New-York tribune., 1900-03-27

and the first cobbiestone raised from the pave
rnent was grabbed and carried OF by an even
more ardent souvenir collector than Mayor Van
Wyck His name is not known, but a Tribune
artist who encountered him. still painting from
his run and two blocks away from the scene Of
the robbery persuaded him 10 pause long enough
for a snapshot OF the stone 10 be made IN his
hands As cobblestones are difficult TO Identity
Il is possible that dozen or TWO Of the first
stone raised" viii be offered for sale The bold
rohber refused SO sor II in the artists hearing.
The incident happened in this way:
Mr Put5-s=aA dAta-z=ained 70 start the work
Il front Of No. 104 Bleecker-st-. and q few min
utes after o'clock ne handed brand new pick
70 william Barclay Parsons, chief engineer Of
the Rapid Transit Board. The crowd pressed
closer and at exactly S:07 o'clock Mr.. Parsons
drove one end Of the pick down between two of
the paving stones. He struck a few more blows
unavaI,ngIy. and then handed the pick TO As
s.start Engineer Calvin ". Hendrick. who part
ly loosened the stone. Then q dozen, italians and
G negro went 70 work. The coIored man, whose
name IS said 70 De Lee, hammered away at the
stone, which the engineers had worked on. and
n e few minutes he lifted II out. The crowd
cheered as he handed II 10 Mr.. Plkington. Mr..
Pukng-on held II q minute and then set IL down
On the curb between his feet He had hardly
Strengthened Up again when a large hand was
pEseeL DcLWEELl Lle SuD-C01NIacLOI l6SS 4AOA-4
behind and fell upon the stone with strenuous
clutch Before any one realized what was hap
psning man burst from the crowd and ran
toward West Broadway.
Hes got The stone,''
Stop him" was the cry, and 6. crowd started
after him. The collector had too long start,
however, and got away safely.
HUNDREDS WANTED WORK
There were many hundred laborers on hand,
eager 70 get work on the Job, but Mr.. Pilkington
Eaid twenty was all he would need for a day or
two, anyway. Another and larger crowd OF
vorknen assembled al the City Hall and gath
cred around the memorial tablet These were
mostly Italians, and they firmly believed that
the tunnel work was 10 begin there, and that
tn thousand men would be employed right
away. The police had great difficulty in con-
vtncing them that they were wrong. Other
crowds came 10 see the tablet. and the deco
-ations Of the park were being removed at the
SINE time they made an onslaught on the deco
rsIive material for souvenirs. The owner had
considerable trouble IN preserving his property.
No effort was made By Highways Commits
s.one- Kealing 10 interfere with the opening Of
Rleecker-st- M Mcdonald holds permit from
the Rapid Transit Board. Mr.. PiIkington is re-
ported as saying that he also procured a permit
rom Keating. 8Ir. Keating refused 10 discuss
--e matter ct al, but one OF the oTncia1S at
lached 70 the Department Of Highways said
Llsre was friction between KeaIing and the
Sapic Transit Commissioners over the right TO
issue street opening permits. What the Com
missioner cOnIended for was the right TO ap-
punt inspectors 10 see when the street
epeaee that Il was closed again properly. Mich
o-as z O'Connor was appointed chief inspector
z connection with The rapid transit road, and he
VII have z staff Of inspectors 70 see that the
'TpaFing IS properly done
BIDS TO BE OPENED ON APRIL /
The details OF Mr.. Pilkington's contract have
Iready been published n The Tribune He has
90 On several other parts Of the work but has
secured no other contract yet Mr.. McDonald's
teason for letting this contract ahead Of the
others was 10 comply strictly with the terms OF
tls own contract with the Board. which stipu-
= ettd mat work shah be started within thirty
lays aIter signing II. Yesterday was the last
ais word ~ FN
re SAID yesterday. when he was seen at his