New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-05
GOSSIP OF THE BOROUGH.

People who live in the vicinity Of the Eastern
Parkway and Bedfori-ave. and those who drive
and walk along the Parkway will be glad to learn
that the statue Of General Henry A Slocum is TO
be unveiled early next month. The large eques-
trian statue placed in position early in the
year. and since that time has been swathsd IN
burlap and the pedestal boarded up. making
most unsightly object. In several cases horses
have become frightened, and serious runaways
have been narrowly averted. Nobody able
TO say positively why there has been much de-
lay IN uryeLling the statue bun it is understood
saiteS HIS father was S personal friend Of Gen
ions 10 take part in the nnveiling eTercises Sew
eral days ago tn. Mayor. Park Commissioners Ken
missioner Squiers and General Socum's had a
conference. and decided 10 hold the exercises either
be oho5en Mayor Mcclellan win make an address
and there VIII be mobilization Of all the Brook
The Grand Army 90 the city also will take part
The unwilling Of the Slocum statue will mark the
completion of long effort to erect suitable
memorial Of Brookyn's most famous Civil
War generals. The movement started many
years ago, through a citizens committee, IN which
ex-Mayor Scheren the leading spirit. After
the money raised a commission for the statue
was given TO Macmonnies. At the time he was
unusually busy. and il several years before It
was completed. Early in the administration OF
Mayor Low the statue arrived in BROOKLYN, snS
was carried to the East Side lands, adjoining -
Gliding where the statue should be placed. For
nearly year and half while the discussion
going on. the statue was housed ANONYMOUSLY IN
a shed. rUdely constructed. Park Commissioner
Young wanted to provide a large plaza at the Will
Ink entrance 10 Prospect Park and put the statue
there. The plan did not go through, however so
the site the Eastern Parkway and Bedford-ave
chosen. It Is commanding position. and
probably available site could be chosen where
the statue would command more attention. Bed
IL cd E-
going TO Prospect Park. thes Ocean Boulevard and
shore resorts by drivers from Manhattan, and a
large part Of Brooklyn, and pleasant days are
crowded with vehicles OF all descriptions Many OF
these drivers protested vigorously against placing
structs the turning point from thoroughfare TO
cause Of this obstruction the Memorial Day parade
had 70 abandon that route 10 the Prospect Park
plaza this year Instead or going directly TO the
Eastern Parkway along Bedford-ave. the process
Mark save, went down 10 Grsud-aVe, TO WASH
ington-ave. and through the latter street TO the
Eastern Parkway.
E3rooklynites. and particularly those who had
friends in the 47th Regiment at the time il
doing duty in Porto Rico just subsequent to the
Spanish war VIII he interested learn that Rafael
Ortiz. the Porto Rican. who brutaliy murdered
Private John Burke February "a 1899. will be
released from prison at saltwater MINI, by order
OF President Roosevelt. on next Wednesday 1t is
said that his friends going TO send him money
10 return to Porto Rico. and planning q
demonstration for his homecoming. The murder
occurred In little village in which party of the
regiment quartered. Burke had been counting a
pretty young senorita. whom Ortiz considered his
sweetheart Burke boosted Of his success in woolng
the girl and the Porto Rican became Jealous. One
night in a restaurant he slipped up unobseryed be-
hind Burke and cat his throat with big knife
lie caught by the authorities and sentenced
10 death II happened that General Alger. then
Secretary 81 War, was making tour Of the noun
tains Of Porto Rico In passing through that little
village he held up by group OF the inhs BIZ
tants. who stretched a large American flag across
the road. They dropped on their knees In the dust
and begged the Secretary OF War spare the life
Of Or1iz. who was 20 be shot the following da y
The young mans father clasped the flag 10 his
breast and pleaded that his son had always been a
good boy, ana would not have killed the soldier
had he not been gcaded 10 frenzy by the latter's
boasts OF how he had stolen the Porto Rican's
sweetheart. General Alger much impressed
that he sent cable message 10 President McTlln-
ley. who commuted the sentence life irnprisor-
naent. The murderer brought to this country
IN transport and sent 10 Saltwater Recently the
sentence was still further reduced TO five years