The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-25
THATNEW ROCHELLE FORT
FUNNIER THAN IT'S oIVER's ANTICS
IN COMIC OPER1.

Francis wilson's Enort to Embeilish tho SUR
roundinEs or the soldiers Monument Has
FILLED New Rochelle with sa~dness-NnitinE
for Moss TO Hido the "Propn structure.
New ROCHELLE, n. Y, Aug. 2i.-Francis
Wilson's comic opera fort that has been con
structed around the soldiers monument in 40
cordance with O design made by T.. w. Kemble,
fort builder extraordinary TO his Comic Opera
Highness, still impresses New Rochollcians as
a compromise between n bad dream and q
sloveniy constructed stone wall. The longer
1t stands the stronger is the impression. From
tho centre of the Enclosure two heavy wooden
uprights have:been built in the past two days,
and it is suspected that one of the old cannons
4. to be mounted there. AS Mr.. Wilson and
Mr.. Kcmblo haven't taken the townspcople
into their confidence, ono guess is as good as
another about the purpose for which these up
rights have been erected. A very neat bar
could DO constructed on them, and there are
men hero who would gladly bid for the privi-
lege.
II wouldn't call IL a bar said one Of them,
because this stono wall Is intended to repre-
sent a fort. / would call II q %canteen, and thus
add to the local color OF the place. There are
enough bicycle riders who pass here in the day
time to support such II place, and II l had n
license they could give an imitation of scaling
ills u Aulb oNOlt u ~" way 80
that a good ideal There is nothing in town
moro calculated to drive q self-respecting man
to drink than this fort"
The real estate agents are rejoicing because
Mr.. Wilson's generosity didn't break out until
the renting season was over. III that fort had
been constructed five months earlier" said one
of thom, II don't believe that 1 could have
rented a house In the neighborhood. A New
York man called on ME yesterday to look at a
house l had to sell. / took him around by u
side street to see 1t. He liked 1t Immensely.
Then he insisted on returning to my office by
way OF the soldiers monument. when he saw
the fort i%do he S s5ISSSlat%sSbi o did thatr
Francis Wilson, said L.
"'You don't mean III
It's a fact said l. ar,
town. he said. and it's no joke. When is the
next train to New York;
I'll never see that fellow again, and had
almost sold him a house."
1t is reported here to-day that the whole fort
is to be covered with vines or moss or any old
thing that will grow over It,.
Perhaps they'll git moss to climb over that
fort" said a florist sadly. Perhaps they will,
stick most anywhere, and l take notice as to
how none OF those stones Is n'rolling as yet.
But about vines, that ia different. No self. re-
specting vino could be trained over that thing.
down vine. sort OF a weed, you know, and coax
1t to grow until it hides that fort, but 1 doubt
Mr.. Wilson when attacked falls back or. Mr..
Kemble, and he also asserts that Frederic
Remington. who has seen wild Indians, pic
lures OF Moro Castle, and Fort Wendle, on the
heights of Fort George, saw the plans ara
didn't protest. In the meantime New Rochelle
ians hope that the worst has become apparent,
and they are patiently waiting for the vines.
moss, or weeds to grow.