New-York tribune., 1900-11-25
GOSSIP IN BROOKLYN.

Hugh Mclaughlin, the veteran Boss" OF the
Kings County Democracy. is inseparaoly connect
in minds OF the people with the old rashfoned
auction rooms in willoughby-st- where for so many
years he has welded the sceptre Of his authority
But 70 his friends he is as closely connected with
other haunts which he seeks for pleasure rather
than business. Although generally credited with
being the possessor of a fortune. the 'old man
is as simple and democratic in his tastes as years
ago. when he was a poor man He has aver
sior2to showing himself in public gatherings. and
it is for him TO be seen at one OF the big
political meetings Mr.. Mclaughlin hnds his most
enjoyable recreation while in the city In visit
ing quarters of the Veteran Volunteer F1remen.
IN the basement of the Borough Hall. There he is
TO be found almost any pleasant evening. spinning
yarns with the old 'vamps' over game OF domi-
noes In the spring of the year on a warm sunny
afternoon the old man has frequently been seen
standing outside of the quarters scattering grains
the greatest familiarity They often eat right out
OF his hand, and the grizzled face of the old vet
eran beams with pleasure he continues his task.
unmndful. apparently, of the many who stop to
watch the interesting sight.
Speaking of the quarters of the Veteran Volun-
teer F1remen 1T is interesting to know that some
twenty-five organizations have homes or hold their
meetings in the Borough Hall. The fremen have
the finest quarters, the entire northeast corner of
the building These rooms. which are handsomely
fitted with trophies of the old days with the
engines" given TO the fremen many years
ago by the Brooklyn Aldermen. and it is safe say
they will never be taken away. Across the hall
the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial and
Executive Committee has a small suite of rooms
Many other organizations. mostly of veteran SOL
diers, among them the War Veterans and Sons
Association either have rooms share them for
thelr meetings. Some Of these associations hold the
rooms by virtue of special acts of the Legislature
others titles do not seem to be quite clear Since
consolidation the old Common Council chamber
mas become available for night meetings but II Is
no" an extremely difficult task to secure the use
or any part OF the Borough Hall for meetings
There seems to be great differance of opinion es
10 Just VINO mas the authority to give such privi-
sponsibillty. Only recently 81 veteran organizatio,
received permission to hold two meetings a month
ming from one official to another.
Mrs Sarah Middash Oracle the last representa-
tive of the old MIddagh family of Brooklyn, who
died recently at the age OF ninety. was the fifth
in descent from Jan MiddaRh, who came from Hol-
land in the seventeenth century. Mrs Gracie's
grandfather. John Middagh. grandson OF the orig
inal Jan, built John Middagh's big house on a
site which IS corner OF Fulton and Henry
sts The interior fitted with tiles specially
imported from Holland, and there Mrs. Oracle was
born. when the MId6aGh farm covered the area
now bounded by Hicks, Fulton and Plerrepont sts
The first services OF the Episcopal Church ever
held in Brooklyn conducted IN John Mid
dagh's barn, from which later grew old St. AIMS
Church
the father Of the late Mrs. Oracle and daugh-
ter, who married Nicholas Luquer. whose family
were among the original settlers Of BROOKLYN
the Van Nostrands left thres daughteTs Madeeys dhy
married Samuel B. NJ. Sands. from whose father
got its name. The second daughter was Mrs
Grncie and the Youngest married Charles Hen
many years. During the Revolution the Mid
dagns f were r9yaiists They MANAGED to keep their
York through oonfscation.