large heavy man, there were very few Sabbath-days when his scholars found his pleasant countenance absent from his Class. He died in the year 1831. One of the last five of the "Old Fly Market Butchers," Andrew C. Wheeler, now an old man, appears the living representation of a model Butcher, having a clear ruddy complexion (without being intemperate); a perfectly smooth skin; upright in his figure, rather fleshy; with a bright and genial expression; and enjoying perfect health. In his day, he was one who well understood his profession in all its details; and might truthfully be termed an expert, in judging fine or premium cattle; being frequently called upon to assist in awarding premiums; often becoming a liberal patron in purchasing the same, by which he secured many showy exhibitions; and they appeared almost annually. We find, in the year 1804, Mr. Wheeler with a petition before the Councils, asking for a Stand in the Fly Market; but, as there were none vacant, he was obliged to wait several years before he obtained Stand No. 41, on which he remained until the buildings were removed: then he purchased Stand No. 10, in the new Fulton Market; which he soon after changed for No. 19. On this latter Stand, I have often seen him displaying his beautiful meats, so scientifically cut up and handsomely arranged, that it appeared as if there was not one joint out of place, and the whole representing such an apparent picture, as to excite the attention of all passers by. In fact, I must acknowledge that I often attended there to study or avail myself of a lesson thus afforded on his Stall, as well as on those of the late George Haws. Under the old Market Laws, the Market Committee was composed of certain members from both Boards of the Common Council, had control of the Markets, and were occasionally assisted in their various duties by consulting some of the principal Butchers of the several Markets, who were ever willing to give such information or propose such measures as would tend to the general good. The Market Committee, in view of certain advantages, in 1835, sent Notes of Invitation to several prominent Butchers, who met with them and mutually agreed, that the Licensed Butchers should meet together and elect one Committee-man from each Market, who from their number selected an Executive Committee of three, to consult with the Market Committee, at their various meetings. The Committee-men appointed Andrew C.Wheeler, Daniel Burtnett, and George Pesinger, who were in attendance many years; and although changes were made at the annual elections of the members of the Common Council, yet the assistance of this Executive Committee was of so much importance, that they yearly-" Resolved, That the Clerk of this (Market) Committee, give notice to the Executive Committee or Butchers, requesting their action as formerly ;" and it continued until just previous to the adoption of the Laws of 1843, licensing the "Meat Shops." The duties and powers of these two Committees were various; they not only had the arrangement of the Markets, but a supervision over the Clerks and employees; settlement of difficulties; and, above all, they also were the Sanitary Inspectors, who, through the Clerks, attended to the cleanliness, and seized or ordered the meats or other unwholesome provisions out of the Markets. The eye of the professional and practical man was then daily and hourly in attendance, to guard and protect the public against diseased, dead, or spoiled meats or unwholesome provisions, without taking a dollar from the city Treasury. Of the quick perception and practical knowledge of the profession, I refer to the following incident: One of the Executive Committee, Daniel Burtnett, was passing through his (Washington) Market one morning, when he discovered a case bullock, (one which had died a natural death from disease or other cause) cut up in pieces, and displayed for sale on ——— Stall. So sure was he of its being unfit for sale, that, without consulting any others, of the profession, he immediately informed the Clerk of the Market to have it taken out of the Market immediately. It was done; thrown into the Butcher's cart; and carried away to the offal dock. The Butcher's excuse was, that his journeymen had not informed him of his neglect, until it was seized; and but for the Butcher's good character, but less knowledge of his profession, his license would have been revoked, and he turned out of the Market. After the old Market Laws were abolished—which took place in 1843— Mr.Wheeler left his old Stand and the Market forever, as the new Law had given a death blow to all the public Markets: and it also opened the door for the introduction of meats from a poorer class of animals, which has continued to grow worse and worse, and now we find that nearly threequarters of the animals brought to the New York Markets are not fit for human food. This fact is too well known by every old New Yorker," who is troubled at all with a refined or an epicurean taste. A certain Editor, in the month of December, 1822, thus spake of “Good Living.—The English have long been celebrated for the excellence of their Roast Beef. So much so that poets have tuned their harps to the theme, whenever they have been so fortunate, (which is not very often according to the best accounts) as to come in for a fat slice of this delicious food. But if the laudable enterprize of our Butchers does not abate, we need not fear being behind hand in this respect. Indeed, we can now sing 'Huzza for the roast-Beef of Columbia, as well as John Bull can by substituting Old England' for Columbia. We have been invited to view a lot of beef, which the reader will see by refer ring to our advertising columns, is to be offered in the Fulton Market to morrow morning, by Mr. A. C. Wheeler, and which we must confess has put us in the spirit of writing this paragraph. And we have no doubt, that those who visit the Market themselves in the morning, and cut in for a share, will have a keen appetite for their dinners." Daniel Burtnett, one of the last of the fire "Old Fly Market Butchers," is still found on the busy walks of life; yet possessing an active, firm, and capacious mind, which, through life, has enabled him to sustain with ease and patience, the various duties detailed upon him, as well as the sore afflictions which all are liable to. His life, although varied, has been one of industry and integrity, which has procured him prosperity and respectability. Mr. Burtnett served a long term in the Fly Market with a most worthy butcher, Eliphalet Wheeler, who instilled into him, besides his profession, the principles of honesty, integrity, and patriotism. While an apprentice, the war of 1812 took place, which brought forth thousands of volunteers of all classes, for various purposes. The Master-Butchers, on several occasions, during the War, tendered their services to the General Government for the purpose of aiding in the erection of Fortifications. They first selected Brooklyn Heights as the field of their labor, on the 10th of August, 1814, and a right good jolly time they made of it; again, on the 25th of August the press notices-" The Butchers amounting to about two hundred, worked with a zeal and ardor almost unprecedented, and nearly completed the sodding of Fort Greene," Long Island. This large band of Butchers carried the Flag which was displayed at the celebration of the Federal Constitution, in the year 1788, already noticed. Then, again, on the 14th of September, with one hundred and twenty volunteers; and again, with one hundred and eighty, on the 20th instant following. In the meantime, a meeting of the boys was called, when Daniel Burt nett, Valentine Merkle, and Henry Sparling were appointed a Committee, to make the arrangements with the " War Committee," who assigned this party of One hundred butcher-boys a location to work on the right of McGowan's Pass. The location, now, is just above Yorkville, near Fifth avenue. Early the next morning, they started, headed with a fine band of music; following in the ranks was a large banner on which was painted "Friends of our Country, Free trade and Butchers' rights, From Brooklyn's Fields to Harlaam Heights." They quit work at sundown, after having thrown up a breastwork of about one hundred feet in length, twenty in breadth, and four feet in height, sodded complete; the material of which was carried from the foot of the hill and adjacent grounds. (See The Market Book, vol. i. p. 431.) Mr. Burtnett began business on Stall No. 43 Fly Market, where he continued until the building was torn down. The next year, the Corporation exacted a premium of three hundred and ten dollars for Stand No. 56, in the Washington Market, where he conducted for many years, a large and profitable business-in fact until he was drawn away by the responsible duties of the office of President of the Citizens' Insurance Company; to this was added, in 1860, the election of President of the National Citizens' Bank; besides the clerical, religious, and other duties which now engage the greater portion of his time. Mr. Burtnett remained and served as President of the National Citizens' Bank, six years; and so well did he perform the duties, that when he resigned, the Board of Directors presented him with highly complimentary resolutions, beautifully framed, which, in a late visit, I saw suspended against his parlor wall. I have here presented a simple, plain unvarnished sketch of the few incidents attending those good "Old New Yorkers," who, in their day, presented men of real mark, of real worth, of real substance; and of all and every good which establishes the attributes which belongs to good citizens. These, however, are not all which the "Old Fly Market" has produced; as volumes of useful, wholesome, and interesting information could be written on the lives of the following eminent names: Abeel, John Arnold, George Astor, Henry Barr, John Beck, George R. Chappell, John Cornell, Whitehead Cornell, Willett |