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STORM SWEEPS RARITAN RAY GREAT DAMAGE EVERYWHERE. Perth Amboy in the Grasp of a Fierce Gale Reaching Almost the Extent of a Hurricane —Shipping in the Harbor at a Stand still-Trees Blown Down and Tall Chimneys Crash to the Ground Boats Have Disappeared and Owners Could not Get them -Storm Broke Suddenly and Swept Everything Before It—Fire Alarm Rings. t street and when the extent of the gale was realized, Dr. Tyrrell and Mr. Petz hurried to the water front to make her fast. The launch was then drifting. All their efforts could not keep her off the dock in front of J. Bloomfield Miller’s residence. The waves lifted her high and the bow orashcd down on the piling, smashing the timber into kindling. When the boat struck, Mr. Petz en deavored to catch a line. He was standing on the dock at the time. He caught the rope and was immediately jerked overboard. The angry sea seomcd to swallow him. but he appear ed again only to be dashed against the dock himself. With Dr. Tyrrell’s assistance he managed to crawl on the ilnt'l? niui wna tnlfm aulinrn Mpan time the Rosa continued to batter her self to pieces. There was no insur ance on the craft and all is a total loss. While this was going on the rain continued in torrents and the gale seemed to increase to a hurricane. It blew the sand and rain into the faces of the men, almost blinding them. It was about 12 o’clock when the storm showed signs of abating. It had then been raging in all its fury for about three hours. By 12.30 the wind had died out considerably, the rain ceased, except for a mist, and people came forth to view the ruins. It was a ghastly sight. Among the boats sunk were Mr. Belcher’s boat Kismet; the sloop Alfred King; Nathaniel Pierce’s launch Jeanette; a large sloop just off Gray’s railway; Dr. H. M. Brace’s launch Racquette; August Rossi's sloop Susie was washed up to the rail road bridge where she sank. Nelson Macau’s boat Lizzie; Miss Mercer’s sail skiff, Harry Wight’s launch Mar garet; W. R. File’s sloop; L. G. N. Brogger’s sloop, and Mr. Waring’s sloop. Among those washed ashore and damaged are the sloops Dorothy, Euphenia, Addie Watts, and General Putman. A large steamer was blown up the lower bay and is on the shoals off Sea Breeze. A fine large sloop yacht on I The worst gale that has swopt over Raritan bay in many years, played havoc nlong the water front this morn ing, doing hundreds of dollars worth of damage within a few hours. Boats are strewn along shore like straw, many of them total wrecks. Power boats have gone to the bottom and i 'oyster floats are mashed. Several schooners rode the gale in good shape and besides dragging anchor, were not , affected. Longshoremen declare that for a few moments the gale amounted to a hurricane. They declare that only one end of it whirled into Rari- ] tan bay and they believe the gale was i much heavier near around Sandy Hook i lightship; t Not only is small shipping put en- i tirely out of bu$iije4s, but the build ings along Front street suffered greatly. The entire tin roof of Bollschweiler & Johnson’s hotel lies ' in the middle of Water street. The •wind got under one end and ripped it completely off, rolling it up and carry ing it fifty feet away. The front windows of the hotel were blown in. The glass was shattered by the wind and rain. Hundreds of chimneys were ^ blown over, some of them crashing ^ through roofs, doing more or less damage to^puildings. Huge trees all over the city lay prostrate in the streets, blocking traffic. The galo lasted but a few hours, i Had it lasted throughout the after 'noon the damage would have amount ed to thousands of dollars. For the ] o make their crafts secure. The blow memed to descend upon Perth Amboy in a moment. At one time it was slowing so hard that owners could lot walk against it. Longshoremen nade efforts to reach their boats, but n some cases these smaller crafts were iwamped before they could get into hem. Captain Lid tie’s float was lined with all kinds of the smaller crafts ind only a few of these escaped. Host of them are at the bottom. The loatmen worked hard through it all. iVith clothing soaked they pushed ana muled while the rain came down in inch torrents that they could [not see ifty feet away. It was necessary tor he men to seek shelter to get breath ind those who were near enough would get a change of clothing only o go at it again. It was a battle royal with the ele ments. Man seemed to be trying to ivercome the king of the storm. The wind whistled and whirled, even licking up small pieces of wood and wirling them around like feathers. Chrongh the mist and rain, boats :ould be seen drifting, crashing into ine another and going to pieces, but can stood on the shore helpless. For he time being the storm king was in iontrol. All the men could do, as they leered through the sheets of rain, was o point at different objects, a glimpse if which they could catch occasion dly. They could not hear each other’s 'oices, no matter how. close, for the Her beam ends noarod up ine sound during the storm. Oyster floats belonging to Isaac Farroat and Charles Bloodgood were washed ashore and the owners will each lose over fifty bushels of oysters. Several boats were blown over from Keyport during the worst of the storm and a strange craft, believed by some to have come from Sandy Hook, lias also been picked up. The storm which swept over the coast of Florida a few days ago, and did so much damage, struck this city about 9 o’olook this morning. Early in the morning when the people left homo for their work most of them came out prepared for an ordinary storm, for the sky was overcast and the gloom everywhere easily foretold of rain. At 9 o’clock it commenced, with only a slight drizzle. At 10 o’clock it had reached almost a hurricane. The storm increased in violence at every moment and before noon great damage had been done all over the city. Huge trees were laid low and signs in the business section were blown dovfrn. Before 1^ o’clock the cars of the Ratitan Traction company could not run on sciiednlo time. So quickly did the storm increaso that summer cars I - i P. NYGREEN, m Successor to L. Albert & Co. ■Photographic Studio... U Everything in Portrait, Landscape w and Interior Photography. P. O. Building. Perth Amboy, N. Js T ■ 1 iowliug of tlie tempest. As one boat after the other would :ome ashore the men in their oilskins vould rush out and endeavor to pre sent their being completely smashed, t was a wild scene and one that will lot soon be forgotten. Meantime several of the boat own irs had reached their crafts after a lard struggle and several had narrow scapes from being drowned. James Noe’s sloop Gordon sank ,bout 100 yards off shore. Mr. Noe ,nd Charles Foster were aboard of her it the time. They saved their lives »y clinging to wreckage. Mr. Foster vas picked up by a boat and Mr. Noe Loated ashore on the wreckage. They vere in the water more than half an lour. The Gordon is one of the finest loops in this harbor and when the torm broke she was in a dangerous losition and the anchor began to drag. Che sloop drifted ashore and was car ied heavily against Noe’s dock, lamaging her greatly. She then was :arried out again and it was then that Dr. G. W. Tryrell’s beautiful launch iosa, which was built this season, is k total wreck. In trying to save hei larry Petz was nearly drowned. The raclit was moored off the foot of High Boston Lobsters Rockaway Oyster; Blue Point. whole distance from the Staten Island 1 ferry, at the foot of Smith street, i ^■around the point, to the Central rail ^Lt'oud drawbridge, all boats are either i^fcverturned or sunk and yachts are 1 '•'^kmastod. The gale came up so i IJHickly that the owners had not time ^SEXTON’S PUZZLE. ; y This picture repr s»nts the name of a ■ City. Can you guess it? H Thewinnerof ye teiday’s prize was Mrs. N. s ■ The answer to yes'erday’s puzzle was ‘coupe ( I I fa cmt'mSX 1 IL , ^ m!?J\ The prize for to-day will be I Bottle Huyler's Lemon Sour Balls. I I were caught out. As fast as the passengers pulled down the side pro tections the wind carried them away like pacer. In Rector street the big trees in front of the house occupied bv Victor Ciani, were blown down. They fell to the westward ana smashed the fence. In City Hall nark several big trees have fallen in the force of the storm and big limbs are scattered about all over the city. The greatest excitement prevailed along the waterfront. The gale swept in carrying everything before it. By 11 o'clock boats had left their moor ings and shipping was at a total stand still. A tug boat laboring heavily with a barge tried to roach the steam boat dock, but just as they were near enough to throw a line from the tug, the bafge broke loose and was swept away. The captain of the tug found it almost impossible to get near her. The crew was taken off and the barge anchored where she was and the tug made for the dock where she tied up. The ferry boat Warren is having a hard time, but is kept going as near schedule time as possible. At the foot of Madison avenue and Sonth First street, where many of the local fishermen put the boats because they have a fair protection from the storm, by being sheltered by the Rari tan drawbridge, and the old Gregory boats, many of the boats have been washed high and dry on the bank, where the waves have stove great holes in them, unfitting them tor further use. Other boats have been washed away. The old Gregory grave yard suffered along with the rest. Great pieces of the old hulks were knocked off by the angry waves and they were washed far out to sea. The dredge Enterprise was just coming up the bay when the storm struck her at its worst, but the captain gave fall steam ahead, and she tied up safely in front of Schantz& Eckerts machine shop. The trains on the Central railroad, in going across the old drawbridge at the foot of South First street, went very slowly for the sand is nearly all washed away. At the new Raritan river bridge and the Cheeseborough plant, the work men knocked off work at the first appearance of the storm, and their is no doubt but what the damage at these places will be to a considerable amount. When the storm was at its height, the schools let out and parents left their homes to hnrry to the schools to get their children away. Many tried to get carriages, but this was almost impossible. DECLARED REGULAR D VIDEND American Smelting & Refining Company s Directors Met Yesterday. Directors of the American Smelting & Refining Company declared the regular preferred dividend yesterday. Some expected a dividend upon the common stock, but no such action wfis tfikan. Edgar L. Sfewhouse and Edward Brush were elected to the Executive Committee in the meeting for re organization. There were no other changes. ANNOUNCEMENT. All day meetion of the Clnistian and Missionary Alliance will be liald in the Salvation- Army Hall. Smith street, Perth Amboy, N. J. Thursday, Sept. 17, '03. The following Speakers will take part in the Servicw Rev. .1. D. Williams, Brooklyn, Mbs Alida Wells, of Bradvclt, N. J. Rev. W. A. How den, S. I., and others. Miss Miriam H. Crowells. Cran ford, N. J., will render Messauges in song. S rvices: 10—12 a. m. 2—5 p. m., 7.30—9 30 evening. All are cordially invited to attend these Inter-denominational Services for the deepening of the work of God's Spirit in the lives of God's children. •‘C me unto nfe, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you list.” Matt. 11 : 28. Carpenters wanted—A few good carpenters. Emil Koyen, 173 Elm stree’t. * 9-11-tf Bargains in real estate are to be found in the real estate column on page 2. CHARLES PETERSON, BACCACE EXPRESS. Orders left at Sexton’s Pliarn£Cy- ™ Smith f treet, receive.prompt attention, liephone 04 f i BUSINESS MEN TAKE UP PROPOSITION TO SECURE WESTMINSTER. Rev. Dr. Mendenhall Brought The Matter up at The Meeting of The Chamber of Commerce Last Night--AII were Enthusiastic and a Committee was Appointed to Visit The Owners—A Lone Dis. cussion Took Place. CLAIM AN OWNERSHIP TO PROPERTY. Threatened to Serve an Injunc tion to Prevent the Moving of% Building. TO TEST MARTIN ACT. Declare the Prtperty Should Not Have Been Sold for Taxes as all the Heirs Did Not Know of the Condi'.ion of Af fairs—May Tie Up the Work—Matter May be Taken to Court of Chancery. Today or ■within a few days, it is stated, there will bean injunction issued stopping work on the improve ment at the northeast corner of Smith and State streets. It is understood that some of the former heirs of the property have placed their claims to the property in the hands of Lawyer J. W. Beekman, who told a News re porter that he would take it to the Court of Chancery, but refused to discuss the matter further. Thfl nrnnortr fnrmprlv tn i That every effort will be made save the Westminster property fron? being sold to private parties and having the land cnt np into building lots, is evident from the determination with which the Chamber of Commerce took up the matter last night. The agita tion in the Evening News has aroused considerable interest and it was the sense of the meeting last night that it would be to Perth Amboy's everlast ing shame to allow the historic old property to escape public control. The matter was brought up by Rev. Dr. Harlan G. Mendenhall, who has been one of the most enthusiastic advocates of the preservation of the old building from the start. Dr. Mendenhall tried hard to prevent the property getting out of the hands of the Presbyterians. In this he was supported by others in the general assembly, but they were in the minor ity and the change took place. Dr. Mendenhall takes a deep interest in historical things and when ne could not save the property to the church he is directing his energies toward having it turned over to the public. To this end he appeared before the Chamber of Commerce. The way had been paved by the Evening News and as soon as Dr. Mendenhall mentioned the matter the rest became enthusi astic at once. Dr. Mendenhall stated that there *vere several real estate syndicates after the building and ground and if they succeeded in getting it, the land would in all probability be cut up V into building Jots. Dr. Mendenhall said he had talked -wftfi ltfi*VvBruen J Mrs. William Woglom and when she died it was left to her heirs. The taxes were not paid, however, and the I property was sold by the city of Perth Amboy. It was bought in under the Martin act and turned over to Mrs. Alexander Kant, who was one of the original heirs. Now the other heirs, it is said, claim that they were not notified of the sale and did not bnow the condition of the taxes and there fore the sale was illegal and they still own a part of the property. AGAINST RUTGER S CLAIM. Attorney General McCarler Files a Brief Says Law Unconstitutional Trenton, Sept. 16—Attorney-General McCarter, representing the State, yesterday filed a brief in the proceed ing to compel the issuing of a warrant for $80,000 noon the Stfite Treasurer in favor of Rutgers College. Attornev General McCarter argues that the law passed last session is un constitutional. Counsel for the col jlege hold that this was not a donation i of public money to a private institu tion. The law provides for State . scnolarships, but there is no money to pay for them. LOCAL ITEMS. Miss Nellie Shanahan and Miss Ethel Russel, of Jersey City, returned home after a pleasant visit with their friend, Miss Carrie Harrity, of State street. Mrs. Lizzie Durham and sou has re turned home, in Plainfield, after visiting her friend Mrs. Clnrles Dawson, of 134 1/ WUU I W1V V UUU 4VUAUVVI IIUMW nothing but cash would tempt him to part with the property. It was also stated that the price was about |60,000 for the whole. In the course of his remarks it was brought out that one way of keeping the building would be to use it for a public school. He said that this idea was being brought up before the Board ot Education. Dr. Mendenhall, at first, did not mention securing the ground for a park. He spoke of the excellent condition of the building, saying that last year he accompanied a contractor througn the entire structure and there was not a piece of dry rot to be found anywhere. The only decay was in the cellar. The park idea, which has been agitated in the Evening News, touch ed the popular idea, however. E. W. Barnes told of a park at Flemington where there is a population of but 2,000. W. A. Belcher told of his em barrassing position when some of his New Bedford, Mass., friends asked about Perth Amboy’s pleasure grounds. Mr. Baines spoke very earnestly m favor of securing the property. He said the city snould not allow the opportunity to slip and the time to act was now. S. B. Morgan liked the public school idea. He thought tnat would be a great thing for the city. S. R. Far rington, Sidney Riddlestorffer, G. W. Yepson all spoke in favor of the matter. J. P. Holm referred, to the parks in the western cities. He want ed a park for Perth Amboy and de clared that the money to purchase the Westminster could be secured by public subscription. A committee was appointed to visit Mr. Bruen, the owner of the build ing, and see what terms could be made. The committee consisted o Brighton avenue. Mr. Toolau, of Madispn avenne is hav ing his yard graded. Mrs. Arthur Quinn, of Gordon street, is confined to her home by illness. Mrs. Charles Dawson, of 134 Brighton avenue, eutertained some friends from New Brunswick on Tuesday afternoon. Eugene Flathery and Raymond Alnldgaard are spending the day in Plainfield. F.J. LARKIN, 357 STATE Street, will do plumbing, steam, hot watar ' and hot air heating on monthly pay ments. SKILL, ACCURACY, CAREFULNESS These are three things always in evidence about our Prescription couuter. Bring your prescriptions to us, then you will kuow that you are getting the best med icine that can be compounded aecordiug to each prescription. Prices low, quality the best. Parisen’s Prescription Pharmacy. t Jrresiaeni' v>. a. omaner, o. mui Kan and Rev. Dr. H. G. Mendenhall. They had power to add to their num ber and Mayor C. K. Seaman and E. B. Walker, president of the Board of Education, together with E. W. Barnes, S. R. Farrington and Dr. F. W. Kitchel were added. WEATHER. The forecast received at the local Sigaal Station is forcloudy and cooler. _