New-York tribune., 1905-07-02
A BROOKLYN LANDMARK.
FIRST MAYOR'S HOME.
Scene of Former Festivities Hidden
bg .Shador0 of EIeUated.

Tucked away under the shadow of the eIe-
waited structure at Futon-st. and Sprague's Al
ley just south of Concord-st. where it is scarce
ly ever noticed by the casual passerby, is one of
the few landmarks which still remain in that
part of the borough Here for many years was
the home of Joseph sprague, for five years
president of the old village. who served term
of two years as Mayor after the village was in
corporated city.
The little, dingy three story and basement
frame building, begrined by the hand Of time
and almost hidden by the taller buildings and
the elevated structure that surround 1t on all
sides, is much the same as when Mayor Sprague
lived there. There are two stores, now unoccu-
pied. in the basement, and the upper floors are
| used for living apartments. When Mayor
Sprague bought the property in 1919, re-
sembled a country home. Liberty-st was not
cut through in those days and the grounds
which were covered with apple trees. extended
through to Westinghouse. There was a clear
view down to the East River in front and much
vacant property on all sides. Westerly there
were no streets cut through above BTddagh-st.
as far Love Lane The only pavements IN
the vicinity ran from Sands-st to the two fer
ries Just across Fulton-st from the Sprague
home was fine row of giant elms.
In PineappIe-st, just out of Fulton-st near
by Yves an old fashioned pump. 1t did not
o
at the curb but in the recess formed by a high
board fence. This place a great resort Tor
lovers on warm summer evenings. There was
a metal ball on the end of the long pump handle,
and the mischievous boys of the period used to
delight to steal up and let this ball fall down on
the heads of the spooning lovers below.
In the immediate vicinity were many Hne
homes, surrounded by spacious grounds. There
was the home of a Mr.. Clark, well known law
yer, and above his place, toward Clinton-st-,
Captain Newton lived. The Waring mansion
the home of Henry Waring, a village trustee Tor
three years, fronted in Johnston-st. and occu-
pied grounds that ran through from Fulton-st.
to Washington-st. In front there broad
portico, formed by a of large Corinthian
columns. The grounds, which were beautifully
kept were about four feet above the street
level. The house was finally turned around fac
ing Westinghouse, and during the Civil War
was used the Office of the provost marshal
Near the Sprague home was the old City
Hotel, where many of the village dances ans
other entertainments were held. It is said that
the floor was built springs. which were
wedged up when dancing not going on For
the square dances the floor used to be chalked
and an attempt at ornamentation made by
drawing various figures in colored crayons on
the floor. This hotel was the headquarters Of
the Democrats in the William Henry Harrison
campaign. The Wings held forth in log cabin
just across the street Many times in the hard
cider campaign the two organizations came
into collision.
In the rear of the Sprague property was
frame building, where the owner carried on
business Of making cards used in spinning cot
ton. The machinery used in the manufacture of
these cards was run by dog power About a
dozen large dogs were kept in the treadmin at
when trained they did their work WELL and
many visitors used to come to see them work
Mr.. Sprague was one of the leading citizsns Of
the village. He assisted in organizing the First
Presbyterian Church. the site now occupied
by the rear of Plymouth Church, in Cranberry
st. He was also one Of the prime movers In
the Brooklyn Bank and the Long Island Insur-
ance Company. In 1926 Mr.. Sprague was
chosen to the board of trustees of the village
and two years later became president of the
board. It Is recorded that in 1923 he proposed
that an OK and cart be purchased to remove the
rubbish from the village streets. This PROPOSE
ton provoked considerable opposition and even
ridicule, but it was carried out. The work was
so well done that another OK and cart were
purchased, and it is a matter of record that for
four years all the street cleaning was done in
this way, at annual cost of S525. President
Sprague used to attend to village business in
the day and to his personal affairs in the even
ing Together with Colonel Alden Spooner he
owned twenty acres of ground known
Fort Greene They offered the site for pub
lie poorhouse. 1t was accepted. and Mr.. Sprague
served on the building committee. He was one
of the foremost advocates Of using the same
site for public park in 1S4S. and Washington
Park Fort Greene Park, was built as the
result Of the agitation.
When it was decided to get a city charter for
Brooklyn, in 1888, Mr. Sprague most active
in that work In 1S43 he was elected Mayor
Of ha a majority
During the first part Of his administration the
Whg members of the Common Council refused
to attend the meetings of that body, and Mayor
Sprague compelled them to attend by causing
their arrest charge of neglecting public
business. Mayor Sprague was reelected for
second term After that he served again and
again as a member of the Board of Supervisors.
1t is related that during the early days when
Mr. Sprague was village president the elections
used to last for three days Each night the
ballot boxes were sealed and put in some safe
place. Looking back it is hard to say why the
election was strung out in this way, because it
is stated that 4 whole day might pass without
single ballot being deposited in the box.
on the various occasions HLlelI d coiI IN VI @ t
ballots showed that Mr. Sprague mad been
elected village president his friends and neigh
bors would gather in the old frame house and
genuine ioIifcation would take place. The
furniture would be moved out of the parlors. the
carpets taken UP, and a barrel of beer and box
of crackers brought in. The victory would be
celebrated until early the next morning.
William E Sprague, son of the village presi-
dent relates how he and some of his friends
broke the AIiIlerite spell which had seized an
ordinarily sensible man. The Millerites believed
that the world was coming to an end on GER
tain day. and their preparations for it created
considerable excitement in those days. The Wife
of this man appealed TO Mr.. Sprague to assist
her
and talked the matter over with the boys, wrote
Mr. Sprague, Il knew the excited Mlllerite was
in the upper part OF house near by So we
took ladder from truck and placed it on the
front of the house. Then each man filed
buc clypf aSCeQded