New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-01-04

THE FORT LEE MONUMENT
EFFORTS TO SECURE 1T
Proposition TO Raise $1,000 to MARI
Site of Gen. Lees Camp.

-. ~ <..+ that Fort Lee played an i'm
r,or4ant part in the Revolutionary war; Il haS
remained 70 this late day TO take steps 10 erect
memorial Of the important events that ca
=, that vicinity in the early struggles OF Inc
valiant fighters for freedom. and 10 pIeSei Ne
several historic sites that it was threatened
,o,,la be entirely wiped cut Of existence
Fs,r months ago the Bergen County His
-ortcsl Society was formed at Hackensack' ana
,+,,rz11v all fingers pointed TO Fort Lee when the
,ae+io- of Revolutionary data was broacheo-
-r,7is aroused the residents Of Fort Lee to acuoI
and those most interested did not cease unIH
they had succeeded in organizing the or Ae
Revolutionary Monument Association 10 US
45cA lanes F Tracey must be given the NON
share Of credit for the formation OF TINS 3Sso
.ia+ion. and It was for this reason that .iie
presidency was offered TO him. which ne de-
clined. content with being secretary IN WIN"
Office he concluded he could be OF more SCI
"a the association. having bean engaged IN Sc
- ,,i~+,-ics1 data Of Fort Lee for several
years
The main object OF this association is the
erection of a suitable monument on the original
portion Of the old fort. which in itself VIII 90
much TO perpetuate the towns Revolutionary
history Through the efforts Of AssemplyrlaA
Joseph H TlIlotson, of Englewood. the New
Jersey Legislature a year ago appropriated
81 600 for the erection OF monument at Fort
Lee Since that time interest in the matter has
increased to such extent that the people OF
Fort Lee and the vicinity believe that q $1,000
monument viii not meet the requirements The
officers and members Of the new association
have nearly 81 GOO promised toward the nonu-
r,an4 fund and the Empire State Society Of the
sors Of the Revolution sent representative TO
2 recent meeting at Fort Lee. who said his So
ciety would subscribe 81, 600 II is the purpose
OF the association TO raise not less than 5000
and the next legislature viii be appealed 10 in
the matter and asked 10 appropriate another
81 600 The encouragement Of Governor
Murphy is expected. inasmuch as he belongs to
the Sons O. the Revolution
The proposed monument, the design OF which
has not yet been accepted, viii be located in the
centre OF what IS still known as Parker's Pond
though the pond has been obliterated- The plot
is now fenced in. and is alongside the tracks of
the Hudson River Traction Company, which will
afford an excellent view Of the monument 10 all
visitors This spot Is said 70 have been about
the central portion Of the original camp. ana
aesr where General Lee had his headquarters
For+ Lee has at least one tradition handed
Gown from the Revolution that has always az
forded food for discussion II Is relative 10 the
Dead Brook. and how the little stream received
e,,ch a name. one story is TO the effect that g
Fsessian soldier was shot by scout while cross
ing the brook Another authority says that q
scout, after climbing the Palisades stopped 10
take drink at the brock. and. not relishing the
taste. went further up the brook TO ascertain
he cause of the unusual taste Of the water He
discovered a Hessisn bathing his feet IN the
strearn. and thereupon shot him Still another
.,o-1y s. 70 the effect that a bloody battle was
fought along the brook. and because q the
rressace of so many dead soldiers besioe the
stream the name Dead Brook was applied to IL