New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-26
Opening il the floor Close

6 per cent how much would it have amounted 10
By next Tuesday? The majority have figured
out that the $4,000 would have swollen to
nearly $1O0000.O0O
II is no wonder that Hobolzen rejoices IN a
chance to celebrate II has many things to be
proud Of Its past has been made glorious with
the achievements Of what Abram s. Hewitt
called the most gifted family of inventors that
ever lived" and its present is one Of remark
able prosperity. Its growth has been phenome-
nal. Since 1855, when it was Incorporated as
city, Hoboken's population has increased near
Iy tenfold- Fifty years ago it had 6,IOO in
habitants. At the present time ii contains about
65,G00 persons Indeed. Hoboken has fairly
burst its clothes Because its is limited
to little over square mile, it has become the
most denseIy populated community in New-Jer-
sey and a movement is now foot to increase
its boundaries and help spread out its popula-
ton II is proposed to annex West Hoboken,
Union Hill and Weehawken, a consolidation
which would double its number of inhabitants
and increase its area more than five times.
Hoboken first won fame from being sort of
Newport to New-York- There the wealthy fam
lies Of the metropolis had their summer homes.
Capacious houses they WERE situated on the
height of land overlooking the river with broad.
shaded lawns stretching down to the water. In
their private rowboats these New Workers
GloSSed me river every business morning, and re-
turning at night they needed only to step out of
their skiIs TO set foot in their front yards In
RlVer-st to-day one may yet see houses with
Gothic windows and casteIlated roofs, cnce the
homes Of the rich but now merely beer saloons
In Westinghouse still stands the ancient sum-
ner home Of the first John Jacob Astor. Its
spacious reception han is now a barroom, but
despite such change the name OF its first mas
ter still clings to it To Hoboken of to-day the
place is known as the Aston House Indeed. the
only building which has survived In its fun
glory those good old times is the great house
OF the Stevens family on Castle Point
Hoboken was the first home of the New-York
Yacht Club. and II was from Hoboken that the
famous America sailed to England to win the
cup that the Britishers have never been able to
carry back
From the inventive genius of the Stevens fam
ny. which found II a waste and moulded 1t into
q city. Hoboken has gained peculiar distinction
John Stevens. the head Of the family. who
bought the whole Of the present city for $4,000
made Hoboken the birthplace Of the first ocean
going steamboat the first steam ferry in the
world. the first steam railroad in America, and
the first arInored warstip Of the monitor type.
Robert Livingston Stevens son of John, made
Hoboken the home Of the first --I"' rail. which
superseded the old strap rail. and is now in use
wherever steam trains are operated Through
this man Hoboken also gave to the world the
type or ferryboat now in use, with its overhang-
ing guards. Its tenders. and the ferry slips Of
flexible piling- Hoboken also became the home
et1ce OF the first strip of railroad leading tow