The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1872-03-07
CORRESPONDENTS
RIDFRs Mus STATION, CHATHAM,
COLUMBIA CO., n Y, Feb. 1872

IAlIENH MILLS tbAAAApNB ShhAhhHt
COLUMBIA Co., n Y, Feb. 1872
Mr.. Editor:
have received your valuable paper
long enough to render some return for
the favor.
To define our location and its sur
roundings, may interest some readers.
Our station was built principally by
the liberality Of some seven neighbor-
ing farmers, and presented to the Har-
lem Extension Railroad in complete
order, ready for the occupation of the
station Agent, Philander Reynolds,
Esq who has built Hay Press and
| 90 q ---;.-i ~ h>s .~nIo a;-nnt with
New York aud the eastern cities. Our
location is in the north eastern section
Of the town of Chatham in a region pre-
senting as great a variety of hills and
valleys-soil and surface--as any sec
ton in the valley Of the Hudson.
The depot is located at the south
foot OF Canomink Hill Indian for Mink
Mountain) in broken valley,
might remark here that this region
was formerly the roaming grounds OF
the Mauwebacaneek Indians branch
Of the Stockbridge tribe. The early
settlers found the Indians we'll sup
piled with lead but they would never
reveal the source from whence they
obtained il
In the early settlement of the coun-
try those Indians had several villages
located at different points in the valley
of the Undertook Creek, and as often
as they cosld procure Rum they were
in the constant practice Of calling up
on one Of the first settlers, Quaker
named Wilbor to have him divide the
liquor equally to each man trusting to
his Quaker faith for a Just division
Some sixty years ago the writer heard
the old man narrate the circumstance.
On the west distant half mile il
located quite a mountain know as
the Roseboom dow DUTCH or hill OF
lights From the early occupation Of
the country by Emigrants from Holl.
and and the New England Colonises
down to the present day have been OBJ
served brilliant lights letting up from
the surface in different parts Of the
hill burning with intense brightness
for a short time resembling 10 the dis
tant observer large gas burner the
writer has witnessed them and they
have been seen at all periods Of the
year, sometimes burning through the
snow.
South from the station three-fourths
Of a mile and in sight is located the
small Hamlet Of Rayville with its doz.
en- houses, school house store etc.
sirty.fye years ago this place was
the residence Of distinguished citizen
and scholar. Horatio Gates Spaford
a native Of the state q Vermont author
ola Gazetteer Of the state Of New York
agcneral geography and other works
II general knowledge be probab y had
icw superiors IN his days. A man
self educated entirely with the e1oep-
ton u bali days instruction IN log
school house. To facilitate bis re-
searches the Legislature Of the state Of
New York by special statute granted
him free access 10 the archives Of the
state
From our highest elevations looking
westward across the valley q the Hud.
son We have an exceedingly fine view
u the Catskill range o. mountains for
= distance 81 some eighty miles eItend.
ing through the counties Of Ulster,
Delaware. Green, Schoharrie aud Al.