New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-05-03
HISTORIC OLD TOWN.
Quarter MiHenniaI of Huntington,
Long Island. Comes on July !.

Preparations are now being made in Huntington,
Long Island. for the observance on July Of the
o50th anniversary OF the settlement Of the town,
and If nothing occurs 10 interfere with the pro-
Franme mapped out the day viii indeed be a
glorious Fourth in Huntington
The residents of the historic old town. both those
who reside there The year around and the members
Of the summer colony. have Joined hands in the
work and a rousing oldtime celebration is looked
forward President Roosevelt and Governor
Cden together with other officials. have been IN
vtted and those in charge Of the affair have strong
hopes Of being axle 10 secure the attendance Of
President and Governor. the former having already
promised 70 he present The programme has not
vet been fully decided upon. but it is planned that
The entire day shall he given to the exercises.
those Of the morning consist largely Of singing
by the public school children and the planting OF
the American flag by Grand Army veterans on
Burying Ground Hil. in the Old cemetery which
was IeveIIed BY the British when they constructed
Fort Golg1tha there many years ago. There VIII
be A few short addresses in the morning and in
the afternoon there Will be speeches by eminent
men. music led by the brass bands Of the town
and singing by the united chors Of the churches OF
Huntington. The evening is 10 ne given up to a
displsv Of fireworks. and address in the opera
house
There are few towns in Long Island. and indeed,
sr,-1,,,ere in the vicinity Of New-York. that can
boast the historical associations OF Huntington
Bat HuntingtonS attractions are not entirely vest
ed in these associations. The natural beauties OF
the place on the waters Of the great harhor are
inst as effective they were in 1858 when the
first settlers saw in them aslte Tor rnooe4 MONIES
The charms Of the SPOT have attracted a large
number Of Newly, rkers- Prominent among those
who have made their homes in Huntington are
August 4ecksher. E A Sweet. John smithers,
James Afoffett. ! P Kane " n BayEs. George
Tsvlor O. z. Schmidt and " J Natheson-
Huntington must always be remembered IN MS
1o-v as the place where gallant Nathan Hale. the
MARTYR OF the Revolution. was captured by the
British. and there IS plenty 10 remind one or ms
sad ending Though the house IN which he Is SAID
20 have been captured has long since disappeared.
its site on the shore Of East Neck is marked by
= huge hovlder. with great bronze tablets on
three sides on one Is the date Of its erection;
Nathan Hale In everlasting remembrance
d 1897 T-pon another are the words with
which Hale accepted the fatal mission. Il viii IN
certake il. I think / 10 my country the &C
cornplishment Of an object so important and so
much desired by the commander of her armies
Yet an not influenced by the expectation Of pro
motion OF peCuniary reward wish 70 he useful,
and every kind Of service necessary for the public
good becomes honorable by being necessary. IF
7be exieencies Of my country demand 2 peculiar
service its claims the performance Of that ser
vice are inperious." Below. these words is the
martyr srry's famous utterance- as they led him
- his death. Il only regret that I have but one
life 10 give for my country
The third tablet bears these facts about Hale:
His ancestors were the f5ales Of Kent, Eneland.
He was born at Coventry. Conn. June s. 1876.
Graduated from Yale College. September & NIB
Enlisted as lieutenant. 7th Connecticut Regiment,
July no
Appointed captain in Continental Army. septem-
her !. i1.5.
Volunteered as spy. September 1776-
Captured by British on this shore. September.
1776.
Executed at New-York September q, 1776.
Still another reminder Of Hale and his connection
with Huntington IS the beautiful Hale memorial
fountain standing near the public library and sol
sers- monument This bears upon a beautiful shaft
Of stone his last words. and the whole is very
tractive.
A few miles cut from the centre OF the town to
o. visitor IS shown the house ii which Walt Whit
man was born. This house. which is an interesting
ald structure is RAPIDLY falling decay There has
been talk 81 co-oerted public effort 10 purchase
and preserve It, bat thus far nothing definite has
been done.
Two the most interesting places to the visitor
n Huntington the old Presbyterian church and
Rury1ng Hill The first Presbyterian church. or
meeting house, be built IN Huntington occupied
the site Of the present building and erected in
1856 IN 17l5 this first church building succeed