The Newtown bee., 1909-11-19
L, O. PECK REPLIES TO CRITICISM
 OF CORRESPONDENT.
Makes Strong Point.

S04 West End Ave,
 New York City,
 November l3, 1909. To the Editor of The Newt0Wn Bee:
 Dear Sir; In your issue of the 18th Inst, l have read a criticism of a sub scriber relative to my suggestion or not changing the name of Dodging- town, and taking me to task for eall- Ing q locality Sunset Hlll, that has been known for a century or more as Couch's Hill. When l 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 he had secured a vast tract of land from the Indians for the sum of 90 pounds sterling as the old deeds show. This deed was secured from the chief of the Wiantenuck tribe, who however, reserved the right for himself and his posterity in perpetu- ity, 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- soluteIy nothing to-day. No. deed of his, marking memory, fingers in that locality. Sunset Hill signifies sonle- 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 1t 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 lost tribe, and in small way 10 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 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 unselfsh 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 50 years to bring to a perfect state. This is not for himself, but those that follow. The large lake which he is arranging for by the construc- tion of dam, is I believe, to be callew Hopewell Lake, in conse- quence of that locality being known as Hopewell Woods. There is no de- sire on his part to immortalize the name of Luttgen py thrusting it on an object; he is doing it better, though inadvertently, by creating charm where nature helps him, and the whole community may enjoy it. In conjunction we are building a drive which will skirt his lake and connect the two properties, which will be open to the public There is to be no self-aggrandizemert. The drive will be called Hopewell Lane. Let us where we can, preserve the dear old country traditions; let Dodgingtown stand. Forget localities of family names, like Couch's Hill. Let us jealously guard hometown, Jump Hill, Poverty Hollow, Hope well, etc. Yours very truly,-[Lester Orton Peck.