The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-08-28
Social and
:. PERSONAL

M occupied for the past half
INV IN dozen summers what is per-
n IN haps the finest country es-
tate in this region. 1t is
possibly the only one. with a single ex-
ception, that has a history. The beau
tiful old house was built more than
sixty years ago and Mr.. Belin found 1t
necessary to make little change in Its
exterior. yet desirable after the lapse
of more than half a century. The pro-
perty, known as the old Nicholson
home, is located about midway be-
tween Glenburn and Waverly, but pro-
perly belongs to Waverly borough. The
house was erected by Horatio Nichol-
son, ESQ.,, then attorney for the Della
ware, Lackawanna and Western rail-
road which was being laid through
this reglon. Lawyer Nicholson" as
he was called, was brilliant and gifted
to an unusual degree. His ideas were
far. in advance of his times, as the
splendid mansion built by him is still
in evidence, and had he lived, he would
no doubt have long ago left a name
known in national history. He died
when but little past thirty, before hav-
ing had an opportunity to enjoy his
lovely home. There is a tradition that
no one ever spent a happy year in the
great house, until Mr.. Belin broke the
spell with the gaiety and life of his
family, and the many friends enter
tanned within the spacious halls. The
site of this residence is exceptionally
imposing surrounded as it is by wide
terraces, shaded by noble trees, while
in the back k-ground rises a massive
grove of murmuring pines.
The dance and golf tournament at
Crystal lake constitute the society
events of the week as far as Scranton
is concerned. 1t was largely through
the efforts of Mr.. T. II. Watkins that
these most pleasing affairs were plan
ned, and it is expected that tonight
will close a most delightful outing for
those able to enjoy the trip. Among
those who went over or who will be
present today may be mentioned: Mr..
and Mrs. II. J.. Anderson, Miss Ander
son, Mr.. and Mrs. r. NJ. Scranton, Mr..
Henry Belin, jr., Mr.. Z. L. Fuller,
Miss Welles, the Misses Hanley and
Law, Messrs. Huntington, Welles, Bel
in,. Moffat. F. c. Fuller, j. II. Brooks,
T. S. Fuller, A. G. Hunt. There will
be many entries at the tournament,
and ii is expected that some of the
contests will be rather exciting
Mr.. Huntington lowered his record
this week to the interesting score of
thirty-eight.
Many improvements are being made
on the tennis courts at the Country
club in view of the approaching tour
nament. The landscape effect about
the grounds has never been so en-
chanting as at present The drives
thither are in splendid condition, and
II is really the show place to which
Scrantonians are proud to take visit
ing friends.
The visitor to Lake Poyntelle these
DAYS is moved to wonder that the On
tario and Western officials do not risk
the expenditure of some money on the
grounds surrounding the lake and make
stronger bid than they have yet made
for excursion business. In a number of
respects this lake excels as a picnic re-
sort all the other bodies of water with
in easy reach from Scranton. 1t Is the
highest of the nearby lakes and in mid
summer its mean temperature is the
coolest. Its shore line and general situ-
alton are attractive; there are no flies,
few insects and no mosquitoes, and the
waters of Poyntelle, and of the dozen
surrounding lakes, are well stocked
with fish, But by far it's chief claim to
distinction remains to be mentioned.
From a point near the summit of a de-
clivity on the southern border of Poyn-
telle, about five hundred yards from
the waters edge, and just on the mar
gin of fine natural grove, is a site for
summer hotel, from the piazza of
which, If it should ever be built, the
guests could look upon as pretty
panorama of table-land, valley and
mountain scenery as the eye could wish
to see. In the foreground is undulat-
ing slope of fields and forests into the
Delaware valley, through which the
Delaware river winds as a silver thread:
and beyond this, stretching for miles
upon miles over more than a quadrant
of the horizon, lie first the foothills,
and then, in the dim background, the
peaks of the higher Catskills, them
selves fully sixty miles away. This
superb view. added to the numerous
other attractions of the place, would
1t is believed. constitute drawing card
for hotel at this point and also tend
to quicken the current of summer travel
to Poyntelle if the railway company
itself would do its share in improving
the approaches and facilities. Let us
hope that ere another season closes
the advantages of this charming SPOT
will be made more generally known to
the summertime pleasure seekers of
the community.