rt Monroe their principal
duty being guard their distinguished prisoner Oh
When captured NIr Davis had in his pocket the
gold piece In question and Mexican silver dollar
General Church procured other similar pecs nnl t
Davis's pocket. He retained the gold pee ana
gave the dollar to Major Black. the Dakota men.
bcr Of the four who were present at ,he r.c.t t..
exercises. and who had been hiS tent-inabe. e
famous dollar at evening gathering; passing II
and he mas ever since mourncd FOR his lost treasure
General church had better luck. however Win hs
TO MS friends carried it as much pred pocket
piece for twenty-five years whtn, ne tuduendn ~ @
instead Of another similar piece or money ne cd..
rIed with Il: but 10 whom he had not the slghtest
5G.qsGtGH Re. SsGk to- lay sse amy s. gold pieces earn
date Of 1851 that might pass lhTo"fh ms gh nnhdS bn m
possibly chance IN million that me vaIuaOe
Six weeks afierward an old farmer dropped in and m
made a small deposit, when the cashier said 10 M
IooRIng for" He took it, ana was oyerjoyed 20
find the distinguishing marks ne had placel upon
the coin when It first left Mr.. Davs's pocket ana
found its way 10 his own since then the precious
piece has been kept carefully wrapped ana safeiy
secured against another disappearance.
While in Paris hve or six years ago General
Church was a guest evening at the home OF a
wealthy family who had formerly resided In New
York In some way the hostess learned that he
had helped TO guard Mr.. Davis while he was IA
prisoner of war. and she said. with much apparent
sat!sfaction: Il have Mexican dollar that was
taken from Mr.. peysss pocket at that time WHICH e
anxiety he felt. Mr Church asked when and where
she obtained T. ana was % tod that 1t had been
While he occupied the White House and tina; she
being his relative. It had fallen to her on the
distribution of his valua bles after President John-
SONS death. General Church had NJ opportunity
nor inclination then to explain what he knew OF the
old relic but he has had opportunity TO
personally tell Major Black where his long ost dol
lar s and he. too. may, Ike General Church. come
again in due tine into possession Of bis own.
New-York tribune., 1896-05-24
.,rr ON DAvID'S ISLAND.
-ps AND MEN HAVE VARIOUS
of' SPORTS.

..sepALL. FOOTBALL. TENNIS ROWING AND
,rxc-wIrH DUE REGARD FOR DIS
,,,xe. IT is SOUGHT TO MAKE THINGS
n,r,sANr FOR THE PRIvATEs
,,v,as Island lying off the old town OF New New
pa' has been famiarly known for years
Kos" ,rnortant recruiting station Of the Oni'ed
an ' INV Sold to the Government for that
s'a., bv Thaddeus Davids at about the time or
pu'po,u War. It has since beer the training
ine ~ thousands Of men, Experienced OIL
srO'" ..csved these soldiers "in the rough, or
sfs ,,s raw material of which soldiers are
H H.as and at the end of three months vigorous
S Inning turned them out fine and ht members @
o'' r.rc,s Sans army. But all this Is now
n.d The Government has abolished recruit
en'"e ,.,,ons Enlisted men are sent directly to
~ rsgiments and there drilled in squads until
.s s.v are able 20 take their places in the ranks
wv .. .ha old soldiers The rule went into effect
New-York tribune., 1896-05-24
HOW COL. HAYS SALARY WAS RAISED.
New.York correspondence Of The Philadelphia

Press.
Colonel Hams great ability was recognized some
years ago by railway managers so ina ne Iece,'eo
many tempting offers All OF them he declined TO
consider until at last came through Mr.. AUSTIN
Corbln which. II accepted. would have made
Colonel Hahn the executive manager OF the Read
ing that in justice TO his family Colonel Hahn telt
! compeiled TO consider IT, Jay Gould heard OF this
Offer and he sent for Colonel Hain:
He said 10 him, Colonel. hear that the ReadnS
people nsse 9 midf peSP0'''0n' 10
Yes Mr. Gould. that is So, Hahn replied.
Well you should have Informed US, SAID Nh
Gould
never informed you OF other offers and, in the Sec
ond place do not think II right 10 use an oner as
a club with which to get an Increase in salary:
should either have accepted that oHer IN the oeHeI
that you were paying me all mat you thoughs !
was worth or | should have declined It
Here Mr. Gould began to tear up paper. ae vas
his habit when he was deeply interested AT last
he said: Colonel, how much are we paying your
and Colonel Hahn replied. six thousand dollars.
Mr. Gould looked up in aston!shment and he ar.
Colonel Hams salary had never been raised. he
said 10 the Colonel "Do you mind telling me what
the Reading people have offered your The colonel
named a sum nearly three times the amount ne
us II the salary alone that tempts your? Gould
asked and to this Colonel Hahn replied Il felt com.
PEELED in Justice to my family TO consider this prop.
ositon solely on account OF the salary
Then Mr.. Gould ca.d: Then dismiss the subject
from your mind. You valuable to the eef
waited company as you can be to any other corpora:
ton and your salary will be taken care or at once:
Hereafter II yol feel convinced that you are earning
I do not think there will be any disagreement be:
tween US" At the next directors meeting Colonel
| Hams salary was increased 10 the sum onereo em
] by the Reading company. -'.