New-York tribune., 1905-02-12
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
THE CARE OF UaCAs.
Admirers of Cooper Grieve Over Destruction
That Will Befall It.
> - r,dltnr al - Trihune.

To the Editor Of TIE Tribune
Sir: II must come as a shock 20 all who are IN
svupsfiav with our societies FOX the preservation OF
ratura scenery and historic relics TO learn that
deed was fled IN the Saratoga County Clerk
Office about two weeks ago transferring 'he utie
Of the cave made famous in THE Last OF the Mo
aicans' TO manufacturing company winch Wii
erect 2 mill on the site. II would seem as IL the
cicers Of the societies alluded 10 must have been
caught mapping. fer while the famous cave cannot
be called historic strictly. nor remarkable as natu-
raj scenery. vet TO many persons such spot pos
<esses q charm stin rare. the DEMONSTRATION
t5st the glamour of romance can be made TO cling
Tor generations around little rocky isle. even
though il be American novelist OF the older Gay
fhat weaves the spell
What , tinge of irony it would have lent to the
r,sn OF FeniInore Cooper could he have foreseen,
when penning that stirring chapter about the little
hand OF whites beset by savases. that he was CIV
ing worldwide fame that little rocky efuge. only
10 have IL desecrated by dollar hunting corpora
tioul One wonders TO what the present day novel
fst poet or ronlaucer can be encouraged to attach
his tale with any hope that the object would De
spared by the ruthless years, even If he should sue
ceed in giving worldwide celebrity 10 the scene OR
will he be content attach his romance. like the
smell Of gasoene, the trail of an automoolie ano
lei il vanish at S6-second gait into the Dust OF
oblivion or perchance jump TO annihilation over
the nearest fence?
of nature with fresh minds and clear eyes like
Cooper discerned the beauty and romance or our
American country while it was yet wild before the
pail OF engine smoke hung over all In the immor-
tai pages OF these discerning ones we can YET ma
refuge from time time against the assaults OF
the vandals. more dread in some respects than the
narbarians who surrounded Hawkeye. Hayward
TJncas Chngachgook and their two female compah-
sons II may soften little ones condemnation or the
people Of Glens Falls and others who permitted thls
destruction Of the cave learn that this vandalism
was done by degrees. beginning in 1883 when the
cave was partly unroofed by the blasting sthat
preceded the erection Of an iron bridge that sue
ceeded the old one Of arches and wooden roof
SO dear in memory TO many visitor. The island
lay partly in Morean and partly in Gueensoury
townships. and had changed hands twice within a
year e circurnloeution that may have been neces-
ssry TO acquire it for its destined destruction To
many a one who has had the privilege OF climbing
down into this subterranean citadel when the hare
bells waved in the crevices around him and the un-
vexed Hudson thundered above and beside him,
wild as in the days Of the Iroquos. 1t will seem as
sf the eaerprsing Northern city had lost greater
glory and attraction for strangers in the Cave Of
Cncas than it would gain in the biggest factory on
earth. and millions Of Coopers readers will echo
The sentiment II may take the bad taste out of the
mouth TO read sonnet by the poet Auringer, once
z Glens Falls preacher, who certainly caught the
spirit Of the closing line OF his little poem:
on TIE BRIDGE AT GLENovs.
' sss saeso With lamps ' ATonnd me @ foams the bold
Loua Hudson-swtftiy into darkness rolled
II wild cags asnong that IaInous o5,s,to band
Revealed in that enchanting fiction old.
Blown hence through many Al alien tongue and land
the hsgghty UHeas. 4.i,ayg and the yiss .s..r
The singer strains Of sacred sounds compact:
AND fsa The % sweet sis3ers lips and borne through el
The plunge aad tTernbe Of the cataract.
c H cRANDALL.
Stamford. Conn. Feb. g. 1865