New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-18
DESTROYED WASHINGTON IRVTNG'S DESK.
SLEEPY HOLLOW AROUSED OVER WHAT 1T CON-
s1DERs AN ACT OF vANDALIsM

sIpERs AN ACT OF vANDALIsM.
Tho usual calmness Of historic Sleepy Hollow.
which Irving describes zone OF tho quieteSt
places in the whole world" has been rudeiy dis-
turbed and much ill-feeling has been aroused over
the attempted sale OF the schoolhouse for liquor
saloon and by the destruction OF washington 1T
wings desk
The destruction Of the desk, which has been
carefully guarded and preserved for many years,
Is announced an act OF vandalism. ana many
people are highly incensed over IT,
The present trouble began last winter when the
present Board Of Trustees came into power Ono
Of their first acts was 10 order the old Sleepy Hol-
low schoolhouse to be sold at public auction on
April Is This announcement caused many pro-
tests among the taxpayers OF the district and
number of prominent ones. headed by Thomas
Birdsall James r. FountaiDe. John A. Liant. Enos
F. Erdman and others drew up a petition and APP
pealed to Charles r. Skinner. the State Superin-
tendent OF Public Instruction. 10 stay tho sale He
granted an order 20 that effect, and each side has
been busy answering questions over filing aIidavts
ever since.
Yesterday II was discovered that the quaint old
pine desk at which Washington Irving used 70
sit had been chopped into pieces and thrown on
the wood pile The discovery was made by Edward
+. Martin the principal Of the school MI Martin
declared II was a piece OF vandalism. but asked TO
DO excused from saying more on account OF MS
place 1t Is not known who destroyed the desk
The old schoolhouse which WAS built In 1885. was
originally frame building, with hewn log beams
II was in that building that Ichabod Crane Is sup
posed to have instructed the children OF that
neighborhood and between times courted the beau
tiful Katrina Van Tassen.
In his rambles through the valley irving would
often step in the schoolhose. watch with interest
the progress OF the children and occasionally
would write something for them on tho black,
board The board has since been sawed Into small
pieces and distributed among the residents OF the
neighborhood .. ,.
When the building enlarged in 1896 Irvings
desk and one Of tho pupils desks were carefully
preserved. and when the new school was built IN
1895 they were transferred TO IT, The new school
house was visited by hundreds OF people since II
was erected and many, when they saw irvings
desk expressed a desire to purchase II, The last
person TO make an offer was Charles r. skinner.
the State Superintendent Of Public Instruction.
On the occasion Of the DEDICATION OF the Washing
ton Irving High School. in Tarrytown last month.
Mr. skinner paid pleasant visit TO the Sleepy
Hollow school He was much Interested In the rel
les OF the old building. and would have willingly
purchased Irv,ngs desk II 1t possible 10 do 80:
a movement has been started by the teachers or
the county 10 buy the old schOolhouse and pre-
serve a. II Is generally believed that Supernten-
dent Skinner will prohibit the proposed auction
now that Irving's desk has been destroyed. and
there Is talk OF having the trustees removed.