New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-20
GOSSIP OF THE BOROUGH.

DIT. Albert H Brundage. OF No. Il5s Gates-ave-.
Brooklyn the first TO cross the Brooklyn
Bridge after & opened 10 the public lew
minutes before midnight on May .. lSS The doc
.or is now q toxicologistt and president OF the
New-York State Board Of Pharmacy. In those Gays
ne was one of the crack runners OF the Brooklyn
Young Mems Christian Association, and II was due
10 his superb physical condition that he was aoie
10 defeat a score more who struggled with MN
for the honor. The other day he recalled ms
achievement with much satisfaction. The bridge
was TO be opened at midnight. but for some reason
the ticket takers allowed the people at the Brook
gn end pass through some little time before
that DR.. Brundage had been waiting IN the
crowd al the gates since o'clock, and IN that
time had conceived the idea Of getting to the other
side ahead OF them all. When the rush began he
was sixth through the gateway and started toward
the Brooklyn tower on a run. Before the point was
reached his habit of taking five mile runs In the
gymnasium began TO tell. and he had forged ahead
OF his competitors, all but FIVE Of whom had given
ap the race Going down the incline TO the Manhattan
entrance was comparatively easy. and Dr. Brun-
aage increased his speed. although much faugued
SO exhausted he that on reaching the goal ne
fell the feet OF big policeman. The officer made
an entry Of Brundage's achievement in his book,
and the latter believes II officially inscribed
the botter. but he never took the trouble to
look. DR.. Brundage says that one woman started
IN the foot race across the bridge. He remembers
that she was stlll running at the Brooklyn tower,
but never knew whether she reached the otheT size
Manhattan size the people there were just entering
the promenade.
II was q Jolly crowd that gathered at the Lincoln
Club last Tuesday night for Borough President
elect Lttleton. The informalty, the good natured
raiery and the absence Of restraint were features
of the occasion. In introducing Borough President
Swanstrom. who defeated for reelection
James J. McCable president Of the club. started in
10 pay q pretty tribute 10 Mr.. Swanstrom's admin
istration. Il believe even half of US referring
the members Of the club voted for your re-elec.
knockin him." drawled voice. The uproar that
followed quite knocked Mr.. McCabe out Of his
stride.
Mr. Swanstrom himself got into the spirit of the
occasion, and made what some OF his friends say
was the best speech of his life. He told in hu-
Inorous way Of the trials and 'ribulations of
& borough president AS an illustration OF tho fact
that he unable 10 please everybody. he said:
have on file in my Office a letter which shall
representative citizen and taxpayer, in which he
earnestly protests against the removal OF the GA
states in his letter that there are no pavements
that are SO strong and safe cobblestone pave
ments.
One OF those who heard the story said that he
thought the sorrowful citizen was like one of the
leading men in Tampa, Fla. when that city began
TO grow OF its village days about fifteen years
ago. This raised great protest when the
~ sand In front of his home. He declared that
he did not want the sidewalks. because the noise
made by people passing the house on the walk
would disturb him and keep him awake at night
This gentle little selection was sung 10 the tune
We Ramble" by a crowd Of the most merry. who
called themselves the knights of the Round Table
Oh Brooklyn a swanstrom who had brains beneath
his hair.
Also a Marty Idttleton they made dandy pair.
And when they came together 10 give TaInnany Han
The Tiger gently ate up and still is on the map
oh xUEO has ee
q fixture in the lobby Of the Federal Building for
ten years or so, was commenting the other day on
the way the Christmas present mailer crowds have
changed in that time. II was last Friday, and
there were few evidences Of the Christmastide at
the stamp windows: 1t isn't much like il used
10 be-" said ANDY Seven eight years ago
4 week before Christmas there used to be long
lines OF people IN here with their arms full of
bundles. Now, there is nothing doing until about
three days before Christmas, when everybody seems
Try crowd in here at once. and l hear them
wondering whether their presents will reach their
destinations time. 1 guess ii is the putting-oR
habit that is gradually getting into everybody"