Part 17 (2/2)
”For none that visit the Indian's den Return again to the haunts of men.
The knife is their doom! O sad is their lot!
Beware, beware of the blood-stained spot!”
Some years ago this spot was also searched for the buried treasures of Captain Kidd, and we know of one river pilot who still dreams semi-yearly of there finding countless chests of gold.
Two miles above, on the east side, we pa.s.s New Hamburgh, at the mouth of =Wappingers Creek=. The name Wappinger had its origin from Wabun, east, and Acki, land. This tribe, a sub-tribe of the Mahicans, held the east bank of the river, from Manhattan to Roeliffe Jansen's Creek, which empties into the Hudson near Livingston, a few miles south of Catskill Station on the _Hudson River Railroad_. Pa.s.sing Hampton Point we see Marlborough, the head-centre of a large fruit industry, delightfully located in the sheltered pa.s.s of the Maunekill. On the east bank will be noticed several fine residences: ”Uplands,” ”High Cliff,” ”Cedars,” and ”Netherwood.” Milton is now at hand on the west bank, with its cosy landing and _West Sh.o.r.e Railroad_ station. This pleasant village was one of the loved spots of J. G. Holland, and the home of Mary Hallock Foote, until a modern ”Hiawatha” took our Hudson ”Minnehaha” to far away western mountains.
The tulip tree majestic stirs Far down the water's marge beside, And now awake the nearer firs, And toss their ample branches wide.
_Henry T. Tuckerman._
=Springbrook=, opposite Milton, a place of historic interest, near the river bank, was bought by Theophilus Anthony before the Revolution.
Some of the links of the famous chain in the Highlands were forged here in 1777. When the British s.h.i.+ps ascended the river the family fled to the woods, all but an old colored servant woman who wisely furnished the soldiers a good dinner and got thereby their good will to save the house. The old Flour Mill, however, was burned which stood on the same site as the present Springbrook Mill. Theophilus Anthony's only daughter married Thomas Gill after the Revolution, and from that time the property has been in the Gill family. Few places in the Hudson Valley have such ancient and continuous family history.
=Locust Grove=, with square central tower and open outlook, residence of the late Prof. S. F. B. Morse, inventor of the telegraph, is seen on the west bank; also the ”Lookout,” once known as Mine Hill, now a part of Poughkeepsie cemetery, with charming driveway to the wooded point where the visitor can see from his carriage one of the finest views of the Hudson. The completion of this drive is largely due to the enterprise of the late Mr. George Corlies, who did much to make Poughkeepsie beautiful. The view from this ”Lookout” takes in the river for ten miles to the south, and reaches on the north to the Catskills. In a ramble with Mr. Corlies over Lookout Point, he told the writer that it was originally the purpose of Matthew Va.s.sar to erect a monument on Pollopel's Island to Hendrick Hudson. Mr. Corlies suggested this point as the most commanding site. Mr. Va.s.sar visited it, and concluded to place the monument here. He published an article in the Poughkeepsie papers to this effect, and, meeting Mr. Corlies one week afterwards, said, ”Not one person in the city of Poughkeepsie has referred to my monument. I have decided to build a college for women, where they can learn what is useful, practical and sensible.”
It is interesting to note the fountain-idea of the first woman's college in the world, as it took form and shape in the mind of its founder.
[Ill.u.s.tration: POUGHKEEPSIE BRIDGE]
[Ill.u.s.tration: TROPHY POINT, WEST POINT]
[Ill.u.s.tration: OLD CRO' NEST AND STORM KING]
[Ill.u.s.tration: POLLIPEL'S ISLAND AND MOUNT TAURUS]
[Ill.u.s.tration: THE CATSKILLS FROM THE HUDSON]
[Ill.u.s.tration: NORTHERN GATE OF HIGHLANDS]
And from their leaguering legions thick and vast The galling hail-shot in fierce volley falls, While quick, from cloud to cloud, darts o'er the levin The flash that fires the batteries of heaven!
_Knickerbocker Magazine._
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