The Hot Springs star. (Hot Spings [Hot Springs], Dakota [Dakota Territory, i.e. S.D.]) 1886-189?, 1892-02-05
WASTE LAND en- LONG ISLAND.

WASTE LAND en- LONG ISLAND.
Hunslresls of Th0usnnsls Of Acres of Tn
developed Territory.
It is perhaps needless to remind the
reader that there IRE some 447, 900 acres
of waste Lands in Suffolk county. Long
Island. Tney arc now covered with
stunted pines, scrub oak and underbrusl.
II tillable these barren acres xre advau-
tageously situated for the experiment of
colonization. The question as to their
possible fertility has been answered 10th
ways, and it is rapisfly appearing. If not
already demonstrated. that those who
denied their productivenessu under proper
cultivation have been in error. Years
ago Governor John A. Dix called the
attention of the New York State Agri-
cultural society to these lands.
Since Governor Dix wrote many src-
cessful experiments in cultivation of
these lands have confirmed his judg-
lnent None Of these can have more in
terest for the s;,cioloyist than that of
the Bohemian colony, situated midway
between Ronkonkoma and Sayville, in
what is now u fertile garden spot that
bursts unexpectedly on tho view-an
oasis in u dense and dreary Wilderness of
dwarfed oaks and prolific underbrush.
This community was formed score of
yeaas ago under circumstances the most
unpromisins. Near the picturesque lit
tie round lake called Ronkonkoma, SO
deep that local legend pronounces it un-
fathomable and whose outlet has never
been discovered, lies Lakeland. a llither-
to wild tract of scrub and furze, on
which it was proposed to establish n
colony. Among those who were in
duce,l to purchase land there in the days
when romantically worded advertise
mcnts described it rs an Eden, were
three Bohemian families who had ar
rived in this country but a short time
before.
The heads of these families were John
Kertochvil, Joshua Wavra aud Joseph
Houla. They were honest, credulous
folk, unfamiliar with the wiles Of the
''boomer." and they purchased their
land unseen on his representations. But
when in the waning autumn they and
their wives and little ones beheld Lake
land, its only harvest frost tinted, sun
dried. crinkling leaves, their hopes sick
ened and they would have returned to
New York if they could. But they were
without means to support themselves in
the city. Hence, Indifferent where it
might be found, they sought more prom
Using territory toward the south, and
after wandering Ii distance of three miles
they kne.t in the woods to i,nplore di-
vine direction. By common impulse
they were moved to choose tho spot
where they this knelt as the center of
their settlement.
The men plodled back to Lakeland,
and thence laboriously brought their
personal effects. the more important of
which were IL canvas tent and cooking
stove. When shelter was thus secured
and an attempt mado to kindle q fro it
was sorrowfully discovered that there
was not match in the colony; and all
Bohemia laughs to this day when the
story is told of John Kertochvil Selling
his nlusket and firing the charge into
the crate, thus providentially kindling
the fire while running the risk of blow
ing the precious stove to pieces.
The mon found work on the Great
South bay near by. or on the farms of
the southside gentry; and before long
each family dwelt i'll its primitive hut,
and men and women unitedly labored to
clear the land and prepare it for crop.
The narrative of their struggle would he
monotonous: Enough that it was sue.
ccssful. Gradually their numbers were
REINFORCED by other families of their
countryMcn, until there are now fifty.
two houses and $50 settlers in the colony.
Pretty little dwellings they arc. too, sur.
rounded by trim gnrdens and patches Of
land yielding crops of corn, potatoes and
other vegetables rs bountiful as eau be
found anywhere.
The area of Bohclniaville is 300 acres,
800 of which are under cultivation. A
con,nodious school building and public
hall evidence the progressive spirit of the
villagers, some of whom are old Catho.
lies and others Hussites. Both sects have
neat chapels. the Hustle element es.
pousing the forms Of episcopacy undc,
the superintendent of the Rev. John H.
Prescott, rector Of st. AIMS Episcopal
church, Sayvillc. Although English il
alone taught in their school, they cling
to their mother tongue and to the Gus.
toms of fatherland, while all ardently
cherish the memory of John Huss.-
Harper's Weekly.