Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-20
FOURTH 100 YEARS AGO.
Topics That Stirred tho Country
Then.

From Harpers Weekly
After dinner. which was a midday feast
In New York at that stage OF our civiliza
ton, the leading citizens attended Mayor
Marinus Willett's reception at the city
hall. in Wall street. where the Leopold
outrage was almost the sole topic of con-
versation. There were other weighty mat
tiers to occupy the public mind just then
for 1907 was a momentous year not only
for the United States. but for the world
at large. Napoleon Bonaparte was at the
height OF his mischievous career, and the
latest news from Europe that day was that
the French and Russians had been in
general engagement from the latter part OF
April until May 10, and that the former
were victorious and the latter retreating.
At home there was important news.
Aaron Burr had just pleaded not guilty to
the crime of high treason at Richmond,
and Chief Justice Marshall had refused to
allow him liberty In 100000 bail. story
was going the rounds that the imperturb-
able prisoner had ironically invited a hos
tile crowd that had surrounded his carriage
on his way to Jail to come and see him,
assuring them that they would always find
him at home However. Bonaparte and
Burr were OF little interest in New York
that day by comparison with the portentous
occurrence OF Cape Henry. It was not the
only, although 1t was the most serious. out
rage of the kind. for American vessels had
Ueeu subjected 10 unWdTTdHtou OeteHllOH
and search by British men-of-war for
months. and 1t seemed to the patriots that
England was trying to goad the United
States Into another war The necessity for
a great navy and for additional harbor de-
lenses was the subject Of discussion all the
afternoon at the coffee houses-the Tontine
and the Phoenix in Wall street, the Albany
in Greenwich and the Seventh Ward in
Cherry-and at the leading hotels. such as
the City in Broadway. the Merchants in
Wall street and the New York In Broad.
Although their elders were occupied with
grave affairs. the young people were bent
on enjoying the holiday, however. During
the afternoon the waters Of the Hudson and
East rivers were dotted with rowboats for
there were no ferries adequate to the salts
factory accommodation Of a holiday crowd
The nearest sea bathing was at New
Utrecht and Rockaway Beach, Coney
Island being then terra incognita. and 1t
was a pleasant drive through the country
from Brooklyn to either of those places.
Another popular drive was out to Kings
bridge, through the village of Harlem.
Other outdoor resorts. not so far away,
where the wayfarers might obtain refresh
ment. were Ranelagh, better known as
Mount Pitt. on the road now known as
Grand street, near Corlear's Hook, which.
according to the advertisements, afforded a
fine view Of the city; Strawberry hill, on
the Bloomingdale road, near what Is today
the junction of Broadway and 34th street;
and the Indian Queen and Tyler's in Green
witch street. Passaic Falls, in New Jersey,
was also a favorite resort for New Workers
whittier many had gone for the day.
Toward evening the ladies and gentle
men Of polite society began to appear on
Wall street. the fashionable promenade.
Elderly men Of fashion still favored the
styles of the revolutionary period, and wore
small clothes and cooked hats. with their
hair done up in queues, while their sons
took sartorial advice from London.
AS the theater presented performances
only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays,
Fourth OF July evening the beauty and
fashion Of New York at Vauxhall gardens.
which occupied that space bounded today
by Great Jones street. Broadway, Astor
place and the Bowery. The special feature
of the entertainment. however, was NOV
ing-stage picture representing the English
soldiery sailing through the Narrows, on the
occasion of the military evacuation of the
city, which aroused great patriotic ardor.