Year: 1879

Section OF the City.
A FAST FADING TYPE.


The traditional New York rowdy. tho terror Of
suburban watering places and excursion parties and
tho street-corner scarecrow OF belated and unpro-
tected females-ay. and of many males a. well--ap-
pears to be gradually passing away. Time was. not
many years ago, when he fourisned without re-
straint or interruption, made whole neighborhoods
impossible for decent people. and turned the sum-
mer resorts convenient to the city into scenes Of
bowling riot, His Appearance was familiar one
on the street corners He seldom allowed
moro hair on his face than mustache.
usually dyed black. with traces Of its origi-
nal color appearing half an inoh from
the roots. but as . rule he went beardless.
wore q soft felt hat, with the brim bent down in
front and bent up behind; pegged boots. with high
resounding heels; long black coat and the loudest
style Of lavender or fancy pantaloons ght above tho
knees. In summer he dispensed with shirt collars.
and seldom troubled himself with the encumhrance
of pocket handkerchief. He was accustomed to
chew great quantities Of ne cut tobacco. and he
stood corner to spit half way the street.





he held his cigar at upward slant of foryhve de-
grees. His face had usually forid color. and his
breath impregnated the air around him with the
odor of unrectiAed whiskey. His laugh and voice
were both loud and metallic and his every other link
In the chain Of his conversation either profane
or obscene epithet. His daring and ferocisy were
never properly developed except when acting with
gang. for ON his own hook he was sneaking aud
sprttless. His great delight was trip to Rockaway,
Coney Island. Fort Lee anywhere up the Hudson;
in fact he infested almost every retreat not
from the city. and he left his uphallowed mark
wherever he went. The day had no enjoyment for
him when he and his companions failed to
wreck . bar. to make away with whiskey
and beer without payment. pound the barkeeper to
jelly and scare the women and children almost TO
death. When he accomplished this much he was
happy and independent This bashi-bazouk Of New
York society Is no longer the terror he The
multiplied civilizng forces around him have made
him assume the DISCUSSES of propriety or else be
driven from the ordinary haunts of men. The
rowdy. no doubt Is still in our midst; but, like the
tanned tiger. his claws cut. his teeth drawn
aud hear his roar but seldom The corner loafers
gradually disappearing. and whore they still pre-
vail they have grown civilized. .iH ~


A STIRRING ENoouNrxR WITH RowDIEs


1t would be impossible for an occurrence, such a.
took place thirteen years ago at tho of Fifth
street and the Bowery. to happen there now. A re-
spectacle citizen named Mr. Little was on the way
home from his business at six o'clock In the
ing. and when passing the corner indicated was
struck on the cheek with piece Of rotten apple
flung by one of four rowdies there standing, whose
type is given in the preceding sketch. Incensed at
such an outrage Mr. Little turned. and looking in
the direction whence the missile oame demanded


'See here. Cap" answered one Of the rufhans ap-
proaching with his hand behind on q revolver.


lies gong bout yer biz and spit out no sass or you


Little. who carried . powerful walking stick. ro-
sponded with threatening gesture. for his blood
The rowdy instantly presented his revoiver, which
Little. with prompt aud vigorous blow or his stick.
the next whri OF his faithful weapon laid the rowdy
PROSTATE on the sidewalk Quickly his three COM
panions rushed to the attack. and one OF the most
desperate encounters Of tho kind that happened
In this city then took place. for two policemen
the scene. and. along with Little. grsppled with
the three rowdics. Little fell down . basement,
stabbed him seven times The other two row.
dies dies disabled nIs the two policemen. one Of
more oficers coming up with revolvers drawn, the
fight extending and the blood covering the wide
dued, two OF them dying on the ground and the
other two being carried to Bellevue Hospital in
physique. recovered after period of six weeks.


The rowdy Of that day has happily disappeared
from these quarters. He u longer to be found
this particular corner, which was much the dread
respectable citizens passing that way. On the OK.
trene east and west sides OF town he may still cut
mp some shines, but the rough and sanguinary M
ture Of the beast is greatly toned down. -.-.i'l-


THE IMPROVED WATERING PLACES.


=, The Fort Lee ana Goney Island boats were at one
Respectable people seldom or never ventured to visit
either Fort Lee or Coney Island from the dread
the late returning trips by New York gangs. But
now observe the change that has occurred and sec
what causes have been instrumental in extinguish-
Ing the rowdy. time arrived when It was thought
worth while to invest money in improving the
attractions Of Coney Island and make it
resort OF the better classes. Then followed
mighty rush OF the masses. rtcn and poor,
and the rowdy was swept from the scene forever.
he lost the heart himself but had the sense
to make the best OF the situation aud conform his
manners y TO the sltersd state Of affairs Halt dozen
passengers. aud swhoe regiment would be equally
helpless In the presence of the vast multitudss
inevitable fate that awaited him. the rowdy
wisely succuinbed and allowed himself to
Die OF Uoney Island spread to all the other
suburban watering places. kockaway and Fort Lee
especially caught the spirit of Improvement. Safe
guards were adopted for the preservation Of order.
Detectives aud police officers were amply provided.
aud tho decent classos. inspired with confidence,
forth ss sasse to patronize these transformed
resorts. Ligtl raHN .re Tafts|


He rioted most securely ON the Rockaway and
Coney Island boats. He was quiet enough on the
outward bound trip In the morning. aud beyond
talking loud and passing insulting remarks on the
women within earshot made no greater demonstra-
ton of his brutal nature. But coming homo to
the city In the evening" what time OF trembling
apprehension IL used to be for respectable men
and women How they used to cover in corners Of
the boat with futtering hearts when the ominous
volleys OF blasphemy in angry alteration sautod
their cars when the rowdy let fly his beer glass 1t
random into the throng OF passengers.
anochins ,a.,hass perhaps % r, an infant gu. Of its
cries fight broke out and drunken men, snap
ping and biting ut zach other. rolled the dirty
deck smcared with beer and tobacco Juice or fell
over weak and helpless women screaming with
fright and paint Happily these scenes are with the
past, aud all the summer record bears now OF the
exploits OF tho rowdy Is occasional row at pic
mic where the people are all OF his own class. He
has been driven from the street corners from the
steamboats,, from the watering PLACES. from the