New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-08
MISREPRESENTATION ISLANDS
INCIDENTS IN THEIR HISTORY
THEIR yIcIssIIUDEs SINCE THEY WERE GIVEN
UP BY THE INDIANS.

harbor OF NewYork IL the group OF islands that III
their green heads of the gntng aud tossing waters
of the Upper Bay and the East River. To the eye they
grateful vision for viewed from the city those IN
the bay break the fat stretch OF water and throw into
the vista beautiful points OF color while for the ncom-
ing traveller by nerposing their graceful curves aud
waving foliage they relieve the duh monotony Of the
eily's waterfront. To Of the oy's residents the
shapes and Of the islands have an every
day familiarity, and It is slender thread indeed OF
poetry beauty that through the association
! great metropolis needs aud the everlasting
menace of war, crime, vice, disease and pauperisn
have brought IT about that the leading thought con-
neeted with lovely spots Of earth is one OF sorrow
and pain. II was not always So and 1t may be mat
sangune social philosophers will signs OF happier
day in the changes going on on one al the Islands,
frOwnns ramparts giving way to tnepedestal
which IS TO support monument to peace and enghten'
ment ana art.
Prettier glImpses OF loyelier uses than those
to which the harbJr islands are now pat are
contaiued IN the early chronicles Of the city
Governors Island makes first claim upon the atten'
uon-by its situation and its historical significance
II couaius about 20 of soil and Is nearly round,
with the ground rising from the shores to the center
On this lovely spot the Dutch emgrans first landed to
make themselves home IN the harDor OF New-Amster'
! dam. They remailed, however, bat few days when
the absence Of compelled them to remove to the
heavy-woodedis!and the northwest which now bears
the great city they started its back Thereafter, and
for some length OF time the island was common prop.
erty, aud quiet, pleasing place, clothed with lux
urfant grass aud trees, with large choir of singing
birds with squirrels rabbits and other little den
Gems OF wild nature. Governor Wouter Van fwiier, a
over OF little islands finally purchased this one which
was known by the Indian OF Paggauck, from two
ludian chiefs, Cakapeteimo and Pelirwas. Here the
Governor made residence for himself. where he
could live with the dignity becoming the Governor OF
uch colony. At t1s time the nuts were so pentlinO on
.he island that it known to the KnckerbOckers as
Eutten Island The Governors house and land at length
became property of the colony ald used as an
official residence. good strong house built and 1t
occupied outpost Of the city It's possession was
considered important that IL proposed TO forty
by castle, which, however, was never Dullt In inc
Revolution occupied as military station Upon
the evacuation OF New.YOrk by the British troops the
sland held by the State until the year 1900 when
gas ceded to the Central Government at Washington.
Since then the fort Columbus has been made. Castle
William manned after it's bullder) erected. and military
pest made OF it.
PICNICs N THE DAYS OF THE DUTCH
Turning to the remaining two OF the trio in the bay we
come to Elss Island This small island was always
avorite place for plcnics III early times it called
Oyster Island after the many Dutch oyster parties hed
On II. When the stoid observation-disclosures felt they
needed recreation, excursion and oyster party
to Oyster Island planned. Several Doat-lpads OF
heavy burghers and their no less heavy "Vraus ana
down to the sland settle themselves for the day They
would cook their oysters, them with the good old
Dutch accomplishments OF pie cake, meat, preserves,
pickles. etc. and after day Of hearty enjoyment return
conented for another About century ago was
called Bucking leland, for unexplained reason IL
wa, known lso as Gibbet Island, from the fact that
public haugings took place on it. The noted pirate,
Gibbs ended his life here This island ceded to the
United states the same time as Goyernorslsand and
has since sOrehoIse for military supplies
The last island of the three Is larger tlan Ess Island
and Is desirable property, having more natural
beauty and better foundation. Bedloes Island is
pretty place. Is at present the obj ct OF considerable
interest on account OF the OF Liberty Euhghten
Ing tho World" whicl is to be pacei on it Bedloes
Island rocky bat has sufficient soil to promote lux
vegetation Its value and rare beauty were early
seen, and Isaac Bedloe, merchant OF New-YOrk be-
came owner Of It, He held 1t all his life occupying II as
residence. When he died In 1872 he left 1t to hts
heirs They disposed of it after some yegrs. and IL
became the property of Captain Archibald Kennedy
afterward the Earl Of Cassils), who that time
the commander Of the British naval station in this hlr
Dor Captain Kennedy built fine house, and turning
the waole island into garden, made his summer resi-
dence there. While he the owner it was called
Kennedys Island but IT'S original when
the Revolution on The State sequestored it and
retained until 1900, when It transferred 20 the
United States Government These three Islands,
when cc1ed by the State 10 the National
process could he served from the courts OF NewYork
them all While under the Uaitel STATES Government
Bedloe's IslanI was used Rs powder magazine and
.orehouse for the Army Several years ago Congress
determined turn It 70 the citizens of NewYork
City for the purpose Of erecting the pedestal Of the great
statue upon IT, but Only lately It placed IN the
hands OF the committee present the foundations for
the pedestal are being laid.
In atrp the East River the FIRST island reached is
Blackwe's, faniliarly known aS the Island" 1t IS
long, strip OF land with rica soil, and almost
always before tne city became It's owner IL had been
farm BlacLwclrs Island was bought by Governor
Van Twler at the same time he purchased RandaIrs
Island in 1857. Two Iadan chiefs, Heyssys and
Miners, sold the land which called by them Minna
hauock. Its about 100 acres. Wleu the island
passed out OF Governor Van Twiller's hands Is not
known. But certain II s that the Blackwell family held
possession Of 1t for han bred years in S23 James
Blackwell the then owner, oidit to James L. Bell but the
latter daaole pay FOR 1t within the period stpL
lated, and Mr. Blackwell repurcdased It. In 1928 Mr.
Blackwell sold the island to the city for S32OO00 being
an advance Of $40 600 the price Mr. Bell gave him.
liz s48 Mrs. Bell widow OF the purchaser, brought
SUIT against the city for her share in the island, and
obtained Judgment OF $4,000 Since its purchase by
tie city Backwclls Island has been occupied By city
institutions
NOT AN ARIsTOCRATIC SUBURB.
Advancing toward tho sound. Wdra's Island next
comes ia view This is the largest Of the Islands near
NewYork excepting Of course. staten Island It'll 200
acres in extent II rich soil. ald when New-YOrk
was small city was covered By fine and extensive
meadows AZ a farm Island IL model, and the
crops raised on 1t wero phenomenal In 1887 the same
two chiefs mentioned before Heyseys ami MINERS sold
thesand TO Govarlor Van TwIilcr uu1 r the" OF
Tenkenas. The did nothing with his purchase
and when New.York appeared upon the scene aud
New-Amsterdam disappear the Island was
siezed by the English Government and
kent. Thomas Deayal then Collector Of
customs here, applied for Great Barnes's Island,
Wards was then called. and 1t given TO nin, to-
gether with Little Barness Island (Or RandalPs now,
for the equivalent or 5000 Mr. Dc.avsll used Great
barnes as grazing ground for his CATTLE OF which
lad many After LIE died became the property Of his
son-u.laW, William Deayall. from wnOm II passed TO
other unknown until after the Revolution. when
Beuamn Hidrcth and John William Pniold owned II.
To 1875 Mr. Hildrcth sold his half 10 William LowRds.
IN 500 the island owned by William LOwRds and