The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-19
EAST SIDERS IN THE CATSKILLS.
Mountain Districts Where Many Dwell.
ers Of tho Tenements SOlourn.

WEST EnA. N. Y, Aug. l7.-It is well known
that for several years past the Jewish summer
colony from New York city has been constantly
grewins amens the Catsdll Mountains. The colony
this summer q ead to number about 25 900 persons
who aSs ooAstsreA tar and wide among these delec
table hills Thsy include some men Of large wealth
And q great many well to do business men and
their families. Some OF the leading mountain
hosels are almost wholly devoted to their enter
tainmnt Tho summer visitors at some OF the
Octlemsn0, as Fleschmann's. are almost entirely
composed Of Jews, and they are in the majority
In perhaps q dozen popular resorts.
One feature OF this summer immigration has
greatly surprised the other visitors. Few New
Workers imagine that workaday people living in
tho tenements OF the East Side. between City Hall
and Forty second street. AFFORD to seek relief
from tho heat and mugginess OF the city among
the mountains icS miles or moro from their homes.
This may be true OF all the other races In most
crowded tencments but 1t Is not true of thousands
Of the Jews among them. 1t Is probable that at
least 10000 Jews from Baxter. Forsyth and many
other streets where they arc conspicuous are now
in the catskills. The old clothes merchant, the
small jeweler, tho junk dealer, the tailor and men
OF nearly every other calling on the Jewish East
Side are all well represented The breadwnner may
remain only for a few days or two or three weeks.
but his family. parents and perhaps grandparents
are there for longer sojourn. Many aged per-
sons are among them.
The jews rich or poor, do not like TO get far
from tho railroad, and they are not seen at all
In large parts Of the mountains. They also have
their favorite centers into and around which they
crowd. utterly neslectins many a railroad hamlet
and It's surroundings that are Just as convenient
and In all respects as desirable as tho districts
into which they throng. Tho poorer among them
are much In evidence at the cheap and isolated
boarding houses along the roads for hve or six
miles out OF the villages allied with their more
prosperous compatriots
CsSsl "a Ia
TO the new scenes along these roads. He is likely
10 be besiegod by troops of boys and girls, be-
grimed with healthful country dirt, wearing no
supernuity Of clothing and all screaming for ride
The modest rustic teamster Is often embarrassed
by the women who ask him for q lift" back 70
their boarding places from which they have wan
dered far. The hayneld Is a favorlte resort, and
tho othor day the writer counted eight hayoocks
In ono fed. Zach the center OF family group, the
women busy with their sewing or pillowine their
heads on the fragrant timothy for a snooze. There
10 lack Of water diversion In the Catskils but tho
East Side contingent 10 the nrst TO make the most
OF the slender opportunities. Foot padding In q
brook Is conspicuous In the list OF amusements.
Tho passcrby who nears ono OF these big coun-
try boarding houses at tho right moment NAV
witness q most remarkable transformation. No
one Is In sight and the peace and quiet of nature in
her calmest mood pervades the scene. Then the
supper bell rings and some shady glen suddenly
empties itself OF q most vociferous throne, each
person trying TO outshout the other II Ia litt.e
Coney Island broken loose: but the transformation
In the daily life OF these humble folk 10 even greater
and what kind heart Is not glad that they have
exchanged the tenement for the breezy hills II
only for q few weeksi
Last week the Catskills had . genuine surprise.
Some Of tho churches there improve the boardin 2
season TO give . fair or entertainment which. II
very successful. enrches the treasury by 500 or
$500. Well. the Jews In Hunter gave festival for
the benent Of = small Hebrew hospital among the
mountains and In one day raised u fund OF more
than 1900. Every shares their pleasure In the
splendid outcome Of this philAnthropio Effort