Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1924-07-04
Ruins REEVES
Old Memories
A Little Review of Happening
There of Yesteryear and Just
the Other Day"

In writing up the fire of June
22nd at which time "Grassmere," the
home of the late General Z. Burd
Grubb, in Edgewater Park Township
considerable news was given to
the public. by out-of-town writer's,
who did not get all the facts, evil
IDENTITY not knowing them.
According to Thomas Hughes map
of 1857 this property was the horne
of B. H. Farnham and there are
several gentlemen in our city who
will remember its construction,
hence it was before the Civil War"
for some time.
As to the festivities that took
place there it is not a hard matter
for many to recall the military ac-
tivities of the General, prior to his
assuming command of the First City
Troop in Philadelphia. AS Colonel
of the Sixth Regiment, N. G. N. j.,
in the latter part of the "70's" that
crack organization was yearly
brought to our city, taken to the
expansive common south of the
City Hall, put through various mil
itary evolutions, and with band
playing and flags flying marched
to his home where, on the magnifi-
cent lawn on the east grounds he
again reviewed them and fed 'em.
And feeds they were and may be
the boys of that period have for
gotten them? But those were the
days that ne'er will return. With
his resignation, regimental affairs
took different turn.
With the varying turns of finan-
cial affairs and the death of the
General the property was purchased
by Blair FERGUSON, who disposed of
portion to George w. Rhawn, later
ON selling the remaining portion on
which the house stood to one Sam
uel Levin, of Philadelphia, who was
also interested in the Banner Realty
CO. of that city. This sale was sub
ject to mortgage, that changed
hands and it has been limited that
this ending of the edifice relieves a
feeling that undesirables might have
purchased it to the detriment of
the neighborhood
With the purchase of the premis-
es by Levin, he commenced clearing
off shrubbery and tearing out for
improvements and repairs of the in
terror so sadly in need of. Plans
were made for the partition of the
ground several wide streets Were
laid out and houses of the better
and attractive type were to be
erected in anticipation of the
bridge erection but funds could no.
be procured nor was backing pro-
durable. However, one day, there APP
peared on the scene young woman
who assumed charge, engaged me-
chanics and with bold demeanor
commenced ito do things and was
boss" She intended to change the
interior and cater to an exclusive
class of metropolitan patrons. After
various postponments rumors became
rife as to lack of cash to pay for
work done and the place never did
open though a large sign boldly
proclaiming as to reservations was
taken down by Levin, for value re-
ceived" and carted to Philadelphia.
The young woman left and with that
fire went the claims of several me-
chanics for work done. On one oc-
casion a writ of attachment convey
ed the intelligence that others "sot
theirs" by being impatient and
"going to law"
The place stood idle, though with
caretaker and various rumors have
been afloat as to the cause. all 81
which is left to the readers mind,
but one thing is sure, there was no
outward and visible sign Of a light
ming storm that Sunday evening to
.....4 4l..,,oe eeoiner
The ghosts of the elite OF society
Of New York and Philadelphia, and
of the bon vivants, who partook OF
the food and liquid cheer on many
occasions, may now come pack end
look with reverent demeanor and
moistened eyes, but with the Cen
eral gone, the palatial house gone,
.sSrassmeren is but a memory and