The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-08-02
SQuatterS Grow Rich on
CrOtOn Valley Lands

NEW YORK, July 1S.-Of all the
squatters that ever squatted in and
around New York the boss tribe is now
peacefully squatting on 5000 acres of
land owned by the city in the beautiful
little valley of the Croton. There are
about 500 in the happy band, and for
six years they have squatted there.
surrounded by their fields of grain and
lowing herds. Rip Van Wrinkle was
indeed lucky man when he squatted
for twenty years about hundred
miles or so above this little valley. But
poor old Rip was asleep. The joyful
thing about these squatters is that
they are awake. They are exceedingly
awake. The Broadway person is fast
asleep in comparison with the hum
blest squatter in all this fertile valley.
1t would do your tired heart and
weary brain good just to break away
some fine afternoon from the city and
take a drive through this valley from
Croton- on the Hudson to the new
town of Katonah, on the Harlem
branch of the New York Central road.
1t is only eighteen miles, and the roads
are good. They are kept up by the
city because they are in the Croton
watershed.
On every hand as you drive along
stretch away the low green fields and
soothing green's could not be found in
all New England Winding across your
path are many miniature rivers, all
steering for New York bath tubs.
Along their banks are the fields which
are titled by these willy squatters. The
fact that the great dam which in time
will cork up the lower end Of this val
ley and cause their farms to be flooded
Is nearing completion disturbs them
not. The fact that they have all been
bought out by the city only whets
their desire to remain. The pleasure
they take in raising cows, chickens,
vegetables and fruits on the city's
property is sight to behold and con-
slider. I'd n4.fno s4-tz9s
Boss of the Band,
The boss of the band is George Nell
son. He is not only the king OF the
squatters, but he is the master of this
valley which the city has bought He
tills 5000 acres. He has 600 or 700
cows. He has six separate and distinct
farms, on which are half hundred
buildings and on which he works more
than half a hundred men the year
round. Every red building you see in
the city's valley is George Nelson's.
Every fat team you meet in the city's
smooth winding roads in the city's
valley, drawing strong, red farm
wagon, belongs to George Nelson.
Every man you meet wearing reddish
brown overalls is glad he is working
for George Nelson, because his boss is
worth million dollars and he knows
he will get his money when Saturday
night rolls around.
During the last week tales have been
told of how Nelson and all the other
squatters in the valley are protected
by the aqueduct compassion and al
lowed to remain on their old farms
without paying the city cent of rent.
Nelson has received 100000 for the
land which was taken from his farms.
He was also paid per cent interest
on 100000 from the day the con-
demnation proceedings began. This
made $4,000 which the city had to
pay him.
After driving over more than half
of the valley a reporter found Nelson
in the center of a green field on one
of his half dozen farms. He was sit
ting in an old fashioned buggy, drawn
by an ancient horse. The sun was
streaming down upon him. There was
no band on his old Panama hat. His
timber white shirt was collarless and
buttonless, but still the bosom did not
stand open. It was held together by
a diamond stud that cost $1,000 If 1t
cost a penny.
Made Best of Situation.
One could see it from the main road
which skirted the field 300 yards dis