New-York tribune., 1899-04-07
PROSPEROUS KINGSTON.
ITS PAST HISTORY AND PRESENT AD-
VANTAGES.
EXCELLENT TRANSPORTATION FAc1ILTIEs-EH-
TENsIvE WATER FRONT AND LOW TAXES At
TRACT INDUSTRIES PURE WATER
FROM THE CATsKIIIs MAKES
IT HEALTHFUL

TRACT INDUSTRIES 49, PURE WAlhh
FROM THE cATsKII.Is MAKES
IT HEALTHFUI.
Kingston. n Y April (SpeclaD.-One Of the
Oldest as we'll as one OF the most beautiful and
historic cities along the Hudson River is Kingston
stuat ted eighty eight miles north OF New-York city
1t founded by the Dutch in 1914. and has now
grown into a prosperous city. The early name
given to the place Atkarkaton. which In 1852
changed to Esopus. In 1861 the name was
changed TO Wi.twyck and three years afterward
the name Kingstown adopted In 1873 the name
was changed to Swanenburgh. and In 1874 Kingston
received its present name The city of Kingston en-
braces Kingston Rondout and Wilbur having been
incorporated in 1872 Rondout was settled by the
Dutch in 1914 and the name Is locally retained, the
postoff1ce being known as Rondout Station In III
Kingston was burned by the British under General
Vaughan.
The old city is worthy of a visit. for 1t contains
much of interest in relation the history OF the
past Kingston OF the first settlements in
the State and is Justly proud OF being the place
where the first Constitution Of the State OF New
York adopted. and where the first Legislature
met. Every year. September TO- the organization
OF the State Senate in III s celebrated by the
Daughters OF the American Revolution con-
stituton for the State had been adopted previous
to that date. and election held for Governor.
Lieutenant Governor and the members OF the Legis-
lature.
STATE HISTORY MADE AT KINGSTON.
The Constitutional Convention had been I'm ex
istence for about year and had been In session
at various places The last place or It's meeting
before It assembled at Kingston was Fishkill The
convention found Il necessary 10 change Its place
Of meeting on account OF the inadequacy or the
accommodations at Fishkil After considerable
search Kingston selected. The convention
held its session in the courthouse and continued
.hAr
stituton was agreed upon and signed by the mem
bers The exigencies OF the times appeared to ad-
NIT Of no delay account of the sacredness OF
the day. which Sunday. Two days afterward.
on April o. the Constitution was formally pro-
Claimed from the front door of the courthouse with
great pomp and rejoicing The elections followed
shortly after the proclamation Of the Constitu-
ton, and George Clinton having the highest num-
ber OF votes both for the office Of Governor and
IJeutenan Mt Governor became the duly elected GOV
ernor Of the State. On July following ne
was formally inaugurated with all becoming ana
patriotic ceremony. The Legislature was to nave
met on September l. but owing to the condition OF
the country and the difficulties in travelling
quorum was not present until September TO- On
September Q the first court ever held In the state
of New York under the Constitution met IN the
courthouse at Kingston. and was presided over py
the newly appointed Chief Justice. John Jay VINO
had been a member Of the Constitutional Conven-
tion.
Tho erst Constitution was framed In III In the
old stone house built by Colonel Vessel Tenbroeck
IN 1916 and still well preserved through centuries
OF change Many other houses OF the same periou
exist striking relics OF the beginning or American
history and by their quaint appearance linking the
mast TO the present The old Senate House, now
owned by the State in Clinton-ave. and North
Front-st carries ones thoughts back TO the stormy
Revolutionary days The First Dutch Church sun
stands in the old town churchyard which IS hHed
with gravestones of over two centuries ago that
are viewed by many visitors. About the year 1904
Andrus Van Slyke WAS appointed by HoVerho'
Peter stuyvesant as vooreser (curate). He organ
,zed the Dutch church. and three years later. in
September 1850 Herman Bloem. ordained In Ho-
land began his pastorate. There are now twenty
eight other churches in the city.
YEARS OF STEADY. UNEVENTFUL GROWTH
The record Of Kingston since those days has
been one OF steady but unevenHul growth. The
town broadened It's acres and extended more ana
more widely its streets In lSOS 1t was Incorporated
as a village. and remained such until 1t consoh-
dated with Rondout city The town has al
ways been ambitious and progressive 1t founded
a school OF higher learning early as 1861 and
for many years the Kingston Academy was the
only institution Of It's kind north OF New-Iork
graduating many men OF note. one or It's principals
was John VI Pomeroy. who became an authority
upon international law. II is the City High
State university. and also to make this town the
capital Of the United States Among its citizens
have been many eminent in State affairs and some
who have acquired worldwide regulations. Here
was born October Is, 1775) John Van Deryn, the
painter OF The Landing of Columbus in the
rotunda OF the Capitol at Washington. picture
still widely known being reproduced on
the back Of the, United States fvedollar note and
100 were born General George n. Sharp prominent
in the political history Of the country and Henry
Abbey well known Kingston iS he
home Of Chief Justice Parker of the Court of APP
peas.
AMPLE TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES.
Kingston. which is the county seat of Ulster
County. has population OF 5000. according TO
the recent census taken by the police and is the
Of the great bluestone brick and cement in
terests. It has nve National banks. three savings
banks, two trolley roads. three railroads
Ohe West Shore. Ulster and Delaware and the
Waikiki Valley railroads., and is connected by ferry
across the Hudson River Rhlneclln with the
New-fork central ana Hudson River Railroad.
The city is the terminus Of the Ulster and Della
ware Railroad. which leads to the summer resorts
OF the Catskill Mountains and which will soon CON
meet with the Ontario and Western at Oneonta and
the Hudson River in place of the Delaware S"' and nd
Hudson Canal which has been closed from Homes
latter place to the tidewater at me city OF King
ston so that the immense quantities OF cement can
With its extensive waterfront Kingston has ex
ccelent facilities for shipping From Rondou,
freight steamers the James W. Baldwin and the
William +. Romer. leave every evening in the
son, and the VI. Martin and the Jacob II. Tremper.
OF the Newhmrg and Albany Line. ply daily from
this port. The Mary Powell leaves every morning
for NewYork, and the New-York and Albany Day
Line steamers touch daily Kingston Point. Pas
senger and freight boats run from Kingston to
PouGhkeepsie. while steam yachts which carry
freight and passengers make several trips daily to
Eddyville, Glasco and other places. The port OF
Rondout Is one Of the busiest on the river for
from here start fifty or more tugs towboats and
sidewheelers OF the Cornell Steamboat Company.
SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
There thirteen public schools and two acad-
emies giving thorough preparation for college in
Kingston. Three daily newspapers and four weekly
newspapers published In the city. There is
wel-equipped hospital. supported by the city and
county and by gifts. and also Chlldren's Home
and Old Ladies' Home; Young Mems Chris
tan Association. for which large building Is now