The New York Herald Newspaper, July 10, 1876, Page 6

CASTLE GARDEN DESTROYED The Main Building Reduced to | Ashes in Half an Hour. SCENES AT THE CONFLAGRATION. | the Immigrants. Bitter | Experiences of Newly- Arrived LIVES AND PROPERTY ENDANGERED. Unhappy Termination to a Pros- perous Voyage. | comphsued But little, HISTORY OF TIE tiie EDIFICE. | Castlo Garden is gone, At about balf past five yes- terday afternoon it took fire, and in less than half an hour it wasabeap of charred ruins. The devouring tiement sbowed no consideration whatever for the bailding which bas, in the course of many years, been | the temporary home of millions who have poured into this country irom every quarter of the globe. Itis hard to conceive any similarly worthless editice whore destruction would arouse a tithe of the mingled feelings which will be evoked from one end of the United Stacos to the other as the news of its ruin reaches ‘hose who wero once sheltered beveath its if roof, But gone it there were not a very Ferious side to the disaster, it would be absolutely ludicrous The fire did its work as though im sport. Beyoud the confusion attendant upon removing the jwmigrants’ eflects trom the burning building, there were none of the horrors which usually attend fires | Darkuess was wanting to make the destruction any- \hing of a spectacle, fhe alternoon was hot and | bright, crowds were promenading the Battery walks, or sceking shelter from the sun under the foliage. A wreath of white smoke—a clean, thin, bent flame—shouts of ‘fhe Garden 16 on fire!”—the rapid rush of engines and the diseip.ined dash of the firemen—twenty-five minutes of A GIGANTIC BONFIRE, and Castle Garden had already receded into the realm | of bistory. Some buildings in their destruction be- | bave with an approach to rmaess and dignity; they almost seem themselves to be batthng with their grim | enemy. Besides, they have consideration enough to | give the firemena chance, Castle Garden did nothing | of the sort. It scemed quite aware that the job was a most certainly is. very bad onc, and anxions to get it out of | hand at once. It bebaved like a sell-conyicted criminal, pleaded guilty to ligneons plothora and | perennial dry-rot and wis at once wipedout, Atseven | o’clock the main portion of the building looked as if it | bad been burned a thousand years ago, and the eugines were merely playing upon the blackened, red beams to prevent spoataneous combustion, Even the excitement smal upon such occasions was wanting. The neighboring streets were filled witn bette ehiidren playing. Crowds thronged Broadway, walking uncon. | ternedly in a direction opposite the smoking inuss, The cordon of policerren drawa around the Battery Park had no great trouble with the half listless crowds which looked on composedly while the bonfire was burning. Altogether the end of Casile Garden, remark. able as an edifice chiefly for what it ought to have been, but Was not, was indecorously hasty and un- dramatic, Thus far the Indicrons side of the burning. Ithad a serious site too. Ittook the fire twenty-five minutes to reduce the main structure to ashes, the walls alone being left standing. It hod jst received one hundred and twenty immigrants from the steamer Celtic, Most of them could neither speak nor understand a word of English. They were of course totally uuacquamted with the place, How if that twenty-ve minutes had fallen in the middle of the night? It 18 good that this is a mere query. From what is said below of the difll- culty experienced in managing, tn broad daylight, the poor peopie who had but just arrived from beyond the | seas, it is easy to conjure up the horrors that might Happily the pen is spared the ghastly auve been. task! ORIGIN OF TH FIRE. The Ore began in the wooden covering of the baleony which skirts the top of the building and overlooks the tircular enclosure, Smoke was seen pufing through a broken portion of the ceiling, and aman, who was sitting close by, called attention to it. Ho ran to pro- | sure aid, but before his return the ceiling more than half way round the circle had fallen andthe wood. | work was in flames. Iu the meantime the immigrants ran peil-mell irom the gallery to the main floor and rushed as fast as they could to escape from the building Though but a few | moments elapsed between the time of tho alarm and the general conflagration, all who were within escaped without injury, From the following Mory, related by two boys named Luke O'Hara and James Healy, the fire must hive bad covsiderable beadway belore it was discovered by any one within the building. THK STORY OF TWO BOYS. “We were going out fora row and hadn't got fairly started when we spied smoke coming out of the roof of the top story on the side facing ap the river, We pulled right back and hollered like everything, and ran | wround to the front side as soon as we could. We nearly kicked m tho front door when the watchman come and let usin. We hollered fire again and ran in- side where tho crowd was None of ’em knowed there was any fire till we told ‘em, but as soon as they found tt out they run like everything and we got hustled out The fire was in progress till we made it known, then all was con{usion and we were hurried out with the | rest of the crowd,” RAPIDITY OF THR FLAMES. The wind was blowing from the north, and striking Grst the very point where the fire broke out, carried the flames rapidly #round both sides of the circular roof to the south, where they met and completed a circle of Gre. The slonder support afforded the dome was soon parried away, and it crashed in, buraing as it fell, The burning timber dropping down within started tne fre below, and the whole interior bocame a crackling burn- ing masa, throwing out dense volumes of smoke, The firemen arrived shortly after the alarm was sounded, little lett tor but there was them to do, 80 fast were the flames, but to give their atiention to the bnitdings and sheds outside the main structure. They worked like beavers and saved some | of them. The Custom house and the facing and close on tho water's edge, were burned. Several cases of valuable goods from the steamers Oder and Celtic were desiroyed, and alsom large coll tion of valuable articies belonging to the passengers | and heli for appraisement as excess: While dragging them out on the wharf, tn an get thom on board a tug lying at the wharf, the fire from above drove the rescuers off PROGRESS OF THE FURR, Belore the matron could save all her goods, and in Jess than ten minutes after ihe discovery of the fire, Seno fanies had reached the dome of the building, swept through the offices of the Commissioners of Emi. | gration, destroying all their books and records notin | reprovt safes, swirled through the rotanda, swallow. ing up thé Valcony circles, the siceping rooms of the | immigrants, consumed the offices of the telegraph , the post office tion, the offices of the | Erie, Vennsylvania and New York Central and Harlem River rmiway companies, turned ibe immense audi- tegincn within the brown stone walls of the old fort juio a seething furpace of Ore, and were bursting | throweh the partitions into the bageage rooms, Cus- som House department and the transportation offices. The-tiremen were promptly at work and fought spien- fadiy in the face of the great beat. Captain Patton, of Book and Ladder No. 12, was eunsirack, but refused to | leave bis post, William Kline, of No, $ hook and lad- der, fell on the root of the garden and was seriously tajured, Another fireman was overcome by the heat and sont to the hompital. At six P.M. the roof of the Sain building tell with a terrific crash, and jor a time + seemed as Mf the fire was under control, but ina few snoments a rush of fire into the sheds covering the b ;age gave new alarm, The hundreds of workingmen <mployed by the railway companies to remoye immt- barge office, compan, | the loads and passed them on to the barge. | trunks of emigrants’ clothing and effects were lost by a | ttapparent that there was no hope of saving anything | gestive, | sward wringing her hands in the very agony of grief. | nose, The South and Hamilton ferries irom Brooklyn | was one mass of flames, which hissed and chased o: | were Russians of the poorer class, NEW YORK baggage woul! have been lost out for the well-directed | grants’ bagenge seemed crazed with fright, and the | | efforts of Mr. Nicholas Muller, agent of the Erie Rail | way, who drove his men into the burning sheds with hand trucks and hurned out trunks, bags and cages to an attendant barge. The Dderge was fast to a tugboat and kept moving up and down the wharf as tho fire drove the | meu irom point to point, As the men dasbed out of the tlery sheds with their loaded tracks, others seized About 1,000 furious sweep of flre that made the men run for their lives. Through the baggage sheds and down the whart the fire sped with frightiul rapidity, destroying every- thing in its path, A REGULAR STAMPEDE, Alter the fire had gained sufficient headway to make inside of the building a regular stampede took place. ‘Tho instant the men were out they turned their attention to saving their baggage. A rush was made for the baggage room, and nien ané women ran here and there, dragging heavy trucks losded with trunks, tumbling over and jostling against one anether, ali the time shouting and screaming to exch other tp a mixture of foreign tor In the great confusion they ae- By the timely arrival of aid the baggage was removed beiore the fire reached it. Shortly after the roof fell in and it looked for s moment | as if the lames would reach around to the waiting room in front of the main building, the only place re- maining untouched. What added tothe general confusion that the steamship Celtic had just innded steerage passengers, These poor creatures, etrangers in a strange land, having not yet recovered from the efleets of an ocean Voyage, were for a time utterly stupefied. Yo say the least, and only to do justice, it must be ad- mitted that the discipline at the Garden was excellent, otherwise loss of jife must surely have resulted in the confusion and exetiement which naturally enough reigned for a time, While the officers who were oa duty did all they could to allay the fear of the poor | people, who, after all, knew nothing save that a ter- rible calamity was about to visit: them, still there were some scenes that were pitiable in the extreme: A complete line of police had been thrown out, surround. ing the three siaes of the burving building, aguinst which at loast a crowd of ten thousand people pressed. Inside of this line, on tho green grass and under the cooling shade of the green trees were | gathered little knows of the newly arrived immi- | grants, Huddigd together, seeking consolation in their misery, their rude effects piled up by the pathways, old men and women, young men and maid ens, little ones, too, clinging to the maternal breast— they presented a picture at once sorrowful and sug One poor woman wulked about the green- She said that she bad only arrived to-day, with ber in- fant son, and she fears that ail she possessed in the worid was destroyed by the fire, She bad no friends this side of Oregon, and as she sobbed and moaned she appeared the very ombodiment of wretchednoss. ‘There was another, a poor widow, with eight chil- dren, one of them sick and lying ina basket. She was in the building when the fire began, and was almost | frantic at the imagined peril ot her little ones. The grounds in the enclosure surrounding the walls, and near where the officers’ quarters are, was com- pletely covered with such effects as emigrants usually possees Here would be a mattress, there a trunk. attored all around and about were cooking utensils | and odds and ends dt clothing; indeed, everywhere | could be seen the evidences of the hasty flight which | had beeo made. It must be said that the emigrants, who were the greatest sufferers after all, behaved ex- well atter the tirst shock of fright had passed. assed the situation, and it was only in isolated in- stances that emotion got tno betier of them. Agents of the Commissioners of the Quarantine were | sent among them to pacify them and allay their feara, | and the assurance that they would be kindly taken care of seemed to work like acharm, The statement which | was freely mae, nlso, that the Commissioners would be | heid respousible for all effects which had been checked | also had its effect in making the homeless ones more contented with their lot, A CORIOUS INCIDENT. Asis well known tho structure was old, and such woodwork as was built on the stone foundation was as dry as tinder, The interior of the building was a net- work of partitions, offices and rooms, and once the | flames gained headway they quickly swopt everything before them, The smoke was very dense, and it was bere that a peculiar feature of tne fire | attracted universal comment, Tho smoke rose in a broad, compact column to the height of about 100 feet, Then, hike ashatt suddenly broken off, it swept away in a straight line across the river toward Atlantic Basin, South Brooklyn, Among other things destroyed were avast number of documents, books, &., and as the | sheets of white paper flow away they fluttered in the black column of smoke like birds of hope in the dark- were literally packed with people impelled by that morbid curiosity which always attends misery and disaster. A STRIKING SCENE. As ono looked through the gaping embrasures of the old fort a striking scene presented itself, The interior | other in very greediness, and,as if to still enbance these horrid noises, the shouts of the firemen would be followed by a cracking and groaning as some heavy timber or portion of the roof fell in. “Ab,” said a fireman to the Hxranp reporter, “the last time 1 was | here was when the public school ou the corner of Bay- ard street, of which I was a scholar, came hero i a body to hear Jenny Lind, but that's a good many years ago, for I was only aittle boy then,”? For some time the fire had itsown way. Indeed, it became merely a question how long it would take the firemen to put out the blazing heap of rnins, Here and there the flames were shooting up around the wooden cornices, which yielded to the axe and came topp'ing down, Some of the outhouses seemed disposed to Imitate tne example of the main building, and did so, with the exception of the roofing, their interior being completely charred and the upright | pillars looking Iiko sbriyellet charcoal apologies for | supports, The water, however, at last checked the | further advance of the fire. The work of tho firemen was now confined to checking the progress of the flames in the outbuildings, as tne | work of destraction was complete within, As fast as | they checked the blaze at one point it would break out in another, to which they would hastily turn a stream of water, Where the smoke camo out at different | points the axemen worked vigorously to find entrance, and where fire came out the water fought it back. As | it began to grow dark there was much anxiety about | providing shelter for the immigrants during the night, One of the officiais said there was plenty of room in | the waiting hail, and as there was no further dan- | ger they tradged back to it, carrying with them the | luggage they bad so bastily dragged out. Those scattered about in this Way numbered apward of a hundred, including all ages, the majority of wom About ten o'clock P.M. arude table was prepared and some coffee and | provisions—for which they had long waited—deult out to the poor strangers. Some, after much solicitation | and urging ina tongae they did not understand, ap- proached the table and were helped to the food, but most of them seemed to prefer sleep to food in their tion, Mayor Wickham and two of the Kmigra- ined at the Gardon until the | of the poor, unsheliered people were as we tended to as the opportunities at hand would permit, Some of the people who wait upon the emigrants and make the Garden tleir home, arrived at the | serne quite late atnight, baving learned on their | return irum excursions to the country, that they bad lost almost all belonging to them by the fire For a time these people also ram wailing to and fro, but finding it too late to remedy the mattor they subsided after a while and calmly accepted the situation. Betore mranight the last smouldering empers had been thoroughly drenched and quenched, | the crowd bad withdrawn and the poor emigrants were peacefully at rest in their rongh, uneron beds with nearly all thetr clothing on them, notwithstanding | the excessive heat of the night. ) THE LOSSES, Castle Garden proper Was State property, and Insured by the Commissioners of Emigration. The loss on | butlding will be about $40,000; loss on baggage, insured | by the three railroad companies, about $15,000; loss | on Custom Hougo building, $250, not insured; loss on | Teaserdnics. Weihian $900, not insured; loss on seized goods, $3,000, not insured, Total lose, $45,800, Tho police reserved were uader the command of inspec- | threw away their flaming hats, but still continued their | posed upon the floor on beds made of their mothers’ | tion or three years the various musical celebrities who | of seats for the first periormance by public auction. The scenes at sales, for they | ovcupiea | several days, were very exciting and upiqne, Genin, the leading hatter of New York of ‘hat | ata price of $2 human beiwgs from ing to the stage, | and that the pastagos. were filled with those who bad been fortunaie in getting tor McDermott and Captain Petty, The lines were well preserved, INCIDENTS, One of the bravest men at the fire was a boatswain of the United States man-of-mar Minnesota, Commander Johnson, now in the barbor, who happened to be preseut, He heard that some immigrants bad been Jeit in the burning building, and after the furious fre had broken out he rushed into the fort, dashed along the corridors and was seen leaping out of one embrasure and into another until sure that ail bad been saved. Then he aasisted in saving baggage and ranning lines of hose. He would not give hisname. Mr, Patrick Ginley, of No. 371 wighth street, an oflicer of the steamboat squad, commanded by Sergeant Gasslin, vas on post from picr No. 1 to pier No, 9, North River, about half-past five P. M. While patrolling bis post on Battery place;he saw: the smoke rising from the balcony on the north end of Castle Garden, He immediately ran to fire box No. 5 to give the alarm, and found the alarm already ringing on the wire, Then he rushed to Castle Garden dock and signailed for the police boat Seneca, just rounding the Battery, The signal was obeyed immediately, Ail hands were detailed to save the lives of the ftumigrants and to get out their bavgago. Several of the steam- bout squad, among them Sergeant Gasslin, Roundsmen Burns, Givley and others, had their clothing on fire and gallant work until they were drivea back by the fire, APYER THE ¥IRE. Now that it was evident tbat tho fire,bad been got thoroughly under, or rather bad burned itself out, the engines began, ono by one, to withdraw; the crowd surrounding the park were allowed to draw nearer the ruins, and those who felt indisposed to do so went their several ways, As evening Was beginning to creep on the pews had spread all over New York and the neigh- boring cities, and many thousands of people visited the scene of the disaster before and after nightfall. The crowds from Staten Isiand and tho hosts who trequent the Battery on warm evenings for a mouthful of the cooling air sweeping over the bay, stopped on their way past what was onco Casile Garden to got a peep at tho havoc wrought by the recently sub dued flames, Gradually, however, darkness came on, and, save to those permitted to pass the ffre lines: | Very little of the effecis of the fire was visible. But | once inside the lines a strange picinre was presented. Within the outside inclosures of the Garden the scene more nearly resembled the popularly acoepted notion ofa battlefield than angibing else that ean readily be | ‘imagined, Tho baggage saved trom the flames wus scattered about the yard, mostly on the little strip of grass ruoning along the wail south of the main entrance. This baggage consisted of boxes, bags and packages of all sorts and sizes, In the in- terspaces between these bundles somo garments had been spread for ‘beds, and on these, as well as on and against the bundles and bags, stretched tn every imaginable way, were the forms of scores of immi- grants, These were principally Russians, the men being noticeabie for their flat caps, long loose coats und high boots. Those outside wore all their clothing— men, women and childron. Several of the little ones were strotched peacefully on the hastily prepared beds, all fuliy dressed and some oven of the smallest wear- ing long boots and flat caps ike the men. In one spot four of these little men, ranging from four to nino years of age, slept calily side by side on ashawl spread out upon tho grass, A still more remarkable scene might havo been witnessed at the same time within the sheds belonging to the Labor Bureau and the Intelligence office. The exhausted emigrants lay sprawling in all manner of ways in these two places, Both structures are furnished with long, high-backed benches, and on these were constructed improvised beas. A picturo of tho stecrage of an overcrowded ship. in excessively tot weather, might give one some idea of this scene, Most of the women having young children to care for were gathered here, ‘Their condi- tion was pitiable to sec. Overpowered by the great heat they had partially relieved themselves of their loose garments and were huddled together promiscu- ously. Their litle babies (vere wholly nude and dis- garments, Beside them lay the mothers, now sunk into sleep, each with a hand resting on her little one’s head or spread over its body to ward off anticipated danger. THE CASTLE was originally a fort, built out nearly 300 yards from the mainland, beimg connected therewith by a draw- bridge of stone and wood. Circular in form and mount ing both berbette and casement guns the Castle was a formidable structure for that time, Its moat was really the river, and when the drawbridge was up it would have been difficult for an enemy to successfully attack or seize it, Though built after the Revolu- the walls would bave proved insuficient to withstand rifled cannon, In fact, it was very suni- lar in general outlines and internal economy to Fort William, which still stands on Governor’s Isiand, The only difference 18 that one was erected on dry ground the other in the water on rocky foundations, The lung peace that followed the war of 1812 rendered the Castle more ornamental than useful, and !t was finally dismantied by the government. Then tno site became known to the public CHANGED TO A GARDEX. About the year 1839 the fort came into private hands onatong lease. Mr. Richard French, afterward well known as “Colonel Frenct’” and as the origmal pro- prietor of French’s Hotel, corner of Frankiort street and Printing House square, was the lessee. He asso- ciated with himsell a Mr. Hetser, and they proceeded to change the appearance as much as possible. Like the Hippodrome in these days, the € stle was planted with trees, turf and flowers, Where once barbette guns frowned over the parapets, shady walks were arranged, and the garden was filumined at night by lamps and trans. parencies, The interior was cieared out and the war. like aspect of the structure toox on a more peaceful appearance, For many years this cool and delightiul spot was the favorite resort of the people, for in those days the fashionable part of town was velow Chambers street, But finally the garden became deserted Mr, French built, his hotel and Castle Garden underwent another change about the year 1847, this time emerg- ing as an opera house o¢ large concert hall, For two visited New York appeared there, and here it was that the wonderful excitement over Jenny Lind occurred. THE JENNY LIND CONCERTS. When P. T. Barnum en aged the famous Swedish songstress Jenny Liad, he troduced ber to the American people at Castle Gard ingen! us ad- vertising the veteran showman created a furor over the wedish Nightingale,” and actually sold the choice these day, immortalized himself by securing the first choice The prices paid for other searg ranged irom $25 down to §3, so that the aggregate ro- coipts for the evening’s entertainment were larger than had ever belore been heard of, and, indeed, itis doubital if they have been equalled since in this ety. The début o! Jenny Lind in America was imdeed a notab eevent in the masical world, and it is interest. ing to turn back to the Hmanp flos and read the de- | seription of the scone, which oecurred on Wednesday evening, inber 11, 1850, Two rebersals had been previously held, and (he reports thereot nad whetted the public appetite, so that it is not surprising to be toid that inside ot Castle Garden it was one dense mass of possession ef promenade tickets Mr, Goenin’s sent was upholstered with crimson velvet aud “had a spring seat.” Ugposite the stage and over the balcony was the inscription, “ Welcome, Sweet Warbler,” and ot course there were innumerable lights and chandeliers, It required a large force of police to keep the people tn order, and the river was thronged by an immense pumber of small boats, The briige was covered by an awning “costing one thousind dollars.” Jonny Lind was assisted by Bellotti, and she received a tremendous woleome. At the close of the performance Mr. Barunm mado one of his character- istic speqebes, and announced that the “Nightingale” bad decided to give her share of the proceeds, $10,000, to various focal charities. This graceful act and the great vocal power of the songstress decided her suc cess, and the season was highly remunerative, Subsequently, in 1862, M. Jullien opened the Garden with Lis monster concert troupe of magicians, and after a brief season went up town to Niblo’s Garden, About the tine of the Jenny Lind furor the Havana Opera Troupe, consisting of Steflanoni, Bosio, Tedeson, Vietti, Costini, Marini, Saivi, Loriai, Badiali, Vita and Collett, Sontag also sung there wader the m agemont of Max Maroteck, In tact. after the Garden had been transformed intoa theatre it was a favorito place of amusement, But in May, 1855, this part of its history came toan end, for it was taken possession of by the Commissioners of Emigration, AS AN EMIGKATION DEPOT Castle Garden was probably one of tho greatest emi- grant depots in the world. No other building of ite size ever received oF despatched so many people, who severed all ties of home, family and country to seek their for- tunes in anew lund. Now that it is gone the manner in which the business was conducted cannot tail to be of interest. The Rotunda was the main feature of. Castle Garden, In it neurly ail of the business incident to the arrival and forwarding of em- igrants was transacted. In the first place, on the arrival of a steamship or vessel with emigrants the passengers were formed into line and the name, birth. place and destination of h newcomer regisiered. This work was oftentimes accompanied by more dif- ficultios than at first appears, on account of the different languages spoken and from other circumstances. After having registered the emigrant was passed over to a “booker,” that is, a clerk of the Railway Assecia- tion, whose duty it was to ascertain the destination of each passenger and furnish him with ‘a printed slip upon which was marked the number of tickets wanted and their cost in currency, It was then at the option of the emigrant which road heshou!d patronize, or whether he should go on the emigrant or regular passenger trams, Many ludicrous instances are told of the ignorance of emigrants arriving as to the State or Territory to which they were destined, one, some years ago, asking fora ticket to Farmington, United States, and as there are no less than twenty-one cities avd villages by that name in the country the tronbe ofthe ticket ingent can better bo imagined than de. scribed. Directly opposite the railway counter were the desks of the exchange brokers, w being also under the controt of the Commissioners, mado porchases and sales of fereign and domestic money? atcurrent rates, In tho Garden were clerks employed to write lerters for emigrants about to start for far- away places; a telegraph office, bathroom, restaurant, in fact, everything that could conduce to their com- fort, although, naturally enough, it was of a ernde kind. On the dock outside tho enclosure were the bag gazeroom, scales (where the emigrants’ baggage was weighed), as well as several offices for tho Custom Houve officials wnd police detailed for duty there. There | was algo a lady inspector tn the employ of the Commis. stoners to prevent smuggling by jemale emigranta, There were also in connection with the Garden several departments, the most important of — which was the Wards Island = and ~—Meeiticinal dopartme There was also a largo well ventilated room set aside for the reception of immi- grants by their irtends, Above the wash rooms, on the second floor, are the various offices of the Commia- sioners of Emigration, their mecting rooms, Treasurer's office and the office of the General Agent and Superin- tendent. On May 23, 1870, the Garden had a narrow escape from destruction by fire; but tho flames had not got sufficient headway betore the arrival of the firemen to prevent them extinguishing the fire, which they did alter a loss of $3,000 was occasioned. WHO OWNS CASTLE GARDEN? Mr. James Lynch, Commissioner of Emigration and President of the Irish Emigration Society, who was called upon last night by a Hekatp reporter, was sure prised and shocked to hear of tho catastrophe which had befulten his wards, The regular meeting of the Com- missioners he said would be held on Tuesday, but he supposed he and his colleagues would hold a specia, meeting at an early nour to-day to devise some means of relief for the sufferers, In the course of a brief conversation, Mr. Lynch raid the Commissioners mast, under tho Jaws of tho State, designate a tanding place for emi- grants, Castle Garden had been so designated, and bad been used for the purpose during the past twenty- ono years They may, however, designate any other place within the State, and the steamship companies are obliged to land the emigrants at the place so destg- nated. When they are landed it becomes the Commis- sioners’ duty to take caro of them. The building burned has been held by the Commissioners of Emigration of the State of New York by the common consent of the authorities of the State and of the United States, for the specific purpose for which it was used. The own- ership of the property is a vexed question, The city claims ownership in the premisos, but they sight tnd it hard to prove their title The State also claims to own them, but tt would be equally dificult for it to support its claim, Many years ago the federal government gave the property to the State to be used as a landing depot for immi- granta; but it did not relinquish its claims upon the premises, and thore are to-day no evidences of the ownership of the State in existence, ‘We do not admit,”? said he, “the ciaims of the city to its ownership, although we have steadily paid rent for the property to the Comptrotler. 1 believe the property rea'ly delongs to the United States government. ’” The exact value of the burned building Mr. Lynch did not know, but he stated that tt was fully covered by insurance. SEEN FROM JERSKY CITY, x Standing on the ridge of Palisade avenue, overlook- ing the lower section of Jersey City and commanding a wide scope of the North River and York Bay, the dense black column of smoke conveyed the impression that a large portion of the First ward was on Ore. At first sight the fire seemed to be located ot the Penn- sylvanin Railrond wharves, froin pier No. 1 to pler. No. 5. From the lower part of the city the outline of the old Castle Garden conld be distinctly traced as it suceumbed to the devouring clement About forty men set out in boats from the Central Railroad and Delaware and Cockawanna docks for the scene. Two tugbonts were also despatched to render assistance, hat before they arrived the fire had gained such hexdway that no effectual aid could be rendered. OTHER FIRES. HOUSE OF COREECTION BURNED—SAFE RE- MOVAL OF THE PRICONERS-—EVIT, EFFECTS OF A WANT OF WATER. Fitoancra, Mass., July 9, 1876. The main building of the House of Correction at South Fitchburg, including workshops, office, chapel, kitchen, keeper's residence and stables, was destroyed by fire at two o'clock this morning. The prison proper was saved and all the prisoners, seventy-two in nam. ber. were safely removed. Newry all the furnitare ard movable articles of the jail and the keeper's resi- dence were saved; also all the records of the instita- ‘The Gre was discovered in the stable and was on- doubtediy of meen ary origin, The loss is estimated at from $50,100 to $75,000. The water works do not extend to South Fitenburg and the only source of water enpply is from the river, 1,500 feet away. Had there been one hydrant near the premises all but the stable might have been saved. CHEMICAL WORKS DYSTROYED. BrrnGrront, Conn., July 9, 1876, The Black Rock Chimical Wor! wed by a Mr Buckley, of Weston, wore destroyed by fire lasy night, Tt is estimated that the loss will exceed $5,000; the in> suranes is unknown. DWELLING HOUSE BURNED. A fire was discovere! at hall-post five o’clook yes terday morning in the house of Wilham Johnson, on Wayne street, near Summit avenue, Jersey City, The Fire Department responded promptly, bat, in spite of ali efforts to check the flames, the bnitding and ite contents were almost entirely destroyed. Chief Enginoer Farrier investigated the cause of the fire and obtuned information that lea to the arrest of Johnsen ‘on the charge of arson. Jobnson had the building and farpitare heavily insured, ESCAPE OF THE FLORENCES. Mr. S. B. Shepherd, resi/ing at No 341 West Twonty-firat strcet, New York, accompanied by Mr. and Mra. W. J. Florence, now playing at Wallack’s Theatre, when returning home from a carriage ride to Coney [and yestertay, the horses took Iright near the eutrance of Prospect Park and ran away, the ocen- nia of the carriage beim: thrown to the ground, Mr. ‘lorence fees tho horses tn their mad course, when it was found that the carriage had passed over Mr. Shepherd's leg and injured it badly. Mr and Mra Florence escaped without being hurt. CONVERSIONS TO CATHOLICISM. (From the Dublin Freeman’s Journal, Jane 14.) Two more conversions of Oxford clergymen are a1 nounced to-day. They are those of the Rey. Edmund 8. Grindie, M. A., curate of St. Paul's, Brighton, and the Rev. Frederick W, Willis, curate of Broeking, the jate viear of All saints’ charch, Wellingboro' Mr. Willis is the third clergyman who bas becn converted to the Catholic Church within the last week. (From the Cork Examiner, June 14.7 ‘The Rey. Willatn Lovell, a graduate of the University of Oxtord and a clergyman of the Chureh Koglat las become a Catholec, He was a scholar of Exeter College, took a se class in classical moderation in 1868 and athird Class im the final schools of Literm Hamanioris m 1870, Mr, Lovell was ordained to the emacy of Wantage in 1873 by the present Bishop of oxtora, HERALD, MONDAY, JULY 10, 1876—WITH SUPPI.EMENT. THE HATED TERM. It looks hke a gratut reinfliction of a worry to chronicie to-day such a temperature as that which brotied the city yesteriay. If for no other reason, it is well that the overpowsring heat shonid be recorded, in order that posterity, when grilled in ite turn, may emulate the patience pf their forefathers. Seriously, however, the excexsivé heat is beginning to tell largely, and, in many cases, fatally on the population, more especiatly the children, Fortunately in these latitudes the heated terms are never of any great duration, 80 wo may hope soon for ¥ change (hat will in a measure restore 08 lo ourselves And to our equanimity. The toliowing record witt show the changes in the temperature for the pajt twenty-four boars, in com: parison with the corresponding date of last year, us indicated by the rmpweter at Hadout’s pharmacy, Henarp Buildin 173, 1876. 1875, 1876, oo 82 3:00 P. M..... 83 101 31 6PM. ” 2 . a6 OP Me... 7 8d 12M a ol 12P, M, xt) 73 Average temperature yesterday. +. 877 Average temperature for cprres; YORE. o0035" 5 SUNSTROKES. YESTFRDAY. Phil'p Dinan, thirty-five yoars old, of No. 439 Fast Nineteenth street, was .ound dead in bed at five A. M- yesterday. Joun Treible, fifty-five years, an Italian, no home, sunvirack, sent to Bellevue Hospital. John Schweizer, thirty-five years, of No 96 Essex street, was found dead in his room at five A. M, yester- day. Bernard Guefelder, thirty-seven yours, of No. 157 Norfolk street, was sunsiruck at avenue C and Sixth street, Taken home. Julia Briggs, forty-two years, uo home, overcome by heat on Broadway, sent to Chambers Street Hospital, Patrick Hardy, forty-three years, of No. 236 Mulberry: street, sunstruck at Broadway and Lispenard sireet, was taken to the New York Hospital, Daniel Sullivan, thirty-five years, of No, 33 Park street, sunstruck while at work at No, 182 bowery, was sent 10 Beilevue Hospital. Walter Scott, orty years, of No. 418 West Thirty- sixth street, sunstruck’ in the yard of his house, was sent to Bellevue Hospital, Eaward Burns, thirty-five years, of No. 747 East Ninth street, overcome by the heat’ while on duty as Wwatetinan ai foot of Ninth street, Kast River, died at ax P.M. ‘Ann Connelly. thirty-three years, of No. 131 Liberty street, tied from effect of beat yesrerday. James Waiker, thirty-eight years, died at his resi dence, No. 86 North Moore street, from excessive heat, an, German, fifty years, of Fiftieth at Kighth avenue and Ninety-#ixto street, Was taken to Ninety-ninth Street Hospital. Michact Gailey, thirty-five years, of No. 393 EF. enth avenue, switchimn of Hudson River Railroad, sunstruck while on duty, was taken to Bellevue. Edmund Kirk, of No. 417 East Fourteenth street, truck, was taken home in police ambulance och Smith, twenty-four years, ot Egg Harbor, seaman on oner James Valdrance, sunstruck, was sent to New York Hospital. Iiridget Woods, thirty-Qve years, of Forty-second street and Eighth avenue, overcome by heut, was sent to the New York Hosptial. Filen MeCartay, nfty-three years, of No, 174 East Eighty-second street, died trom suustroke yesterday, Dearing. forty years, of No, 600 Water str soine by heat, was sent to Bellevue. muel Johnson, three mon old, of 121st street and Fourth avenue, suustrack yesterday, died in a few minutes. ‘An unknown man, fifty years old, five feet seven Inches, bluo eyes, gray hair and side whiskers, sun- struck at No. 155 West Twenty-seventh street, was sent to Bellevue, James Parritt, thirty-five years, of No. 104 Barclay street, overcome by the heat, felland struck his head on the curbstone, fracturing his skull. He died in twenty minutes, Body sent to the Morgue, Joun Burns, of No, 510 East Fourteenth street, sun- strack, was sent to Bellevue, Emma kngerman, five months, of 163d street and Washington avenue, Thircy-third ‘precinct, died from excessive heat yesterday. Rosa Wearners, two months old, of 149th street, died from the effects of heat yesterday, Jobn Flood, twenty-nine years, of No. 300 East Thir- ty-second street, died trom sunstroke lust evening. Edward R, Marks, thirty-seven years, of No. 104 Hester street, died of sunstroke yesterday, IN BROOKLYN. Julius Cramer, sixty years of ago, residing at No. 143 Remsen street, was overcome by the heat yester- day, corner of Lee avenuo and Wilson street. He was taken to the Eastern District Hospital, Patroiman Michael Colohan, of the Third precinet, and who resided at No. 130 Douglass street, died irom the effects of the heat yesterday, Sulvatoria Rinaldo, a member of the Twenty-third regiment, was overcome by the heat yesterday at tho corner of De Kalb aud Bedford avenues. Charles Koemger, & musician in the Twenty-third rogitnent band. was overcome by the heat yesterday at the corner of Gates and Bediord avenues. Olficer Henry C. Hil, of the Twelfth precinet, re- siding at No. 4,009 Prospect place, was overcome by the heat yesterday at the corner of Fulton street and Bediord avevue, while attending the funeral of Officer Scott. Taken to nis home, Mary Sheridan, twenty-eight years of age, of No. 317 Sua in avenue, dropped dead at her residence yes- terday. street, sunstr IN HOROKEN, Coroner Crane, of Hoboken, reported tho following deaths from the heat yesterday :— Paul Zeller, a workman at ihe Hoboken Cemetery, dropped dead while working im the sup, Jonn Warner, of No, 41 West Forty-ninth street, in this city, diea in the house of a triend at Guttenberg after being overcome by the heat John Menken, of No, 80 Third street, Hoboken, died from the effect of a sunstroke, tramp, was found prostrated by tho #trect, Hoboken, yesterday, and removed to the police station. Anthony Avdrogs, a laborer, of Fourth street, near Adam, fell down déad with suostroké J, Anders, a child of nine months, weighing forty pounds, died last night of sunstroke. Dr. Helter, of Hoboken, reported last night the death of four children, between eizht and fifteen months, all from sunstroke. He has tweive oiber children on bis hands, several in a desperate condition. THE REVIEW AND ENCAMPMENT OF THE SECOND BRIGADE, JERSEY MILITIA, BROKEN UPp— MORE THAN A HUNDRED MEN PROSTRATED BY THE HEAT—ALLEGED MISMANAGEMENT OF THE QUARTERMASIER GENERAL, Trestox, N. J., July 9, 1876. The excitement here last evening and this morning over the sudden prosiration from the excessive heat of a large number of State militiamen, who were en. catuped near this city since Thursday last, was intense, ‘The wildest rumors were afloat, aud many deaths were reported. The news spread rapidly to Newark, Jersey City and Hoboken—the homes of the men—and caused telegrams to pour in here asking particulars. Fortu- nately there were XO FATAL CASES. Adjutant General Colonel Daniel Loder stated to- day to a Hexauv reporter that im all his army and military experience he never saw such a day fur heat as yesterday, The dust was fearful and the insocts were Intolerable. At tifteen minutes past | mx o'clock. last evening the therinometer was 110 under the tent fly inthe camp, which was one mile frow this city, situated on high ground, where there was plenty ol gooa drinking water. The site was ap- proved by nearly ail the officers in the State National Guard. There was no shade, but there was an excelicat breeze. For sanitary reasons it was deemed imprudent ty have the encampment im the woods, and Dut for the oppressive heat, which was not anticipated, Colonel Loder says it was one of the best camping grounds in the country. Governor Bedell allowed General Plum, commander of the brigade, his choice of ground, and this was selected because it was convenient to the Con- tenmial, where be intended to bave brought the men for a day or two. Two-thirds of the men of the New- ark regument being jewellers, and this month being va- cation with thi 4 was decined advieabie to have tho encainpment take place then, and not watt until the fill, when men would be buy. THe SICK ROLE, At four o’slock yesterday afternoon 152 ick men were reported, and lite last nicht there were fifty-six cases of prostration. Among the victims were Colon Allen, of the First regiment; Captain Meeker, of Gen- eral Plam’s stall, and the As nt Surgeon of the ath, A review wad been ordered at six o'clock. Proposition Was made to posipone tt entirely, but, after consultations with (he brigade surgeons, it was deemed best to move the men to Parade Ground to give them change of wir and scene, Ata quarier past seven that was done. Dress parade commenced, but the heat Dee sme so oppressive, all the air dyingout, that minutes the return to camp was ordered by Mott, Sixty men were prostrated while going back, About fifty were coaveyed to St, Francis’ Hospital, where they were cared for by the Sisters until their return home this morning. At nine o'clock fast night General Mott issued orders for BREAKING UP OF CAMP and an indefinite postponement of review and encamp- ment of Secoud brigade. At six this morning the meu commenced stariing for home, and at mine the inst of them — left. here no driiling, po camp duty, Al the suffering was cansed . Everything possible was done for the relief of the sufferers. Tho brizade physicians and Drs. Coleman, Ribvie, Warman and Thomas, of this city, were imattendance ail night, Om Friday 1,800 mon | were reported in camp, composing the First and Fifth regiments of Newark, Ninth Hoboken, Fourth Jersey City, ove battalion and one battery, All the offivers in command served in the late war. Complaints, were made that there was mismanage- ment all around; that the Quartermaster Generul was dilatory im making ai ents for th pment; that v6 slate ware due there Ull Friday last ond. thai vinegar for camp use was full ot vermin, Alth fortunately, no deaths resulted irom this till in the language of a well-known military tun, it wat one of the greatest disraces that ever fell on the Na tional Guard of New Jersey, and the ill results ob which will be felt for yeare, ONE HUNDRED DEGREBS AT MILFORD, PA. Muronp, July 9, 1876, To-day has been the hottest of the season, The thermometer indicatod 100 degrees in the shade at five o'clock this afternoen, DEATH FROM SUNSTROKE. \ Brivgerorr, Conn., July 9, 1376 | James Cummings, aged thirty years, died from same | stroke to-day. AMUSEMENTS. ‘ GILMORE'S GARDEN. f Senorita Cervantes, the talented young harpist, hada benefit at Gilmore's Garden last might and was greeted | with a very large and Jashionable house, A programme of exceptional attractions and the presence of their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Brazil bad the desired effect in bringing to the beautiful garden the largest attendance of the season, Four pieces were played by Gilmore's band, in honor of His Imperial Majesty, the Brazihan National anthem at the entrance of the Emperor and Emprosa and their suite, the hymn entitled, ‘Greeting trom Brazil to Columbia,”? composed by A. Carlos Gomes, by command ot Dom Pedro IL, and performed for the Orst time on the Fourth of July in Philadelphia; a hymn of praise, by Viliencuve, dedicated to tho Em. peror, and a march, “The Glory of Brazil,” by Strauss, The hymn of Gomes, although ef fective m its breadth of orchestral treatment, 1s founded on such an uninteresting, commonplace subject that it lacks the nobility and sonorous dignity requisite for a work of national importance, It is far inferior to the ‘Brazilian Anthom,” that preceded it, Villeneuve's hymn 1s a selection from a cantata and consists of a baritone solo with chorus, It is im the Meyerbeer vein, very elfctive and grand in its proportions, Mr. A. Sohst’s fine, cultivated baritone voice was heard to great advantage im it, Weber's “‘Jubel” overture completed the work of the band, which seems to gain in volume of tone, spirit of rendering ana precision of attack every week, Gilmore 4s fast moulding the excellent material he has into that shapo of artistic pertection that has given a world. wide renown to Thomas’ band; and it may be salely predicted that the time is not far distant when hig band will take precedcnce of many of the boasted ore ganizations of Europe. Nenorita Cervantes, ihe fair young bénéfciaire, played agrand march by Parrish Alvars aud **La Danse deg Syiphes,”” by Godefroid. She 1s a very talented artist, ‘bat In such a vast space us that of Gilmore’s Gardea oniy a very small proportion of the audience heard her. Azither would have as much chance of being heard there as tbe harp, The great sensation of the evenin; in the solo line was Levy’s brilliant playing o! Proch’s air and variations,” It ts the most diflicult by a cornet player, and Koenig carcely essayed it. its enormous difficnities were, however, easily conquered by Lev: who has pow added to his large répertoire it brightest gem. Ho received a triple encore, The Young Apollo Club sang the “Inflammatus,” from Rossini’s “Stabat Mater.” M. Henri Kowalski, the distinguished pianist, played the “Polonaise Militaire,’? opus 53, by Vhopiu, with a fire and nervous dagh that was worthy of his great reputation. The tones of the Weber grandrang out beneath his mobile touch with an effect that brought down the applauso of the entire house, Mme. Eugenie Panpenbeim alvo made a marked hit ip the* aria, “Ah! mio Ferando!” from “Lu Favorite.” Her beautitul voice is admirably guited tor the garden as wellas the opera house. The rudeness of a portion of the audience in standing in iront of the Emperor’s boa and staring the imperial party out of countenance deserves severe reprehension. Mr. Arbucklo played acornet svlo in the first part of the concert, MUSIOAL AND DRAMATIO NOTES. “The Mighty Dollar” still sheds its effulgenco at Wallack’s. _ Kelly and Leon’s Minstrels have an excelient bill tov this week. \ Mr. E. A. Sothern succeeds “Pique” at the Fifth Avenue Theatre. Mr. John Poole has retired from the management of the Olympic Theatre, Captain McDonald’s band of trained Indians appear at the Olympic this evening, Edwin Booth will play at the California Theatre, San Francisco, in September, John T. Raymond has imiroduced Colonel Sellers te the denizens otf the Pacilic slope. M,. Jacques Offenbach, who left for Europe on Satur: day, proposes to write an opéra bougfe on an Americaa subject. ‘ Bret Harte’s new play, “Two Mon of Sandy Bar,” which will be the feature at thoopening of the Union Square Theatre for tho fall season, will be presented at Hooley’s, Chicago, next week. SUNDAY AT CONEY ISLAND, Twelve thousand persons of both sexes visited Coney Island yesterday, making the trip thither by the steamers Idlewild, Eliza Hancox and Pilot Boy. Neves before in the history of the island since its cession by good Queen Anne to the town of Gravesond have so many persons went bathing im the surf. A constant stream of overheated men, women and chile dren passed under the broad verandah of the Pavilion toward tho roaring breakers, all looking relieved at the first glimpse given them of the trackless sea) Loving coupies promenaded th¢ beach arm in arm, and afterward partook of the viva. cous but mysterious clam, in a boiled, fried, roasted or chowder style, To form some idea of tho consump. tion of this edible at Coney Isiand, native stam pia, round, itis only necessary to state that Norton Slercay yesterday furnished to the hungry people who came to Coney Island no less than 70,000 clams, cooked tm the various ways known to the clam, Some of tha bathers, who do not admire the clam as many do, were forced to exist on tenderloin steaks, and ice cold Hevesick and fragrant Havanas tapered off the succulent meal in & manner that is oniy known to the eureiul gastronome, It 18 also noticeable how the character of the people, who visit Coney Island hag changed in the last few years. The rowdy element haa disappeared completely, gone and faded into utter night. Twelve thousand nicer looking, better ordered or more sociable people than those who made the eighteen trips ap and down on the steamboats betort enumerated coud not be found anywhere. Many whe would naturally go to Long Branch now go to Cone; I-land, nnding that bad or suspicious characters wil not be allowed tv fand from any of the boais by the proprietors of ihe vavilion Hotel, who have chartered the steambosts and have them completely ander thetr contre This prevents any intrusion of the improper characters who were once in the habit of diagracing the island by their visits. Now that this ts publicly known Coney Island wili become what it was twenty years ago—the poople’s most popular sea bathing Tesort. A NEW PASTOR INSTALLED. A large congregation assembled last evening in the Spring Street Presbyterian church to participate in thé ceremonies of inaugurating the Rev. Alfred HL. Mome: as pastor, The Rev. L D, Wilson, of the Centrat’ Church, presided and opened the proceedings with an appropriate addross explaining the objects of the gath- cring and dwelling particularly on the power of the inc dyvidual. The ordaming yer was oifered by tne ev. Dr. White, of the Twenty-third street Preabyy terian church, The ceremony of installing the Rev, Mr. Moment was then proceeded with. The charge te the was delivered by the Kev. Dr. Wild, of Brooks lyn, by invitation of the Presbytery; succeeding thig came the charge to the people, which was eloquently delivered by Rev. H. B. Chapin. The exercises were altogether exceedingly interesting and at the close of the proceedings the reverend geotieman was heartily congratulated by many members of the congregation, CONDITION OF MRS. HOUSE. Mrs. Irene House yet remains at hor father’s resi. donee in Trenton in a very critical condition, On Sat urday she was 80 prostrated that her physicians are re, ported to have considered her condition eritical, Yes. terday morning she recovered somewhat, Great weight 1s laid upon the fact that her busband beat hep so severely before the shooting as to cause this severe in nd inflammation of the bowels from the kick- n, e. Mr. EB. T. Green, counsel to Pennsylvania Rail- Tow Company, bas ber case in nand. He will be age pera sone dD. wares of New York, wno hag considerable knowledge as to the domestic t bys ogee: ; and — eto York. spi e relatives of Mr. House are watching his in New York, Mra, House is very nuzious ne pode “the oa a nm ge office, bh tou if exposed, would reven! some strange domestic dit “ ree ne diticulties and “queer”? THE CAPITOL CONTRACTS, This mornin ga delegation trom the Stone Cutters? Society will wait npon Governor Tilden, at bis residence in Gramerey Park, for the purpose of pa mpi: cad Pe contract avin ry foie te stone cutting for the State Capit erected aaheay ‘apitol, now being THE CART RUNG MURDERER At haif-past three P. M. yesterday, the police of the Twentieth precinct arrested Robert Garrity, eb: rged with the murder of Jotn Si y 4, bY! stl him on the head with a cart et? Meng c Ny ¥ Ss a a »