8 minute read
Cool Fashion Statement
Fans C. 1900
The hand fan served many purposes in the Victorian Era. It was, first and foremost, a fashion accessory. A fashionable Victorian woman would make sur e her gloves, boots, stockings and fan would all match.
T o keep women informed about the newest style of fans, magazines pub lished detailed articles in their fashion sections outlining the latest desirable fan. The most expensive fans were sold in their own individual velvet or silk-lined cases. However, inexpensive fans were shipped to America in large quantities, then boxed by the Ameri can shopkeeper.
O ral history states that these three fans belonged to Mrs. Ralston, Dr. Physick’s mother. Look for these fans in Mrs. Ralston’s Bedroom.
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CAPE MAY ABLAZE: The Fire of 1869
With the publicity caused by the opening of the new Stockton Hotel, Cape May had the best season in 1869 that the city had ever experienced. Un fortunately, the year’s good fortune t ook a devastating and unexpected turn at around three o’clock in the morning on August 31.
In a small Washington Street shop known as the ‘Japanese Store,’ an un known arsonist started a fire. Almost immedia tely, the Japanese Store was engulfed in flames, which spread to the nearby Post Office and then to the Unit ed States Hotel, which was almost fully oc cupied at the time. Within hours, the fire grew into a monstrous inferno that devoured a quarter of the city and left nothing but ashes in its wake.
A New York Times article dated September 1, 1869, noted, “Almost in a moment this last was but a huge ball of fire, and as it shot out ‘forked tongues of flames,’ it was seen that the great Unit ed States Hotel nearby was doomed. The gues ts hurriedly poured out in a great crowd, men, women and children, scarcely clothed, and unnerved b y fright… The great hotel, in a few moments, was like the Post Office, enveloped in flames, which cast its lurid light f ar out upon the ocean.”
A Cape May Wave article later explained the reason the fire spread so
rapidly from the ‘Japanese Store’ to the rest of the city. “A few men had assembled… but without a leader each set to w ork to break in windows, knock down doors, and create a vent for the fire to reach the adjoining two-story building on the west, which was soon enveloped in flames… through misdirected energy, the Post Office building was broken open on the eastern side so as to pro vide a vent for the flames to reach the U nited States Hotel.”
When the fire was finally squelched and the damage could be tallied, resi dents of Cape May finally learned the t oll flames had taken on their city. The United States Hotel, the New Atlantic and the American Hotel were also lost, along with 20 other homes and busi nesses. In addition, the post office and o ther city offices were destroyed.
The culprit was never determined, though many in town blamed the fire on the proprietor of the Japanese Shop, Peter Paul Boynton. Boynton was wellknown around Cape May as ‘the Pearl Diver’ and had made a career as a sort of lifeguard for hire.
Boynton knew the ocean well and was credited with saving a total of 75 people who were in danger of drown ing. After the accusations against Boynton were made public, he was forced t o appear in court and face the charges that he set the fire. He vehemently denied the accusations and explained that, along with all his wares, he also kept his life’s savings in the store and lost everything in the fire.
T aking into consideration Boynton’s personal losses and the lack of any credible evidence against him, he was found no t guilty and released. The 1869 fire remains unsolved. -- Ben Miller
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First Presbyterian Church of Cape May Loving...Inclusive...Affirming Cape May Presbyterian Church continues to pray for your health and well-being, as our community begins opening its doors once again. Please be careful -- for your neighbor’s sake as well as your own!
500 Hughes St. • www.firstpresbycapemay.com • 609-884-3949 For the most recent updates concerning online or in-person worship services, please check our website: firstpresbycapemay.com or our Facebook page (First Presbyterian Church of Cape May). We can also be found on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter. The AA and Alanon groups who normally meet in our building are making plans to resume in-person meetings. For the latest information and for a list of online meetings, see capeatlanticaa.org The Community Food Closet is still operating safely from our building. To donate or if you need groceries, see their website at cmfoodcloset.org East Lynne Theater’s adjusted season will begin on July 29. For dates and information, check out their website: eastlynnetheater.org.
We hope to see you in our sanctuary at 500 Hughes St. very soon!
THE T REE BARBE R
