New-York tribune., 1903-07-26

The Indian was right when he said that this
was good place for many smokes OF the white
man." The speaker was ancestor of General
Grant He was standing. with fourteen other men
and their wives and children. looking off from the
crest Of a hill in Litchield County, Conn. toward
the east across a plain through which wound
small river. High in the air, flying athwart the
valley, which Just melting into green under
the warmth OF the spring sun. were three or four
crows Their raucous cav" served to emphasize
the impressive silence which pervaded the scene.
There other sign of life except a thin line
OF smoke which rose lazily from the grove OF pine
trees that crowned a high mound OF rock rising
from the floor Of the valley. With eyes half closed
one could easily imagine the rising points OF the
trees to be the battIements OF castle. Beyond
could be ridge OF rock parallel to the on
which the group stood. respendent in the slanting
rays OF the setting behind them.
After looking upon the peaceful and glowing
scene for few moments in silence the who
had first spoken the leader OF the company, fol-
lowed by the others. fell his knees and uttered
a prayer Of thankfulness for the discovery of so
fruitful a land in which to settle. From that day
to this the hill which they encamped for the
night has been known as Good Hill" The next
day the company examined the valley whose level.
green floor they had viewed the night before from
tie hilltop and following toward the south
Indian trail that ran north and south along its
eastern side, they encsmped that night under the
spreading branches OF white oak.
In due course they laid out their home lots along
the Indian trail which afterward became known
as THE Street''-a name which it still holds-under
the shadow of the ridge OF rock which they had
first seen from Good Hin This In the spring
Of 1873 Thus Woodbury.. OF the oldest towns
in Ltchfed County, settled. The town, from
whose borders have been carved several other
towns stil preserves much Of the oldtime New
England spirit OF sef-reliance for railroad has
invaded its precincts. The customs and standard Of
living which prevailed in New-England many years
ago have cung to It. The remainder of the world
might be swallowed up like the legendary isle OF
Atlantis so far Woodbury. is concerned, and the
old tow, with its two thousand souls, would go
as before, its resources are so well adapted to
its needs.
The first party of settlers. IN their search for the
valley which the Indians had told them In their
rude English was "a good place for many smokes
Of the white man." nearly missed it altogether. Be-
fore leaving Stratford, their old home. which they
were forsaking because OF religious differences the
cause for the planting Of many New-England vii
lagos they mad been instructed how TO reach the
valley Of Pomperaug. the home OF that Indian
chieftsin. where they to settle.
You 10 follow the Pootatuck River CIIousa-
tonic) until you come to large stream flowing into
it from the north" the leader Captain John Minor,
was told Follow up this stream about eight
niles when you YYll come upon large, open plain
on the river which has been cultivated by the Ind
fans. You viii recognize the valley by a high
mound Of rock rising in the centre like island
Tina; is PompeTaUg's old home and fortress and
OF the Indian signal stations in the chain from
the Sound to Massachusetts,. 1t is a fruitful valley
and cleared. Stop there"
The party set out, travelling slowly to accomu1o-
date the women and children. rhe first part Of the
journey could be made by boats the PooTatuck
Great River navigable for full-sized ships
those days for several miles above its mouth. They
passed high cliffs Of rock until they reached the
Junction OF the Nsugatuck, where the river robbed
OF part OF its water. became shallower At last it
was shallow that the rude craft we're left be-
hind and the tourney taken up on land They
reached a stream Of fair size flowing from the
north into the broad but shoal Poctatuck Debating
whe ther this could be the stream which they were
20 follow. they camped for the night. AS they sat
about The fire the leaders discussed The question.
II was finally decided that the stream small
rhst oid fall within the definition given them
So at daybreak they took up their journey along
the banks OF the Great River. In due time they
reached another river scarcely larger than the one
they had crossed. Another cons sultaton among the
leaders followed and IL was decided to go up this
stYeam. That night they were lueo to sleep by
the nurnur OF the water OF the Shepsug River
Il RIPPED over its pebbed bottom. The next day
they proceeded up this river passing point where
the water foamed through series OF smooth pot
holes ground by the ceaseless movement Of pebbles
caught IN the rough hollows Of the ledge of rock
over which the stream began 20 run ages ago. This
marvel dio not claim their attention for long, as
sAey he'd discovered that they had ascended the
.zranz rlysr Instead Of entering plain the river