The Dickinson press., 1898-10-01

Au0Aoc Al AIOm bu0 6OuuU blU0 Oh the
point, has 30 feet of water at low tide
and could harbor the largest fleet Of
transports that ever sailed. A small
pier has already been built along the
southern shore of the bay, and there is
room for a much larger one. Fresh wa.
ter lakes and wells abound, and the
supply of pure drinking water is un-
limited. There are miles of fine beach,
es where the soldier boys may disport
themselves in the surf to their hearts
content.
In addition the temperature in warm
weather is always about 20 degrees
lower than that of New York, and the
long, narrow arm reaching out into the
sea catches every breath of wind from
whatever direction it may come. After
going over the ground thoroughly Gen
eral Frank decided that the best loca.
ton for the camp would be the extreme
eastern end Of the point, which is
bounded by Fort Pond bay, the ocean
and Block Island sound. Block island
sound is the broad stretch Of water that
lies between Montauk point and Block
island.
President Baldwin of the Long Island
Railroad company is already at Mon
tauk point studying the situation with
O view to furnishing whatever trans
portation may be required. "The Long
Island railroad, /" he said, ''can, in case
Of emergency, on two hours notice pro-
vide transportation facilities for carry
ing 10, 900 troops. We have $50 passen-
ger coaches and 500 freight cars, with
a plentiful supply Of powerful engines,
at our disposal. We could run trains
on ten minute Roadway. Upon reaching
the point the trains would be along the
track, n behind the other, until all
the troops were landed. Those in the
rear cars would have about a mile to
walk after leaving the cars"
Geographically Montauk point is
about 115 miles from New York. It is
the extreme eastern end of Long Island,
and its tall, white lighthouse tower is
familiar to many yaohtsmen that cruise
from the sound to the open sea. Beyond
the village is the point proper, a mar
row peninsula 10 miles long by TX
miles wide, rising to a height above the
sea of from 50 to 100 feet. Its surface
is rolling, and back from the sand
dunes are many quiet, shady ponds.
Toward the ocean; however, the; hills
become cliffs Of gravel and rise abrupt
~ from the sea. It has been in former
times q famous place for shipwrecks.
Until a few years ago there were but
three houses on the lone stretch Of the
point, but the number has increased
rapidly until there is now quite a fair
sized settlement.
Montauk point has much of historical
interest and a wealth Of legends con-
corning real pirates and Indians. Cap
tain Kidd, after his engagement with
the same old Spanish that our feet met
at Santiago and Manila, came to Mon
tauk point-at least there Is a pool
there called Money pond, so named be-
cause the old pirate is believed to have
hidden Spanish gold and treasure there.
1t was here also that Wyandance, the
famous old chief Of the Montauk In
dians, had his seat Of government.
What is left Of his settlement is still to
be seen, as we'll as the ancient burial
ground Of the tribe, with its odd col
lection of queerly inscribed stones.
Searchers for relics find bone and stone
implements.
With such abundance of tradition,
always an alluring field Of exploration,
combined with wealth Of scenery and
an atmosphere that is q blending Of salt
a. = 80 - 80 ~ "
go will; find an opportunity for rest and
recuperation that will be little short Of
q paradise. There will be plenty Of
chance for fun too, There are good flsh-
ing and boating in addition to the bath