New-York tribune., 1895-08-11
THE LOWER NORTH WOODS.
PLEASURES OF A soJoURN IN THE SOUTH.
ERN ADIRoNDACKs.
A REGION ABouNDING IN GAME AND FULL OF
NATURAL BEAurY-THE SLAUGHTER OF
THE DEER-cURIoUs PHASES OF LIFE
IN HAMILTON COUNTY. FORTY

IN HAMILTON COUNTY. FORTY
MILES FROM RAILWAY.
Piseco y. Y. Aug. (SpeciaD.-For the weary
s.eking rest this tiny settlement In the Southern
Adirondacks is the spot OF spots. Forty miles from
=. railroad eight miles from a telegraph station
700 feet above level. the shore of a lowell,
lake with setting Of nearly thirty mountain
reaks and all those hills covered with a dense
growth OF pine and spruce and halsam and hem
lock the sojourner here breathes air as pure and
rfe-sv;ng II ne were in mid-ocean and enjoys
the same comfortable sensation that. whatever may
he brewing in the seething world outside for the
time at least he is isolated from the cares and per
nlexities Of business. Piseco Is on the very edge
~ the wilderness The road stops here and for
forty miles northward to the Fulton Chain the for
est stretches vast and dense. unbroken soli-
,ude save for an occasional logging camp and
,r,ckless waste to all except the professional
guides.
HEART OF THE WILDERNESS.
The Northern Adirondacks have long been famous
for their natural charms. but through the encroach-
r,ent OF fashion upon the odtime simplicity OF liv
,nr practsed by summer visitors. and the penetra-
,,on and opening up OF the wilderness by the New
York Centrals road. the region has in some
measure lost the attributes OF the forest prmeval
The southern part of the woods while not so widely
celebrated is nevertheless favorite recreation
ground Many people from New-York City and the
lights and benefits. and they come here year after
wear filing the various excellent hotels and board
Ing houses ot The several resorts. There
numerous private cottages also. like the fine place
of John H. Starin. al Hamilton Lake. great
many residents OF Central and Western New-York.
,so take advantage Of their nearness OF location TO
spend few weeks here In the summer or fall.
The two principal gateways to the district are at
Fonda and Utica. both the line OF the NewYork
Central From Fonda a twenty mile branch
road conveys the traveller through historic Johns
town and pas, bustlng Gloversville 10 Worthwhile,
where the tally-ho is boarded for the long ride
whose end is Pfseco The pilgrim coming by way
Of Utica Journeys by rail past Trenton Falls to
Prospect. thence pushing eastward into the noun
tains by stage. over rather precipitous road In
stead OF keeping 10 the new railway. which would
carry him 10 the noted resorts farther north The
ly-ho from Worthwhile follows road constructed
BY the State early in the century, skirting the
picturesque Sacandaga River for many mile. and
winding about past lakes large and small. b.
cyclists come away up into the mountains by this
route. and report that 1t is easy riding. except
where unusually steep ascents are encountered.
The road is not bad. mountain thoroughfares go;
bu: he good roads propa ganda is making headway
here as in the upper part OF the Woods. and not a
little discussion of plans for road improvement is
heard. Some of the local capitalists have project
for exploiting the country by building trolley line
from Worthwhile supersede the stage route but
this dream is not likely TO be realized in the near
future.
DRESS SUITS ARE PROHIBITED.
The visitor here finds only two things interdicted
until August 10. and style. II a
man brings dress-suit up here he soon learns that
public sentiment. represented by the opinion OF
his fellcw-guests. Jill not allow him to array him
self in 1t; and he goes about with great content
ment in a sweater by day. with perhaps. on gala
occasions. billed" shirt in the evening. Every
body lives out OF doors and walks or rides, or
fishes or follows trails mountain lakes at pleas
ure and the starched-collar dignity OF life at home
is laid aside until it is time to begin the home
ward journey.
LAUNDERING has been going on in this district for
many years yet the cleared spaces seem small In
with the wooded stretches The land
is being and more taken up with view 10
preserving the forests and the game The state
is steadily acquiring land in this part OF the North
Woods the 10000 acres OF the Adirondack League
Club include large tract hereabout and other or
ganzations are buying property with the same end
IN view Here at Piseco the Irondequoit Club
composed OF New-York professional and business
men holds sway. 1t owns about three square
miles at the upper end OF Piseco Lake. including
,everal miles Of lake front three fine trout streams
and the whole OF Piseco Mountain; and its club
house and annex, at which the club members
their families and few other guests are lodged
stands only 800 feet from the lake side. on puh
from which can see half-dozen miles do"h
the lake and can enjoy the southern breeze which
at this season almost continuously r'ppies '"e
placid waters.
BROOK TROUT BITE GREEDILY.
The lake trout season is about over. but there
is stu excellent pickere fishing. and the trollers
are out every morning and afternoon Ine prook
front bite greedily and 1t is easy task TO catch
large number Of them. Three guests al 'he
clubhouse the other day caught seventy-nve trout
1otat HCht
are OF such frequent occurrence on these mountain
i.kes that II Is deemed unsafe to have saiiboats
hut rowboats are plenty. and what with hsning ana
rowing and mountain-climbing' no one seen"s ~
have any inclination TO use the tennis court io'
ono can get tennis anywhere l0r evening anuse
ment whist and bullptch are the faVorite pas"ines
=. tho 1rondeouoit. with many other games oy
-,.,v Every few evenings there is a
,.,.,4 aa,ca the musician being guide skiileo IN
,ho ,se ~ the fiddle and the bow who calls OH the
figures with great gusto 10 the amusement "-'u
ediAcation OF the jolly crowd OF you'hiui i''e'i
makers greatest pleasure OF az ~ peln'i p7 70 -
A. nigh. when grouped around the roaring o'aNe
=, - ~, eranlace-for a wood fire Is always
hio here after dark. even in the oogdays-
~. aho,s marty settle down for round OF cohese
so,,s md negro melodies. 10 the accompaniment Oh
a guitar played by the most aecoii"oue , t,,s
who ever held himself al 'he u''p0'N
friends. .~o wHIsKEY
v.o.s g tho chief commodity OF this region unless
=. - .-b,stav and the connection between the TWO
/, not remote The number Of little grosseties
out along the roadside is amazing pu' 'aen -,
ence Is ephemera. They thrive Oh '''e .S,'s IN
suaay nights walking from four OF s. SUNDAY 5fn s'
the settlements spend the wnots sor rotgut whiskey
ana ranble back on Monday %SrSS sSaaSe to mSsr
their ssyphean task AS me 5eener and deeper into
The Ts natives up here ,se espsnse sasS Of
coal. Thy don't need IT, anu IN Mountains for thirty
Or forty miles makes its use an ipI,ed supply Of
To the summer visitors the nee is a constant
they for none sosfmes OF snsr iaey
surroundings convenience; should fall ili-but
noboy ever does get III here it is slls twenty
The nearest resident doctor nVs visit. but at this
season there are always city physicians prsctse What