New-York tribune. [volume], June 29, 1902, Page 5, Image 35

About New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924

Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC

                
M: > : TKiIUXE ILLUSTRATED SUPPLEMENT.
OLD STATEN ISLAND HOTEL, ONCE A FAVORITE RESORT OF COMMODORE VANDERBILT,
THE OLD PATTEN HOUSE.
A KITES ISLAND HOTEL WHICH COM
MOD'tItE VANDERBILT PROJECTED.
In the early thirties of the last century Staten
Island horsemen were in the height of their
glory. The principal racecourse was a much
used highway, familiarly known to succeeding
Seneraticns as New-Dorp Lane. It was almost
straight fur fully a mile, and was kept in com
paratively good condition during the "racing
season." Here and there along the lane was
an oM Colonial dwelling, three or four of which
still stand to remind the bustling present of the
dim past.
The New-Dorp races became celebrated
throughout the country, and some of the best
horses from other parts of the land came here
to comji^te ■•". the plucky native colts whose
owners sent out their bold challenges near and
far.
Th- Old Black Horse Tavern, still standing, a
J"ilic of the Revolution, celebrated because it
sheltered a portion of Sir William Howe's staff,
and two or three other small public houses fur
bished rritagre accommodations to the frequent
concourses of people that gathered at New-
Dorp on great occasions. The need of a large
Public bouse, with proper accommodations, was
keenly felt by the leading citizens of the place,
or there was every indication that New-Dorp
Ui -- destined to be the centre of attraction to
tke sporting world.
At that time Colonel tin Patten, a former
• c; ' Ju '- 1 - Carolina planter of considerable wealth,
as managing the old Merchants' Hotel, in
Cortlandt-sU, this city, and by invitation of
Commodore Vanderbilt visited New-Dorp to
witness a r.-tce between a horse from Us ra-
Uv - State and one belonging to Colonel Rich
■* Conn-r, who lived a short distance from
N- * - ; Lane.
Colonel Conner's colt was ridden by John
"- 'Van Clief. who afterward became a prom
tr" r " t and successful business man. Mr. Van
C "' : " : fine riding won for the colt mini, us
well as for himself, a wide reputation, and in
c "- : - ■ every instance hire they appeared on
tiie track victory was assured.
Richmond won. after a spirited contest, and
Colonel Patten was pleased with the plucky
-taten Island colt, as well as with the young
fellow who rode him. When the race was over
a group of men gathered around the horses to
examine their "fine points," among whom were
Commodore Vanderbilt, Dr. Ephraim Clark,
Ja<2ge Daniel L. Clawson. Colonel John Pat
ten. Colonel Richard Conner, and a number of
etherc ther prominent citizens. Commodore Vander-
Ktt burned to Colonel Patten and mid. in his
fcapulsiv*- manner: "New-Dorp needs better
Public accommodations. It's a shame we haven't
a bettor hoteL See here. Colonel Patten, why
Can 't you come down here and put up a Ing
hotel? It'll pay you good money."
Colone: ratten looked at the Commodore for
* few seconds without replying. Then, as if
considering the subject seriously, he asked.
" i "' you advise me to do so?"
"• do," mapped the Commodore. "I'll share
U» mm if It doesn't pay."
"It's a bargain," added Colonel Patten: and
««JS was the afterward famous Patten House
a possibility.
The ground selected was directly at the head
of New-Dorp Lane, on the Richmond Road, i
Ground was broken in the autumn of IS.IG. and
«c carpenters worked aa best they could dur- I
THE PATTEN HOUSE. NEW-DORP. S. I.
It may soon be torn down.
FIREPLACE! IN OLO n.\!.!JIDOM OP CUE PATTEN BOrsE.
in? the hr.rd winter that followed, preparing the
framework and other material.
The Patten House became popular at the
opening of its career. It was adopted as the
h'-adjuarters of General Van Uur.-n. oommand
ing the State militia of this military d
and also of the brigade of which the SI iten
Island and I^>ng Inland troops formed a part,
and of the 146 th liegiment. which was com
posed exclusively of Staten Islanders.
A story which was familiar to the habitues
of Wall Street several years a{jo can be repeated
with appropriateness rifrht here. Three or four
of the double team owners had been having a
brush in Mew-Dorp Lane, and then pull I up In
front of the Patten Bouse for refreshments.
Commodore VanderWlt was the first to reach the
hotel. As he did so he saw a man sittins in a
chair, dressed in a fisherman's suit, who he
concluded was the hostler. The man not
offering to assist the Commodore, he said, in
rather a matter of fact way, "Will jrou bold my
horses""
"I will, sir," was the dignified rei»l*.
HISTOUIC <>1-I» BLACK HORSE TAVERN, NEW-DORP, S. I.
The Commodore's friends joining him inside
of the hotel he stepped to the door and pave the
man an order to have his team put up. The
order was obeyed, no one Inside noticing who
had charge of the Commodore's team. When
the guests of the house sat down to the supper
table it bo chanced that the stranger was di
rectly opposite the Commodore. The keen eye
of the millionaire instantly recognized the face
of the man he had ordered to care for his team.
There was, however, a great change in the ap
pearance of the stranger. Dressed in evening
costume, with a handsomely gowned woman be
side him, his new role puzzled the Commodore
not a little. It will be remembered that the
Commodore was a clever conversationalist, but
he never labored more earnestly to utilize this
gift than on this occasion, in his endeavor to
"lead out" the stranger arid show him that he
was cognizant of his mistake.
Finally, after supper, the Commodore ap
proached the man and said. "You are the gentle
man whom I asked to Lold my team, are you
HOX.V
SOON TO BE TORN DOWN.
■ I am. sir," said the stranger. "I hope [ d:d it
all right Probably I was a little awkw ird."
"But I want to beg your pardon.' said the
Commodore.
' Oh. that isn't necessary." replied the
pr-r. "You did me a very kind favor once, and l
maj want your assistance again."
"1 did you a favor?" queried the Commodore.
"I Jo not recollect it. By the way, what is . ir
name."
The stranger told him his name, and he th ■
teamed that their offices were at one tin-..' r >t
far apart. Tlie stranger at that time was :;
the verge of bankruptcy, but he n»vor needed i
financial friend again while Commodore Van
d-rhilt was living. Thej met In Wall Street
the following day and were ever afl I
warm friends.
Many years ago 'h- re was a ■ !.; ; ' >*"g in
Richmond Towne called the Owls. Like t! ■
average • lub of t>>-d ly, Its members plaj
then fashionable games of cards, and al»
the club members of to-day, they n;a i-- -
onslaughts on one another's pocketbooks. Th»
proprietor of the old Richmond Countj H ill.
l>a%i!l K. Ryers, had serious objections to hia
bouse remaining .pen all night, and s^> t!:- >
found new quarters. In time it went to the Pat
ten House, and there Is a room on th-- third
floor the walls of which bear the names !
certain memoranda "f the members. V.
H. Vanderbilt, Senator Sam" Frost, Judge
Daniel I-. Clawson and other men prominent it
the time were <>n the list.
Shortly after the Patten House < loa I as a
pubhc bostlery, about fifteen \-irs ago ta
managers having been successively J"!.;; Pat
ten, William Patten, John Patten, jr.. .1
Patten, John Jacobson, Israel «.). Disoe
George Ebbetts, J.>hn Barnes, James Cai
Thomas I-üby and Colonel Lux— it was pur
chased by Father McGlynn, who utilized ir aa
a bran, h of a Roman Catholic institution in
Manhattan.
Father McGlynn'a misunderstanding with the
Pope caused the s* :e>"! to suspend, and for i ■■
time the building !. is been used a.-* a tenement
bouse by Italian ragpickers, while the m ••
handsome and popular banquet hall was us»-J
as a stable for the horses "f the contrai I
the roads of Staten Islan.L
At last, weather worn, filthy and dangerous,
the Board of Health ordered it vacated, and ita
owners have now directed that it shali be •
to the ground.
MAY DAY CUSTOM IN BELGIUM,
The m >st honored month of the jrear in Bei,
sium Is the month of May. kn >wn la the Vir
gin's month, and consecrated t.> the Virgin
Mary, in th^ province of Liege young mi: ! -na
have a quaint way <>f predicting !};•■••■ !■ . af
fairs this month. A group of girls irra ge i
met t at sunrl !-"u^h t':\»
fields until they come t.« a hedge, 'i" ;ti- v >-
served from the highway, where they generallj
choose a honeysuckle bush beneath the proi
inij branches of which to perform their mystic
111 1 lea
of dew laden grass, the I >;>- of which si »
t.) equal lengths, and t ich of whi b
taches a < ilored .-■:!l---ii thread. Black
senta a bachelor, red an unknown lover, atil
green the secrei desires of the maiden's heart.
Ten days afterward they return to the saoM
spot where they left the blades growing. ;mj
that blade of the three chosen which has sur.
passed the others la height reveali ibe lover ti:a
maiden is destined to have.
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