The Brooklyn Daily Eagle from Brooklyn, New York • Page 24

or Classified Ad Remit BROOKLYN EAGLE. SUNDAY. MAY 21. 1939 Telephone MAin 44200 Brooklyn Home Town' Grandest Place on Earth to an Old Timer 10 It Irish Told Streets Vernon-Fircone When Boys Hung Clothes on Hickory Limb (for a Sicim) Cops Took Apparel for Mothers to Identify Next Day youth of Yesterday Had Monopoly oii Fun And With Passing Years He Reveres Memories of His Teachers, His Giums And Rejoices in Having Had Simpler Life Editor, Old Timers: So many of the Old Timers have written asking "Do you remember Tucker- Rope Walk" I finally decided that I would write and say that I do. The main building was on Classon Ave.

near Flushing. It was built of red brick and I think about four stories high. The rope walk Itself Now for the names of the families that lived in Macomb St. at that time. There was Andy Reilly, who was a Junk dealer; Egans, Stowe, Rimpo, Anderson, Franks, Steln-metz, Dresch, Roach, King, Spence, Willis, Sexton, Donahue, Miller, Benson, Dolan, Medis, Roth, Hacket, Cavanaugh, Tokonauer, McCaffry, Donovan, Pender, McKeon, Murphy, Schroder, Orr, Walker, Doherty, Begge and Dowd.

CARROLL ST. FAMILIES On Carroll St. were Kent, Mackin, McGlone, Boyle, Strang, Cody and a number of other families whose names I cannot remember. Sackett, Douglass and Degraw Sts. did not run through between 3d and Here was an old stone house with several large willow trees and a wonderful spring that never ran dry.

On the corner of 4th Ave. and 5th St. was a very deep pond where one of my young pals was drowned. I remember the Borden Milk Company's first plant on Sterling Place above 5th Ave. They had a truck with a large container on the back which held about 100 quarts.

This truck would go from house to house. The customers all had a glass furnished by the company which held a half pint. A fellow by the name of Louis Sass worked for Borden's. Louis was a son-in-law of Tokonauer, who had a small grocery store on Garfield Place. We children of the neighborhood attended Public School 9 at the corner of Vanderbilt Ave.

and Butler St. There were no houses between 6th Ave. and the school except on President St. I went to school with was a one-story building wun slanting tin roof, that ran from Flushing to Myrtle Ave. in the rear of the house on Classon Ave.

It ran under Park Ave. The roof extended as high as street level. On each side ellow gomg up on the other side of the strelt? Yell loud as you cani Innocently please Jimi dld al most simultaneously I got a clout tween Union and President Sts. was a very fine house built on a bill about 25 feet above street level. This house had an orchard where we boys used to get apples once in a while (when no one was watching.) Between President and Carroll Sts.

was a large mansion about 25 or 30 feet above street level entirely surrounded by a stone wall about ten feet high. This was called the Litchfield place. Between Carroll St. and Garfield Place was another fine mansion, unoccupied at that time except for a caretaker an old man by the name of Winslow. This was a very pretty place, set up very high, with the house situated about half between 5th and 6th Aves.

The grounds sloped toward 5th Ave. and were guarded by a stone wall about four feet high, on top of which was an ornamental iron fence. The carriage driveway was on Garfield Place Just above 5th Ave. There was an empty lot bounded by Garfield Place, 1st bth Ave. and 6th Ave.

This was surrounded by a high wooden picket fence. There were a few mulberry trees in this field and we children used to play there. I remember very clearly the time my brother Lou, sister Emma, myself and several other children who were playing in this lot were shot with rock salt by old man Winslow. ho took care of this Between 1st and 2d Sts. was another beautiful place with a large barn.

These grounds were surrounded by an iron fence about ten feet high and was called the Kissam mansion. I remember very well the lot that was called Washington Park, where the Brooklyn ball team started to play ball and where we boys used to play ball a number of years before. oi inis ouuauig waj. iu huuuii in the from j0hnny Murphy about six feet high and four feet.who was standing behind me. Jim wide, supported by a brick wall.

was mocking him. and I was the The purpose of this space was to victim of a practical joke, afford ventilation for the workers.1 nnll. a poor substitute for our modern 0VPJ Jfnnl air conditionine Now we were to Brow, air conditioning. and Jt WM Ume to tQ swim BOYS, Jl'ST BOYS s0 the word would go around, "How I remember very well climbing aoout a Betsy?" The same idea was cur back fence at151 Classon conveyed by putting the right hand nicknamed the Grand Opera out, paim down and moving the first Mouse) and dropping down into the! and second fingers from side to side, lot We never could understand why Tnat was supposed to represent the the owners objected to our jumping breast stroke which we learned be-from the wall onto the tin roof. It fore we graduated to the Wallabout Just occurs to me that maybe they crawl.

This was an overhand stroke were afraid we would cause leaks in witn the palm cupped so that when the roof could be. th'e hand hit the water it made a On the Graham St. side was a slapping report. Boy, oh Boy! When large field, enclosed by a high board you could do the overhand, you were fence, which we called the daisy good. The old swimming hole was field, and in trepidation, we often; down at the Wallabout Basin, next Jumped on the roof of the rope walk to the Navy Yard and opposite the 4th Aves.

There were no houses be tween Douglass and 9th except three shanties between Macomb and 1st St. and two shanties between 1st and 2d Sts. A few people who kept pigs, goats and cows lived in shanties on Douglass and Butler Sts. between 4th and 5th Aves. Union St.

at that time was Daved with wooden blocks and had no houses between 3d Ave. and the park. President St. was practically the same. Carroll St.

and Garfield Place were the same from 5th Ave. to the park, as was 1st St. from 4th Ave. to the park. APPLE ORCHARD On the lower side of 5th Ave.

be tween Garfield Place and 2d St. there were no houses but there were several between Garfield Place and Carroll St. John Muller's grocery store was on the corner of Garfield Place. There were two more stores after that and then a row of flats. Keane's drug store was on the corner of Carroll St.

On the upper side of 5th Ave. be He Dug Potatoes or 50 Cents A Day on Hbgan's Old Farm Were Made of Gold So Jack Leckie Took Up Residence in Old Williamsburg Editor, Old Timers: Sixty years ago I came over from Dublin, Ireland, and landed at Castle Garden (Mugg's Landing). The trip took 21 days. We were told the streets of New York were paved with gold so we decided to settle In Wil liamsburg. My dad bought out "John the Baptist," the printer, at 220 2d St.

(Now 305 Wythe I walked across the Brooklyn Bridge the day it was opened and went to work every day during the great blizzard of "88. Who remembers Pete Hart's place Laurel Hill where the bare knuckle and cock fights took place? Who recalls the "Brooklyn Blade," a newspaper? I sold it over 50 years ago. Who remembers the Bushwick carbarn fire? My uncle, Jack Glass, in those days drove 16 horses at tached to a snow plow which cleared the tracks. Recall the good old days in the Summertime at Myrtle Ave. and Highland Park? WET GOODS PLACES Who remembers the following wet goods" places in old Williams burg where we passed many idle hours away: Steve Wallace's, Larry Carroll's, Mike Minden's, Bill Holland's, Chris Steves', Eddie Manly's, Bill Smith's, Dave Fisher's, Paddy McKeons, Gus Kiengers, Bob Dixon's, Bill Germanhauser's, Charlie Allen's, Jim Murphy's, Jule Peter Mahar's, Eddie Lober's, Frank Conly's, Heiser's Hall, Neil Shanley's, John Maloney's, Frank B.

Carrs, Lenny Nichols, Jimmy Short's, Pat Ralph's, Tommy Cavan- augh's, Happy Days, Jim Campbell Haggerty Powell's, Dan Car-michael's, Johnny Dunn's, Jake Es-sig's, Tom McAleer's, Schult's Tammany Hall, Charlie Van Sise, Joe Petrie's. Mark Reardon's, Dalben- der's, Nugent's, Adam Hinderer's. Tired Business Men's Playgrounds: John Gourlays, Billy Ray's, Eddie Gallavan's, The Metropolitan, The Carlton, Haggerty's Wellington, The Elk those sure were the happy days. THE DISPENSERS Recall the following "hot drink dispensers" Tommy Randall, Charlie Bryan, Hen Sansfield, Charlie Callahan, Cap Leonard, Mike Toughey, Joe Ward, Due Bur nett, Tom McArdle, Billy Walsh, Lenny Nichols, Johnnie Hedges, Scot Welsh, Charlie Hayes, Doc Gleason, Bobby Dowd, Georgie Reardon, Tom Lyons, George Owens, Jack O'Brien, Jimmy Hynes, Doc Perry and Bob Dixon? Many have passed away. And now, to all Old Timers, a poem: you have some praise or other To bestow upon a brother, If a kindly act will help him on his way, Ply the gentle art of giving, Hand your bouquets to the living; Do not wait until the last sad rites are said your cheer remains unstated Your boost will come belated Till the obituaries tell you he is dead.

JACK LECKIE. 805 St. Mark's Ave. St. Ambrose Parish Reunion May 27 Editor, Old Timers: The reunion of Old Timers of St.

Ambrose parish will be held Saturday evening, May 27, in the audi torium on De Kalb and Tompkins at 9 p.m. The Rev. Josaph P. Wiest, acting pastor, will be on hand to greet the Old Timers personally. Please be there! JUST AN OLD TIMER.

John Collins' Son Editor, Old Timers: In answer to Joseph Santore, I am the son of John Collins, owner of the livery stable he mentions. I remember all the names he recalls and no doubt most of them have passed on like my dear father. JOHN COLLINS JR. 15 Kossuth Place. and crossed to the other side to pick daisies.

The reason for our fear was, that the watchman was stationed on that side, near Myrtle Ave. and he always had a large whip which he flourished and snapped when he came after us. Luckily he never caught any of us. It was almost impossible for him to do so, as we had so many avenues! of escape; alley-ways between i houses, hallways, fences on the Clas-; son Ave. and Park Ave.

sides, which we climbed like a pack of monkeys Once outside, he didn't bother us as his only interest was to get us out of the lot. TIMES HARD THEN Times were hard then just as they are now. These children growing up haven't any monopoly on hard times, the only trouble is that they will probably last longer than they did then. There were no movies and we thought in terms of cents rather than in terms of dimes and quarters. With a few cents we could buy a roll of electric tape, so if we wanted a baseball, we went on the make In the lots, looking for junk and took it to the junkman down in Steuben St.

The next step was to get a fairly round potato, wrap strips of cloth around it and then some twine, after which we would put the tape10018 any more? The school code Association Active Bay Ridge Members Meet Annually June 8 Date Set Editor, Old Timers: Before the birth of the Old Timers Page, which has been the means of making so many Old Timers of Brooklyn happy, there appeared a news item in the June 24, 1938, issue of the Eagle headed "Bennett Is Hailed by Old Schoolmaster." It mentioned the Vernon-Fircone Asso ciation, a name which designates two clubs that existed about the years 1908 to 1918 in Bay Ridge. They were tre Fircones A.C. and the vernons of Bay Ridge. I am sure that there are some Old Timers of this era who would like to know that this group meets at a get-together once a year and would like to be among those present. It has grown in the last six years-until you will find members of the following clubs on hand as well as others: Vernons of Bay Ridge, Fircones, Farnums, Claremonts, Acorns, Colonials, Delhi, Brooklyn Rowing Club and Ridge Club.

Just a partial list of the membership includes the names of Herman Abeling, Frank Anderson, Ellis Baum, John Bennett Harold Blunt, Fred Bradt, Rom Brownson, Tom Byrne, Ed Campazzi, Herb Campbell, Dave, Lester and Harry Cassidy, Mike, Martin and Tom Charles, Frank Clancey, Jack Cuming, Arthur Connolly, Ed Danne-miller, Lou Elder, George Eames, Ted Ficke, Regan Finney, Paul Froede, Al Goldberg, Bill Gooth, Ed Grace, Tom Grace, Ed Gearns, Jack Hennesen, Fred Herr-schaft, George Hickey, Joe Hlggins, John and George Iskyan, Shaw Kavanagh, Warren Kolkebeck, Harry Lay, Bill Langan, Arthur Gwynne. Alfred and Tip Lewis, John and Larry McAteer, Hans Madeback, Dick Maloney, Bill Matthews, Frank McNally, Joe Mc-Namara, Carl McRoberts, Grover Muller, Bink Moran, Jack Murphy, Bill Murray, Bill Meyers, Frank Nicolai, D.D.S.; BiU Polglase, Bob Sasseen, Stubby Schultz, Fred Seng-stacke, Charlie and Dick Slater, John and Andy Smith, Sid Starbuck, Harry Thein, Norman, Bill and Arthur Thompson, Jim and Dick Tonry, Gordon Waaser, etc. AU that is required for membership is a desire to renew old acquaintances with any of the names listed and many others that grew up in Bay Ridge about the years mentioned. Our next party will be held at Busto's Restaurant on June 8 at 6 p.m. and I will be glad to furnish more details to any one that phones or writes me.

RAE CONWAY. 130 Clinton St. Main 4-6400. Names Church Near the Bridge Editor Old Timers: I may be able to enlighten the Old Timer who sought some information which stood near the Brooklyn Bridge. To my knowledge it was called the Church of the Assumption and located on the corner of York and Jay Sts.

It is now on Cranberry had to move to make way for the Brooklyn Bridge. My mother, a soprano, sang in that church for about 30 years. Father Keegan, vicar general of the diocese, died about 1885. Father David Hickey was an altar boy in 1877. Mrs.

P. GUTTZEIT 455 E. 26th St. Treasured Glass From Brookfield's Editor, Old Timers: To Frank F. Schnlz I was very much pleased to read your contribution to the Old Timers' page.

No doubt you will remember my father, now dead, known as Jack McGuire; he was an old neighbor of yours. You may also recall my husband, Joe Flaherty, who, on your recommendation, got a position as motor-man with the B. M. T. 27 years ago, a position he still holds.

Can not remember as far back as you, but do remember Old Bushwick Church, also Cooper's glue factory at Newtown Creek and the pond in front of it where, as kids, we went ice skating in Winter. I recall Cooper Park when the Coopers lived there and Cooper's lot with its row of high hills which we used for sleigh riding. The F. F. Williams Drum and Fife Corps conjures memories.

The drum major's hat always fascinated me, also the Kalbfleisch mansion where we used to peek through the lilac bushes at a house the likes of which our eyes had never seen. Many a ride I had on a horse's back around the reservoir that worked the machinery for the Waterbury rope works. My father worked there years ago. Went as a kid to Brookfield's glass factory to get some of the pretty colored pieces of glass that used to come out of i flue there into the street. We kids treasured them like Jewels.

I see you are now living In Flat-bush; we are in Greenpoint. Good luck to you, Mr. Schulz. Enjoyed your article very much. EMMA FLAHERTY (nee McGuire).

125 Noble St. Remember Dreamland And Luna Park Fires? Editor, Old Timers: What Old Timer can give me the dates on the Luna Park fire and the one at Dreamland? Mrs. H. K. Editor, Old Timers: To A.

J. Your letter about St. Anne's Parish was very interesting. Will you please communicate with the present pastor and oblige yours truly? REV. R.

O. Editor Old Timers: Several weeks ago I read an article published in your paper on the Old Timers Page about Garfield Place. It was signed "Brooklynite." Being an old timer from that neigh borhood, I now wish to submit the following as a supplement with the hope that it will bring back recollections to other of your subscribers: My family first moved to Macomb St. in 1870. I was at that time Just a youngster.

Macomb St. name was changed to Garfield Place shortly after the death of President Garfield. When we first moved to Macomb St. all the area from 3d St. to Butler St.

between 3d and 4th Aves. was large ponds of ater. The ground in this area was 15 to 40 feet below street level. Between 1st and 3d Sts. there was a very large pond that was said to be 40 feet deep and which was called Milk Pond because of its milky color.

On this spot in later years the Federal League opened its baseball park. SWAM IN THE NUDE At Macomb St. and 4th Ave. there was another pond in which we boys used to swim. Do any of you Old Timers remember how when we went swimming we always swam in the nude and many times we were chased by the police? We usually ran through the streets (as we were) to one of the houses.

The policeman would take our clothes to the station house at 6th Ave. and Bergen St, to which place our mothers would have to go next day to reclaim them. There was a rather small pond be tween Carroll and President Sts. The largest pond of all was between Union and Butler Sts. and was very deep.

Who Cares About Age Anyway? Editor Old Timers: To C. L. Horning Jr. Thanks for your kind words regarding my contribution to the Old Timers Page. After so many years it is pleasant to contact the son of my old friend and classmate.

Upon my return to Brooklyn after an absence of several years I learned with sincere regret of the death of your father. I re member him so very well, and your mother, too. You'd be surprised how well I know her, although I haven't seen her in many years. Recall her father, too, and cousin May Green. All the names you mention are in my book of memories.

Speaking of Dr. Cook, yes he was in our class. Met him at the Public School 37 Old Timers dinner reunion held in the Hotel Granada some weeks back. You say I'm giving away my age. Who cares about age these days? After all, the names you mention are in the same boat with me.

You figure my age as something like 54 years. Add 15 to that. "What's my name?" Your mother knows. OLD TIMER. lOih Ward Folks Editor, Old Timers: Old Timer W.

J. Monahan mention some old 10th Warders and asked if I recall them. I certainly do, everyone of them. Many a drink Dan Mannix served me with in the old days when he was bartender for Pat Butler. He had a brother, a policeman, attached to the old But ler St.

station. Dick Butler and "Dinny" Mines also tended bar there in the old days. Fred Warner had a grocery store at 136 Wyckoff St. for many years. The Warners occupied the same premises for more than 60 years at that address.

I recall "Pop" White and the little candy store he had on Hoyt St, be tween Wyckoff and Warren Sts. Can't forget his place. It was in his store where Arthur Fitzgerald and myself one day when we were youngsters bought three "Cremo" cigars for a nickel and bad our first smoke down in the cellar of the house where I was then living on Warren St. My pal Arthuor "got away" with it, but I can remember how sick I got. I swore that I would never smoke another, and for years afterward shied away from them, but later on learned how to smoke cigars wtthout turning green and getting sick from them.

P. and the families returned to their Winter homes in the city. The school to which the children for miles around came was old 101, at 86th St. and Bay 17th now an annex to New Utrecht High School. To this school came the Lakes, DeNyses, Strongs, from Gravesend; the Texters and the Vanderbilts from Ulmer Park, the Thieles, Harrison, from Lef-ferts Park; the Buddens, Sedgwicks, from Blythebourne, and the Van Pelts, Carmens, Parfitts, Knoxes, McNickles, Huotts, Browns, Cropseys, Wyckoffs, Monforts and Hegemans from the local community.

The principal of the school was James M. Edsall, with a most able assistant. Miss M. E. Lynch.

Communism would not worry us today if public schools could have leaders like the above two, who instilled into all the young people "patriotism and love of country." What splendid teachers were ours! Among them were Miss Madeline R. Gwynn, Miss Miriam Douglass, Miss Cornelia Young, Miss Mary OTJon-nell, the two Miss Olmsteads and Miss Ella Batcher. On the local board were the two McNlckle brothers, one of whom was a lawyer and the other a druggist. One could not measure the amount of good done by these two men. When one was in poor circumstances and could not pay for the medicine, he left the store with the remark from Dr.

McNlckle, "Pay when you can." The over it. Can you imagine offering such a ball to our boys today? Our Bail field was behind the Peek-a-Boo flats which were on Classon that is, the ball field began iwhere their yards ended and e- tended out to Emerson Place. At wasn't much of a field, but we cleared away the stones and rubbish and it served our purpose. We called it Cassidv's Grove aftr oiri Man Cassidy who stabled his horses In the barns there. Do you remem ber Old Man Cassidy and his trot ters? HAVING FUN Wallabout Market.

We used to have quite some sort of clay to walk over before we reached the spot. The real proof of your ability as a swimmer came when you could swim from Pier 1 to the Cobb Dock. I never did it, because I was too scared to trv. One reason was that the first time I jumped off the side of the dock, the tide carried me right around the pier. I was glad to grab, climb up, get out and dress, i don't think I ever went in there again.

We had a good bunch of kids, some of whose names I remember: Johnny Sullivan, a good scout, and the handiest boy with his dukes in the crowd, sold newspapers in the market and often on Sundays, he'd take about six of us down to Bay Ridge, pay the carfare and admis sion to the bathing pavillion. It's a long time ago, but thanks a lot Johnny; Georgie Murphy, Arthur McAleer, Jimmy and Johnny Barry, Paul Alsenz, Arthur, Patsy and Jim OToole, Frank Keegan, Red Downey, Fat Cloughan and Joe Cunningham and Tom and Willie Campbell. Hey Pussy, can you still maks that noise like a cat? I went to Ryerson St. School, then the training school for teachers. I wonder if they have any such was "Honor Above Everything." A teacher would leave the room and say "Children, you are on your honor." That class would maintain order just as if she had been there, As I look back, it seems incredible.

Remember Principal Gallagher? He taught us to keep our shoes shined and to keep our nails clean and he personally inspected us every morn' ing. What a man! That school in- stlllea 1 a respect ior your 'our country and your teachers. Would that we had more like it. BROOKLYN, MY HOME TOWN! 1 xjcuhvui uia. in 1 uiuu, rniiBy ouimi Club, Verona Glee Club, Irene Social iClub.

Florodora Club, Alpine S. and Alfred Berger Club. Melrose Club. Rosedale Club. White Erie Social Club and many others.

If we get an immediate response we may be able to arrange for an excursion, but certainly we will have plenty of time to make arrange- former Governor Woodruff, whose family lived Just above 8th Ave. PLENTY OF WINTER SPORTS In the Winter when there was good ice on the ground we would go sleigh riding with our hand sleds on Union St. Starting from 8th or 9th Ave. we would go 'way down to 3d Ave. Other times we would go on President St.

Starting from 5th Ave. we would go across 4th down the hill and across the pond. I well remember when the lime kiln was on 3d Ave. and Sackett St. and the old oilcloth factory on 4th Ave.

and Baltic St. Also the asphalt place on the corner of 4th Ave. and Butler St. and Reardon wheel wright shop on 1st St. and 3d Ave.

Could write a lot more but am sure that the above will be more than enough. JOHN BENSON, 1913 Briar Utica, N. Y. Boys Struck Oil With Copper Wire Editor, Old Timers: Who remembers when they were preparing to replace the horse cars on Classon Ave. with the trolleys? That was when ekids "struck oil." That was when we kids "struck oil, overhead and that thick copper wire against which the trolley poles make contact.

When they snipped the wire we gathered In the pieces. There were enough pickings for everybody and the candy stores got a great play. Frits coal and wood yard was on Classon below Park and unless my memory is playing tricks on me there was a cooperage Just below that, and a little farther down was the bark yard. Old Mrs. Finley kept a little candy store on Schenck St.

near Park Ave, and Tommy Bunce lived with his aunt on the same street, Just near Park Ave. The Rockwell leather works was on Flushing at Classon, and the same large building housed the firm of Brennan White, manufacturers of steel shod school shoes. I sold papers to the workers as they came out at 6 o'clock. Do you remember Jake, the elevator man? It was on Flushing Ave. beside the Rockwell plant that the Evening World sponsored a balloon ascension.

I remember very clearly the account of the balloon, bumping against the building as it began to rise. Believe the ascension was a success. Sold papers on Classon and Flushing Aves. It was quite a busy corner and we caught Jhe Navy Yard workers changing for the Green-point Line there. We had a good man representing us in Congress at the time.

His name, need I tell you, was William Calder. He wasn't Just a politician, but a substantial business man and civic worker, and he really had the Interest of the people of Brooklyn at heart. His pet idea was to have the Government build as many battleships as possible pt our own Navy Yard rather than to let the work go to private out-of- town builders, thus creating work and prosperity for the borough. Just to test my memory I am go ing to say that his secretary was Jim FarrelL I only met this Jim Farrell once. It was while on my honeymon in Washington.

I thought it a nice idea to drop in to see Congressman Calder and tell him how much we all appreciated his work. That is how I came to meet his secretary. He introduced me to Mr. Calder, who thanked me for my interest in his work, and told me that his bill was coming up that day, otherwise he would have taken us on a personal tour of the Capitol. He gave up passes to the various buildings, and the little Jady and 1 had a nice visit to the nation's capital.

How often have you heard the statement that lightning never strikes twice in the same place? If you have ever been struck by it don't let that make you feel secure from being hit again. Perhaps you recall the tannery on Park Ave. and Schenck owned by McDer-mott Howard. The flagpole on that building was struck on two separate occasions and landed in splinters down in the street. I remember looking at it as it lay there.

Do you remember the Diamond candy store on Myrtle where one received a great big cent's worth of butter taffy for a little copper cent? But why go on with these remembers. Let's give some one else a chance. I'll be back with you again about when we grew a little older. (Signed) NOT THAT THE OLD TIMES WERE BETTER BUT THAT THEY WERE GOOD. Where's Paul Knox? Editor, Old Timers: Can any Old Timer furnish me with news of an old friend of mine by the name of Paul Knox? He was proprietor of the Annex Hotel at the foot of Fulton near the Ful ton Ferry.

Never knew him to turn down any one who was hungry or needed a bed. Spent many happy hours in his company. Would like to get in touch with him. Who can assist me? WILLIAM SHAW. 6727 5th Ave.

unuer aii oia DroKen aown oarrei 7 7 truck, we made our clubhouse and MClVlllO, L.IIIU built a fireplace in which we cooked mi 1 potatoes on rainy days, and placed 'S 1 llllln OI discarded old shades, bags, around the truck to keep the rain! tnmfiitiiii tr from driving in. Most of the boys' l-VrgUIUlllj' TV l0t A Sundays back you published Sink 1 wtLf letters from members of the old place, but there were more ways of Lastf few( having fun and more places to haveithe 0 offlrs of the 4V ed Xun than any place I have ever been. I at my hom an 111 never forget the thrill we over we agreed to reorganize out of our first uniforms. They con-! as manv of the old-tlme members sisted of white sweaters, which we 85 can Psslblv together, had purchased for 19 cents and on! visitors to my home were which we sewed the blue letters i John Grif fen, the only treasurer the (Young Classons). Hot Melville Club ever had; George Dog! Did we think we were good! Johnson, an ex-president, and On the northwest corner of Clas- Joseph Griffen, a past recording eon and Park Aves.

was an old abandoned bottle factory. It was WRITE MR. KENNEDY a frame structure, one story high, i To aU 0id.time members and and about 300 feet long and we offer this invitation: If 100 feet wide, and in there I think you desire t0 have tne cUlb reor. the first game of indoor baseball I write to Jonn Kennedy, was played, at least, I never heard 2636 19th St ttewM Xbadaysefre We extend our Kd to FISH HOOK FACTORY men and women members of seme Do you remember the fish 1. tlmf ubs' namely' the Editor Old Timers: Am an ardent reader of the Old Timers Page.

Often stroll along Fort Hamilton Ave. and think back on the days when as a boy I played shinny," with one goal at E. 4th St. and the other at Gravesend Ave. Few houses were in that locality then and we did not have to dodge automobiles.

Where Immaculate School stands today was part of Hogan's farm. That's where I used to earn 50 cents on Saturday digging potatoes. Williams' Hotel is still standing. One son's name was Christie; can't recall the other's name. Then as I walk along toward Ocean Parkway I reach E.

5th St. and on my right see Public School 130, which school I attended as a boy. The Hamiltons played ball on the grounds now occupied by the school. It was called "The Hedges' in those days. Across ocean parkway was Shaughnessy's Hotel.

As we walked along we would pass Bader's Hotel It's St. Ambrose Night Saturday Editor Old Timers: Permit us to recall to the minds of St. Ahbrose Old Timers that there will be a reunion on Saturday evening, May 27, at 9 o'clock, in the auditorium on Tompkins and De Kalb Aves. This reunion will be in the form of an informal dance, with ample opportunity for refreshments. There will be a brief meeting to discuss the possibilities of an organization of this type and ample opportunity will be given to greet old friends.

Dancing will continue until 1 o'clock. Please notify all friends of St. Ambrose of this Old Timers reunion. The Rev. ROBERT E.

CROWELL. St. Teresa's Rectory, 563 Sterling Place. Remember Me? Editor Old Timers: To Edna Titus Clements Remember me? I was a classmate of yours at dear old P. S.

23. Nice to see you still have happy memories of the old neighborhood. EMMA FLAHERTY (nee McGulre). 125 Noble St. lawyer was even as kindly to those in distress, as was the druggist.

REMEMBER BIG FIRE? Many Old Timers will probably remember the great fire in Bath Beach which started with an explosion in McNlckle's drug store and burned out the business section on Bath Ave. from 18th for almost two blocks to Bay 20th St. From P. S. 101 went out pupils who became some of the most suc cessful men of their day.

Among them: Philip Benson, president of the American Bankers of today; George Brennan, who became, I be lieve, a U. S. Congressman; Will Parfitt, who became a leading archl tect; Lyman Crossman, who is one of the leading physicians of our city today, and Frank Wood, who became a priest. There were many others; it would take too much space to mention their achievements. The fathers and mothers of the young people of that day are passing on very rapidly.

Among those to go this year were Mr. and Mrs. Stewart Hegeman, who came as bride and bridegroom to their home at the corner of 18th Ave. and 80th and were each buried from there during the year. This fine couple were an example of the type we had in the community years ago, ever planning something to instill a fine spirit into their children, so that they too would make a better place for those who came after.

LOVER OF OLD NEW UTRECHT. and the old Annex. I recall when the tally-hos, pulled by six horses, stopped at Bader's with folks on the way home from the race, track. Some of those who had a proft- able day wagering on the bangtails would occasionally toss about some change and we kids would scrimmage for it. Now let's stroll across to the ball grounds with the old wooden one- story clubhouse.

Each dressing room had three steps leading up to the door. Teams I recall: Brownes, Reso-lutes, Fultons, St. Teresas, Spald-ings, Apaches and Clovers. Who recalls the old four-room school house annex of Public School 94? As we sat in the classroom we could hear Pat May, the blacksmith, striking the anvil. Awaken you old folks of Windsor Terrace I Let's get behind John Crane and hold a good, old-fash, ioned reunion.

ALBERT SPILLER. 1012 39th St. Boyhood Days When Mothers Went A-Shopping Editor, Old Timers: "What's My Name" Your article has caused me to feel that possibly I may know you, for you mentioned many names that I knew as a boy. How about John James, the Smylie boys, Billie Ball and others of P. S.

37? In response to article of C. L. Horning Jr. would say that his father and I were pals in our youth. Well do I remember the many times his and my mother took us, as kids, to do their shopping, especially to buy our clothes and hats, etc.

Our mothers were quite pals. I remember when we both lived on S. 5th St. I also recall, Clarence, when your father sang in the choir in the Central Presbyterian Church, Jefferson and Marcy Aves. After reading your article, it brought back many pleasant thoughts of the old days.

R. C. JENNINGS. 655 Marlborough Road. Old Williamsbnrgli Editor, Old Timers: Enjoyed reading the accounts of old Williamsburg by John J.

Lasker of 29 Putnam Ave. There are, however, a few things he over looked. To refresh his memory, does he remember the old "Pride of the Nation" stagecoach that used to leave Mike Minden's Hotel at the foot of Broadway to go to Sheeps. head Bay Racetrack? Bill Harris was the driver and also the first man to drive 40 horses for Barnum Sc Bailey along Bedford Ave. from the Fountain out.

He also speaks of McGlnty, the undertaker. Does he remember when McGlnty's coach with two black horses went overboard at the foot of S. 2d St. and a young fellow whose name was Savage dived into the water, cut the harness and brought the horses to the surface? Mr. Lasker also speaks of dear old Father Malone.

In my time the Superior Sister was Sister Lena. Recall her? Remember when the first six-day running race was held in Palace Hall? We kids used to delight in throwing our pennies into the water and watching that Old Timer, Monk Madine, dive off the F. E. Teves' coal chute at the foot of N. 1st St.

to retrieve them. JOE VVVAGNER. 324 Bedford Ave. Not Forgotten Friends Editor, Old Timers: Am a steady reader of the Old Timers' page. Would like to get in touch with the following boys from S.

2d David Mahoney, a wonderful violin player; Jack Murray, slngler; Charlie Bill, Joe Firmbach and John Kane. ALLAN There Was Something Really Fine in the Spirit Of People in Old Section of New Utrecht factory on Classon Ave. near Park, next to Charlie McKeever's saloon? w- Hi i tk. fr th. HiorrfCH unfinished fish hooks, that is the metal hau not been turned to com-i" plete the hoek; however, the James J- Dalton Association, nn the srwi u-irp and if used William and Ross Association to gather them and throw so K-ell' uuo- woicott uiud, they would stick in the side of the house.

That house was decorated wiiYi these barbs. Do you remember the blacksmith ahop on Classon Ave. near the Peek a-Boo flats, Just at the entrance toments fr a ball, possibly a masque- the stable yard? What a place ano civic. play hide and seek and "ring-a-l AH interested parties are urged to leave-o." We had all the stable yard communicate with the writer as to hide in, behind wagons, in them, I soon as possible. fences to jump over into Mike the JOHN W.

KENNEDY. iceman's yard and over the fences1 2636 W. 19th Brooklyn. of the flats and through the halls1 into Classon Ave. again.

Remember, F0R MAYFLOWERITES the games of tag on the flat barrel old Timers: trucks, Jumping from one, to the "Old Mayflowerite" In response other? Strange to say, no one ever; to your letter regarding a reunion was hurt. i at Mayflower it's a fine idea! Why PEDDLERS' CHORUS inot come down and talk it over? Quite a number of the men in the As to recalling names many are neighborhood made their living that you mentioned, but some Editor, Old Timers: Probably the mast beautiful section of Brooklyn 40 years ago was the section known as "Bensonhurst by the Sea." This comprised Bensonhurst Proper, Van Pelt Manor, Bath Beach and Ulmer Park. The section originally settled by the Dutch was later added to by those of German and Irish descent. The center of the community were the churches and the Y. M.

C. A. The stood on Main St. (now 43th St.) between 17th and 18th Aves. At the hall took place some of the leading functions of the town.

Some of the leading churches wire the New Utrecht Reformed, with one of tha finest Christian gentlemen who ever lived, Dr. Alfred Brush, as its pastor; St. John's Lutheran, with the well loved Pastor Happ; St. Finbar's. with kindly Father O'Rourke as its spiritual director, and St.

James M. with a long line of fine pastors, one of them today. Bishop Charles F. Flint of the M. E.

Church of U. S. What a tj? ln Z1 iMi llltillMCl. Ji nil billed churches! SUMMER GUESTS in (he Summer the wealthy from New York City came to spend their vacations at their own Summer cot- tages or at the hotels, among which wepe Hotel Bensonhurst, Fort Lowry, Brown's, on 19th etc. About Oct.

1 these places were closed up, peddling. Do you remember the say Ing, "Up Steuben, down Schenck, aU sold out." That probably ong inated from a question asked a ped dler, "How did you make out Miss Hazel Pascoe and have gone to the great beyond, namely John Bullenkamp and Mrs Among the oldest jLydia Colvin. members now atending are Mrs. J. attend our services on Sunday at 2:45 p.m.

May I hope to hear from you? HARRY C. WHITE, Treasurer. And the above being the answer, Harry C. White (nee Gladys meaning that he started up Steuben Kingston). St.

to Lafayette Ave. and down We are located at 98 Johnson St. Schenck disposing of all his, and would be pleased to have you wares, one experience I had with several of these men, I'll always re member. I was standing talking to Jim Farrell and he said: "See that.