New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-22

the genial doctors witty stories OF life and char
aeter
1t is true that Peekskii shares. through the doc
tors genius for story telling somewhat the same
celebrity given TO Oshkosh and Kalamazoo Rut the
town Is proud OF her Chauncey. In spite OF his rail-
,ery and the family residence is pointed out 10 the
newcomer with a feeling Of commendable local sat
isfaction.
1t is an old-fashioned house. with stately array
of Cornthian columns. that seem 10 speak OF nos
pitalty and good cheer.
The genial president of "America's Greatest Rail-
road" has had many fatterng things said OF him'
but the writer has admired him as much for his
flia devotion to his mother as for any quality.
During her lifetime. when fe's hcnors were crowd
ing thckiy upon him. he never failed II near enough
to reac h her. to visit his mother every week. Many
would have been bewildered by the batteries OF
success as TO have forgotten the duty OF sharing
triumphs with her who would best know how 10
appreciate her sons development.
Nearly every who has read the history ana
legends Of the Hudson remembers the story OF
Peekskills name. 1t is related that as one Captain
Jams Peek. an early Dutch navigator was cruising
up the Hudson. he came into Peekskill Bay and
deeming that between the frowning battlemenis or
Dunderberg and Anthonys Nose no river could
possibly wind its way. he turned his sloop toward
thelower eas.en hills into the shallow waters OF the
"k' or creek where his vessel grounded. While
waiting for the high tide to set him ahoat he land
ed. and has become nlmor,azed by leaving his
name 10 be perpetu1teI nrst IN the name OF Inc
siream. 'Pecks Kill. and later the name OF
one Of the most lovely of the Hudson River towns.
There few places where there are greater
variety OF Pleasant drives In every direction the
roads lead over hills or through valleys. where
broad and beautiful Views alternate with wild and
romantic wales with their rockbound streams.
From the village. at point on the hill just above
the railway station Is beautiful view Of the bay
with Danderbcrg a mile and a half across the
river. which at this point forces its way through
the Highlands.
Every hill In this region is replete with Revolu-
tonary memories. and many are the exciting and
important events that took place here during the
struggle for Americas independence
Just across the river. little way below Peeks-
kill. and almost sight. is Stony Point. famed
for the daring exploits Of Mad Anthony Wayne
In capturing II from the British. Four five miles
up the river. and opposite the towering rocks OF
Anthony's Nose. may still be seen faint outlines
Of the earthworks of Forts Montgomery and Clin-
ton. and near by is that lovely little sheet Of
water known Hessan Lake Bloody Pond. As
passengers by boat rail pass up and down the
Hudson they would little suspect that at the base
Of Bear Hill hundred feet above the river lies
beautiful little lake, with the grand old mountain
rising precipltatey from It's western shore. and It's
entire circumference wild and wooded any
spot in the North Woods
Peekskill has the honor Of the State Camp. and
its beauties and surroundings have been often de-
scrbed. Yet few OF our citizcn-so,dcrs and their
friends are aware that this region was the stra-
tegic ground Of the Revolution when British
ming sought TO sever the ew-England colonies
from the South by gaining possession OF the Hud-
son.
The Roa Hook sandbank. near the State Camp.
then extended even beyond the tracks Of the rail-
way. and OH its extremity stood small earthwork
known Fort Independence On the summit Of
the hill north and overlooking the village the
remains VI earthwork whose sides worn
down from the rains OF a hundred years aad more.
and again the road from Peekskill TO the State
Camp two creeks crossed by the roadway. and
between these streams rises a lofty hill on whose