Cholera, Oceanic House fight

New York.

The Board of Health of New York report 11 deaths by cholera within the last 24 hours, ending to-day at noon, (Aug. 30) 5 of which were in the hospital and 6 in private practice.

CHOLERA IN SING SING.--We learn from the Heaald (sic?) that the Cholera, which made such fearful havoc at Sing Sing, a few days ago has abated.--It was mostly confined to a small space below the hill. Since the Cholera has began to decrease, dysentery has set in and several cases have been very severe.

There were ten deaths by Cholera in Boston yesterday.

There has been another row at the Oceanic House, Coney Island. A servant of Mr. Fanning C. Tucker struck a Mr. Ackerman, and nearly killed him. Tucker did not discharge the servant, but retained him in his servant and immediately after his brutal conduct brought him to the table to wait on his family. The boarders insisted on his being expelled from the room, and would not sit at the table until he was withdrawn. At the last advices an officer was in search of the offender, but it was supposed that Mr. Tucker had concealed him, as he could not be found.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Thursday, August 30, 1849

I wonder if "another row" refers to the row in 1848.

The last sale-type notice I saw in the Brooklyn Eagle regarding the Oceanic House was dated August 18, 1849. I would imagine it was open through much of summer 1849, regardless of the sale notices, but I don't know...lots of conflicting information. At least, the Oceanic House seemed to be the place to be on Coney in 1848, and maybe 1849....

Meet Your Mate at Coney Island - 1849

Just when you thought things were sober in Coney Island due to the cholera in New York City, comes this short but sweet piece.

CONEY ISLAND.--It is said that young ladies pick up husbands at Coney Island by coming near getting drowned. Their deliverers becomes (sic) their wooers.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Thursday, August 23, 1849

Demand for a Road to Coney - 1849

This honestly sounded to me like a satire on silly women to me, at first, but it turns out the writer appears to be arguing that there needs to be a good, free road to Coney Island.....unless it's the most extensive satire I've seen yet.

MR. EDITOR.--On visiting Coney Island a few days ago, to snuff for a time, the ocean breezes, and to rid myself of the pent up air of the city, I was suddenly placed in the midst of a company who had just reached the Island, from the cities of New York and Brooklyn. The party, on alighting from their vehicles, were in apparently great uneasiness. There was a great consternation among the ladies, in reference to their dresses, which had been thoroughly sprinkled with salt water, in wading the causeway to the Coney Island bridge ; and there was just as anxious an inquiry, whether salt water would stain and spoil fine silks and shawls, and other articles of dress, as was formerly on foot, whether salt petre would explode. But the soiled and sponged dresses were not the only spectacle. The carriages, harness and trappings of the horses, exhibited a sad appearance. The labor of the coachman and the stable keeper, was completely obscured by the thick coat of black sand which covered them : adhereing (sic), in consequence of the depth of water through which they were obligated to pass and wade. And it is to be recollected that for the privilege of being in this state, each vehicle of the party were taxed with the enormous toll of three shillings; and in one case four shillings.--Now Mr. Editor, as one of the great public, I would ask, is not this a great imposition on those who visit our sea-coast to obtain the benefit of the sea-air. I should have here added, that as we were sympathising with each other upon our situation, a gentleman stepped up, and by way of consolation, told us that certain gentlemen of your city had been appointed to lay out a road to Coney Island or to some point in Gravesend, the township in which the island is situated. Ought they not to run the road to the island, so that the public at large can enjoy its benefits ? I trust that the commissioners on that road may have their eyes steadily fixed on the public good, regardless of private interest or the franchises and privileges of a chartered company--excepting so far as they do not conflict with the great public interests. That they will reflect that the small country towns, with their mere handfull of inhabitants, are not the only persons to be consulted, but will bear in mind that there are hundreds, nay thousands, in the cities above mentioned, who seek the ocean air at Coney Island. And I would further suggest whether the commissioners should not consider--whether the breezes of the free ocean, admitted to be free to all, ought not to be enjoyed without paying tribute to an unincorporated company, who for a quarter of a century have been preying on the community ? This, Mr. Editor, may be strong language, but you will say it is justifiable when you look at the state of the causeway, which is not only uncomfortable and annoying to travel upon, but decidedly injurious to the property of the traveller and passer by.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Wednesday, August 22, 1849

Cholera

There's SO little on Coney Island in the Brooklyn Eagle from 1849, except for the ubiquitous mortgage sales for the Oceanic House.

THE SHORE.--From what we saw in a recent pleasant drive along the shore, we infer that the Long Island houses are "patronized" this season about as well as any other region. Indeed there is great complaints (sic) that the travel up the Hudson and on the great rail road lines has been unusually light, and that people do not move about so freely as has been the custom. On the Island, however, the houses are generally full, and some of them are packed. The houses at Fort Hamilton, the Bath House, the houses at Coney Island and every where else in the vicinity of New York are filled with the joyous and the gay ; and are centres of life and attraction, of animation and bustle, such as we seldom see, even when sickness and gloom do not hang so heavily over the land. Indeed these are glorious places to spend the summer months, and those who go chasing after pleasure over long lines of railroad and through distant gorges of mountains would be far more likely to find it on the sea girt shore of our own elongated Island.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Friday, Thursday, August 16, 1849 (and other days)

So reasons for the lack of Coney Island articles in 1849 seem to be a combination of the epidemic in New York (see Cholera in Nineteenth Century New York) and perhaps the Oceanic House's closure. But it's unclear that patronage at Coney Island was down (except due to fewer rooms available)...could be one of those instances when the news is sober so they don't want to report more cheerful/frivolous topics.

The Cholera in Nineteenth Century New York site notes that people who could afford to flee the city, did. Coney Island would probably be a good place to flee.

Announcing the Oceanic House

CHAS M. ROGERS,
RECENTLY OF STANWIX HALL, ALBANY AND FORMERLY OF THE TROY HOUSE,
ANNOUNCES to his friends and the fashionable and travelling public, that he has leased the OCEANIC HOUSE, Coney Island, and designs opening it for the reception of boarders and visiters early in June. This House is new, and finely located, being but two miles from the Point, and facing the Ocean. It commands an extended view of the Sea, the Bay and the Narrows, and of the vessels coming into and leaving port. The House is large and well arranged, being capable of accomodating several hundred boarders, and is withal one of the pleasantest summer retreats within fifty miles of the great metropolis, whilst the distance (only eight mils from New York and Brooklyn) is but an hour's journey by land or water. The Tables will be in accordance with the best style, and provided with the choicest selections from the New York markets. The advantages for Sea Bathing are unsurpassed. Every attention will be directed to the wants and comforts of the guests of the House.

Notice - Persons desirous of taking rooms at the above Establishment will please write to the subscriber, at Coney Island.

American & Commercial Daily Advertiser - June 26, 1849

The announcement conflicts with the 1884 A history of the town of Gravesend, N.Y. by A. P. (Austin Parsons).

In October, 1847, Dr. Allen Clarke, seeing the desirability of Coney Island as a summer resort, bought a piece of ground of Mr. Court Van Sicklen (by giving a mortgage on it), and, just north of the Coney Island House, the "Oceanic" was erected, run for a season, and burned down. It was said it caught fire accidentally, and some people believed it. The property passed into the hands of Judge John Vanderbilt, who built another—a larger and a better hotel—on the site of the former, and it became a very fashionable resort; but, after a few years of varying success, it shared the common fate of sea-side resorts—it burned down. The premises are now incorporated with those of the old Coney Island House.

--A history of the town of Gravesend, N.Y. by A. P. (Austin Parsons).

Also, the aforementioned mortgage sale articles are continuing in the Brooklyn Eagle well after June 1849...

Coney Island cure?

Coney Island link to the cholera that was evidently going around New York...we'll see more soon.

NEWS FROM NEW YORK.--In Wednesday's Journal of Com'rce, under the head of "Brooklyn news," Justice King was sent on his "winding way" to the Sulpher (sic) Springs for the benefit of his health. Knowing that he was in his seat on Monday, we expected that he had had another attack and was compelled suddenly to lave, but to our surprise and gratification we found him in his seat yesterday, engaged in the duties of his office, apparently in very good health and much improved by an excursion to Coney Island, where he had been to snuff the sea breeze. His leaving his own room and getting up stairs for a little while, in order to have a floor laid, was probably the cause of the announcement. Sulphur is said to be a very good preventative for the cholera, but the justice is not yet frightened, and will not desert his post.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Friday, Saturday, June 16, 1849

Couldn't find any info on who Justice King was, though.

Sale of Oceanic House and Bowling Alley Dispute - 1849

Despite claims that Coney closes after Labor Day, I saw ads for the Oceanic House through Friday, September 15, 1848. That pretty much closes out 1848!

Early 1849 is mostly about foreclosures and such, including notices about the Oceanic House?

At 12 o'clock at the Franklin House.
Supreme court, in equity--under direction of Dan'l Van Voorhis, sheriff--Oceanic House--all that piece of land on Coney Island township of Gravesend, containing 2 1-10th acres--together with buildings erected thereon known as the Oceanic House. For particulars see sheriff's advt in Eagle

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Friday, Saturday, April 21, 1849 (and many other days)

Maybe the "ad" they refer to is a Legal Notice?

Legal Notices

SUPREME COURT--Joshua Tomlinson & Chalk ley I. Wills (?) against Allen Clark and Emily his wife and others. RICHARD B. KIMBALL, Attorney.--

In pursuance of a judgment order of this court made in the above entitled action, bearing date the 24th date of February, 1849, I will sell at the Franklin House, No. 15 Fulton Street in the city of Brooklyn, on the 10th day of April, 1849, at 12 o'clock at noon of that day, the following lands and premises--

All that certain piece or parcel of land situate, lying and being at Coney Island, in the town of Gravesend, county of Kings and state aforesaid, bounded and described as follows, to wit : commencing at a point on the easterly side of the Coney Island Bridge Company's turnpike road at a white oak stake adjoining the land now of late of Maria Lott wife of Peter Lott, and running thence easterly alongsaid Maria Lott's land two hundred and forty two feet eight inches to the northeasterly corner of a certain workshop now of late belonging to said Maria wife of said Peter Lott; thence northerly two hundred and eighty six feet to a white oak stake, thence westerly four hundred feet to a white oak stake on the easterly side of said turnpike road, distant two hundred and fifty feet northerly from said first mentioned stake, thence southerly and along the easterly line of the said turnpike road two hundred and fifty feet to the place of beginning--containing two acres and one tenth of an acre, be the same more or less--being the same premises conveyed to said Allen Clark by Court Van Sicklen and Catharine his wife, by deed, dated October 13, 1847, and recorded in Kings county Clerk's office in Iiber (sp?) 169 of con , page 302.

Together with all and singular the tenements, hereditaments and appurtenances thereun o belonging or in anywise appertaining. Dated Brooklyn, Feb. 24, 1849

f26 lawts DANIEL VAN VOORHIS, Sheriff.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Friday, Monday, April 16, 1849 (and other days)

In a vain attempt to find something else interesting, I continued on. There's an article from June 9, 1849, publishing someone's letters from Brazil dated 1840...they call the white sand where they land "Coney Island sand"...

OK; here is one I'd like to hear more about.

CIRCUIT COURT.--Hon. N. B. Morse.--John J. Sprowl against Hiram R. Howlett, action in relation to a bowling alley at Coney Island. Verdict of the jury--that the plaintiff is entitled to the possession of the property and $109 damages and 6 cents cost. Theodore Sedgewick for pltf. and N. F. Waring for deft....

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Friday, Saturday, June 16, 1849

Couldn't find any info on that, though.

Attack at the Oceanic House

City News and Gossip

DIFFICULTY AT CONEY ISLAND.--A row occurred at the Oceanic House during a ball on Friday night last, which has caused considerable commotion among those whose families were staying there and resulted in severe if not dangerous injuries to James Cozine, an inhabitant of Gravesend. Much mystery pervades the affair. no reliable particulars having yet transpired here. Mr. Clark the proprietor preferred a police complaint against Cozine on Saturday, and stated that the latter attempted to enter the ball room without his coat, and that this was the cause of the affray. Mr. Cozine, on the other hand, states that he merely desired to hand his wife and daughters their ball tickets and retire, but that he was seized and pushed down stairs by a door keeper whose coat he accidentally tore. Three or four hours afterward while Cozine was sitting in the barroom, a great outcry was raised, and on rushing in to see what was the cause, he was struck with a bottle which cut through his hat, and inflicted a serious wound on his forehead, from the effect of which he is now suffering. From what cause the last row arose, or what was done, will transpire on the forthcoming police investigation. All, however, agree that it was a serious affray, in which the waiters of the establishment seemed to be principally engaged.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Friday, August 25, 1848

In 1845, at least, James Cozine was the coroner of Gravesend! See Mystery on Coney Island and The Sloop Victoria He's also cited as such on Page 425 of The New York State Register for 1845!

It looks like by October 1848, however, he may not have been the coroner. The Board of Supervisors meeting from October 3, 1848:

Mr. Bergen from the com. on accounts reported the following county bills which were severally ordered paid as reported: J. Cozine, straw for jail $8,32....G A Abraham, coroner, $140..."

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Friday, October 6, 1848

(J. Cozine could very well be Jacob Cozine, who was mentioned in that paper November 3, 1848, and that he had a meadow....)

Follow-up stories:

Some of the inadvertent statements of our cotemporaries have been of a most amusing character recently. For instance, the Evening Star informed its readers on Saturday, in giving an account of a row at Coney Island, that a bottle which was hurled, struck a man on both sides of his head. It must have been of a different shape from ordinary bottles. The Tribune in its "Brooklyn affairs," stated a few days since, that the property of the Misses Van Cleef was "insured in the Brooklyn Savings Bank." This was a highly interesting piece of news to the directors of that institution....

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Friday, August 31, 1848

In a vain attempt at brevity, I'll stop there, but the article goes on to outline numerous errors in other papers! And evidently "cotemporary" is another word for "contemporary."

The bottle dispute continues:

A BOTTLE HOLDER.--The genius of the Star waxeth savage and is inclined to be belligerent.--The other day he, or the literary police justice who does up some brilliant scribblings for that paper, proposed to horsewhip the editors, proprietors, devils and all hands attached to the other Brooklyn press, because some unknown but obnoxious person was allowed to write for the latter. The bellicosity of our most amiable cotemporary has assumed another but not less violent phase, and now, forsooth, because "many of the reports of the Eagle are identical with those of the Advertiser," and because the Eagle has the presumption to "make merry with that bottle which struck Mr. Cozine on both sides of the head," our stelier (sp?) friend proposes to prove on our devoted pate that bottles can be made to strike both sides of a head, if the editor of the Advertiser will lend him a bottle.

Having no doubt of the complaisance of the latter editor, we accept the challenge thus plainly extended. The time for this interesting skirmish shall be high noon, to-morrow ; place, the scales of Justice, on the cupola of the city hall ; weapons, junk bottles ; and the principals to be the bottleholders. It is a rather hazardous venture on the part of the individual who at present writes himself the "editor and proprietor" of the Star to fight with a bottle. One would reasonably suppose that the long contest he has already had with that instrument would satisfy any man whose desires are not of an inordinate nature. We hope that he may not repent of his temerity, and endeavor to emulate Hudibras in thinking that

"He who fights and runs away
May live to fight another day,"

for when struck with a bottle he will find it rather difficult to run away. We beg leave, in conclusion, to correct one very little error which our would-be antagonist has fallen into. He says he understood that the bottle which struck Mr. Cozine on "both sides" was held by another man. This is ingenious ; but it won't do, Mr. Star. You happened, unfortunately for your ingenuity, to state either directly or indirectly that "that bottle" was thrown at Mr. Cozine. How is that?

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Thursday, August 31, 1848

Aldermen on Coney - 1848

Another example of 1840s satire.

ALDERMANIC SPORTS FOR AUGUST.--A special meeting of the common council was held yesterday for the purpose--of proceeding in a private capacity to Coney Island to ascertain whether the clams of that region had deteriorated in quality since their last visit. This they did in company with other gentlement, in Husted and Kendall's big stage, and as we are informed had a right merry time. After sufficient discussion in committee of the whole, a resolution was, (or ought to have been) passed, that clams are rather pleasant fodder. We coincide in that resolution, nem clam.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Friday, August 25, 1848

Alderman is kind of an old-timey-sounding term, isn't it? The definition meant here is likely talking about city legislators (see Miriam-Webster's definition). http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alderman

"Nem clam" is a pun, it appears. "Nem. con." is a Latin abbreviation for "without dissent."

Fathers acting like children on Coney - 1848

Again, even in the 1840s, Coney was known as a place for adults to act like kids.

City News and Gossip

CONEY ISLAND.--To-day the New York city fathers take a ride down to Coney Island, in order to get a snuff of the ocean breeze. We do not know of a more delightful place to luxuriate for an afternoon, and we therefore commend the taste of the fathers. But Coney Island is also a place for the daughters and the sons--for frolicksome girls and thoughtless gay fellows who hang on the smiles of the fair, and in this sunny weather seek to dream away the hours far from the haunts of business and the scenes of toil. There are many such staying at the different houses on this attractive shore, and many others who ride down thither of an afternoon to smell the salt air and wash themselves in the restless surf.

Yesterday afternoon quite a large party of officials and non-officials went thitherward from this city in the large stage of Husted & Kendall, drawn by six horses, and accompanied by a tender with four horses. We saw in the party quite a sprinkling of aldermen, and others connected with the city government, the two halves of the city printer, and a number of distinguished citizens of both political parties.

We hear, to-day, that they took up their quarters at Wyckoff's and, for a season, sunk the dignity of fathers and assumed the character of children.--They washed, bathed, ran races on the sand, cracked jokes, told stories, gestated in the swings, jumped, wrestled, and frolicked ; and concluded the day's entertainment by a clam bake which, it is said, Wyckoff knows how to get up secundum artem. They returned last night at about ten o'clock, in as good condition as could be expected, and speak highly of the advantages of a ride to Coney Island this fine weather. One of the sages of Scotland remarked that, on some occasions, the man that is wise is a fool. We suspect that the learned Scot must have had a dim vision of these rides to Coney Island when he uttered that. At any rate we very much doubt whether the folly of wisdom could be charged against the party of Brooklynites who bivouacked at Coney Island yesterday.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Wednesday, August 9, 1848

Yes, it did say "snuff"! This entry references a hotel that may have been Wyckoff's.

Back in the day, literate readers were a lot more familiar with Latin. Nowadays, we are blessed to have Google. Secundum artem evidently means "according to the art" per this blog named after the phrase, at least.

Down with the Dust

This is a brilliant picture of city heat in the 1840s. Makes me appreciate my air conditioning, though I wish I was just a quick boat trip away from Coney Island...

"DOWN WITH THE DUST," says the ready money tradesman, and "down with the dust" says the weary city pedestrian while wending his way over heated and dusty streets of the metropolis ; yes, "down with the dust" say all--but down you cannot get it. You may, however, avoid it by taking a trip to Coney Island in any of the beautiful steamers that ply there, either the James Madison, St. Nicholas or Kosciusko. Such a trip is worth more to health and life than all the doctors and physic that can be found in the state. The adv't may be found in another column.


--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Tuesday, August 8, 1848

The ads referenced seem to be the ones I posted at http://oldtymeconey.blogspot.com/2011/06/coney-isld-transporation-1848.html Though by August, it appears some of the stops and hours had changed, so I suggest you search the Brooklyn Daily Eagle for the steamers if you have a specific date you're interested in...

Drowning in Coney Island - 1848

WOMAN DROWNED AT CONEY ISLAND--A party of some fifteen persons, consisting of several New York courtezans (sic), attired in the most fashionable style, and their male admirers, went to Coney Island Point yesterday afternoon. They all went bathing in the surf, and it is said that their conduct was of a description to shock the sensibilities of others who were also availing themselves of the facilities for surf bathing. One gentleman, Mr. Geo. Stamford, of Gowanus, who was present with his wife, retired from this disagreeable proximity, and was about quitting the water, when an alarm was given that two of the above named party of girls were drowning, having been carried off their feet by the surf. None of their male companions proffered them any assistance, and Mr. Stamford rushed out and rescued one, who was resuscitated with great difficulty. The other, named Maria Monell, was too far out to be saved, and accordingly perished. Her lifeless body was, however, afterward recovered.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Saturday, July 29, 1848

Coney Isl'd Transporation - 1848

A couple ads on how to get to Coney. Can't quite format correctly here.

EAST RIVER

MORNING LINE.
Leave foot Grand st, 10 AM
" Catharine st, 10 1/4
Pier No. 4, N R, 11
Leave Coney Island 12 M
Fare each way, 12 1/2 cts.

AFTERNOON LINE.
Leave foot Grand st., 1 1/4 PM
" Catharine st, 1 1/2
Pier No. 4, N R, 2
Leave Coney Island 5
J. F. RUDMAN, Agent

jy3 2mM6 Office foot of North Moore st, up stairs.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Wednesday, July 5, 1848

Same day (and many days thereafter)

CONEY ISLAND, LANDING
AT FORT HAMILTON EACH WAY.

On and after Monday, July 3d, the boats will run as follows : The steamers ST. NICHOLAS, Captain J. N. Rodman--JAMES MADISON, Captain L. Sisson--KOSCIUSKO, Captain Rodman.

NORTH RIVER

MORNING LINE.
13th st, N R, 9 AM
Hammond, 9 1/4
Canal, 9 1/2
Pier No. 4, 10
Coney Isl'd, 11

AFTERNOON LINE LEAVES
13th st, N R, 12 M
Hammond, 12 1/4
Canal, 12 1/2
Pier No. 4, 1 PM
Coney Isl'd, 1 3/4

13th st, N R, 3 PM
Hammond, 3 1/4
Canal, 3 1/2
Pier No. 4, 4 PM
Coney Isl'd, 6 3/4

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Wednesday, July 5, 1848

4th of July 1848

For some reason, the Eagle doesn't seem to print much about July 4th on Coney Island.

EXCURSIONS.--Remember the excursions in behalf of Mitchell, the Irish patriot, to-morrow. The advertisement will be found in our columns. The excusion (sic) is up the Hudson to Rockland Lake.

There is also an excursion to Coney Island. Another on the Long Island Rail Road and some others beside advertised to-day to which we refer those who wish to go out of the city.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Monday, July 3, 1848

Sadly, the Coney Island ad for 4th of July is basically illegible, having been marked through on the website. But I'm sure people visited and had a lovely time.

What's the deal with Mitchell? From other articles, it appears they're referring to John Mitchel, Irish nationalist (some info at http://adbonline.anu.edu.au/biogs/A020204b.htm).

This site notes he was convicted of treason in Ireland in May 1848 and sentenced to 14 years "transportation" in what is now Tasmania. Eventually he escaped to America, and did a lot of writing. He supported Southern slaveholders!

June 21, 1848, there was a meeting in his support.

The great Irish meeting on Fort Green.

The storm of yesterday cleared up just in time to permit the Irish meeting to be held at, or at a little after the appointed hour, but the grass was wet and vast numbers, especially of the woman, who had arranged to attend were thus prevented. Still there was a very large assemblage--we should say about five thousand persons--who braved the threatening clouds and the dripping grass and met on this old camping ground to speak in behalf of poor Ireland, and the brave and gallant woman who has sacrificed her patriotic husband in the cause of her country....

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Wednesday, July 21, 1848

An article from Tuesday, June 27, 1848 notes that "Mr. Wm. Mitchell", John's brother, was at the Astor house. In an article from Thursday, June 29, 1848, Brooklyn's mayor dispersed a gathering of Irish who had supposedly gathered to "meet and pray for the deliverance of Mitchell from his convict ship at Bermuda", apparently for "breaking the Sabbath". (The Eagle, however, claims "the mayor only advised that the meeting should quietly disperse.")

I find the inconsistency in spelling names (Mitchell or Mitchel) to be really interesting. I know Irish names were modified for America, but "Mitchel" doesn't seem like it needed changed to me...

Oceana House? - 1848

CONEY ISLAND.--This favorite bathing place year by year attracts more and more attention. Stages run from this city every day, and there is also a steamboat from New York, which lands its passengers at the point of the island. During the past year a number of improvements have been made, greatly enlarging the accommodations for visitors. The Oceana House, (sic), a large and commodious modern hotel, is among the number. It possesses accommodations for 300 persons, and is eligibly situated, and very well kept by our friend, Dr. Clark. It commands a splendid view of the sea, and of the harbor of New York, is well arranged, and provided with every comfort and convenience. We understand that the distance of this house from Brooklyn, is about ten miles--just a comfortable drive--and that too, over a beautiful country, fanned by breezes fresh from the bosom of the ocean. We do not know of a more delightful afternoon's ride. We commend it to the attention of the reader, and especially the house of Dr. Clark, which will be found a most agreeable resting place.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Tuesday, June 20, 1848

The Oceana House, huh? I almost wonder if they typoed the name "Oceanic House" on purpose, so it didn't seem like quite so much of an ad...?

Hussars Attacking Coney Island

This can't be serious, can it?...

MILITARY.--The officers, commissioned and non-commissioned, had their second drill yesterday afternoon in the City Park, preparatory to the general parade of the regiment, next Wednesday, at the same place.

A company of hussars, supposed to be that of Capt. Marx, passed up Fulton street this morning from New York. It is supposed they have gone on a secret expedition against Coney Island, as no one of whom we inquired could enlighten us on that point.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Thursday, June 15, 1848

Looks like the Hussars were probably cavalry.

Churches with Closed Doors - August 26, 1847

Forgot to upload this one back in 1847... Early reference to Coney Island as a place of sin.

CHURCHES WITH CLOSED DOORS.

During the hot season, many of your country readers may not be aware that the fashionable churches of New York are all shut up. A pious exclusive would as soon take a stroll on our beautiful "Battery," as be seen at church in July or August; so the doors of the sanctuary are closed. The spider spins his web in the pulpit; the dust settles think (sic) on the splendidly-bound Bible, the sexton drinks juleps at Coney Island; and the respectable pastor recruits his exhausted energies in the religious salons of Saratoga or Newport.

The National Era - August 26, 1847

I'd assume there is at least some exaggeration as to the state of churches. The New York Times did have a listing for religious services for July and August 1852 (the earliest the archives go for those months).

Oceanic House - 1848

CONEY ISLAND.--A new public house has been erected at Coney Island, by Dr. Clark, and is to be opened for the reception of visitors on the first of June. It is to be called the Oceanic House, and is so spacious as to accommodate three or four hundred persons. Coney Island is getting to be an important place, and the Governor of Coney Island an important man. Last summer, during the bathing season, two steamboats plied regularly between Coney Island and New York, and this year we may expect that the number of visitors will be greatly increased.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Friday, April 28, 1848

That sure sounds like another reference to Governor Gil Davis if you ask me.

OCEANIC HOUSE, CONEY ISLAND.--A. CLARK, PROPRIETOR.--This Hotel, erected during the last year, and possessing accommodations for 300 guests, is now open for the reception of the public. The hotel is pleasantly situated about two miles from the Point ; commands an extensive view of the sea and the harbor of New York, and is replete with every modern improvement and convenience. The bathing ground of Coney Island is acknowledged to be the best and the safest in the United States, and every facility is afforded at the Oceanic House for the bathers. The hotel will be kept as one of the first class, and every exertion made to give complete satisfaction.--The distance from New York and Brooklyn is about ten miles. The route by land is over one of the most beautiful roads in the country, while that by water is through a bay and harbor unsurpassed in lovely and picturesque scenery. Stages and boats pass to and from the island every hour in the day. With all these advantages combined, the Oceanic House, situated on an island celebrated for its bracing air and healthy locality, cannot fail to be a desirable and grateful retreat during the hot months of summer.

PS. Rooms can be procured by making application at the Astor House from 10 to 11 1/2 o'clock' or of the proprietor on the premises, Oceanic House, Coney Island.

je9 A. CLARK, Proprietor.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Friday, June 9, 1848 (and June 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, and so on)

Foundations of America describes the Astor House as a hotel on Broadway between Vesey and Barclay Streets. It opened in 1836.

The Knickerbocker magazine had information as well:

DR. CLARK, of Langsingburgh, favorably known to many of our citizens, has entered upon the occupancy of 'The Oceanic-House' at Coney-Island, a first-class establishment, of great capacity, and possessing architectural attractions of no mean order. Nothing can exceed the extent and beauty of the ocean-view to be commanded from the hotel, while the sea-bathing is well known, cannot be matched in quality and safety on the Atlantic coast. With a table supplied with all that our markets can afford, wines of the best description, courteous attention, and invigorating sea-breezes, we can scarcely imagine a pleasanter spot wherein to defy the fervors of the summer solstice than the easily-accessible ' Oceanic-House' at Coney-Island...

--Knickerbocker, or, New-York monthly magazine, Volume 32 By Washington Irving, Published 1848

The State of Coney Island - 1848

Welcome to 1848. More from Governor Gil Davis. What a great way to start the new year!

ANOTHER NEW STATE.--The Herald has the following pleasant bit of burlesque upon the proceedings of the late convention held, by certain facetious, oyster-loving gentlemen, on Prospect Hill:

State of Coney Island.-- Pursuant to notice given delegates from Clam-town, Oyster-bay, Lobster and Crao-fish village, assembled at the Pavilion at Tent-town, on Thursday evening last, for the purpose of taking into consideration the expediency of applying to the powers that be, to set apart as a new State, viz: The State of Coney Island. Gil Davis, on being called to the chair, made a few remarks relating to the present and former greatness of Coney Island, in an agricultural and maritime point of view, as well as her late oppression in the outcry and run upon her Fishing-Banks and Plain-fields. The following resolutions were unanimously adopted:

Resolved, That Coney Island is so situated in her local position, being altogether isolated and distinct from the rest of the Union, having, moreover, a superabundant population, that it would be greatly to her advantage to have conferred upon her the character and honors of a sovereign and independent State.

Resolved, That the town of Clams, and the bay of Oysters, as the future capital of the State, ought to be united under one municipal organization, and that their streets and inhabitants ought to run together.

Resolved, that Gil Davis, our able and efficient President, who has so long and ably presided over the territory of Coney Island, be, and hereby is, appointed Governor of the new State.

Letters from eminent and distinguished citizens of the Clam State expressive of their approval of the objects of the meeting, and who, from various causes were unable to attend, having been read, the meeting adjourned to the first of April.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Wednesday, March 1, 1848

Note the date the meeting adjourned to, in case you couldn't tell it was a joke. I THINK the meeting actually took place February 24 (the Thursday before publication date; 1848 was a leap year per Calendar Home http://www.calendarhome.com/cgi-bin/tycyear.pl?year=1848&change=1&suppresshol= ). Then again, the Eagle could have taken more than a week to print it...

And this is the order they were actually printed--the explanation follows THE NEXT DAY.

THE NEW STATES.--The movement made by the Long Islanders to obtain a charter "to have conferred upon Long Island the character and honors of a sovereign and independent state," as appears by the meeting lately held in Brooklyn, at which resolutions were passed to carry these objects into effect has caused great excitement among the neighboring population, and has given rise to a meeting on Coney Island to effect a similar purpose, the particulars of which have been furnished by our reporter.--Herald

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Thursday, March 2, 1848

Robbery at the Pavilion - 1847

Couldn't find any more information on this, though I would guess the tent/pavilion they reference was the first amusement structure on Coney Island.

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE: &c

ROBBERY AT THE CONEY ISLAND TENT.--The name of the man who was arrested in this city for the above robbery, is James Harriot. He is now confined in jail awaiting an examination. The robbery consisted in the abstraction of a feather bed and other household articles valued at about $100 belong to Edwin R. Howlett. They were taken off in a small boat and rowed up to this city. Harriot is supposed to have an accomplice in the above robbery.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Monday, December 6, 1847

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE: &c...

.......James Harriot was adjudged to the county jail for 60 days and to pay a fine of $25 for petit larceny at the Coney island pavilion. Michael Morsack, his alleged accomplice, gave bail for his appearance for trial........

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Monday, December 13, 1847

Auction and Pretty Girls near Coney

A couple miscellaneous references to Coney Island:

JAMES COLE will give his personal attention to sales of Household Furniture, and out door sales generally ; also, to sales of Real Estate, Stocks, &c. at the Exchange New York...

Tuesday, August 31st,

At 2 o'clock, at the Union Hotel, in the town of Gravesend, of land attached thereto, known as the Union hotel, situated in the town of Gravesend, about one quarter of a mile from Coney Island. The premises are in good repair.--The barn and horse shed are new. It is a desirable residence for a summer boarding house, being near the seashore. 50 per cent can remain on bond and mortgage. For particulars, apply to the auctioneer.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Wednesday, August 11, 1847 (and some days after)

HOW WE WENT DOWN TO FORT HAMILTON--AND OTHER MATTERS.--Some of our Brooklyn friends have been touched with the war fever, like thousands of young fellows about the land ; and yesterday afternoon we went down to Fort Hamilton, to see one of them who is going out in the detachment that sails next week in the ship Isabella, for California. The fourth-rate steamboat American Eagle, (we cannot conscientiously put her rank any higher,) was--on her 4 o'clock trip from nigh the battery--thickly crowded with people, most of whom were on their way to Coney Island. We must confess that we did notice a great many pretty girls, but then there's no harm in that ; all the beautiful creatures in nature were made to be looked at. With this exception, the appearance and accommodations of the 'bird of liberty,' (presumptious (sic) name to give a dilapidated steamboat !) were not of the most inviting kind. On deck, forward, were stationed a young man with a violin, which he handled quite cleverly for a common player, and a boy who 'did' the vocal parts,--consisting of divers versions of ' (Negro*)' tunes, some of them with here and there a happy hit. Among the greatest favorites was one which solemnly enjoined upon all people little and big, to

"Clear the way for General Taylor."

An unnecessary task it seems to us--as that worthy is in the habit of taking the job upon himself, and asking no favors of any one. The young gentleman also volunteered the information that

"To lick the Mexicans he's a whaler."

Meaning the General aforementioned....

I know it's history, but I'm not going to type the word they used instead of "Negro."

The article continues to describe the barracks at Fort Hamilton. Some "apartments" had women--wives who would be accompanying their men--and children. And in fairness, the author notes how "good-looking" the volunteer soldiers were.

...The moustache and full beard are in vogue at Fort Hamilton--which saves a good deal of trouble in shaving, and gives a more menacing and masculine appearance likewise....

The return of the American Eagle (we can't exactly swallow that name, in the connection,) was signalized by a series of rockings which gave every passenger a tangible idea of his cradle-days. There were far too many people on board, for comfort.--Still, for our part, we had a pleasant evening sail ; the clear sky overhead, and the salt odor of the waters around. The young minstrel who accompanied the boat down, was also with its return. He was a bright looking, rosy cheeked lad--and must have been tired enough with his day's work. Poor child ! we saw him fast asleep in the East Brooklyn omnibus, an hour afterwards!.........These little trips do one good, and we recommend our readers to take them as often as may be.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Saturday, August 14, 1847

There's a bit about the Mexican-American War here.

Bonus story - Hot Dogs and Conmen

I had a couple Coney island stories from 1921--including a strike by the frankfurter stuffers!--at my other blog, Past, Imaginary, and Future.

Temperance near Coney Island and Steamboat North America - 1847

GEORGE HALL UNION, NO. 22, Daughters of Temperance, will give a Grand Pic-Nic Excursion on Wednesday, August 4th, 1847.

The Union have chartered the large and elegant steamboat NORTH AMERICA, and also engaged GRANGER'S celebrated Band, together with appropriate cotillion music, for those who may feel inclined to "trip it," etc. They have also engaged Professor HANDLEY, the unrivalled teetotal caterer, to furnish refreshments on true temperance principles...

The boat will leave the foot of Canal st. N.Y., at 7 A.M.; the new pier at Grand st. E R., 7 1/2, Williamsburgh (foot South 2d st) at 8 ; first pier above Catharine ferry, N. Y., at 8 1/2 ; and Thorne's dock, near Fulton ferry, Brooklyn, at 9 o'clock ; it will pass down through the Narrows, by Fort Hamilton, nearing Coney Island, the Highlands, and Light House, and proceed to that lovely and sequestered spot, Biddle's Grove, opposite Perth Amboy, where the party will remain about four hours...

Tickets 50 cents ; children under 12 half price--all cadets of temperance will go for half price....

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Thursday, July 22, 1847 (also July 23, 28, 29, 31, and August 2, 3, 4, 1847)

Funny to see the word "teetotal" (I didn't know it was an adjective)...and to see it used positively!

I am personally just about a "teetotaler..." but I suppose it is kind of fitting that the temperance boat only passed NEAR Coney Island.

It appears there were at least two steamboats named "North America" (the second built after the first was out of commission). But I can't find a definitive date the second "North America" was even built or what its eventual fate was. It looks like it made it to the 1860s.

At any rate, The New York Times has a rather graphic story from November 21, 1857 involving a steamboat North America. It's titled "RUM'S DOINGS. / Horrible Accident on a Steamboat". It gets worse, but suffice it to say, the man perished and they suspect his lack of balance (due to drink) was the cause.

The word "ironic" is overused, but it this was the same "North America" as was used for a temperance excursion......

EDITS: There was a very similar excursion, with much of the same copy, "Wednesday, August 2d, 1848" on the steamboat Hudson. Also Wednesday, August 21, 1850, on the "large and commodious steamboat NEW-JERSEY."

Coney Island Clambake - 1847

Great description of a pleasant day at Coney Island before the amusement era really took hold.

RIDE TO CONEY ISLAND, AND CLAM-BAKE THERE. Never was there a time better fitted than yesterday, for an excursion from city to country, or from pavement to the sea-shore ! The rain of the previous evening had cooled the air, and moistened the earth ; there was no dust, and no unpleasant heat. It may well be imagined, then, that a jolly party of about sixty people, who, at 1 o'clock, p.m., met at the house of Mr. King, on the corner of Fulton and Orange streets, (where they laid a good foundation for after pleasures,) had every reason to bless their stars at the treat surely before them. Yes: there was to be a clam-bake--and, of all places in the world, a clam-bake at Coney Island ! Could mortal ambition go higher, or mortal wishes delve deeper?........At a little before 2, the most superb stages, four of them, from Husted & Kendall's establishment, were just nicely filled, (no crowding, and no vacant places either,) and the teams of four and six horses dashed off with us all at a merry rate.--The ride was a most inspiring one. After crossing the railroad track, the signs of country life, the green fields, the thrifty corn, the orchards, the wheat lying in swathes, and the hay-cocks here and there, with the farming-men at work all along, made such a spectacle as we dearly like to look upon. And then the clatter of human tongues, inside the carriages--the peals upon peals of laughter ! the jovial witticisms, the anecdotes, stories, and so forth!--Why there were enough to fill ten octave volumes ! The members of the party were numerous and various--embracing all the professions, and nearly all the trades, besides sundry aldermen, and other officials.

Arrived at Coney Island, the first thing was to "take a dance," at which sundry distinguished personages shook care out of their heads and dust from their heels, at a great rate. Then a bathe in the salt water ; ah, that was good indeed! Divers marvellous (sic) feats were performed in the water, in the way of splashing, ducking and sousing, and one gentleman had serious thoughts of a sortie out upon some porpoises who were lazily rolling a short distance off. The beautiful, pure, sparkling, sea-water! one yearns to you (at least we do,) with an affection as grasping at your own waves !

Half-past five o'clock had now arrived, and the booming of the dinner bell produced a sensible effect upon 'the party,' who ranged themselves at table without the necessity of a second invitation. As the expectation had been only for a 'clam-bake' there was some surprise evinced at seeing a regularly laid dinner, in handsome style, too, with all the et-ceteras. But as an adjunct--by some, made the principal thing--in due time, on came the roasted clams, well-roasted indeed ! in the old Indian style, in beds, covered with brush and chips, and thus cooked in their own broth. When hunger was appeased with these savory and wholesome viands, the champagne, (good stuff it was!) began to circulate--and divers gentlemen made speeches, introductory to, and responsive at, toasts. A great many happy hits were made, and, in especial, one of the aldermen, at the head of one of the tables, conceived a remarkable toast, at which the people seemed tickled hugely. The healths of Messrs. Masterton, Smith, and King, of Mr. Murphy, and of the corporation of Brooklyn, etc. were drank. Nor were the artisans and workingmen forgotten ; nor were the ladies, nor the Brooklyn press, which the member of congress from this district spoke in the most handsome manner of, and turned off a very neat toast upon.

The return to Brooklyn, in the evening, was a fit conclusion to a day of enjoyment. The cool air, the smell of the new mown hay, the general quiet around (there was any thing but quiet, however, inside our vehicles,) made it pleasant indeed. We ascended to the tower-like seat, by Mr. Carnfield, the driver of the six-horse stage, and had one of the pleasentest sort of eight-mile rides back to Brooklyn, at which place our party arrived a little after 9 o'clock. All thanks, and long and happy lives, to the contractors on the new city hall ! to whose generous spirit we were indebted for yesterday's pleasure.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Thursday, July 15, 1847

Wait--these big shots got a wonderful day at Coney Island from the contractors for Brooklyn's (?) city hall? Is this some sort of bribe?

Note they brag about how comfortable it was for the party of about 60 to ride in 4 stagecoaches? That's 15 passengers each, on average. Everything I've read about stagecoaches says they normally ran with 9 passengers inside. So that was probably 6 more atop each roof.

Of course, it might be kind of fun to ride in a stage for a couple hours in nice weather. (And probably even more fun if you were inebriated.)

Long Island Canal and Jamaica Canal

Welcome to 1847!

From the Gazette and Times.

THE PROJECT OF THE LONG ISLAND CANAL--of which we have once or twice already made brief mention--seems to find great favor, notwithstanding the opposition of the Brooklyn Eagle. The proposed line of navigation commences at Gravesend Bay, thence through the neck separating Coney Island from the main land, and so on to Peconic, and when completed will enable vessels to navigate the bays from Coney Island to South Hampton--a distance of 80 miles--with 4 feet water at low tide.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Tuesday, January 26, 1847

I'm not seeing much reference to this canal later; it sounds like it would have made Coney MORE of an island. (At this point there was likely a bridge over Coney Island Creek to bring people to Coney from the mainland. Now, of course, it's not an "island" at all, with much of the creek filled in.)

I can't get Rochester History's page to load but the cached version says a company WAS incorporated in 1848 to build a Long Island canal, and that "no results were achieved by either company toward carrying out the purposes for which they were incorporated."

The page implies the Shinnecock Canal in Long Island--a much more logical place for a canal than an 80-mile canal from Coney Island to South Hampton, IMO--opened in 1892. Wikipedia cites that date too.

There was more talk of a different canal exactly one month later:

QUEENS CO. CANAL.--Application will be made to the legislature of this state at its present session, to incorporate a company to be called the "Jamaica and New York canal company," for the purpose of digging a canal from Beaver pond in the village of Jamaica to Jamaica bay, and also to have power to open and straighten the ditches from Jamaica bay to Coney Island bay.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Friday, February 26, 1847

Again, the only page I can find on this is from history.rochester.edu, which, at time of writing, wouldn't load! The cached page seems to imply nothing was done on this either.

I wonder if the lack of progress on canals came with the increasing importance of railroads, or if everyone just couldn't get their act together? Maybe both.

End of the Season - 1846

This ran several times near the end of August:

SUNDAY EXCURSIONS.--THE superior steamboat IOLAS, Captain Yates, wil leave Thorne's Dock, near Fulton ferry, Brooklyn, on Sunday, August 30, at 2 P.M. for Coney Island--returning, will leave Coney I. at 6 1/2 o'clock--stopping at Fort Hamilton each way. Fare 12 1/2 cents each way.

There is a regular Ordinary at the Island, on the N. York plan--everything 12 1/2 cents a plate ; also, good stages to take passengers to the upper houses, at 1. each. Apply to
R. J. Todd, 88 Fulton street

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Wednesday, August 26, 1846

And this is the last article I saw on Coney for 1846. I think it's the end of the season!

CITY INTELLIGENCE...

CONEY ISLAND.--The Steamer Iolas, Capt. Yates goes to Coney Island to-morrow afternoon from Thorn's dock. at 2 o'clock.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Saturday, August 29, 1846

Ladies of Saratoga

I didn't follow this, honestly. Any ideas?

AMUSEMENT.--The ladies of Saratoga have introduced the ancient and interesting amusement of archery--at Hempton Beach they think nothing of a "double strike" on a bowling alley--at Nahant they frequently have a run of fifty at billiards--at Gloucester they walk five miles before breakfast--at Kittery Point they swim ten--at Cape May weep themselves to death in reading the pathetic epistle of Chandler to his elbow-chair--and at Coney Island do bathing and walking barefoot on the sand.


--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Monday, August 24, 1846

Sightseeing Excursion - August 15, 1846

This one was almost illegible:

AFTERNOON EXCURSION, exclusively for the accommodation of the Citizens of Brooklyn and Williamsburgh.

The new and elegant steamboat ST. NICHOLAS will, on SATURDAY afternoon, August 15th, make an Excursion to the Lower Bay, affording a fine view of all the picturesque and beautiful points in our harbor--the Quarantine Ground, the Narrows, Fort Hamilton, Coney Island and Sandy Hook Lighthouse, and return to the same landing planes by 7 1/2 o'clock P.M.

The St. Nicholas will leave Williamsburgh, near the Ferry, at 3 o'clock ; Bridge street, Brooklyn, 3 1/2 ; Fulton Ferry, do, 3 3/4 ; foot of State street, South Ferry, 4 o'clock.

Fare for the Excursion, 50 cents.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Wednesday, August 12, 1846 (also the 13th)

The "Quarantine Ground" appears to have been an area off Staten Island where incoming ships anchored so the immigrants could be inspected for infectious diseases. Probably was interesting to see from a distance, but also seems kind of an odd thing to sight-see. Of course, in the 1840s, visiting an insane asylum was apparently also considered a fun excursion.

This site has some scans from Harper's Weekly, 1879.

Cropsy's Hotel - 1846

CITY INTELLIGENCE...

CONEY ISLAND.--Would you enjoy the cool sweet breeze fresh from the Ocean? then go down to Coney Island this evening, and stay there till Monday. The accommodations at Cropsy's Hotel are of an excellent character, and every attention is paid by the gentlemanly host and his efficient assistants to the pleasure and comfort of guests. The accommodations for bathing at the beach, under the superintendence of Mr. Barry, are of a superior character ; and ladies here are not subject to any annoyance. They will find every attention paid to their delicacy and comfort that could be desired.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Saturday, August 8, 1846

Pretty sure they mean Cropsey. I was hoping I could find some good info on Google, but if you Google "James Cropsey Coney Island" do you know what comes up? This blog! Ah well.

Poem from Coney Island - 1846

This was on the front page of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle:

Written for the Daily Eagle.

The Child, the Clouds, and Wind.

Emblems of life, where are ye fleeting,
     Shading the earth in your airy way ;
Now sailing lone, then far off meeting ;
     Whither go ye, summer clouds, say ?

We kiss the sky o'er the waves wild roaring,
     Dropping our tears where the sailor dies,
And up aloft with the storm-bird soaring,
     There child, we go, where the loud wind sighs !

Stay, wind, thy speed, where art thou flying,
     Bending the oak in thy pathless way ;
Then 'mong the leaves of the forest sighing,
     Where goest thou, spirit wind, say ?

I fly o'er the earth, from its blossoms stealing
     Fragrance to bear on my gentle wing ;
Then on the sea the sailor's doom sealing,
     I war with the waves and a requiem sing.

MARION.

Coney Island, June 14, 1846

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Saturday, August 1, 1846

Kind of morbid, really, but I'm no judge of poetry.

So this Marion, whoever he or she was, got a poem published in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle under editor Walt Whitman. Nicely done, Marion.

Fair at Gravesend and Suspicious Quotation Marks

FAIR AT GRAVESEND.--This evening the splendid affair will be brought to a close, and there will undoubtedly be a rich and racy time. It is held in the basement of the church at Gravesend, and the room is decorated in a manner that the cunning fingers of Eve's fair daughters alone know how to accomplish. This is the first fair that the ladies of Gravesend have ever attempted, but we are forced to state from personal inspection that it affords the most fascinating scene we have ever witnessed. The sale opened yesterday afternoon, and the attendance from all parts was so full that on closing for the night the unprecedentedly large sum of $400 had been received.--From Gravesend it is but a short distance to Coney Island, and those who go down from the city can in almost " no time " combine the pleasure of chatting with the ladies with the allurements of a visit to the cool sea-beach.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Thursday, July 30, 1846

This actually reads very much like stories I caught in the 1921 Casa Grande Bulletin. Small town newspapers, I suppose.

I like the early use of suspicious quotation marks, too.

Fishing Excursion

FISHING EXCURSION !----The safe and commodious schooner GEN. GILES, Captain Greenwood, has been chartered by the subscriber to go down on the Bay on the Fishing Grounds, and will leave the foot of Fulton street, Brooklyn, on THURSDAY evening, July 30, returning on Friday evening.

Those wishing a pleasant fishing excursion will find this agreeable. The schooner will stop at Fort Hamilton and Coney Island, and an opportunity will be afforded for passengers to go ashore at several other landings.

Fishing apparatus furnished without charge.

Tickets for the trip, only ONE DOLLAR--may be obtained of the subscriber, or at the Franklin House, corner of Fulton and Water streets ; Samuel Carmon, Long Island Hotel ; Owen Colgan, James street ; and at the Post Office.

jy28 3t HENRY HINES.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Tuesday, July 28, 1846

Historical Currency Conversions pegs that dollar as $29.02 dollars today, while The Inflation Calculator says it's $23.99. Either way, it seems to me like it wasn't a lower-class trip, when it was only 12.5 cents to take the ferry to or from Coney Island for the day.... (Was it really an overnight trip? Were there accommodations?)

Walt Whitman and Coney Island - 1846

Believe it or not, this is about Walt Whitman (!).

...EXCURSION TO CONEY ISLAND.--A brilliant private pic-nic, comprising some forty ladies and gentlemen, "came off" at Coney Island yesterday. There were three omnibus loads of them--part from the great Gomorrah on the other side of the river. They had a "first rate time," we are informed.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Friday, July 24, 1846

Normon Mailer: An American Aesthetic states "Whitman described Manhattan as 'Gomorrah on the other side of the River'..." Interesting, but why in the world...

A-HA!

The Walt Whitman Archive informs us that Walt Whitman was the editor of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle from March 1846 to January 1848. This appears to be the first use of the phrase in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Mystery solved!

January 17, 1857 the Eagle referred to "the Sodom across the river". Later,

The Providence Journal expresses the opinion that if New York city does not disappear some night, and the sound steamers find themselves sailing into a new Dead Sea, people will not believe the account of Sodom and Gomorrah.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Monday, Jun 01, 1857

It wasn't until 1859 that the label drifted to Brooklyn, albeit sarcastically:

Those who have labored under the fallacious idea that Brooklyn was somewhat of a moral community, a "City of Churches" par excellence, will be astounded to learn that it is a perfect Sodom or Pandemonium, with half its population going to perdition and 12,300 of them drunken sots. It will probably relieve such apprehensions to know that from the Report of the Police authorities of the city for the quarter ending 31st of January, it appears that the whole number of arrests for the period were 3,368, of which only 1342 were "directly" from intoxication, and it is well known to the police that the same persons are arrested over and over again during the quarter. The number of disorderly characters arrested was 191 and these may be set down as originating in intemperance; but even these added to the others come short of one half of the tremendous statistics of Mr Hall. We are not insensible to the evils of intemperance, but we would beg leave to suggest that monstrously exaggerated statements of the immorality existing among us, however, necessary to secure votes or cash contributions are an injury to the fame of the city, give us a bad game abroad, depreciate the value of property and are moreover a violation of the precept that forbids the baring of false witness against a neighbor, whether that neighbor be an individual or a whole community.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Friday, February 11, 1859

The New York Times' first use of "Sodom-by-the-Sea" to refer to Coney Island dates October 15, 1893. But there was an similar reference, albeit not a catchy one, buried deeper in an article 20 years prior:

"A few adventurous spirits had even more harrowing stories to tell of perils encountered at Coney Island from sharks of land and water, and the fatal fascinations of three-card monte, until the innocent City youth shuddered at the place as a marine Sodom and Gomorrah..."

--The New York Times, September 29, 1873

Speaking of Gomorrah, in 1848, there were a lot of advertisements for:

Grand Combination of Hanington's Sacred Dioramas of the Creation of the World, and the grand spectacle of THE DELUGE--Also, 22 Magnificent Scriptural Paintings by Mr. BAKER, of London, each one containing about 100 square feet of canvas...

Such scenes included the "Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Gen xix".

Price of admission to the whole, 25 cents--Children half price. Doors open at 7, curtain rises at 7 1/2 o'clock.

EVERY NIGHT THIS WEEK

WEDNESDAY and SATURDAY afternoons, commencing at 3 o'clock, at the splendid new Hall, 396 Broadway, corner of Walker street.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Monday, October 2, 1848 (similar ads through November 25, 1848)

4th of July 1846

More steamboat excursions. The fractions are hard to read and might be off:

CONEY ISLAND AND FORT HAMILTON FERRY.--The proprietor of the above Ferry has, for the accomdation of the inhabitants of the city of New York and Brooklyn, placed the following boats on the Ferry for the 4th of July ; Phe (sic) PROPRIETOR, Capt. H. Mallan ; IOLAS, Capt. R. Yates ; WAVE, Capt. O. Vanderbilt ; and HERALD, Capt. J.B. Parks ; one of which will leave at the following times and places :

Rivington st., E.R. 7 1/2 and 11 1/2 A.M., and 3 1/2 P.M.
Pik st, " 7 3/4, 9 1/2, and 11 3/4 A.M.; and 12 1/2, 3 1/2, and 3 3/4 P.M.
Thorne's Dock, near Fulton Ferry, Brooklyn, 8 and 9 1/2 A.M., 12 M., 12 3/4, 3 3/4 and 4 P.M.
Canal st., N.R., 8 1/2 and 11 1/2 !.M., and 2 1/2 P.M.
Pier 3, N.R., 8 3/4 and 11 3/4 A.M., and 2 1/4 P.M.
Whitehall 8, 8 1/2, 9, 10 and 11 A.M., 12 M., 1, 2, 3, 4, 4 1/2 and 5 P.M.
Coney Island 9, 10, 10 1/4 and 11 1/4, A.M., 12 1/2, 1 1/4, 2, 2 1/4, 3 1/2, 4 1/2, 5 1/2, 6 and 6 1/2 P.m>, landing at Fort Hamilton each way.

FARE, 12 1/2 cents.

jy3 1t
THOMAS BEILBY, Proprietor.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Friday, July 3, 1846

Same date:

...There has been, of late years, altogether too much apathy on the subject of "keeping" the 4th of July. It is, we know, quite fashionable in certain quarters to discountenance the day, either directly or indirectly. Disgraceful! We by no means think it well to commit any excesses, on such an occasion. Indeed, we consider any excesses--any gross indulgence in mere physical appetites--most insulting to the day. Such are not the methods of doing honor to so sublime an anniversary. They are really at war with the feelings which should be cherished on its recurrence.

But the day should be kept with exultation, with thanksgiving, with a cessation from ordinary temporal affairs, and with the development of true patriotic feeling! To those whose convenience, health, or taste does not impel them to bestir themselves abroad (though we hope all in Brooklyn, who can, will participate in the exercises, to-morrow,) let the day be devoted to a home celebration, if possible...

To every one we especially enjoin to "be temperate in all things." There are thousands of persons who are foolish enough, on jubilees of this kind, to indulge in many kinds of pernicious "amusements" (overloading the stomach with drink or food, for one)--and we caution our readers against such a weakness...

They then describe Brooklyn festivities, including a parade, including "Revolutionary Patriots and Clergy." This was 70 years after 1776, so it's not impossible that some survivors would be present.

Then in the same article:

AMUSEMENTS, EXCURSIONS, &C., TO-MORROW.--Among the principal portion of our citizens, particularly the younger ones, to-morrow will be held as a day of 'jollification,' (not too excessive, we hope.)...

See adv't of steamboat trips to Coney Island in our adv. columns. The boats stop several times at Throne's dock Brooklyn.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Friday, July 3, 1846

Other attractions include "Fire Works" and music, and a "Temperance jaunt to Sing-Sing."

Oddly, I didn't see any articles after saying how the celebrations went!

More Sunday excursions and half pennies

I didn't quite notice when the Iolas started to be mentioned in these ads. I'm also still not sure what the captain's name is. (Mallan? Malian?)

SUNDAY EXCURSIONS--THE steamboat PROPRIETOR, Capt. Mallan, will on Sunday, June 28, and each succeeding until further notice, make Two Excursions to FORT HAMILTON and CONEY ISLAND, leaving THONRE'S Dock, near Fulton ferry, Brooklyn, at 11 A.M. and 3 1/2 P.M.; Coney Island at 12 1/2 and 6 1/2 o'clock P.M. And the steamboat IOLAS, Capt.-------------, will leave Thorne Dock at 9 1/2 A.M. and 2 1/2 P.M., and Coney Island at 11 1/2 and 5 P.M., stopping at Fort Hamilton each way. Fare 12 1/2 cents. For further information, apply to

je20 tf R.J. Todd, 88 Fulton street.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Saturday, June 27, 1846

Apparently, they made half-pennies through 1857.
http://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/2008/02/half_penny_half_cent.php

(If inflation didn't exist, we could be using half pennies even today!)

More ferry articles at this earlier post.

Mysterious Body - 1846

Sad, but not very conclusive.

CORONER'S OFFICE, Gravesend, L.I., JUNE 25th.--The coroner was called to view the body of a man found on Coney Island beach. The body was entirely naked, and had the appearance of being in the water a short time.; he had sandy hair, had no marks of violence upon his person ; supposed to be about 35 years of age. Verdict, came to his death by causes unknown to the jury.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Friday, June 26, 1846

New Hotel at Coney Island

Good news, for a change.

NEW HOTEL AT CONEY ISLAND.--The framework and stock for a large hotel at Coney Island, to be erected near the steamboat landing, is about prepared, and will be taken to the ground in the course of a few days, and the house immediately put up.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Monday, June 22, 1846

I sure don't know enough to know what hotel it is. Gravesend: The Home of Coney Island says John Wyckoff built Coney Island's second hotel and Charles Denson's "Coney Island Lost and Found" mentions the Wyckoff Hotel too, so that seems plausible.

Horse Accident and "Stupid Girl" - June 13-15, 1846

Warning, nothing but sad news from 1846. :(

SINCE DIED.--Mrs. Marion Nelson, the unfortunate woman whom we mentioned on Saturday as having been dangerously wounded by a runaway horse, died yesterday morning at the house no. 68 Stanton street, whither she was removed the previous afternoon from Dr. Ayres' office, corner of Fulton and Sands streets. Mr. Coroner Oakes held an inquest in the course of the day, and the following, among other testimony was taken : Dr. Ayres deposed that her injury was concussion of the brain ; but she revived somewhat after she was brought to his office ; and that her death arose from effusion of blood within the cavity of the brain, from a fracture of the base of the skull.

John Duryea deposed that she must have seen the approach of the horse, but seemed too much paralyzed with fear to get out of the way.

James Downy, the driver of the horse, was sworn, and testified that he left him in the charge of a boy fifteen years of age, while he (Downey) went into the Mansion House, in Hicks street, and when he came out, about a minute afterwards, the animal had run away. The horse was a gentle one, and the witness was told by a colored man and some boys that a cracker had been thrown under him, which caused him to start. The witness did not hear any explosion of crackers, nor could he learn the name of his informant.

The jury rendered the following verdict: "That the deceased came to her death from injuries inflicted by a horse, owned by Messrs. Newton & Co., Broadway, New York, which ran away while left standing in the street."

There seems to have been a fatality about the family of the deceased ; for we learn that her husband was drowned at Coney Island some seven years since, by the sinking of a vessel, and by whose death she was reduced to rely upon her daily exertions for a livelihood. By the untoward accident of Saturday a family of four children who were dependent upon her are thrown upon the charities of the world. We learn that some benevolent persons have taken their case into consideration for the purpose of collecting a fund for their benefit. We are likewise told that Messrs. Newton & Co. have expressed their readiness to do all that can be expected of them to alleviate their condition as well as defraying the funeral expenses of the deceased.

We understand that when the unfortunate woman was taken to the drug store of Mr. Howard immediately after the accident he refused to receive her on account of the inconvenience, and directed the driver to convey her to the office of Dr. Ayres !--Such conduct requires no comment from us.
--Brooklyn Eagle, Monday, June 15, 1846

Very sad. The June 13 article says the horse was standing for the purpose of receiving empty bottles, and smashed his cart but kept running. "He then continued down the sidewalk, as a stream of people were coming up who had just landed from the ferry boat. How they all escaped is difficult to tell ; and the only wonder is that at least a dozen were not killed, as the horse was at full speed and the aforesaid shaft playing about in all directions. The animal abated not his speed until he had knocked down a lady who had just landed from the boat, and a man inside the ferry gate, and ran upon the further end of the boat where the chain finally stopped him...."

And this isn't Coney but below the article where Mrs. Nelson died...wow. Just WOW.

CHILD KILLED.--A stupid girl suffered a child to fall from her arms upon the sidewalk in Hicks st. a week or two since, through sheer carelessness.--The unfortunate little sufferer was so injured that it died a few days ago. We did not learn the names.

--Brooklyn Eagle, Monday, June 15, 1846

I do wonder if they would have used the word "stupid" had they known the names. Of course, the early Brooklyn Eagle put out some rather sensationalistic stories that turned out to be false (my personal favorite being the mystery of the female murder victim in the brown dress). So here's hoping they just published a rumor as fact. They already had enough bad news for the day, in my opinion.

Sunday Excursion to Coney Island - 1846 - if you missed it...

Blogger's downtime (see Blogger Buzz: Blogger is back ) caused all sorts of problems for millions of blogs on Wednesday and Thursday. That prevented Thursday's update from going up automatically. I re-published and it still published with a date of Thursday, even though it was Saturday New York Time. So anyway, there's now a mystery post kind of lost in the space-time continuum of my blog. Sorry about that.

Good thing it's not as exciting as one about Governor Gil Davis or today's Insane Asylum post! :)

Coney Island and the Kings Co. Lunatic Asylum

A drive out of Brooklyn.

Yesterday afternoon, we took an excursion to the Camp Ground, at Flatbush, where the officers of our Brooklyn military corps have stationed themselves of late with laudable intentions of professional practice. We also went to the Kings co. Lunatic Asylum ; also to Coney Island, all along shore, roundabout, and back again to Brooklyn. The afternoon seemed just the one for a drive. The air was cool, and yet not cold. Dust, to be sure, covered the roads, and dashed in our faces--but then, a person can't expect to have perfection in every thing....

Despite the fact that a war was going on, they found the Flatbush encampment "an inspiring and gay spectacle." The Lunatic Asylum, meanwhile, was "a sad spectacle." ((I can't feel too sorry for them, as they're the ones who chose to go sightseeing by visiting lunatics.))

From the Lunatic Asylum we drove to Coney Island, through that beautiful road and range of farms that characterize this part of Long Island. How refreshing was the scent of clover fields for miles ere we reached the shore ! How grand, too, the rolling scope of the ocean, whose waves dash into the sand-hills there ! We drove some distance on that hard, clean level sand, snuffing up the air with such delight as a man feels, who rarely gets away from the purlicus of the crowded city.--The phantom shapes of vessels, with full-bellied sails, saw we in the distance, moving along like children of the mist. There, too, were the white plumes of many a mighty ripple--ere it threw its long shallow scoot high up on the shore. Nor was the scene wanting in solemnity. How can human eyes gaze on the truest emblem of Eternity, without an awe and a thrill?


--Brooklyn Eagle, Thursday, June 18, 1846

Sunday Excursion to Coney Island - 1846

SUNDAY EXCURSION--THE steamboat PROPRIETOR, Capt. Mallan (? Maltan?), will on Sunday, June 14, and each succeeding until further notice, make Two Excursions to FORT HAMILTON and CONEY ISLAND, leaving THORNE'S Dock, near Fulton ferry, Brooklyn, at 1/4 to 11 A.M. and 1/4 to 3 P.M.; Coney Island at 12 1/2 and 5 o'clock P.M., stopping at Fort Hamilton each way. Fare 12 1/2 cents.

For further information, apply to

jc10 tf R. J. TODD, 88 Fulton street.


--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, June 10, 1846

Same story on June 11, 16, 17, 18, and so forth.

There were also repeated articles starting May 16 about a land auction to take place "by James Cole, auctioneer, at the house of James Cropsey, Coney Island, in the town of Gravesend, in the county of Kings, on Thursday, the ninth day of July next, at half-past 4 o'clock in the afternoon of that day..."

Proclamation from Governor Gil Davis - Mexican-American War - 1846

PROCLAMATION--OFFICIAL--Highly important if true.--I, Gil Davis, Governor and Owner of the Province of Coney Island, hereby issue this my proclamation, to all creation, that, on and after the 14th instant, May, 1846, I give to all nations, languages, people and tongues, free ingress and egress to this, my colony, for all sorts and kinds of political offenses, either against Church or State ; and more particularly, the Mexican nation will be fully admitted, without any restrictions, or expense, by way of light money, pilotage, anchorage, hospital, or any other charges, either by land or water. All the Mexican prizes may be sent in, as well as all their men-of-war, privateers, letters of marque, counter marque, and all and every description in whatsoever state ; either through stress or weather, or by being crippled by the enemy, or being scared--it's all the same.

By order of His Excellency,
Emperor and Governor,
GIL DAVIS, THE GREAT.
B. Bates. D. D., Acting Pacificator.

P. S.--The Governor reserves the right to charge a moiety upon all vessels and cargoes, which is usually charged in times of war.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, May 15, 1846

You may recall that Gil Davis was the reported "governor" of Coney Island. Can't say he was afraid to speak his mind.

Per PBS, the real fighting in the Mexican-American War appears to have started in early May, 1846. It apparently was a rather polarizing issue for Americans--some Northerners suspected that the South was wanting to add more slave-holding states to the Union.

At the end of the war, in early 1848, Mexico ceded California, Nevada, parts of Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico, and most of Arizona to the United States.

The Sloop Victoria - March 17, 1846

Another death at Coney Island.

Singular Affair.

The sloop Victoria was found on the beach at Coney Island this morning with her sails completely blown to pieces, and on boarding her a man was found dead and partly under water.

From the appearance of blood on the cabin floor it is supposed there has been some foul play. The Coroner, Mr. Cozine, is now holding an inquest. The sloop formerly belonged to Capt. Langdon who parted with her about six months since.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, March 17, 1846

SLOOP VICTORIA.--This vessel which drifted ashore at Coney Island yesterday morning with her sails blown to pieces, has been taken in charge by Mr. Roberts, news collector for the Offing Telegraph, who will this day endeavor to get her off the beach and bring her up to the city. No intelligence has yet transpired in relation to the ownership. There was reason to suppose from traces of blood about the cabin that the man whose body was found had met with foul play ; but after an examination by Mr. Coroner Cozine, of Gravesend, sufficient was ascertained to warrant a verdict that he came to his death by exposure during the gale of Monday night. The body has not yet been identified ; but it will be left for some days at Gravesend for recognition. There is reason to suppose that there were but two persons on board, and that one of them was washed overboard.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, March 18, 1846

THE SLOOP VICTORIA.--It has been ascertained that this vessel was owned at Islip, L. I., and sailed thence for New York on Monday last, laden with a cargo of clams. Two brothers named Brewster were on board. In the night she sprang a leak and John Brewster, the man found dead in the cabin occupied himself so at the pump that he was forced to retire to the cabin where he died. The survivor succeeded in running her ashore on Coney Island early on Tuesday morning, and making his way to Mr. Cropsey's, could not arouse any person. He then walked up to this city where he found the L. I. train ready to start ; and proceeded to Islip ; but returned yesterday morning to Coney Island and gave the information which has thus solved the mystery attached to the vessel.

--Brooklyn Daily Eagle, March 19, 1846

Terrible storm - February 14, 1846

Oddly, no mention of this in the Brooklyn Eagle.

From the New York Herald, Feb. 17th.
THE TERRIBLE STORM,
On Saturday night and Sunday morning.
TREMENDOUS LOSS OF LIFE AND PROPERTY.
Ten Vessels Stranded, on Squan Beach.
Sixty Human Beings Perished!!
&c. &c. &c.

Many years have elapsed since we were called on to describe a greater calamity to life and prosperity than that of the night of the 14th inst., and morning of the 15th. About sixty lives have been lost in one wreck-master's district, and the amount of property is not yet fully ascertained; but enough is known to say that, from a quarter to a half a million dollars will fall upon the insurers of Wall street, from this gale....

We learn that the New York and Offing Electro-Magnetic Telegraph withstood the storm without a single break, and operated from its present terminus, Coney Island, with perfect success during the whole of the late storm.

The Hartford Times - Feb 21, 1846

In addition to the Coney Island link, the article describes several tragic wrecks, including one where a captain and his wife and children (among many others) died. Like some other historic articles I've read, they left the most tragic stories to the middle of the article, for some reason.

Coney Island Telegraph Part 2

If you recall, the Brooklyn Eagle was not optimistic about the telegraph line staying intact under the river. And it appears their concerns were well-founded.

OFFING TELEGRAPH.--The final experiment of carrying the wire of this telegraph across the East River having proved unsuccessful, we understand the project is now abandoned. The leaden tube broke by some unknown means, and the communication was in consequence interrupted. It has since been taken up. Mr. Colt now intends, we believe, to carry the wire across in the air, from "pole to pole," at the Fulton ferry. The telegraph between the ferry and Coney Island was tested last week and found to work well.

--Brooklyn Eagle, Monday, January 19, 1846

Again, the telegraph worked fine from Coney to Fulton ferry:

Regular reports are now received from Coney Island by the Telegraph, the station of which is at present in the store corner of Everit and Fulton sts., near the ferry.

--Brooklyn Eagle, Thursday, January 22, 1846

Can you believe the telegraph was a big attraction?

The station of the Coney Island Telegraph near the Fulton ferry is daily visited by numbers of ladies and gentlemen, for the purpose of gratifying their curiosity in relation to this wonderful means of communication. The operations, though very simple, are well worth seeing. At 9 o'clock this morning the revenue cutter Spencer was reported in the offing bound for sea.

--Brooklyn Eagle, Wednesday, February 11, 1846

Later there was a big storm--

City Intelligence
...Yesterday the Coney island telegraph reported the storm as very severe on the coast, and the air so thick that the lookout couldn't see more than fifty feet from the shore--the wind blowing stiffly from the north...

--Brooklyn Eagle, Monday, February 16, 1846

And more winter weather woes:

City Intelligence
...The Coney Island Telegraph has been suspended all this morning, it is supposed, by some of the poles having been carried away by the ice in the creek. The interruption will be remedied in the course of the day.

--Brooklyn Eagle, Friday, February 20, 1846

Coney Island, Capital of Long Island

The Brooklyn Eagle bashes another paper.

City Intelligence.
...The Sun presumes that Coney Island is to be the capital of the new State of Long Island ! It appears not to know--though we could hardly have thought it so ignorant of its country's history--that Coney is already a distinct empire, the head and front of which is Governor Gil. Davis. Guess again, neighbor?

--Brooklyn Eagle, Thursday, December 11, 1845

Some background came later.

The Sun thinks it a good joke that meetings should continue to be held at Prospect Hill in favor of making Long Island a State, and Brooklyn a port of entry. We hope it will not deprive the joke of its relish, for the Sun, when we inform it, that we understand, from the individual upon whom the choice of the Longislanders will undoubtedly rest as their first governor, that all shinplasters are to be banished from the State, and the manufacturers and venders of them sent to Davy Jones's locker.

N.B. In answer to several applications we may state, that there are to be two capitals--for winter in Brooklyn, and for summer at Coney Island.

--Brooklyn Eagle, Thursday, January 15, 1846

Coney Island Railway

NOTICE--Application will be made to the Legislature of New York, at the next session, for a charter to construct a Railroad from Brooklyn to Coney Island, to be called the "Brooklyn, Fort Hamilton and Bath Railroad Company." Brooklyn, November 28, 1845. n28 1aw3*

--Brooklyn Eagle, Friday, November 28, 1845

Interestingly, in 1836, an Act was passed to provide for this construction.

But these documents from 1913 state "No record of any construction. In the state engineer's report for 1882 the Company is described as extinct."

In 1845, you got to Coney by stage, cart, or steamboat.

NOTICE is hereby given that an application will be made at the next session of the Legislature of the State, for the incorporation of a company to be called the New York, Gowanus, Fort Hamilton and Coney Island Ferry Company, with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars. New York, Dec. 19, 1845. ja13 1aw6w*

--Brooklyn Eagle, Tuesday, January 13, 1846

(and intermittently through March 2, 1846).

It appears to have passed the Legislature about Wednesday, March 11, 1846.