New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-23
ST. JOHNS BURIAL GROUND.
TO BECOME A PLAYGROUND FOR CITY
CHILDREN.
THE MONUMENT TO FREDERICK WARD AND
EUGENE UNDERHILL. VOLUNTEER FIRE
MEN THE ONLY ONE PRESERVED.

EUGENE UNDERHILI. VOLUNTEER FIRE
MEN THE ONLY ONE PRESERVED
When ST. Johns Burial Ground at Hudson. Le-
roy and GARRISON sts is opened 20 the public as
park and children's playground only one monu-
mont Will remain OF the many that marked the
graves IN that historic spot The monument thus
honorcd has been removed from It's original loca-
ton and placed in n more conspicuous position be-
tween two fine trees. 1t is emnently fitting that
this distinction should be given it. for the stone
commemorates the brave deed Of two young men.
who gave their lives for their fellow citizens as
truly II they had fallen in battle.
Eugene Underhill and Frederick 4. Ward. men,
bers OF the Volunteer Fire Department. which in
the old days represented Ivy some Of the most
prominent families in the city. lost their lives at a
fire July !. 1854 The fire occurred in Haydock :
drug store In Pearl-st. near Fulton. The building
was high. and all Of 1t above the second story had
been consumed except the gable walls. When the
flames had been cxtngulshed some hremen were
ordered to take their hose the second story and
play upon the debris They doing So when
suddenly one OF the high gables spread out Ike a
blanke;"-so said survivor-and the two young
men who holding the hose were crushed be-
Meath the wall and instantly killed
The pipe held by these men was afterward treas
urcd 10y their company and hung in the headquar-
tiers of the association The monument was erected
by the volunteer iircmon over the grave which con-
tanned the bodies OF the two devoted friends and
committee was appointed to keep II in good condi-
ton by cleaning II. and rcgilGing Its letters. when
necessary. The monument. which Is quaint. Is a
sarcophagus surmounted by stone coffin. and
bears on its apex iircmans cap. torch ana trum-
pet. Il vas preserved through the action OF the
Excmpt FIronen's Association and also by The
efforts 81 a niece OF Frederick Ward
The ward family from which Frederick Ward
was descended dates its arrival In this country back
to 1880 when Andrew Ward came to Massachusetts
if
son came to Sew York since which time there has
been an unbrokcn family descent In this city. rep
resented IN the Legislature and In prominent bust
s,ephrn Ward grsndfather OF Frederick. was an
! officer ln Wasningtons Army. and had previously
assisted in the pcng down 81 the statue OF 'roiS'
Ill H. Bowling Green. ITS father Oliver De.ancrl
ward. WAS At one Zine connected win the bariht
| Brothers bankers ia London England, ana W.
New Norh firm OF iiowanG q Aspin"hii. fredericF
Ward was the seventh sou among eisht brothers
, -, , AMY Tor 1nsly Years ana was tn,
summer rcsid,ncc % Oliver Delaney Ward
AEone the tombs;oncs that have been remove
from the Old burial ground were SeV'iai 'nat Dor
| curious Inscriptions. one old stone showed th'
Rad. Artemus l.. Brookns. died April = ~ agc'
six months and hvc days. Early initiated an
passed one DAY 20 be raise
The stone Of captain Peter Taylor who died Il
his sevcniy-third year. SAID. Long has he Draw,
the stormy SEA. He was known for SKIN ms MAJ
81 his prof, ssIon. Al las he has cast ancncr IN
SAT- harbor tho broad bay of sweet rcposc
H. one OF the vaults rested ire ashes ~ w li'lan
/ delight 81 III fashionable folk who lived nroun'
M Tb q oil bark was bounded by varlck beach
! Hudson and I.aighi SITS and was called Hudson
square or - Johns PARK. The gates were KEEP
locked 10 prevent the Intrusion OF stfans'ts' . nu
/ each resident of the square had his own key lh'
families ~ Alexander Hamilton. ,iencrHl schny wy. .
and General Morton. the Aymars Drake ,o,' s
| DoIanelfs and others had houses facing ms PARK
The freight stations OF ne hnd-on ~. ga,
attrnctivc spot