The Glue Wars, Part II

(In order to understand this post, I strongly recommend you read Part I — Miss Heather)

What was then called “The Glue Wars” raged well into 1895. During the four preceding years police raids were conducted, carters hauling offal into Brooklyn were arrested and much legal maneuvering was done by both sides. But as with all things— both good and bad— it came to an end. Perhaps the Coopers tired of the constant litigation and controversy? Only they would know and they’re not exactly in a position to talk. What is known for certain is they sold the glue factory to the City of Brooklyn for the princely sum of $55,000. Follows is The City of New York’s* description of what happened next:

Within a year the site… was outfitted with a playground and landscaping. By 1905 the limestone and brick shelter pavilion had been erected. In the late 1930s construction carried out by the Works Progress Administration transformed Cooper Park into a modern recreational facility. New features included a roller-skating track, sitting area, horseshoe and shuffleboard courts, wading pool, play areas for children and tots, and two softball diamonds with bleachers…

And that, dear readers, is how Cooper Park was born!

Let this be a lesson to all of you out there who think the interests of the people cannot prevail over deeply entrenched business interests and governmental apathy. It can be done. One only needs a lot of tenacity and patience.

Miss Heather

*Which curiously fails to make mention of all the litigation leading up to the sale of this parcel of land.

The Glue Wars

As mentioned in this post, I have been researching Peter Cooper’s glue factory. This establishment was one of a number of businesses located in Bushwick Green that rendered animal “by-products”. Soap factories, gelatin makers and fertilizer companies were, in fact, commonplace. The result was a rather noxious odor that hung over the area much to the irritation of the local population. In 1891 they started to fight back…

with a little help from their friends in Greenpoint.

An extensive legal campaign ensued. A retinue of experts were brought in, 150 in number, to testify that Peter Cooper’s glue factory posed no nuisance (it created jobs they argued, among other things) and the Health Department had no right to interfere with its operation. On the side of Peter Cooper was Abram Hewitt, former mayor of New York City —he also happened to be Peter Cooper’s son in law and as such had a financial stake in this establishment— and one Professor Joseph A. Raymond. Here is the latter’s take on matters as documented in the March 16, 1892 of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle.

In the end Judge Van Wyck barred the Health Department from interfering with the operation of Mr. Cooper’s glue factory. But this didn’t mean the issue was closed: a three year legal battle followed. The conclusion of the “Glue Wars” as they were then called will be forthcoming later today on New York Shitty. Stay tuned!

Miss Heather

Williamspoint Photo du Jour: Obama Oranges

From the Renegade Craft Fair at the McCarren Park Pool. Not only were these oranges for sale, but the proprietor told me they quit making Hillary oranges because they didn’t sell.

Miss Heather

Renegade Craft Fair

Today I braved the strange weather and downright brutal humidity to check out the Renegade Craft Fair at the McCarren Park Pool. All in all, I had a great time. Follows is a short film documenting my interaction with the bio-fueled “Post Card Machine”, my inability to follow directions, affection for chickens …and more!

Anyone interested in contacting the brilliant brain behind this machine can do so via email at:

michellery (at) hotmail (dot) com

Miss Heather

P.S.: You can look for more neat things I found at the fair on my Flickr page.