New-York tribune., 1915-10-03
PROGRESS KILLS
OLD. HOSTLERY
Tubes and Bridges Seal
Doom of Miller's Hotel
at Long Island City.
JOHN L. RANKS HIGH
AMONG ITS PATRONS
Few CronieS Gather for Last
Drink Before Doors Close
TO Swing No More.

Ghosts OF those who lived amid the
vanish, glorics o. Long Island City
must seek some newer and less tradi-
,ional-fncd place 20 roost from now on.
Millcr's Hotel. which stands near the
sin Of the East Thirty-fourth Street
ferry. closed its doors last week for the
first time since they we're opened IN
1861. The building will soon be torn
down.
OF late years the hosiery. once the
headquarters of politicians and gam
blers when Long Island City was an in
dependent town with q vivid reputation
instead OF being only part Of New
York City. has fallen on evil days. In
olden times the Long Island citizen
turned 90 its swinging doors for eour-
ace before Drawing ;he journey across
the East River TO New York. and
turned again when he returned TO pour
q libation OF thankfu.ness for safe
tourney. Then the Queensborough
Rridre came The passenger lists o.
the ferry boats fe' of sadly, and
fewer feet were ranged along the rail
of the old horseshoe shaped bar OF
Niller's Hotel. When the Pennsylvanla
tubes we're put in operation. the end OF
the ancient gathering place OF the Long
Island clans was not far on.
Al midnight last Wednesday the
fnal fsw drops Of liquor slid across
the bar over which il had once poured
a veritable horseshoe cataract ne
three or four faithful old timers OF the
death watch. who had breasted the ma
Loeanv where once hundreds fought
for place. went out. ne Ile OF
Niller's Hotel was done.
"She's seen things, you bet pro-
uounced one gray haired veteran turn
ing for a last look as he went out into
the night
Once Graced by John L.
She has seen things. over her
threshold hundreds Of Long Island
troons passed in '6l on the way 20 the
front -Four years later some Of them
returned 20 Long Island City, wa the
Tbirty-foIrth Street ferry and MiIers
Hotel. Later. when Long Island City
waxed wicked. and extended the right
hand { fellowship 20 the gambling
fraternity. the hostlery became their
headquarterS Men famous IN thelr
day in sporting and political circles OF
the city made the place their mead
quarters Most Of them are now tor-
gotten. but some remain in the mem
ory Of this generation.
Joe Coburu and other pugihsts Of
national reputation frequcnted the re-
sort. and on more than one red letter
day the great "Jawn l." who at time
was eudeavorlng 10 drive liquor from
the earth By personal consumption
instead Of the lecture method, leaned
grand; against the bar and received
the worship Of all beholders.
But this is not the hotels greatest
claim 20 fame. II was the headquar.
ters. the unofficial White House OF
Battle Axe Pat" Gleason, Mayor and
supreme ruler Of Long Island my
and sworn foe Of the Long Island Kali
road. For years he fought the com
pany. "a alone by city ordinance, but
bv the might OF his and his hcnch-
mems good axes. which demolished
fences and poles belonging to the
hated railway.
DESPITE his treasured feud with the
railroad company, Patrick Jerome
Gleason remained monarch Of his do
main until his death. Then his mantle
fell on "Curly Joe" Cassidy, now doing
his "bit" AT Sing sing.
Tony Miller. proprietor Of the hotel
when gamblers and sporting men from
a dozen states fOcked 10 the now staid
region Of Long Island City. died sew
cral wears ago. II was not given 70
him to witness the passing Of the once
famous tavern. His widow retained
the place until 1t closed its doors for
ever.