The Newtown bee., 1909-11-19
L. o, PECK REPLIES TO CRITICISM
 OF CORRESPONDENT.
Makes Strong Point,
sO4 West End Ave-,

New York City.
 November l3, 1909, To the Editor of The NewtOwn Bee:
 Dear Sir: In your issue of the l2th lhsl,, have read a criticism of sub- scrlber relative to my suggestion or not changing the name of DOdging- town, and taking me to task for call ing q locality Sunset Hill, that has been known for a century or more as Couch's Hill. When came into that unsurpassed country, the first thing that suggested inquiry was Couch; why Couch Hill? What had he done to be immortalized? 1 learned that ne had secured a vast tract of land rom the Indians for the sum of 50 pounds sterling as the old deeds snow. This deed was secured from the chief of the Wiantenuck tribe, who however, reserved the right for himself and his posterity in perpetu- lty, to hunt and fish and cast their wigwams anywhere on that tract of land. There were none of the Couch heirs that had a sense of beauty for those that were to come after them. Not a tree edged that peaceful high way on that splendid plateau, set out | by human hand. Couch is not par ticularly euphonic, it stands for ab- solutely nothing to-day. No deed of | his marking memory, fingers in that | 'ocality. Sunset Hill signifies some thing, it is descriptive, it is truthful. | Let one go there when the day is dy- ing and see the heavens fantastically illumined beyond the imagination of | man, without an obstacle to inter- rupt the vista. Then it would be easily understood why that locality would be chosen as Sunset Hill. My summer residence bears the name of Wiantenuck, in recognition of the losf tribe, and in small way to per petuate the fact of their one time ex- istence there. I would be signally opposed to having it called Peck's Hill, or after the name of another individual, yet those who come cen tury hence may pay me a silent tri- bute, as had some 70 trees set out along the highway, as far as my hold ings extend for the benefit of the stranger and his posterity Had Couch with an unselfish sense of beauty, lined that lonely highway with trees, for the benefit of the future, imagine if you can, the beauty and peace of that country road and the hundreds of benefciaries he would have had. Commodore Lutt- gen has set trees out that it will take 'O years to bring to perfect state. This is not for himself, but those hat follow. The large lake which le is arranging for by the construc- ion of dam, is l believe, to be .alleW Hopewell Lake, in conse- luence of that locality being known IS Hopewell Woods. There is no de- ire on his part to immortalize the lame of Luttgen uy thrusting it on 7 n object; he is doing it better, hough inadvertently, by creating harm where nature helps him, and he whole community may enjoy it. F n conjunction we are building a = rive which will skirt his lake and ornect the two properties, which n vill be open to the public. There is [ 0 be no self-aggrandizement. The Il Il rive will be called Hopewell Lane. II II 'et us where we can, preserve the J ear old country traditions; let d 'odgingtown stand Forget localities u family names, like Couch's Hill. Il et us jealously guard hometown, u ump Hill, Poverty Hollow, Hope c' ell, etc. Yours very truly,-[Lester d d rtOn Peck. U
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