The record-union., 1898-05-04
GENERAL DANIEL {. SICKL LES.

With a loaf of bread under his arm
and sixpence in his pocket a young
man, heated and dusty, toiled wearily
toward Philadelphia He had walked
from Princeton, n. j., and just before
reaching the Quaker City he stopped
at a farmhouse and asked for a glass
of water. He was greeted by a comely
maiden, who gave him, instead of wa
ter a bowl of milk. This young man
was not Benjamin Franklin. His name
was Daniel E. Siekles, and the incident
occurred in the early forties. A few
months before his friendless entry into
Philadelphia young Sickles had, in a
spirit of independence, left his pros
porous fathers farm in New Jersey
and had endeavored to get into college
at Princeton, but in consequence of in
sufficient means he was obliged TO
abandon that attempt. After working
for a while at the printers trade IN
Princeton, Sickles decided to seek a
larger field of action. He was young,
vigorous, ambitious and possessed of an
indomltable spirit.
In the parlor of one of those sub
stantial and old-fashioned brick man
sions on lower Fifth avenue a few
days ago sat this same Daniel e.
Sickles in his seventy-third year, and
yet looking not a day over fifty. Sur
rounded by rich profusion of works
of art and antiquities, collected during
long years of travel and residence in
foreign lands, this remarkable man
talked entertainingly of his extraordi~
narilY active and varied career. Prin-
ter lawyer, statesman, soldier, diplo-
matist, and art connoisseur, there was
a wealth of historic reminiscence even
in his casual talk. General Sickles was
born in New York City, October 20
1925 and his interest in the welfare
of his native place has never faltered
People of the present generation are
probably not aware that Daniel E.
Sickles was largely instrumental in CIV
ing them their beautiful Central Park.
For several years he fought sturdily
for the establishment of that park when
the influential voice of fashionable So
ciety was raised against it, He and
the few who stood with him were
obliged to combat not only prejudice
and ridiCule, but the united power of
the rich land owners of the town.
"I have a fatherly feeling for Cen
trail Park said General Siekles. LAS
Corporation Attorney in 1858, / drew
the original bill authorizing the estab
lishment of the park. Subsequently l
went to Albany and gave personal at
tention for several weeks to urging the
passage of the bill 1t was only after
the most persistent and energetic eff
forts that the bill was carried through
Almost everybody of influence here in
New York opposed it, and only one
newspaper would print anything in it's
favor. Some of the objections raised
against it were that it took too much
land, and that it would cost too much
money and that none but the rabble
would enjoy it. The Four Hundred of
that period were unanimously against
it, and sent delegations to Albany TO
resist the passage of the Act. The
idea that ladies would ever condescend
to ride in Central Park was pooh
poohed and the assertion was made
over and over again that it's environ
ments would consist of saloons, gamb-
ling dens, and dives of the lowest char
acter. The bill passed by the Legisla-
ture created a commission to lay out
boundaries and take, the lands. and
owing to the adverse sentiment it was
very IOHS llIlS DGlOIC tic lVPOIb VI
that commission was confirmed by the
courts. 1 went to Europe in the mean
time and upon my return I found the
opposition to Central Park still fierce.
My election to the State Senate follow
ed and without delay l introduced d
bill and secured it's passage authoriz-
ing an appropriation of S2,000,O00 for
the park. That practically ended the
fight
General Sickles' early education was
obtained in the University of the City
of New York Although his father
was at that time, and in subsequent
years a wealthy man, Daniel pre-
ferred to strike out for himself, and
it was with a view of self-support that
he learned the printers trade. When
temporary reverses overlook his faith
er, this highspirited lad became OF
real service to the family, as he was
able to earn good wages by working
at the case" in the office of Mr. Tur-
ney in Fulton street. After various
vicissitudes and wanderings, young
Sickles returned to this city, and en-
tered the law office of Benjamin F.
Butler, who was Attorney-General un-
der President Van Buren. The young
mans professional studies We're aided
by Kent Butler and Clerk, all emf
nent jurists Then it was that he
formed the political principles to which
he energetically adhered. The bril-
liant Butler was a leading Democrat.
and his student became imbued with
an enthusiastic devotion to that par
ty. Siclles was a successful lawyer
froy hn etc o,.t. f1f1a local mind nd
effective oratory gained for him eager
clients and large fees. Without neg
lecting his practice he took an active
part in politics, and in 1852 was q.
member of the Baltimore convention,
which nominated his warm persona
friend, General Franklin Pierce, for
the Presidency. He was for several
years a member of the General Com
mittee of Tammany Hall, and in 1872
was regarded as a Democratic leader
in this State. He participated in man..
turbulent scenes and on more than one
occasion was in personal danger. One
night a mob rushed into a Tammany
meeting, and pushing aside Mr.. Dillon,
James T. Brady, and other eminent as.
sociates, seized Sickles, who had in
some way excited their ire, and threw
him violently down the stairway. He
had the presence of mind to grasp the
banisters in his descent, and although
he fell stunned and bleeding, he was
not seriously injured. At another time
while he was addressing a meeting of
the Tammany General Committee, an
angry mob broke into the hall and ad-
vanced upon him with murderous in
tent Without showing the slightest
fear or excitement, Mr. Sickles, it is
related quietly resumed his seat, and
thrusting his right hand between the