Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-12-30
WHERE Is CARLTON's PRIZE.

To the Editor Of the Free Press:
wish to correct an error that has
crept into history as to the location OF
some things on Lake Champlain.
One Of these errors has reference to
the location OF Cartons Prize. see
by some Of the maps Of the lake that
Gull Rock. some 40 rods south OF the
south end OF Providence Island, Is de-
signated as Cartons Prize. Gull Rock
ms about % feet high and over 100 feet
long and because of its large size would
never have been taken for boat in the
days Of such small crafts as were In
use at that time
I notice further that some locate as be-
ing sloop Island. small island near VAL
cour Island but tho commodore would
not have been mistaken with tht island
for the British had their rendezvous on
the west shore Of Valcour island and
would be perfectly familiar with sloop
Island.
But II you will go with me to the north
east side Of stave Island, now owned by
Mr.. Wells ar summer home. will
show you LONG rock that at the high
stage Of the water in the spring is sub
merged but later in the season when the
lake gets lower it projects above the
water at times as much as 5 feet and in
length 70 to so feet.
Years ago and at the time that Carlton
took the Prize there grew on this same
rock cedar three that had Some how
succeeded in securing hold there in the
Gre ices Of the rock
This tree In n dim light might easily
be imagined into having the appearance
Of rast and sail ami proba bly, accounts
largely for the error Of Commodore Carl
ton in supposng it to be an American
gun boat
I have often heard this rock spoken OF
as Cartons Prize by old residents and
they used to tell how the commodore had
challenged the rock ard tree and recev-
Ing no response had emptied a broad side
at It knocking some bark and slivers from
the tree
l was born In South Hero on the old
Martin farm at the south end Of Grand
Isle. where to my father was born before
me. My grandfather bought this farm
in 17s5. but had lived on Grand Island
some time before buying the old place
My father. Lyman Martin. was born
at the old place in 1893 and both my
father and grandfather lived and died
there, my father dying in the year 1873
at the ripe old age of four-score years.
My father and grandfather were both
. OF them very familiar with the old coun-
tryside lore snd We hovs have often
heard them discuss with visitors and
strangers these old events and we were
FAMILIAR with every nook and corner Of
the surrounding lake and islands
MY father has often spoken to us and
In our nre.ence OF tho old coda, tree
that used to stand on the rock have
mentioned and he was familiar with tho
common and well known history Of Carl
toms Prize
notice that some % the maps OF the
present time show a station on the Rut-
land railroad at the south end OF South
Hero township called Martins Bay. Now
we all know that there Is no such sta.
ton on the railroad there
Down by the Martin dwelling there Is
bay that has always been known az
Martins Baythe house standing close by
the mouth of the bay and the Martin
farm bordering on and bounding the bay
for a considerable distance about 1t.
The Martins have lived here ever since
the south end OF Grand Island has been
settled and It is said the Lyman Martin
was the first white child horn or .ho
Island although can not vouch for this
truth ~ this but do know that the old
Martin homestead has been occupied by
the Martin family continuously now for
1o5 years.
| would be pleased to hear from any Of
the old residents having knowledge OF
Cartoons rrl2" or con rcrHirG any other
old "'untrvslfc lore or Grand Island
or the vicinity through the columns Of
the Burlington Free Prcss.
Yours truly.
GEORGE A MARTIN