New-York tribune., 1872-07-18
LONG BRANCH.
HOW III WAS sETTLED-THE FIGHT FOR POSSES
sIoN-FRoM 90" To LOTOS.

sION-FRoM 90" To LOToS.
LONG BRANCH, July 12.-Long Branch takes
ITS name from brook branch Of the South Shrewsbury
River which in direct line northward with the
coast 1t is OF little except for gathering ice Tor the
hotels and cottages. Tradition points TO an Indian
fishery established in 73 the first occupation Of this
place which was styled at that time Lands End" The
Indian encampmcnt fixed near the spot now occu-
nj ed by the Clarendon Hotel legend tells US that in
those early times four men, named Slocum. Parker,
Warde and Hulett. came from Rhode Island in
quest of land. They found the Indians friendly
but not disposed to sell. 1t was proposed
by the Yankees that a wrestling match
should be maze up between Indian aud one OF the
whites to be decided by the best in three rounds II the
champion of the white won, they were TO have
much land man could walk around In day. II
otherwise they to leave peaceably John Slocum
was selected for the sTugglea man Of giant proportions
athletic and OF great strength, courage, and nhexibty
OF purpose. Great preparations were made TO witness
the encounter. The chosen Indian wrestler pracced
continually for the event The day long expected proved
cloudlcss ard auspcious The spot chosen the pre-
sent Fish Landing" circle was formed and the In
dian Champion cat ed confident and creased from head
TO foot, appeared. socum advanced coolly and the
struggle began. II long and doubtful, but a. last
slocum Injured toll. hardy and rugged proved too
much for the Indian and threw him, to the intcne dis
appointment OF the Indians and the undsgused Joy OF
the whites The terms were then all arranged John So-
cum had two brothers. and they occupied that Ofong
Branch reaching from the shore 10 Turtle MIL Brook
good deal of these lands continued In possession Of
the socums until 80 years ago. All are gone nowmto
other hands. The PaIkcrs placed themselves on RIM
son Neck Huett lived for time at Horse Neck,but
afterward left this region Indian warrants are sh'wn
in this county conveying these lands to the white own
ers. After years few hardy settlers from negh-
boring provinces purchased lands from the agents OF
the Crown at the rate Of 20 shng per acre deedfor
which In existence the signature OF King Gerge
III. Fearing the east winds and the inelemencT of
the weather upon the shore, they built their little
dwellings upon the site of the present village. and ook
upon themselves the occupation OF farmer fishermen
To accommodate their necessities, and to open mad
across tn state highway granted them tothe
Court house at Monmouth. This road nersected one
leading TO Burlington and was given the name oithe
Burlington Pathway" AS years elaDsed the VILLAGERS
scattered toward the Shore and other roads opoed
to their various the present village, and
half miles from the ocean, was made the converting
center. Now 1t has population OF over 5000 within
radius of one and half miles, and includes the villages
of Branchport. Branchyie, Loyaton, Rockville, and
the well-knOwn "Sea Shore" The Liberty Pole" Is
the of the village proper, by reason of the sg-
staff which erected during the war OF 1912. and
which has always been replaced fast it decay,d
1t worthy of remark that land here purchased by Dr.
j. o. Green in 1861 for $3.50 per at the edge Of the
village, sold in April at the rate of 5000.
Soon after the Burlington Pathway was opened il be
came the custom of Phladephans to visit the shore TO-
bathing and they would often be compelled to drive
Freehold or MOnmOutb) to rest for the night AT last
Mr. Bennett erected building for Summer visitors
where the Metropolitan Hotel now stands. It's exact
situation where the ocean washes and has be-
come unrecognizable. Soon after, Mr. Mcknight built
the Bath Hotel, since burned and also started line
of stages from Bordentown. Then a Mr. Sears built
upon the ground occupied by Howland's Hotel as
ola NJ fba otfa ~ tha Tan A.
has become hidden by the massive proportions of the
West End HOTEL 1t at this time that Long Branch
was favOrably known to Phlladephians as a pleasant
Summer resort The War Of 1872 just then begun ser
eusly affected the business interests OF the coun-
try, and for a number OF years the sboro re-
NAMED In solitude. At this period land could
be purchased on the shore, In its nekh-
borhood for s25 per After few years Mr. Cooper
built additions to motel which 10 In part LelaIds
ocean Hotel Long Branch was now much vsitedby
New Workers, and communication was opened by he
Shrewsbury steamboats, TO the landing-place :he
beach, where the Grand Central Hotel stands Many old
visitors will remember the ride upon the beach With
feelings OF relief at the thought that the old stageoach
has given way to the railroad. Now fresh impetus
given TO the place. The next hotel erected was the
Morris, now Mansion House, and as each season ap-
peared others added to the list until It almost
too long TO write During the past few years the In
crease OF accommodation and outside interest
have been equal to that made rs years prevoEs
Residences multiply and improve In beauty and ccstl
ness until this place has become one OF the most I'm yng
OF the suburban towns Of New-York Within the past
few years the country about Long Branch has under
gone great Improvements. Hard and smooth drives
have been constructed handsome aud costly cottages
have been built grounds have been decorated churches
have been constructed, altered or rebuilt gas has
been introduced and there Is appearance OF enter
prise already cheering aud still more promising OF
greater things New-York maintains lts geOmetrlcal
Increase and already covering the adjacent regions Of
Long Island, Staten Island. Connecticut aud NewJer
sey with its population. pouring lis tide be yOnd
and building It's Residences 80 40 miles distant
from s center Lines OF travel are multip ing like the
spokes OF a wheel; and Long Branch az well "a every
pniut of the circumference OF wheel must bsoome,
st no distant PeriQd, Lh.ekly populated,