The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-08-07
SchOharie.
Correspondence Of the Herald

ScuoHARIE, July q, 1912.
Life at Schohn1s-S Society thae-TAe Scenery-The
Care-Ihe Crops, &c.
DEAR BENEFIT
For the last two weeks, | have had the pleasure
OF exchanging the confusion, heat, confinement
and excitement of city, for the quiet, pure air
and freedom of one of the most delightful sections
of our country, that threatened to throw Co
thamite in extaces. This, l am aware, is no faint
praise yet, Of the many places around that will dis
Pute the claim, Schoharie need yield the palm to
none. My brief sojourn here, has afforded me one
continual round of pleasure; each day has unfolded
some charm some fresh attraction, to throw
in dark relief, the dull, cold reality of city life
to call forth the wish from me, that circumstances
were such that my remaining days could be crown
ed with the happiness that this pleasant valley seems
especially calculated to afford
have often felt surprise that Schohare has ne
yer obtained for itself greater nOtorety, delight
full summer retreat it boast of far better socie
ry than falls to the lot of most country villages of
most charming scenery, and OF a large number OF
pretty and interesting young ladies'. Respecting
this last mentioned attraction, know | should not
be pardoned, nor have peace of conscience, were
10 suffer il pass by without any farther reference
TO 1t, but, bearing in mind the caution
"Let not torrent of tempestuous zeal
Transport thee 'yond the bounds of reason"
IL
there prevails among them decided musical talent.
In the village, numbering less than a hundred
dwellings, there are some twelve thirteen pianos,
many OF which by-the-bye, under the delicate FIN
gers OF their fair performers, discourse most elo
quent muslc.'
The difficulty of access, no doubt, deters many
from visiting this place, that otherwise would were
the facilities of communication greater, for the at
fractions must be of no ordinary kind, to compen-
safe for ride of nine hours over thirty miles of
staging-surmountng in the way, the famous Hell
N L. l.. r Il
many dee Dis of valor 50 there achieved during "the
late war" Notwithstanding this serious objection,
have had the pleasure of meeting here with
number from our city, from Albany, &c, who, by
heartily enjoying themselves were imparting an
additional zest to the society of the place.
The scenery in this vicinity is most beautiful
perhaps, magnificent would n OF be too large word.
The village is situated in the valley of the Schoharie
creek, encompassed on all sides by mountains
some points in which have quite an altitude, and
give, from their SUBMITS, enchanting views of the
surrounding country From the western mountain
the most favorable view OF the village is obtained
and of the valley spread out before you IN all its
beauty and richness, for a number of miles few
days since. from some glowing descriptions given
me, Twas induced TO pay visit TO the Onisagrawa,
a mountain peak, some seven miles farther up the
vale. II rises from the PLAIN below in a bold tow
ering cli, TO the height of several hundred feet the
rocks at the summit " overhang and iutting their
confounded base" so much TO inspire terror in
the mind OF the traveller, pursuing his way on the
road that winds beneath We found the ascent not
quite as easy as promenading Broadway, yet such
was the charm Of the pleasant company we had col
lected, that all the difficulties we encountered, the
reverse of the usual order of things. were diminish
ed from mountains into moe-hills " view from
the top amply repaid for all abour. Standing
there platform of rocks barred by the storms Of
centuries, almost suspended in mid-air, we gazed
with admiration upon the prospect that lay opened
at feet, the which il were folly in me to attempt
10 describe. With this mountain, many interesting
legends are connected, of the times when this plea
SAINT valley was desoated by the ruthless hand of
the Indian Brandt, which cannot now be related
given on the spot, they will be found to lend pow
erful attraction to the scene.
Beside these attractions above ground, there Ar
also some below, quite interesting 10 the natt4A
LIST, or TO any who love to "penetratc into IN I'm
terror" Balls Cave, in this nclghborhood, has
been celebrated for come years, for It's extent, i's
suh-terraqeneous navigation, the quantity and
richness of its minerals, Sc In addition to this,
there has been discovered within few weeks, an
other cave distant four miles from the village thai
threatens to be formidable rival TO It's predec e&fof
1t has already been explored to the extent Of five
miles by actual measurement, without arriving ~
its terminus. number of pretty specimens cf
stalactic formation have been taken from it, though
not as pure as those found in the old cave which
by the way, are not TO be surpassed by anytAnf
else Of the kind in the country it has several lnss