New-York tribune., 1871-08-02
THE HOME OF COOPER.

CooPERSTOwN, n. Y, July 30.-LOng, long
ago when the Hon. Levi c. Turner-afterward Judge Ad-
vocate under Lincon-was writing for THE TRIBUNE,
remember reading in II two columns attributed to his
pen the historic and literary associations and the
natural attractions Of this beautiful village Coopersown
being his country hOme where its pinc-cad hills by
its shaded troustreams and its placid lake. he found
his favOrite recrcatons. He and many OF his readers
have passed away, while that attractive rural retreat
remains and is now, by means Of branch Of the Sus-
quehanna Railroad brought within five hours OF Albany
or Bnghamton from the South and East and OF Utica by
the Richfeld Railroad the North and West. In THE
Chronicles Of CoOperstown" edited and mostly written
by j. FenmOre Cooper in 1888, we find letter from Gen.
Washington, dated 1913, in which he says that he had
"viited Lake George Fort StanwiX rayersed the cOun-
try the head Of the eastern branch Of the Susque
hanna and viewed the Lake Otsego" Here also, during
OF the Revolution, Gen. Clinton father OF the
celebrated De Witt Clnton cut road from Fort Plain
the Otsego whittier he transported his boats and the
troops encamped the site Of the present Village.
dam was constructed and kept unit! the waters had
accumulated sufficiently to clear the river OF Lockwood
on the removal OF the dam, after which their boats easily
carried down the troops to the junction OF the Toga,
where they were by another brigade commanded by
Gen. Sullivan In person. Among the Improvements now
in progress here is fine drive along the south bank Of
the susquehanna-the first made here 50 near this
picturesque stream-and in memory Of the campaign
have mentioned, it is called the sullivan Road.
Taleyrand was the guest Of Judge Cooper in i7o5,
when an acrosc in French appeared in The Osego Her
ad upon Anna Cooper, sister Of the novelist which was
attributed to the pen Of the coury visitor Here are
the spacious grounds OF the "Templeton Hall" Of
Coopers Pioneers" now wild young forest Of choice
trees OF the nOveliss planting. After his death the
place was sold and "the Hall! was time after, de-
stroyed by fire. street is expected 70 pass
through the very site OF the old homestead Traces OF
the "old Continental Road" made by General
utvI rviaf a,,E tln Vfli1
paths near NJ. Vision and Prospect Rock, very
striking brdseye views obtained Of the village lake,
and adjacent country (which Mr. Cooper has described s
singularly beautiful and resembling English park
scenery" Nothing Is wanting" he adds but ruined
castles and recoecons to raise it 10 the level OF the
scenery OF the Rhine indeed. 10 that OF the minor
Swiss views" Judge Turner Is not the only appreci-
alive lover Of nature who has paid the tribute OF
seeking COoperstown the scene OF his Summer rest
aud rccreations. Gen. Dix resided here the
banxs OF the Susquehanna and under the princey trees
OF "App,e HI," little Morgan Dix, now Rector Of
Trity Church, NewYorE drove his hoop over tie
lawns and.shady paths. The same beautiful site
styled "FernIeigh" Is occupied by an elegant
and costly residence, nearly flushed, for iwsr1
Clarke Of New-Yurk. The Hon. samuel Nelson. Senior
Justice % the L. g. supreme Court resides here and has
fpc farm Of SO acres which Toes noAay him 50 well
as Uncle sam does except in the satisfaction of riding
over his broad acres and eating the fruit OF his
fonr-scOre-s still ga castle o; man." democratic in
bis intercourse with neigbors well in politics. and
hc may often be seen his farm. sitting dry
goods box or the doorstep OF mechanics shop,
much at home the Supreme COur. bench. He Is
prominent member and supporter OF the Episcopal
Church; and when at home Is liberal subscriber aud
adviser in association for identifying aud rendering
more accessible and attractive the classic scenery " the
vicinity, and improving the village generally. The in
habtants have, in this matter OF local Improvement
example worthy Of imitation by all villages. Proba-
bly, more than 900 have been judciousy planted
within year. for which yist0r3-who are annually
doubling In number-wl be most grateful IN the future
especially in July and August In June and September
the months should choose TO DO here FOR clmbing the
hills, riding, rowing, &cthc sun Is not unpleasant.
Ever since the publication Of COOpers "IeatherStoe
Ing Tales" COOperstown has had occasional visits from
travellers Of all nations who have desired TO tho
scenes OF which Cooper descriptions have been read In
many languages; but II Is only within two yearssinco
the railroad from the village the Albany and susque-
hannah Road completed, and a irst-css3 hotel
of rapidly increasing attraction large fleet OF sail and
steamboats,, one carrying JO) passengers
onDibuses 20 points ~ interest and near the lake
Young Mems Association, library aud reading ROOM
among the attractions a second large hotel being
erected. There is building than for ten years
before Several farms. directly adjoining the village aud
lake have been opcued by new streets and VIII DO occu