West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1900-05-31
UNCLE sAmS FIRST BIG ISLAND.

school children End many big is
lands scattered about the earth's
surface. In comparison with some
of them, West Virginia is a small
speck of ground.
But though a large landholder,
Uncle Sam was singularly deficient
in stable islands, until the outbreak
of the Spanish war. And until the
purchase of Alaska, there were but
three that the maps thought il at all
worth while to point out by name.
Two of these, Martha's Vineyard
and Nantucket If put together,
would only make a very small coun-
ty. Long Island, the largest Of
these, is ms miles long, about 20
wide, covers more surface than the
State of Rhode Island, is divided
into three counties, and is the home
of considerably more than 1, 900, 600
people, fve-sixths Of whom live in
the city Of Brooklyn, now a part Of
Greater New York.
Ia walking across this island near
the center, one sees in a dozen
miles a wonderful amount Of variety.
What is to be seen is a summary Of
the whole Atlantic coast from Cape
Hatteras to New Brunswick.
On the south shore, the train
from New York leaves you at one
out of string of towns that are
built along an old turnpike leading
from Brooklyn to Montauk Point to
the east end This pike is broad
and smooth, and excellent for driv
ing or wheeling. Some years ago,
these towns were sleepy, struggling
places, whose people divided their
time between farming and fishing.
But now, they are full to Overlooking
with city people, some of whom
have elegant cottages, while Others
rent the houses of the residents,
paying for seasons use, perhaps a
third of what the house cost No
wonder the owner can afford to live
in most any place during the warm
weather.
Less than half a mile from the
pike is a bay 10 miles long and four
wide, which is great fishing ground.
Separating it from the open ocean
is narrow, barren sand beach, on
which the waves are sometimes heard
to thunder. On this beach is the
famous Fire Island light house. TIE
keeper of this light house sights the
incoming ocean steamships, and
telegraphs the fact to New York,
thus giving the people of the city
several hours notice.
Leaving the pike, and turning to
the north, you find yourself in a few
minutes in the "Long Island Plains"
"a strip of country five miles wide,
nearly level, and where not cleared,
covered with a close growth of scrub
oak, about three feet high These
bushes are so tough and angular
that in going among them you must
be very careful to keep from having
your clothes torn. There are not
many trees, and these are mostly
small pines. Hucklebefries and
wintergreen (mountain teal are
abundant. The ravines are perfectly
dry, although the pike we have left
is crossed by a small stream every
half mile on the average. This plain
was once covered by a fine growth
of pine, but this was made into
charcoal many years ago, and the
old charcoal mounds are often TO be
met with in the brush. Since then
the plain is often burned over bv
fires. The soil is thus kept poor.
and the trees and brush are pre-
vented from attaining much size.
In four miles we come to another
railroad, and mile beyond we
reach a low billy ridge. This is
/ covered with oak and chestnut. and
pine is left behind. On the other
side of the ridge we find a country
SO different in appearance that it IS
constant surprise. 10 is beautifully
diversified, there is much wooded
/ ground, and there are streams and
little lakes The farms are genera.
I ly large, and in some Instances they
have remained in the same fami
lies since the settlement OF this part
Of the island more than zoo years
ago.
ln five miles we reach third
RAILROAD. and an hours walk beyond
brings us in sight of The Long Island
Sound IF the day is clear. You Will
be astOnished % ind that it is r8
miles wide The opposite shore
stands out so distinct that you can
hardly believe this. This north
shore is very different from the other.
being very high. cgt up w.ih .nlcu.
and not SO frcquenled ailh sumner
visitors The cencry from any high
point i5 very beautiful and ,ae
. ridge we crossed called thc 'Bact
bone OF th- Island. stand up like a