New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-03
THE NEWS OF BROOKLYN.
HUGH MLlUGHLIN AND HIS BOTHOOD SWEET
HEARTS.
Collection of Curios at Watfront Hotel Dances
and Receptions
GOSSIP OF THE BOROUGH.

Probably no person is better known along the en-
re Brooklyn waterfront than Theodore Krombach,
he proprietor OF the Yacht Hotel. Thrd-ave. and
Tvverty-hfth-st. His name is known by sailors all
oyer the world. who have been his guests at one
lime or another. Gradually. through his friendship
with these residents of the wide, wide world he
has gathered together collection OF most inter
sstinC relics The most noteworthy feature OF them
all is that they have come first hand from the
scene Of their interest and have reached Nj hrom-
bach from whom he knows personally. Thus
The genuineness Of every one Is assured. Al pres
ant the collection is somewhat scattered and in
confused state bat in the course OF time those
things that do adapt themselves readily 10 the
Gall will be arranged in glass The relics Of
which Mr.. KrOmbach is most proud are those OF
The Standardization War. OF these the most
priced is copy OF the proclamation which was
sent throughout the Philippine Islands when the
prinied in Spanish on thin. tough paper. At the
bottom. in script, appears Aguinaido name Inns
who was with Deweys squadron In connection
Win me route al me ne ~ F ~
stirring happenings there.
The Cuban collection is headed by a pair OF the
singal lamps OF the 81 fated battleship Maine.
These are bent and twisted and broken. giving
some idea OF the force TO which they Were sub
jected. They were given 10 their present owner
10y J. J. May, an engineer the wrecker. J. J.
Merritt, An offer of $500 in cash for these relies
has been refused by Mr.. Krombach Then he has
a Spanish banknote of large denomination. 1t
was taken from the safe OF the Almirante
OQuendo. one of Admiral Cervera's cruisers. AT
the time IL was put in the safe IL was probably
brand new but now IL shows the signs Of the
water soaking II got while under the waters near
Santiago In the collection is the starboard tele-
graph fixture from the cruiser Viscaya- There are
several brass and porcelain door plates from vari-
Gus Spanish vessels among them the Christoforo
Columbo and the Panama The latter was a Span
lsh prize, which was afterward remodeled and
became the cable ship Hooker Of the Army De-
partment. She was lost the rocks in the Philip
pines There is large collection OF rifles OF vari-
Gus patterns and several shells that came from
MORO Castle at Santiago and a variety OF small
arm ammunition, each piece with some particular
association. Half Of a rife belt, picked up on
the battle field of San Juan Hill. would prob
ably tell an interesting tale could It talk
Then there is a jacket formerly worn by major
In the Spanish army. II has green cuffs and
yellow trimmings. Another piece OF Span
ish costume is coat worn by a bugler
Spanish bugle from San Juan Hill hangs on
this coat Then there three interesting pieces
Of headgear. One is white helmet, which is
properly vouched for as having been worn by Gen
eral Shatter IN the trenches before Santiago. A
campaign hat bearing all sorts OF queer inscr1p-
tons shows that IL was at one time worn by q
member OF the 9th United States Volunteers from
Brooklyn. A straw hat shows the type or head
gear worn by tho Cuban insurgents in the field. An
exhibit that will be OF particular interest 10 the
old soldiers IS of can OF the so-caIled "embalmed
beef, which caused much stir IN army circles Il
has never been opened. and probably never VIII be-
Several OF the relics from the Spanish war
vessel Reina Mercedes one Is port hght En- me
was subjected when the boat took IRE. Another
IS part OF flag. One OF the oldest things In the
collection is triangular piece OF brass said TO be
one OF the medals or honor given by AguEaldo 10
his officers and soldiers Mr.. Krombach is the most
his collection strangers. II is well worth trip
TO the Yacht Hotel IN South Brooklyn.
Hugh Mclaughlin. having been retired from &C
tive politics. is spending his time recalling his
early days entertaining his friends with stories
Of the old times. Everybody knows OF his devotion
10 Mrs. Mclaughlin, who was Jersey girl. but
she was his first sweetheart. by any means
it was New Years Eve. and, usual. he was
sitting in the room OF the Veteran Volunteer Fire
in the basement OF the Borough Hall. Some
body happened TO mention a name. and il seemed
10 touch the spring Of recollection.
''Oh. yes" he exclaimed, Il remember that man.
lie married Ii Schermerhorn-her was
Eliza, but the boys and girls called her Ii. She
was one OF the sweetest, prettiest girls in Brook
Ign in those days. All the boys were suitors for
her favor Why. do you know. il / able
10 scrape up much two cents in change. I
used straightway 10 go and invest IN a muskmelon.
Then I would stand on the corner and present 1t
IL when she came along. Ii was very fond
Of melons
WAS she my first sweetheart? Oh. bless you.
no. Why, started in 20 have sweethearts when I
1rst got Of long clothes. ] used to give them
flowers and books and fruit think the boys were
athletics in these days that they do not have
any time TO devote 10 the girls. It's too bad. too
bad
Then the retired political boss started a new
game Of dominoes and could not be induced to talk
further Of his youthful love experiences.