The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-06-22

Will De ADDED to the tremendous quantity
already in hand
In the latter pars of the seventies the wis
dom of provision for some such great pow
der and nitro reserve became 80 patent to
the authorities at Washington. that it was
decided one should DO established at OF near
the Atlantic seaboard. The question OF
exact location then presented many difhcul-
ties. Contiguity to land and naval neces-
stiles, point of sufficient natural straRetic
situation to render it defensible. means Of
transportation and quick communication,
and above all q site sufficiently removed
from the actual seacoast to eliminate the
ravaging effects of sea-air humidity upon
stores. had all to be taken into account.
Southwestern Connecticut, southeastern
New York, eastern New Jersey, and
Long Island were all thoroughly ex-
plored by representatives of the ord
nance department., and site, 700
feet above the sea level, was at last selected
Appalachian mountain chain in northeast
ern New Jersey. Here a splendid tract Of
1880 acres was purchased, and in 1880 the
New Jersey legislature sanctioned the sale
OF the land to the government. The tract
is about forty miles from New York city,
city of Dover, which nestles between the
most beautiful of north Jersey hills. The
kittatinny, or Blue mountain range, called
the Shawangunk. in New York state, looms
along northern New Jersey, crossing
the Delaware at Delaware Water Gap.
a spur Of which terminates in the
noted Palisades of the Hunson, hugs this
closely on the east, forming number Of
stream threaded, picturesque valleys. The
almost PERCEPTIONS red conglomerate escarp-
ment Of one Of the broken spurs of this
Highland range, Picatinny Peak, forms the
western wall Of Picatinny valley, hiding to
the west that dream of valleys, beautiful,
ever winsome Berkshire. Copperas noun
tain and Hickory Hill, two huge granite
knobs. shut in Picatinny valley on the east.
Lake Hoptacong, a fishers paradise, CLEANS
along the southern point of the valley.
shimmers in its upland reaches; and Middle
Forge Pond, lake of no mean dimensions,
teeming with bass and pickerel, covered
with ily-pads and bordered with verdure
and blossoms, sets like a cleaning sapphire
in the center of the tract itself. Ten years
ago the Picetinny valley was an almost un-
older than the independence of our coun
try, skirted it at the foot of the mountains,
on the east. Half way from Dover to the
present gigantic powder warehouse now
known as the q. 8. Picatinny Powder
depot, on another old colonial road, is the
little hamlet of Spicertown. From this
point the government has constructed, and
length. This threads along gentle de-
preston of the bases of Copperas noun
tain and Hickory hill, SO that the grounds
are almost hidden from view, until, on as
Immediately before you; and the entire
portion of the valley owned by the govern
ment is brought to view.
\ To the south the grassy valley breaks
away, q line Of waving green against the red
wallis of pracipitous hills. To thess right
xvr,pr hnfor nnko~ H.
grounds wooded hills rise almost sheer
above you for between 200 and 600 feet
Opposite, Picatinny Peak circles to the
north and south, rising in perpendicular
ragged masses like a natural wall from the
most level plain. Ones eye instantly COM
vantages, which have been secured; for
from each Of at least fifty eminences, any
two miles from all the Others;
such artillery could be planted as
would command every rood of the depot
them from the south, or to the horseshoe
shaped encircling crests of half-mountain
hills. One cannot but at the same time re-
fleet that any foreign enemy could enter
New York harbor practically unopposed,
and by rapid use Of the railway, or even by
for his own use this gigantic store against
our own most desperate valor; and, finally,
if compelled to abandon his position, with
half dozen we'll directed shells, explode
and destroy every vestige of the Picatinny
depot.
The entrance to the grounds along the
government road is guarded by immense
ton gates. Their deaign is striking and
unique. Huge cannon form the four posts
supporting the gates. Their breaches rest
in immense granite blocks, and cannon
balls placed on their muzzles form most
suggestive caps; while the splendid wrought
iron gates are paleled and emblazoned with
consisting of crossed cannon and cannon
balls. To the left of this imposing en-
trance massive granite wall sweeps
straight across the narrow valley from
base to base of mountains. The view
across the enclosed level plain is sin;
forbidding austerity. The we'll kept
grounds are shaven and neat. The hand
some official buildings, employees quarters
guard and engine houses. are bright and
fine. The splendid rim of chestnut groves at
the base of the mountains. with the imposing
line of cleaning red rocks above, and the
mountain crests covered with frs and spruce.
cutting fine horizon edge against the sky,
are filled with rich and picturesque beauty,
But those long low, dark structures solitary
and alone, i'll seemingly tho most remote
places, have weird suggestiveness, giving
most forblddlnR aspect to a scene otherwise
perfect in exquisite beauty and repose. AL
together, few structures are required. There
is the guard-house, n square brick building
with granite trimmings and heavy battle-
mented walls, in which, apparently to rem
der the place easy of destruction, there is
never any guard; the engine-house contain
ing fine engine. and nobody to man it; the
office, fine, commodious
building, with large offices for the COM
Major Frank FL. Phlpps. of the
ordnance department, who has been in
charge since August, 1887, and the depot,s
chief clerk, Mr.. Robert w. Hughes; the
keepers house, the stables, the tool-house
and the workmcn's quarters. These with
the powder magazines themselves and
the tall flagstaff and regulation flag fly
ing from its he'd, comprise everything
within the entire valley to suggest the tre-
import of Its occupancy.
It was at first intended to erect ten mag
azines within the grounds, but the number
was subsequently limited to fve SO that
each could be placed at least half mile
from any other, in order to reduce the
danger from explosion. The first was built
in 18SO-Sl, under the direction of Mai. +. H.
Parker, of the ordnance corps, then in
charge. Four are completed and in use for
storage, while the massive fou ndations for
the fifth are already in. They are practi-
cally alike, and the dimensions of each are
zoo by 30 feet. The central piers and foun- |
dations are of granite, quarried from the |
near mountain sides: and the "a inch walls |
above are hollow and provided with aper-
lures for free circulation of air during a |
few hours of sunny days. The ceilings |
are low, of corrugated iron. laid on wrought 1