New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-07-31

II
morning, found the walk to this place q delight
full one I am not going to describe 1t in detail,
Though I might be justified IL. rs being ilIusra-
! tive OF hundreds of similar delightful tramps OF
abont equal distance IN this beautiful and varied
region You are continually passing well-built and
handsome houses, for the residences here are for
the most part pretentious and Indicative OF pros
perity. The country Is undulating and 80 at q
glance the eve may take in at once small helds OF
yellow rye green and red clover tapping rs 1t
were one on the other and the last disappearing
against background Of blue and cloudless sky.
The streams. though small, except Catskill Creek.
are innumerable This watershed between the
Catskil and Indian Ridge is vast and steep and the
slightest rams will swell tho little rivulets in bret
space INTO raging torrents | am told that in this
Wiley small streams which could ordinarily be
carried in a six-nch pipe have been 80 suddenly
swollen rs to surprise people in their houses ana
even to carry houses from their foundations.
The rvulets arc full OF picturesque places; numer-
GUS miniature falls at other spots so deep as TO APP
pear sluggish and lake-lke but one is never out of
hearing of their murmurng over the rocks. Rustic
but substantial bridges span them at every cross
ing. The nature OF the country makes stone fenc-
ing the cheapest form of Enclosure, and every sub
division of farm is by substantial stone fences,
made from the material gathered in clearing tho
fields for culture. The roads alternately skirt the
streams and tho base of the hills winding with he
one and around tho other, so that though long the
way is not difficult to climb. Indeed, found the
ascent of Indian Ridge about the most beautiful
part of the walk for its roads were heavily shaded
by tail trees and the grade of the road at once firm
and gradual IN its rise to the summit.
Gay Head IS on the summit. near the most east
erly point. The name is most appropriate. 1t Is at
the head on the sunni it and in front Of the Ridge
and no view could be more beautiful or gay than
that which this place presents whether one looks
at It's immediate vicinity or at the several distant
views to be had from it, On tho most elevated
point of Indian Ridge, about 1000 feet above the
| river exposed to sunshine but sunshine subdued
and heat modified by constantly cooling breezes
the atmosphere is at COOL d-y and bracinG.
should regard it, from my limited knowledge OF the
needs of consumptlves, convenient, close-at-ha
but somewhat limited Minnesota, ~ lth the same
general features of that prairie country recon-
mended to invalds with bronchial and pulmonary
diseases.
Gay Head itself is q cluster Of few houses at the
junction of three roads aud about the centre of tho
three OF four milo vide plateau of the ridge. There
is one largo boarding house for guests-very neat III
appearance and apparently well filled; also the
inevitable country store and blacksmith shop.
Around the central point broad fields Of grain Of
every color but all taking on the tingo of gold
under the suns bright rays. Looking beyond to
ward the south and west, one can see the slope OF
the Catsks better than from Caro-, though Gay
Head is five miles further from their base But the
higher elevation of Indian Ridge gives view of
them at another angle, which presents TO the eye
what may be best described a cOl0red map of the
other mountains side. 1t is precisely as if you
looked down upon the printed page of the atlas
that IS if YOU will look at 1t in the morning hour
with the sun still behind you but throwing It's
strongest rays against the hills upon which you
Look. Each farm is clearly outlined on the
broad landscape before you rs the township or
county subdivisions of map. The helds Of various
grams dIstEgulshable bv their cOors as plainly
Il can distinguish the various hued flowers IN
Ii garden bed. This morning | saw 1t alter the
rain of last night and the freshness aud cedfneNs
of the scene may have been increased thereby.
The clouds of mist which usually rise from the
streams at the base OF the mountain were unusually
heavy this morning, and hung about the IOiticst
peaks of the Ca'sklls until late hour today
forminga heavy white border To the colOrcd picture
below and serving make II love! er, If 1t did not
add somewhat to its grandeur There may be
grander sights from the summit OF the mountain
ITSELF am going aloit to determIne,-but am
sure no more pleasing and quiet picture can be
presented elsewhere.
At Woodstock which is now Cairo Post Office.
Nj. Cave, of Brookl II, has built, or rather recon-
structed, mill Tor making straw paper. IL Is not
yet fully stocked with machinery, but II turns out
about twelve tons of paper daily, which ~ about
half the estimated capacity OF the mil when com
peted. | was unable to ind Mr.. Cave and explore
HIM, and state the above on other authority. Bur
from my own passing observation may say that
his mill s IN picturesque spot. and that the pros
perty OF the surrounding hamlet OF WoOdstOck IL
very evidently dependent upon Mr. Cave and his
mill 10 presents smiling and cheerful aspect to
the village OF Leeds where the abandonment OF the
Stewart Thread Mills has taken away all OF lie
fhnE ~ - n