Year: 1873

CENTRAL PARK MYSTERIES.


On an eminence overlooking the lake in
Central Park, and couple Of hundred yards
from seventy-second street entrance, the COM
missioners have recently erected a wooden
structure known from its shape as the Octa-
gon. 1t would stand in square of about
fourteen feet. Numerous tunnels jut out
from the sides, straight or L shaped, with the
orifce downward. These are for ventilation.
There are two doors, but no windows. The
Octagon stands upon platform, and is ap-
preached by steps. AS you enter the door
you see before you round white table, about
the size of an ordinary card table. In the
centre overhead is cylinder that resembles a
piece of stove pipe A metal rod like an
elongated car hook hangs from this within
reach of mans hand. This Octagon is the
home of the camera obscura, the only one OF
its kind in this country. 1t has been in ope'
ration for some time, although the fact is
known to comparatively few


Yesterday Sun reporter visited the Octa-
gon. The courteous gentleman in charge in
vited him to enter. He did 80, and the door
was shut. All was dark except the surface
of the table. Upon it was depicted most
beautiful landscape, with men and women
walking about, children and dogs frisking,
and horses trotting along at brisk gait. The
scene was at once recognized.


CENTRAL PARK IN MINIATURE.


A perfect picture of the park to the south
of the lake was spread out upon the table. A
movement of the rod brought another section
into view, and by and by New York city as
far down as DR.. Bellows church was distinctly
flung in miniature upon the table. Still an
other movement, and Hoboken and the Pali-
sades were presented The Eighth avenue cars
rolled along on one side and steam cars rat
tied past on the other The spoke Of every
wheel and the face Of every passenger were
clearly marked. Every color and tint of the
foliage was there, and the slightest waving of
leaf was faithfully represented. Every por.
ton of the park, not shut off by some physical
obstruction, was in turn reflected, and the atti-
tude and motion of each person, walking or
seated, was distinctly seen. The camera pro-
duced upon the table series of pictures most
beautiful and startling, the moving figures
approaching, receding, crossing-making it
seem like glimpse of fairy land.


AS may we'll be supposed, the camera has
yielded some surprising revelations to the
gazers. A New York detective, who has sew
eral times made use of the camera for profes-
sional purposes, accompanied the Sun reporter
in his visit to the Octa gon. The detective re-
lated some interesting stories connected with
the camera, few of which are given below.


AJEALoUs WIFE.


About the beginning of April two elegant.
ly dressed ladies visited the Octagon, and
were admitted alone to see the wonderful
sights it reveals. They were both young.
One of them, who was very beautiful was
greatly excited, and had to be restrained more
than once by her companion. Scene after
scene passed before them, until at length the
lake came into view. An arbor on the oppo-
site shore was more than usually distinct, for
the sun was shining full upon it. Inside it
were seated a lady and gentleman in tender
attitude. The features and dress of both
were as though they stood before the gazers
as large as life. The younger lady, after
gazing at the pair for moment exclaimed,
"There I told you, it is my husband, just as
l suspected"


She was intent on starting tor the boat
house to cross the lake by stealth and confront
the pair, but her friend restrained her.


AN ELoPEMENT.


Toward the close of March, an elderly gen.
tleman, a professor at well: known college,
visited the Octagon, accompanied by detect
i've. Scene after scene was brought into view,
until at last distant part of the park was
shown. Walking down pathway in the
centre of the picture was couple. The Ell,
derly gentleman at once recognized the lady
as his daughter, and the gentleman as the
young artist with whom she eloped two days
previously.


Early this month Detective Lambert came
on here from Ohio in pursuit of forger and
defaulter named McMurry. He received in
formation that he was hiding somewhere in
Yorkvile or Harlem. The detective on his
way thither recognized McMurry on Third