New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-26
THE CLUBS EARLY NEIGHBORS.

some years later, another story was added in tbe
same way underneath the previously erected two.
THE CLUBS EARLY NEIGHBORS
The founders of the club rented the top story for
pne year. and literally paid poor scrub woman.
who occup ed it with her fatherless children to
move elsewhere The second story was and con-
tinued to be, occupied by poor family consisting
of a man. his wife and eleven children and the
lower story was used as a stable. The old sugar
house prison then standing, and to reach the
clubroom it was necessary TO cross the untidy
planked passageway to the stable, and ascend an
uninviting open stairway attached TO the outer
wall Of the old prison. Although the exterior of the
clubroom was grimy. its interior comfortably
furnished and cosey; and in it there were enter
taned from time TO time. some well-known men,
among whom Major-General o. o. Howard
Henry NJ Alden Editor of "Harpers Monthly"
William Dean Howes and Samuel l.. Clemens
CMark Twain').
The clubs, headquarters and the old building In
front of II wern owned by the Rhnelander estate
They were to be torn down and replaced with
large business building The club was asked TO
vacate the premises at once. Objection was made
on the ground that the club was entitled TO pos
session for twelve months. The manager of the
estate, however invoked the aid of the Board OF
Health. which promptly declared that the house
was unsafe and unfit for occupation.
committee then appointed to search for
another shabby habitaton with forbiddng
roundings and about two months later the quarters
in the building No. 126 Wlliam-st were discovered
and leased.
The old building in which the club found its new
home stands on what was formerly known
Golden HILL" which. like Monkey HILL" was also
graded down many gears ago. The structure is
one OF two three-s:ory and-attic buildings which
are just alike and were erected simultaneously Ac-
cording TO what considered the most accurate
information ob,ainabe. it Is between 2So and go
wears old and the oldest building standing in
this city The bricks used in its construction were
manufactured in Holland
1t is said that a part OF the Battle Of Golden Hill.
which was fought four months before the massacre
of patriots by British troops in Boston, took place
on ground that is now the yard Of the old house.
whose occupants viewed the struggle from It's rear
windows. The house originally occupied by the
Guilford family which was well known before DUR
Ing and after the Revolution 1t has sheltered many
famous men, among them Washington. Lafayette
General Putnam. Baron Steuben and other Gen.
erals OF the Continental Army, and some Infamous
ones including Benedict Arnold Captain Kidd and
Marshall Cunningham the pirates. Washington
Irving was born the opposite side Of the street
and lived several years before moving 10 sunny
side, up the Hudson. in a house at No. l2s William
st. on the north side OF that in which the club has
its quarters There is a restaurant in the house On
the south slde which. 1t 10 said has been used con-
tinuously as an eating-place for over 200 wears
THE CLUBROOM AND ITS APPROACH.
A visitor to the clubroom at the Sign O. the Lam
thorn will find that the ground floor Of the building
n occupied as the salesroom OF fountain-pen fac
tory and the second floor a jobprnt'ng es;ab-
Nshment. A cherries hallway leads to the stairs at
the farther end. The floor OF this hall is OF rough
boards Of hard wood and .hS walls and ceilings are
Of thick. rough. old-fashioned plaster. which was
probably placed there when the building was eject
"a. Antique lanterns dmly light at night the
halls and stairs which lead to the clubroom on the
third door.
The clubroom takes in the entire floor. 1t is