New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-12
IN GREEN-CLAD CATSKILLS.
THE CENTRAL HUDSON PARADISE OF
Frs.
FREsHpR AND GREENER THAN EVER
AFTER THE SPRING RAiN-WAYs OF
GETTING THERE AND THE GOOD
HOTELS TO BE FOUND.

HOTELS TO BE FOUND.
Kingston n y June II If old Rip Van Wrinkle
we're 10 awake OF these lovely June mornings
Of 1898 and look upon the OF his historic mid
night revelry and subsequent snooze in the CATS
kills az IL appears after the mutations or
century Of modern civilization. the genial ola soul
would recognize the green knoll where
ne rubbed his eyes on that bright sunny
morning after his twenty years nap In the WOODS
He would be likely 10 hear the screech of loco
motive whistle the rumble and roar of the rail-
way train which now passes very near the spot
where he then awoke 20 a renewal OF his mundane
activities. The question OF his own Identity. In
view Of the dazzling scenes on every side would
surely prove far more puzzing than ever. and ne
would at once conclude that he really was some
body else" this time for certain
The history OF the Catskill Mountain region as
q summer resort Is now too well known the world
over 10 call for any detailed rehearsal Nature has
bestowed Of her choicest gifts for the special
delcctation Of man in this beautiful mountain
range With lavish hand she has strewn the
towering crags and smiling slopes with pristine
beauty and loveness
great advantage Of summer life in the Catskils
is the subtle and salutary effect Of the air. which
here rushes into mans lungs without even por-
ters fee. There Is something marvellously heneh-
cjaI about this air to the enervated worker and
debtated dweller OF the town This is especially
Of the upper attitudes. and the fact Itself Is
a recent discovery. the overshadowng importance
Of which deserves more attention than Is com
monty accorded TO H. In It's early history as a
summer resort whom a few hundreds journeyed
the dusty and rocky roads TO these hills In
the numbering old stages, they came mainly TO
crafty the eys. view the magnificent scenery
OF crag crag and roaring cataracts, and, pr'-
mariIy perhaps, the more distant landscapes. with
the cities, villages. farms and factories that lay
almost at their feet True. they found the air
her enjoyed
the restful nights Of quiet and repose. returning
home appreciably benefited by their trip. But the
therapeutic and restorative features Of their visit
were little thought Of
This is all changed now. as the great sanitary ad-
vantages Of the region are more fully realized II
IL eth question whether after years OF scientific
study and research by most eminent hygienc
writers, the precise causes Of all these benehcent
results much better understood than formerly.
but II Is safe to say that to-day over hree-quar-
tors Of the Catskill visitors here 10 benefit
their health rather than merely enjoy the scenery.
II has thus become the great summer sanitarum
Of the East which is destined 10 increase In favor
and renown with each succeeding season. Some
thoughtful and pleasing paragraphs on this topic
are embodied in the Summer Book which
was lately issued by the Ulster and Delaware Rail-
way Company. descriptive Of It's line and the
mountains In general together with many beauti-
ful illustrat tons
CONVENIENCE OF ACCESS
The location of the region the great
cities. and the ample facilities for comforta-
able and speedy other favoring fea =,
ures which leave the Catskills almost without
rival ideal summer abode. Breakfast in the
hot New-York home and luncheon the noun
tain luncheon in the city and dinner In the cool
dning-room the clouds the order.
The sail up the lovely Hudson feet and
palatlal steamer. or q more rapid whrl by fast
special train. with charming mountain at
the end in either case. through the green valley
upward is delightful indeed. All this brings the
Catskills much to NewYork than in the
olden days IN point Of time. which. after ALL is the
practical standard Of distance But the ninety
more intervening miles are still there, and there
is no desire to eliminate any one of them. espe
cially the part Of the railway companies. The
fact is. the region is just far enough away from
the noise and Of city civilization. and there
will be no danger Of its being swallowed up In the
confines of any greater metropolis of the future
In these improved means Of access the CON
struction OF the Ulster and Delaware Railway sys-
tenn has been paramount. II has also been the
great developing factor of the Catskils as a pop
ular summer resort. But for this road the larger
and beautiful section of the range would
probably have remained sealed book 10 summer
visitors. The Ulster and Delaware trains are now
frequent and speedy. and the general equipment
OF the line is second to none In the country Con-
nection is made with the West Shore at Kingston
the Day Line steamers AZ Kingston Point and
the Mary Powell and the Night Line steamers Of
the Romer & Tremper Company. and the New
York Central trains. by Rhneclin Ferry at the
Rondout end of the city Solid trains
without change from Weehawken to the noun
tans; and 1t is said this season the fast Catskill
specials will make stop the West Shore
AT Kingston Point visitors may step directly from
the breezy decks OF the New-York and the Albany
to the parlor cars of the Ulster and Delaware
trains. and the ride through the Ulster and Della
ware valley mountainward Is one Of charming in
terest.
THE Point" as II is Familiarity known here has
lately become the great local river resort for fresh
air and recreation for Kingston people and resi-
dents Of the Central Hudson Valley II was in
former years a great landing for all the river
boats. but has long been abandoned since the adj
vent Of railways. II has now been restored and
greatly improved by the railway COMPANY which
extended its track there about year ago to meet
this day line traffic, which has grown immensely
in consequence. showing the wisdom Of the enter
prise. The up-boat arrives at 2:l0 D. M the trans
fer Of passengers and baggage is quickly made
and then hours run. o less. depending upon
the destination. brings one into the heart OF the
mountains. II longer sail is preferred the Cats
kill tourist may land At Catskill Point. twenty
miles further up the river. where trains Of the
Catskill Mountain narrow guage road will he found
waiting TO convey passengers TO the eastern or
Greene County section OF the range The time
there Is also about hour. and the road winds
gracefully through a wild and rocky gorge known
as Austin's Glen, and then broad and fer
tile meadows until the base OF the mountain IL
reached. where transfer is made to the Otis Ele-
waiting Railway, which pulls you up the face of the
crag at steep incline. IL IL a novel ten minute
experience. and affords magnificent views OF the
valley. il one finds time to enjoy them.
At tho top you within a few rods OF the
Casskii Mountain House and take the train
or stage for all other points This. OF course. ap-
plies TO those visiting resorts the mountain
proper. Others bound for the Cairo section and
intermediate points may leave the train az such
stations. There is also excellent road I'D the
face OF Kaaterskill Mountain leading 10 It's very
top marvellous feat of engineering skill In IL
self q well ma ine fha soa IN