Pelham Democrats Held a Parade "More Resplendent than the New Comet or the Full Moon" in 1892

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Pelham Democrats were excited about the presidential election of 1892.  Democrats in the new village of Pelham Manor created "The Cleveland and Stevenson Club of Pelham Manor" early that year.  In July, City Island Democrats created their own Cleveland and Stevenson Club.  The two quickly merged to form "The Cleveland and Stevenson Club of Pelham."  

Local Judge Henry DeWitt Carey, who served as a judge in the Special Sessions Court at White Plains for many years and founded a local dairy known as the Willow Brook Dairy in which he owned an interest for many decades, was an affluent and ardent supporter of the movement.  He offered the use of Carey Hall on City Island free during the campaign.  Carey Hall became the headquarters of The Cleveland and Stevenson Club of Pelham.

The presidential election of 1892 was an emotional one that involved a divided nation split nearly evenly between Democrats and Republicans.  The election, in fact, was essentially a rematch of the hotly contested presidential election of 1888 when Democrat Grover Cleveland won the popular vote over Republican Benjamin Harrison but lost in the electoral college.  In 1892, Grover Cleveland ran again against incumbent Republican President Benjamin Harrison.  This time, Grover Cleveland won both the popular vote and the electoral college vote and became the only person ever elected to a second presidential term that did not immediately follow a first term.  

As the election results became clear in the days following November 8, 1892, Pelham Democrats rejoiced and began planning a grand celebration.  On the evening of Tuesday, November 22, 1892, the celebration exploded in what was described as "a blaze of glory."  A local newspaper described the celebration as "more resplendent than the new comet or the full moon" -- a reference Comet Holmes that was discovered only days before the celebration on November 6, 1892 by British amateur astronomer Edwin Holmes.

The celebration included a parade led on horseback by Democrat Town Supervisor Sherman T. Pell who was known locally as the "Little Giant of Democracy."  (Barely one year later Pell was defeated in his own bid for reelection after which he disappeared and it was discovered that he had stolen town funds, forged Town bonds, and sold more than $100,000 of forged bonds to New York City investors who eventually were left holding the bag.  Pell was never seen again, rumored to have fled to South America.)

The Little Giant of Democracy led the parade from astride a large black charger.  The parade began on City Island but crossed the City Island Bridge to the mainland.  

City Island was, indeed, ablaze in glory.  Hundreds of homes of Democrats were festooned with incandescent lights, flags, and bunting.  Additionally, candles burned in the windows of each home.  Stretched across the main roadway of the island were several rows of multi-colored lanterns.  According to one account, it all made for "one of the grandest displays ever witnessed on this island."

At 8:00 p.m. that evening, Supervisor Pell shouted "forward march" and the parade began.  Immediately behind Pell were twenty mounted "aides" who followed the Little Giant on horseback.  Behind them were more than two hundred fellow Democrats on foot.  Each carried a lantern, flag, and transparencies.

Shouting, singing, and marching, the group proceeded to the north end of City Island and crossed the City Island Bridge to Pelham Bay Park.  There they met about two hundred additional Democrats from New Rochelle and the surrounding region accompanied by the Port Chester Band.  The march of victory continued to a spot where a "grand display of fireworks" celebrated the victory of Grover Cleveland.  

One notable symbolic feature of the parade revolved around a live depiction of "Baby Ruth," the two-year-old daughter of Grover Cleveland after whom the chocolate bar of the same name is believed to be named.  A tiny Shetland pony pulled a beautiful surrey with a young City Island girl named Jenny Bell who represented Baby Ruth.  On the back of the surrey rested a trunk with a sign that read "Via B & O, Washington, D. C." to represent the upcoming journey of two-year-old Ruth Cleveland with her father, the president-elect, to Washington, D. C. and the White House.  

Pelham and its Democrats certainly knew how to throw a celebration in those days.  A local Democratic newspaper crowed breathlessly afterward that:  "City Island never does anything by halves, and this parade showed it to be a truism; nothing was left undone to make this occasion memorable in the minds of the Democrats for years to come.  It was superb."

1892 Campaign Poster for Grover Cleveland and Adlai E. Stevenson.

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"Westchester County Notes. . . . 

The Cleveland and Stevenson Club of Pelham Manor will unite with the club now forming at City Island, and be known as the Cleveland and Stevenson Club of Pelham.  Justice Carey has presented the Club with the use of Carey Hall on City Island free during the campaign, and they will make it their headquarters. . . ."

Source:  Westchester County Notes, The Evening Post [NY, NY], Jul. 20, 1892, p. 8, col. 1.  

"CITY ISLAND IN A BLAZE OF GLORY.
-----
THE CLEVELAND AND STEVENSON CLUB'S GLORIFICATION PARADE.
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Two Hundred Visitors from New Rochelle and Surrounding Towns -- Many of the Noted Men of the Democratic Party Present.
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More resplendent than the new comet or the full moon did glow the beautiful parade of the Cleveland and Stevenson Club on Tuesday evening, Nov. 22d.  Along the route the houses were handsomely decorated with hundreds of incandescent lights, flags and bunting.  Each Democratic house was illuminated from top to bottom, some with dozens of candles in each window, adding greatly to the beauty of the scene.  Stretched across the roadway were several rows of vari-colored lanterns, making one of the grandest displays ever witnessed on this island.

Among the notable Democrats whose decorated homes were deserving of mention were Duncan Marshall, Mr. McElheney, the well known auctioneer of New York City, J. F. Jordan, whose house covered with State shields proved a credit to this staunch young Tammany Hall leader, James Bell, Pheneas Feguson, Percy Pell, Philip Flynn, Joseph Powell, Thomas Keller, John Stamp, Judge Hawkins, Counselor Early, Mr. Neuphert, Fred Wesselman, George Leviness, C. Walthers, Wm. Williams, the well known inspector of the Board of Health, whose little home was handsomely draped from top to bottom, Hon. Sherman T. Pell, Mrs. Barstow, Mrs. Grad, James Horton, Esq., Henry Piepgras, James Brown, Robert Brown, Alex. Banta, Stringham Bros., C. Von Liehn and several hundred others too numerous to mention.

Precisely at 8 o'clock the 'Little Giant' of Democracy, Supervisor Sherman T. Pell, mounted his black charger, and looking as happy as he did the night of election when he heard the returns in favor of Grover Cleveland's election, he gave the order to 'forward march,' and followed by his staff of twenty mounted aides and about 200 good, solid Democrats on foot, each carrying lanterns, flags and transparencies, the pageant moved forward triumphantly.  The hosts proceeded to the north end of the island and across the bridge to Pelham Bay Park, where they received their fellow Democrats, numbering about 200 men from New Rochelle, accompanied by the Port Chester band, and commanded by John Dillon, Esq.  After opening ranks the visitors passed through and the march of victory commenced amid great shouts and cheers and a grand display of fireworks.

City Island never does anything by halves, and this parade showed it to be a truism; nothing was left undone to make this occasion memorable in the minds of the Democrats for years to come.  It was superb.

One of the special features of the parade was a small Shetland pony, Lexington, who has won several prizes at the Westchester County Fair and at Madison Square Garden, which was loaned to the Democrats of the Second district through the kindness of Mr. McElheney, his owner, to represent Baby Ruth on her way to the White House.  The pony and surrey was prettily decorated with flags and bunting, and on the back rested Baby Ruth's trunk labeled 'Via B. & O., Washington, D. C.'  Baby Ruth was impersonated by beautiful little Jenny Bell, daughter of Captain Nathan Bell, who looked and felt as happy as a little queen; I heard the women on all sides of me say as she waved her tiny handkerchief, 'Oh my, she looks too sweet for anything,' and so she did.  The pony was driven by Mr. James J. Adair who was dressed in full livery.  The Democratic Club, through THE ARGUS, wishes to thank the New Rochelle visitors and inhabitants for their kindness in lending their aid toward making this one of the most important events in City Island's history."

Source:  CITY ISLAND IN A BLAZE OF GLORY -- THE CLEVELAND AND STEVENSON CLUB'S GLORIFICATION PARADE -- Two Hundred Visitors from New Rochelle and Surrounding Towns -- Many of the Noted Men of the Democratic Party Present, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Dec. 1, 1892, Vol. I, No. 204, p. 2, col. 2.

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President Grover Cleveland Passed Through Pelham Waters on August 22, 1894

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A number of American Presidents have visited Pelham or have had connections to our community.  I have written before of George Washington who, yes indeed, slept here (and visited our community a number of times).  I also have written of Martin Van Buren who visited Hunter's Island in 1839.  I have written of Warren G. Harding who was an honorary member of the Pelham Country Club.  Additionally, Chester A. Arthur is believed to be the namesake of today's Chester Park, developed in the 1890s.  I also have written about the day that the funeral train procession bearing the body of Franklin Delano Roosevelt passed through Pelham as the town mourned his death.  Although there are many posts on these topics, for a couple of examples, see:  

Mon., Feb. 21, 2005:  Presidents Day Post: American Presidents and Their Connections To Pelham. 

Wed., Mar. 25, 2015:  Pelham Mourned the Death of FDR as His Body Passed Through the Town by Train on April 15, 1945.  

We can add to the list of American Presidents who have passed through Pelham, however briefly, President Grover Cleveland who served as the 22nd and 24th President of the United States.  

President Grover Cleveland on August 9, 1892.

Source:  Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs

Division, Digital ID cph.3a10549.  NOTE:  Click on

Image to Enlarge.

On August 22, 1894, President Grover Cleveland passed through Pelham waters off the shore of City Island at 10:40 a.m. while traveling on the lighthouse tender John D. Rodgers.  The John D. Rodgers was "purposely run at slow speed" as the President passed on his way to Jersey City, New Jersey.  

President Cleveland was returning from a very brief trip to his summer home known as "Gray Gables" located in Buzzard's Bay, Massachusetts.  He was traveling with his physician because he recently had suffered from Malaria and was recovering slowly.  

Exactly one week later on August 29, 1894, President Cleveland passed City Island at 3:45 p.m. in the lighthouse tender John D. Rodgers again as he and his party returned to Gray Gables for a much longer vacation.  

For each of his trips, President Cleveland traveled on the lighthouse tender John D. Rodgers, captained by W. S. Schley of the Lighthouse Service.  The John D. Rodgers was an iron hulled, side-wheeled steam tender that was 160 feet long.  It launched in about 1882-83 for use in the Third District of the Lighthouse Service.  

Undated Post Card View of "Gray Gables" at

Buzzard's Bay, Massachusetts, the Summer

White House of President Grover Cleveland.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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"CLEVELAND ON BOARD.
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Light-House Tender John Rodgers Passes City Island.

NEW YORK, Aug. 22. -- The light-house tender John Rodgers, with President Cleveland on board, passed City Island at 10:40 a.m.  As far as can be learned no special preparations have been made at the Pennsylvania Depot in Jersey City for the transportation of the President to Washington, but it is believed he will travel from Jersey City to the capital by the Congressional limited, which leaves at 3:20 p.m."

Source:  CLEVELAND ON BOARD -- Light-House Tender John Rodgers Passes City Island, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Aug. 22, 1894, p. 2, col. 2 (NOTE:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).

"MR. CLEVELAND IN THE WHITE HOUSE.
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The President Returns Quietly to His Duties in Washington.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22. -- President Cleveland returned to Washington to-night from his outing at Gray Gables.  Mr. Cleveland seemed in the best of health.

The Congressional Limited train, to which the President's private car was attached, arrived at the Pennsylvania Railroad Station at 8:25 o'clock, exactly on time.  Private Secretary Thurber had arrived early at the station, and went down the platform to meet the President.  Some of the White House ushers and a few policemen in citizens' clothes were also there.  Mr. Cleveland walked down the long platform to the station entrance with Mr. Thurber.  Behind were Secretary Lamont, who had joined the party in New-York, and Dr. O'Reilly of the army, who accompanied Mr. Cleveland to Gray Gables.  The crowd pressed closely about the President, but made no demonstration, and he entered the White House victoria with Mr. Thurber and was driven away in the quietest manner possible.

JERSEY CITY, N. J., Aug. 22. -- President Cleveland arrived here at 3:15 o'clock this afternoon on the lighthouse tender John Rodgers, on his way to Washington from Buzzard's Bay.

The President landed at the Adams Express Company's wharf and walked directly to the private car of President Roberts of the Pennsylvania Railroad.  The car, which was in charge of a special crew, was attached to the limited express train which left at 3:32 o'clock P.M.  A large crowd was present to see the President.

The John Rodgers left Buzzard's Bay at 3:30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, and was reported off City Island at 10:40 o'clock this morning.  The boat was expected to arrive at Jersey City at noon, and no special reason was given for the delay, except that the boat was purposely run at slow speed.  Lunch was served on board.  A squad of policemen, under command of Sergt. McGinnis, had been waiting all the morning to escort the President to the train.

The President was accompanied by Capt. Winfield S. Schley, United States Navy, and his physician, Dr. O'Reilly.  After walking with the President and Dr. O'Reilly, to the car, Capt. Schley returned to the lighthouse tender.

At the car the President was met by Secretary of War Lamont, who went with him to Washington.

It was said that President Cleveland was greatly benefited by his outing at Buzzard's Bay."

Source:  MR. CLEVELAND IN THE WHITE HOUSE -- The President Returns Quietly to His Duties in Washington, N.Y. Times, Aug. 23, 1894.  

"MR. CLEVELAND TAKES A VACATION.
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Off to Gray Gables for a Rest of Several Weeks -- In Excellent Health.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 29. -- Before Washington was fairly awake this morning.  President Cleveland had eaten breakfast and been driven to the Pennsylvania Railroad station, where he took a train for New York, en route to Gray Gables for a long rest.

It was 7 o'clock when Mr. Cleveland left the White House, in company with Dr. O'Reilly, the army surgeon who attends the Presidential family in Washington, and on whose advice Mr. Cleveland made his recent short trip to his seaside home to counteract the effects of malaria.  Secretary Lamont and Private Secretary Thurber joined the President at the station, which was crowded at that early hour with visitors to the Pythian celebration, and the four walked slowly and unconcernedly down the platform to President Roberts's private car, which had been attached to the first section of the New-York express for the accommodation of Mr. Cleveland's party.  Some people recognized the President and pressed closely about him, but they made no demonstration.

Mr. Cleveland was in excellent humor and evidently felt well.  'Good-bye, boys,' he said to the gatekeepers, whose faces have become familiar to him during the last nine years.  The train left Washington at 7:20 o'clock.

JERSEY CITY, N. J., Aug. 29. -- President Cleveland and his party arrived in this city at 1:05 this afternoon, and were escorted directly to the lighthouse tender, John D. Rodgers, which lay at the end of the Adams freight dock.  Capt. W. S. Schley of the Lighthouse Service, met the party as they left the car.  When they reached the elevator leading from the train shed to the pier, Secretary Lamont took leave of the President and crossed the river on his way to Bayside, L.I., where his family is spending the Summer.  The Rodgers was detained for nearly an hour, awaiting the arrival of the President's baggage.  This had been placed on the second section of the train, which was nearly an hour late.

During the walk from the elevator to the tender the President was surrounded by a small knot of persons, among whom were several reporters.  One of them asked the President if he expected any further action in regard to the tariff, but the President merely replied that he had left all thought of that behind him.  As to the length of his stay at Gray Gables, he said he was not certain.  He would rest at Buzzard's Bay several weeks and might spend some time with his family elsewhere before returning to Washington.  As to his health, he said it was 'first-rate.'

The President's baggage arrived at 2 o'clock, and as soon as it was received on board, the Rodgers steamed away for the East River, and at 3:45 P. M. had passed City Island on its trip up the Sound."

Source:  MR. CLEVELAND TAKES A VACATION -- Off to Gray Gables for a Rest of Several Weeks -- In Excellent Health, N.Y. Times, Aug. 30, 1894, p. 4, col. 6 (NOTE:  Access via this link requires paid subscription).

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