The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-25
STATEN ISLANDS LOOKOUT.
Memories Of Famous Oak Recalled by .
New Tower.

The United States Coast Survey has
begun the erection of tower on Todt Hill
about 400 yards from the residence of
David j. Tysen, the highest point on Staten
Island. The tower will be rs feet high,
and will be capable Of signalling to the
Government building on Manhattan.
Truly, history repeats itself. The value
Of this particular spot as lookout or
signal station was known to the Aquehonga
as we'll as other tribes Of Indians. prior
to the advent OF civilization in the New
World. Within the memory Of very old
citizens of Staten Island. with whom the
writer has conversed, there stood near the
spot now being prepared for the tower a
giant oak tree which the Indians used in
signalling with friends.
According to tradition. the Dutch used
the same oak tree from which to tell the
officials OF Nieu Amsterdam what was
happening on Staten Eyelandt. and along
the Het Kill van Cul and the Achter Cul,
now corrupted into Arthur kull.
Col. Heard and a portion OF his New
Jersey regiment were OH duty at this spot,
on the arrival OF the army OF Sir William
Howe in the lower bay, and signalled thence
to the block fort that stood on the heights
Of the present Fort Wadsworth. From
there the troops on Pavilion Hill Cat the
present, Tompkinsville) were signalled, and
by the aid Of field glasses old Israel Putnam,
at his headquarters at Broadway. learned
OF the approach Of the British Army.
Gen. Washington, then quartered at
Richmond Hill, in the house in which Aaron
Burr resided at the time of the duel with
Alexander Hamilton, also received the
news of the arrival Of the red coats through
the same system Of signalling That was
the third day Of July, 1776, and was the
last day the island was In control Of the
Americans until the evacuation.
In the War Of 1912 the oak was constantly
In use. The writer once interviewed an
old veteran who did service there.
He said that stationary ladder was
fastened to the trunk Of the tree, which
enabled the men on duty, four or five at
time, to climb fully seventy Ave feet in the
air. In the daytime, red, white and green
flags were used for signalling, while at night
lanterns OF the same colors were employed.
-White always meant that everything
was all right said the old soldier, while
green meant that an attack was probable,
and red that there were actualhostilities.
The old tree for years after the war wasa
source Of revenue to the owners OF vehicles,
who conveyed strangers from the boat
landings to Todt Hill. The oak seemed
to grow In importance as the years sped
by, and II is said that during the year pre-
ceding its destruction more than thousand
people climbed up through its carved and
we'll worn branches.
A target company, whose members be-
longed to the old volunteer fire depart
ment and had served in the War of 1912,
paid annual visits to the old tree and kept
Tor many years Old Glory nailed to the
highest branch. Throngs OF New Workers.
accompanied the target company to the
scene.
The equinoctial storm in the autumn Of
1927 destroyed the old oak. Among the
souvenirs made Of it's timber was a cane
for Lafayette, and scores Of gavels and
other trinkets were made and presented
to the heroes Of the day.
The tower is going to he very attractive
adjunct to Staten Island. From its bal
cony one will be able to see every part Of
Staten Island. as we'll as the country for
many miles around.