Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-07-30

CooPERSTOwN, ITS DISTINGUISHED MEN AND
HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS.
Correspondence Of The Evening SiarI
CoOPERsTowN, OrsEGo Co, N. Y,l
July q, 1873.
Dear Star:-No place in his own country
can be of more interest to the American trav-
eler than Lake Otsego, with its surroundings.
There is that about it which serves to charm
the tourist as no other spot, m lde famous by
war, history or tradition, ever did. With the
exception OF few changes natural to the ad-
vance OF tlme,s
IS the same now that 1t was in the days of
LeatherstOcking and Elizabeth Temple, while
Lake Otsego and it's kind protecting hi'ls-fas
century Just as 1t did the untutored but ma
ture.loving deerslayer and the lovely judith
Hutter OF years ago. The town lies at the
posed almosl wholly of hotels, churches and
residences. Its distance (l6 mileS) from tn :
main line OF travel will always prevent it from
led beeve rom the tak Of IT'S
that the Introduction OF any active life is not
I9nged for. The people have few wants, and
these ines are easily satisfied; they are content TO
live and die in country. so endeared to their
hearts by association. Now and then great
man Will be found among them, but he soon
emlgrates TO a region more suited to his
amDltlous thoughts; and then these worthy
people watch his career with the anxiety be.
gotten Of love and pride: and when the world
peglnS TO chant his praise, CoOperstown adds
her humble but proud voice to the universal
pPan.
DISTINGUISHED CooPERsTowNERs
Inc names OF Fennimore Cooper and Judge
Nelson are the favorite themes for praise
helr residences, hauntS and graves are shown
with untiring zeal to every new conner But
GOoperStown is often sought as a place of resi-
dence by men after their fortunes have been
made in other cities. Mr. Edward Clarke. a
wealthy merchant Of New York CITY, resides
here nine months out of the twelve. Hehas
an elegant mansion Overhanging the source of
the Susduehanna, and his two sons have cot
tageS near him on the lake. Next to the mem
ory OF Cooper and Nelson, CoOperStown cheer
lShes lSh y the name OF Clarke as her benefactor.
section. Richard Temple, in the days when
Cooperstown was called Templeton. used to
boast OF being lord OF land and water as far as
eye could reach. With some slight difference
EDWARD Clarke might claim the same privilege
IN these days. His possessions are not bound.
ed by the limits of CooperstOwn, nor do they
cease with immense tracts of land on either
side OF the lake, but certain parts of the water
itself might be accounted his also. Some two
miles from town, on the eastern shore of the
lake, Mr.. Clarke has erected very artistic
it IS connected with the shore by portcullis
and is at the service of any one desirouS of
getting complete view of the lake.
THE LAKE.
Two steamers, the ''Natty Bumppo' and the
Pioneers" make regular trips from one end
of the lake to the other. IL is seldom one feels
inclined to grumble at the advance of civiliza-
tion, carrying with it usually SO many benefi-
cent results, but to look upon this lovely little
OtSego lake, encOmpassed by hills, not large
enough to merit the titles of mountains, but
in exact proportion to the lake, it is only nat
ural to eXclaim: What shame for society to
lntrude here! In this practical age Of ours,
we do not often look upon nature otherwise
than with a selfish purpose, Speculating how a
place can best be turned to our advantage
Here, however, verify believe it is different
There is peculiar fascination about the
"HauntS OF Misunderstanding" inspired by no
similar spot in America. If a boat is en-
anchored at distance. it requires no stret :h
OF the imagination to believe it to be Deer
slayer and the serpent in their airy canoe"
or in the shades of twilight one can almost see
the ark" OF Thomas Hutter, followed by the
yels and shouts of Indians come awkwardly
out OF the source of the SuSquehanna. The
same star which hundred years ago smiled
on the meeting of the young Delaware chief
and his Hist, oh Hist looks down to-day on
scenes not entirely different; the actors then
may not have been SO civilized as the present
ones, but the story was none the less real
Lake OtcegO is only nine miles long, but of
that distance there is scarcely foot which is
not alive with some picture from the pen of
Cooper. No wonder the people revere his
name! This region, stripped of all tradition,
fresh from natures workshop, would call forth
the admiration OF man, but coupled with vivid
thrilling tales OF human Joy and sorrow. it
becomes sacred ground. r. NJ c.