Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1903-09-16
BUSINESS MEN TAKE
UP PROPOSITION TO
SECURE WESTMINSTER.
Rev. Dr. MendenhoN Brought The Matter The Meeting of The
Chdnber of Commerce Last MghtM Enthusiastic and
Committee Appointed to Visit The Owners--A Lone Dw-
cussion Took Place.

That every effort will be made NQ
save the Westminster property from
being sold to private parties and having
the land cut up into building lots, is
evident from the determination with
which the Chamber of Commerce took
up the matter last night. The agita-
tion in the Evening News has aroused
considerable interest and it was the
sense of the meeting last night that it
would be to Perth Amboy's everlast-
ing shame to allow the historic old
property to escape public control.
The matter was brought up by Rev.
DR.. Harlan G. Mendenhall, who has
been one of the most enthusiastic
advocates of the preservation of the
old building from the start. DIR.
Mendenhall tried hard to prevent the
property getting out of the hands of
the Presbyterians. In this he was
supported by others in the general
assembly. but they were in the minor
ity and the change took place. DIR.
Mendenhall takes a deep interest in
historical things and when ne could
not save the property to the church
he is directing his energies toward
having it turned over to the public.
To this end he appeared before the
Chamber of Commerce. The way had
been paved by the Evening News and
as soon as DR.. Mendenhall mentioned
the matter the rest became enthusi.
astic at once.
DR.. Mendenhall stated that there
we're several real estate syndicates
after the building and ground and If
they succeeded in getting 1t, the land
would in all probability be cut mp
into building lots. DR.. Mendenhal
said he had talked with MA >Brpen
about the property and learned that
nothing but cash would tempt him to
part with the property. 1t was also
stated that the price was about $50, 900
for the whole. In the course of his
remarks it was brought out that one
way of keeping the building would be
to use 1t for public school, He said
that this idea was being brought up
before the Board OF Education. DR..
Mendenhall, at first, did not mention
securing the ground for a park. He
spoke of the excellent condition of
the building, saying that last year he
accompanied contractor through the
entire structure and there was not a
piece of dry rot to be found anywhere.
The only decay was in the cellar.
The park idea, which has been
agitated in the Evening News, touch
ed the popular idea, however. E. W.
Barnes told of park at Pennington
where there is a population of but
1900. ". A. Belcher told of his en-
barrassing position when some of his
New Bedford, Mass, friends asked
about Perth Amboy' s pleasure grounds.
Mr.. Barnes spoke very earnestly In
favor of securing the property. He
said the city snould not allow the
opportunity to slip and the time to
act was now.
S. B. Morgan liked the public school
idea. He thought that would be q
great thing for the city. S. R. Far
rington, Sidney Rlddlestorffer, G. W.
Yepson all spoke in favor of the
matter. J. P. Holm referred to the
parks in the western cities. He want
ed park for Perth Amboy and de-
clared that the money to purchase the
Westminster could be secured by
public subscription.
A committee was appointed to visit
Mr.. Bruen, the owner of the build
ing, and see what terms could be
made. The committee consisted
President W. A. Belcher, S. B. Nor
gan and Rev. DIR. H. G. Mendenhall
They had power to add to their num-
Der and Mayor Q. K. Seaman and E.
B. Walker, president of the Board Of
Education, together with E. W.
Barnes, s. R. Harrington and DR.. F.
W. Kitchel were added.