Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-11-12
sARYIraN,s OLD MILL.
A Landmark ~ Lung Island That H..
Long AZ cantsd Artist. to IL.

Landmark " Lang Island That Hns
Long Az cHntrd Artist. to 1t.
The old Jdill ut Babylon, besides
being q landmark on Long Island.
has given inspiration for MANY
paintings. AS sccu by different art
istic eyes, 1t has appeared on canvas
in many ways, often used only rs
part of the middle or background
scenery, often as the main subject.
Art clubs and schools have made
special excursions TO view and sketch
the old mill. The effects of the re.
Election in the deep and dark waters
of the pond arc most striking, and
so is the color harmony with tho old
framework. Not only tho present
generation of artists have made nil
grimages to tho mill, but their ia.
thors and grandfatherS have done
tho same, for the mill was already
built in 1851, which date is clearly
cut in one of the main beams. The
outside walls are covered with large,
old fashioned shingles, giving an ap-
pearanoe of old masonry. Before the
erection of the present building q
sawmill occupied the site, and many
n fine troe from the surrounding
woods was out up there for ship
building.
Old Judge Carrot Monfort built
the present mill some time around
1851 and ran it for about so years
that is, until 1SO1-as gristmill.
The mill in those days was an i'm.
| portant factor in the progress of
Long Island, making all the -four
and feed for the neighborhood. Peo-
pie drove from many miles around
to bring their grain to be ground
there. 1t is situated on the boundary
line between the towns of Islip and
Babylon, at the head of the Sump-
vans creek, where its artistic beau
ty at once attracts the attention of
visitors,
The mill changed hands and be.
camo the property of tho Oakley
family. The Oakleys were family
of millers, and they ran it for 60
years as gristmill. Old Nathaniel
Oakley was a well known character
in his days. Especially the school
boys Of that time, who are now we'll
to do business men of mature age,
remember, with Joy, the quaint old
miller in his long robe and his white
chimney pot hat, who was always
on the lookout for some fun.
AT present the mill is no more
turning the millstones. For ten
years tho mill has been rented to
David Ricketts,, who turned it into
a whip factory.
The stream below the mill is a
favorite spot for trout fishing. Prior
to the construction of the lower road
the banks of the pond above gave
way occasionally during a spring
freshet and carried tho bridge down
tho stream. Years before the rail
road was built the old stageooaoh
was coming through one dark night
on its way from Deer Park to Pat
ohogue, when the horses baked. The
driver triod to urge them on, but
they would not move, so he got
down to SEQ what the matter was
and found that the bridge had been
carried away. The instinct of the
animals had thus saved the passen-
gers from dangerous plunge. By
doing SO they prevented a romance
from being out short. In the coach
there was a young man who for
many years had loved pretty
daughter OF Babylon and was on his
way to marry her after long strug.
gle. His father, a rich Lu.Ig Island
farmer, did not want his son to mar
ry tho daughter of poor Babylon
family. Therefore the young man
had to give up the farm and make q
living for himself and his bride. At
last he succeeded, and on the night
tho bridge was swept away was on
his way to Babylon, where their
long delayed wedding was to take
place. The old mill figured in the
romance because it was for long
time the meeting place of the lovers.
New York Sun.
Tried IL Lever on the Church Debt.
A Methodist parson in eastern
Maine called at the house of dea-
con on his way to church and re-
quested the loan of his orowbar.
The deacon naturally inquired what
the pastor was going to do with the
crowbar on the Sabbath. why"
he replied, looking grave and seri-
Gus, you know we are to try and
raise funds to eXtinguish the church
debt today, and I intend using the
bar as IA lever" At this he shoulder
ed the iron and strobe off to church.
The good deacon soon followed, tell
ing the neighbors on the way of the
minister's strange conduct and hint
ing at probably unbalanced mind.
AS result everybody went to
church that day; the house was lit
orally orammed. During the sermon
the crowbar lay across the ohancel
rail in full view of the oongrega ton.
AT the right moment the minister
drew from its place of ooncealment
behind the pulpit peck basket and
hung it on tho end of the bar toward
the congregation. He then made an
eloquent plea for contributions suffl-
cient to balance the bar across the
rail. Mon and women We'd with one