New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-19
LETELLING est. ROMANS WE'LL"
THE FLUSHING BLUFF BEING MADE INTO SITES
FOR DWELLINGS.

THE FLUSHING BLUFF BEING MADE INTO SITES
FOR DWELLINGS,
St. Romans Well, hill in Jackson-ave.. near
Flushing is rapidly being leveled into plain. upon
which Will soon be erected Of modern sub
urban cottages. In short time even the ghosts
of those who used to frequent it will be unable TO
recognize the spot. This place was at one time
part of the farm OF the Rev. Francis Doughty.
who In 1912 received grant Of 1900 acres 1t was
given by Mr.. Doughty to his medical friend. DR..
Van Der Donk. The doctor, from his great learning
was called a yonker. The hill thus called
Yonker Island. under which name II went for some
years. In course OF time DR.. Van Der Donk fell
in love with Miss Doughty. Day after day they
went together TO the wooded heights, where the
doctor proved adept wooer. After his death
his young widow married TO Hugh O'Neale
During the Revolutionary War Yonker Island
served as an important lookout for Hessian and
British officers. who with the aid Of field glasses
could discern at great distance the approach Of
ships OF troops
There is a legend connected with the old man
sion, which went under the name OF 1.-THE Hall"
1t is said that French nobleman. in exile, went
/ to live there In retirement He had with him his
son Francois dashng young man, and Gertrude.
! a girl Of SURPRISING beauty. The wedding day had
been set. and the preparations for the affair were
being made. Francois brought Il friend 1.-The
Hail. TO visit him. The friend. whose name was
st. Roman Carlyle Immediately fell deeply In love
with his hosts fancee. In his uncomfortable pas
sion he begged and besought her to fly away with
him. But the traditions say, his pleadings were
In vain. Having grown desperate, the hot-blooded
young man threw the faithful girl headlong into
a WELL and after shooting himself he fell in after
her. The bodies not found for some time
Since that day the place has gone by the name
of the Inflated lover
About twenty-five years ago the point was a
well-known resort for picnics and sporting affairs
For years until the hotel destroyed by fire It
was almost every day the of some exciting
occurrence. prizefght between George Siddons
and Barney the Kid" drew crowd from all over
the country. The property was finally purchased
by John Higgins contractor OF Flushing and
Ex-Governor L. Bradford Prince OF New Mexico
They secured the land for $4,000
Mr.. Higgins had visions OF fortune. He would
the loan for road building. When the ground had
been leveled he would cut II up into building lots
kBut account of hard times the plans could not
be carried out, and Ii is said that the property
was lost by him through poor management.
Ten years ago most of the property bought
by Reynolds & Burns contractors They built long
piers into the bay and sold sand to be carried 10
the city. This work has been carried on at inter-
walls for some time, although 1t is not known who
being carted away TO be used in tho construction
of the causeway from Corona TO Flushing Bridge
The once beautiful headland has long since lost
Its distinguishing features, and any one coming
back from the old days would have long search
ito locate St. Romans Well