New-York tribune., 1902-02-02
GOSSIP OF THE BOROUGH.

One OF the interesting landmarks in Brooklyn is
the mansion Of the late Martin Kalbfeisch, at one
time Mayor of the city. 1t is in Bushwick-ave.
between Grand and Powers-st. The house is still
surrounded by spacious grounds. which always
kept in excellent condition, but the remainder Of
the neghborhood is built up with factories
and business blocks. Robert S. Fleet son-in-
law of Mr.. Kalbnelsch occupies the house
with his wife. who refuses to leave the old asso-
Citations the sake Of getting Of a neighbor-
hood which is far from desirable for homes,
Mr. Kalbfeisch was Mayor of Brooklyn IN 1851, and
he began 10 build the house a short time after he
took Office. 1t is u large story and half and
basement building surmounted by dome. L was
Mr. Kalbheischys great desire TO extend grounds
TO the Grand-st. corner. but liquor dealer named
hiernan, who owned the corner property, per
ststently and stubbornly refused TO sell: He was
him to sell. When the house was built II
1t was favorite rendezvous for the boys for a
long distance around There was a high hill at
the end. and favorte amusement of the lads
on hot summer days vas to roI! down the incline
turbed 6 the boys IHdeed it IS SAID he greatly en-
joyed watching their fun. His popularity can be
that when he ran for alderman. some years be
fore. he became Mayor. he received all except two
votes in his district
Several miles further out. Bushwick-ave. is stiu
a popular and pretty residential section. Many IF
the houses are surrounded by well kept grounds
Germans of means comprise Of the residents
5 ana the houses an ana grounds E nave distinctly
Dental sections Of Brooklyn. 1t reminds one
strongly OF certain parts of Milwaukee and St
Louis. where the German populations large
The Litchfeld Mansion the stately old wooden
building in which Richard Young the Com
missioner of Parks for the boroughs OF Brooklyn
and Queens. has his offices, is not of the
least interesting places in Prospect Park. 1t
the homestead of the Ldtchfeld family who
owned large part of the property occupied
by the park Upstairs is a private chapel. There
used TO be fine pipe organ there. and it is said
that the Litchfelds had priest in the house, who
said mass every day. The handsome mural
decorations badly damaged. but enough
OF them remain to give some idea of the former
spendor of the house The rooms downstairs
are now used by the officers and clerks of the
Park Department. and the upstairs de-
voted TO variety of purposes. There is reception
or cbiIdra j III H., hecor I'D % m ~ ES b MUIie
around the park. A matron is in attendance One
shelter three large parrots and a fawn ~
The fawn is allowed to run loose around the
room, much to the annoyance Of the parrots, who
raucous protest Commissioner Young and his as
sistants were much disturbed at first by the noisy
building. There We're told however, that there was
to the racef The ip NATION care for tbe eer a6d
the parrots, and is proud them. She calls them
her babies, and talks to them by the hour. No
the matron and formally introduced to her pets.
parrots tail feathers Which are long and u beam se
.ufully coIored. The woman's heart was nearly
of the feathers
The annual loan exhibition Of the Union
League Club promises to be of unusual excellence
this year. Dr. John Mickleborough, chairman Of
the art committee that the collection will
include nearly one hundred pictures by American
and foreign artists. The exhibition opens next
Tuesday evening with reception, and will con.
tnue until February 10. The other members of
the committee David F. Butcher, Albert r.
Latson. Henry W Knight, Dr. William H Biggam
and William c Wiley.
Brooklyn fusionists have another for COM
plant in the appointment of a private secretary
made by Deputy Fire Commissioner Richard H.
Laimbeer. John J. Slater who is a member of the
Democratic General Committee from the XIIth AS
semby District, has received the position, and
now scores Of officeseekers asking why. Mr..
Laimbeer says that the appointment is purely
personal one and that politics not considered.
Mr.. Slater is old and intimate friend, and Mr..
Laimbeer chose him because of that