New-York tribune., 1896-05-04
CHARMS OF CROTON POINT.
A POINT OF LAND FULL OF BEAUTY AND
ROMANCE.

A POINT OF LAND FULL OF BEAUTY AND
ROMANCE.
ALMOST SURROUNDED BY THE HUDSON RIVER
KIDp,s TREASURE AND TIE BIG BLACK
poG-"UYCT.E BENs" SURPRISING
ADVENTURE.
The peninsulas OF Westchester County that project
into river or Sound are all beautiful in natural
scenery and rich in local history and tradition
Among these Croton Point. a point that stretches
out into the Hudson River some thirty-eight miles
obove New-York City, and forms the northern
boundary OF the mouth of the Croton River. Is one
of the largest well as one OF the most ATTRACTIVE
to the lover OF scenic beauty.
Situated within u couple OF miles Of Sing sing
the point" as II Is famary known In that VII
lape although belonging to another township. seems
70 the bred and born native part and parcel OF MS
own home From infancy up 1t has been the most
familiar feature OF the landscape. and would sooner
h,, recognized es portion OF home surroundinss
when seen In picture. than the most trutntui rep
resentaton Of any other portion OF the river scenery
in the vicinity. :,
The peninsula is. perhaps two miles long, anu
varies in breadth from narrow sandy str1p OF
few yards at high water. which forms portage
across which small boats may be drawn 10 a
breadth OF half a mile. In shape II Is not unike
boot the toe and heel being at the westerly end'
projecting into the river The heel, 70 the north IS
known as the northwest point. and the waters near
I, are n famous fishing ground while the toe. which
should be distinguished as the southwest poiht 10
generally called bolt rock. or the reei 'he
former name from a bowlder that once held Doll
the sole remains OF a pier that once existed there
The -,rface of the Point diversified into marsh
lands that for picturesque beauty would ht IN the
foreground Of a Dutch landscape-extensVe WOOD
lands and meadows, sandy beaches and hilis' the
whole being surrounded by river and mountain
scenery OF surprising attractveness.
Tsalled by the Indians Senasqua, the Point passed
into the hands of the white for the price. Is
said OF a barrel OF rum and twelve blankets and
was called Tellers Point, after the purchaser
When he died the name was changed 10 Sarah
Point in compliment to the widow who still re-
tained possession Of the property and from that IL
WAS changed to It's present name. after the stream
az whose mouth II stands guard The origin OF the
name Croton Is not so easily ascertained' lhe
Indian name for the river was kitchawan' wnich
signifies swift stream"
In Revolutionary chronicles the extreme westerly
end of the Point Is the spot from which the miiua-
men OF the vicinity bombarded His MaJesty's ship
Vulture while lying at anchor awaiting the return
of Andre from his treason plotting visit to Arnold
nj the John H. Smith house. near Haverstraw. on
the opposite side Of the river, at the base of High
Torn the highest Of the Haverstraw mountains.
The Vulture was forced to drop down the stream 10
avoid the missiles from the Americans guns, ana
Andre was obliged to undertake his fatal trip by
land.
The soil of the Point is sandy, but II Is famous
for its VINEYARDS orchards and gardens The wine
from the Point vineyards once widely known
and highly esteemed. but Of late years the vintage
has disappeared from the market the owners being
opposed to the making of wine on temperance prin-
clples. There extensive cellars on the Point,
which were once filed with wines OF all ages, and
TO visit which was considered a great privilege
Resides agriculture brick making has been an I'M
portant industry the Point the brick having
high reputation for its excellence.
KIDDS TREASURES WELL GUARDED.
Near the junction Of the Point with the mainland
Is a small hill covered with growth OF trees and
underbrish In shape the hill is almost perfect
half-sphere. Il stands alone in the low marsh OF
that portion Of the Point near the narrow strip OF
sandy roadway, portage. already mentioned, and
was known TO the early settlers as Money or
"Kidds HILL" the commonly accepted idea being
that at this point the famous pirate buried some OF
his treasure when on the voyage up the river that
ended in his scuttling hts ship near the Highands:
Not only was It believed that the pirate buried
treasure here but also that the treasure
guarded by Satanic influence. and many were the
tales told Of strange adventures In support or this
In old times the most common Of these ad-
mer Of 90 ho yo to
by the hill night alone. and who would be chased
clear TO the mainland by what seemed 10 be black
dog OF tremendous size, that had rushed down from
the slopng sides of the hill. apparently dragging
en- immense chain whose weight alone prevented
the beast from overtaking the fleeing traveller.
"UNCLE BENS" TREASURE TROVE.
A stl more significant story was that told OF the
experience OF a certain old-tme Sing Sing celebrity
known by the forefathers of the village as Uncle
Ben" One afternoon when near the hill he noticed
something unusual at Its base Approaching the OBJ
ject. he discovered 1t to be an iron pot As he came
nearer the pot seemed to sink and stand In pool
of water and when he stood over the spot the
water had completely covered the vessel, which. to
his astonishment and delight, was filled with large
gold pieces. Overcome with ama1ement. he paused
to think, and believing that he had discovered a
portion Of Kidd's great treasure. and remembering
that said that he who would secure any OF 1t
must first have q tug with him OF the coven foot
ne resolved to obtain assistance before touching the
Dot or its precious contents. Marking well the
spot. he hurried to his boat, which he had beached
q short distance away and was soon across the bay
TO Sing Sing thence to his home and. imparting the
news to of his sons the two were soon on their
way to the treasure. But. alas! despite the most