Milford chronicle., 1913-01-24
HYDE Park. n. V. Ian. Z

Rain this afternoon has interferred with
an automobile trip to Poughkeepsie, but
we have been there several times, how
ever, so we don t mind not going to-day
On Sunday we went over a new route
to that city, but did not follow the usual
automobile road, and as we rode the
country was indeed beautiful, almost every
hillside being covered with apple trees.
Fine herds of fancy bred cattle were seen
at every place roaming over the hills and
through the apple orchards. We rode up
a hill known as college Hill, " which
was donated to the city of Poughkeepsie
by a Mr.. Vassar, the founder of Vassar
College for Women. From its top can be
seen the whole of the city and also the
buildings of the great Vassar College in
the distance. A fine old mansion house
stands on the summit of the hill, and at
one of its sides is a deer park, while on
the other is the large city acquduct.
The merchants of Poughkeepsie are
wide awake, and in their stores carry
much better line of goods than is to be
found in Wilmington; though their city
is only one-third the size of Delaware s
metropolis. The main business street is
paved with wood blocks and is beautifully
wide. Fine ornamental lamp posts, on
which are arc lights, light the street as
we'll, or better, than any street | was ever
on in any city.
We have been over the grounds of the
New York State Insane Asylum, which
is located between Hyde Park and Pough-
keepsie, and found them very interesting
indeed. Over three thousand inmates
are confined in the different buildings
connected with the place; it IS town i'll
itself, and all power for the many de-
partments is generated on the place.
The view from this place is one of the
most beautiful we have ever looked upon
as a landscape. All the grounds that have
been cleared of trees IS planted in sod,
but there are hundreds of acres about the
place which are still covered with woods
and trees. We later saw the place at
night, when the electric lights showed its
picturesque effects even more than in the
day time, and gave more clear idea as
to the great size of the grounds. Farm
hurst, in Delaware, with its land would
not cover much more ground than one OF
the departments of this great asylum oc-
cupies.
There are a number of Catholic institu-
tions located in this vicinity. Most of
them are across the Hudson River. One |
of these, a few miles from this estate
where we are stopping, trains young men |
for the Priesthood. We saw a number of |
the students walking to and from the |
place yesterday.
This morning we rode to Staatsburg, a |
few miles north from here but in the |
same township. The railroad company |
is building a new station and freight |
house at that place. l noted that they
were using asbestos shingles on both
buildings, and | was informed, after ask
ing few questions, that they use these
shingles almost exclusively along the
New York Central road. This line of
railroad is making extensive improve
ments along its entire system.
On our trip this morning we rode over
the entire estate, located here, owned by
Ogden Mills. Next to the Vanderbilt
estate it is the most beautiful along the
Hudson River, which at that point IS very
beautiful. Other estates we have visited
are the Huyler (ofcandy fame), Rogers,
Dinsmore and others; all are maintained
in the top notch of perfection, which gives
employment to hundreds of people at
good wages.
have noticed one thing which knew
would be of interest to you, viz; the
manner in which the schools are conduct
ed. Each morning large two-horse hacks
bring the children from the outlying parts
Of the school districts, or townships, TO
the school building, and each evening It
takes them to their homes. The people
here claim that much better results are
accomplished in this manner, than by the
single school district. The school in this
town "a mere village) has number OF
rooms. and it gives a manual training
course, and a domestic science course to
the girls. 1t seems to me that Delaware
should wake up and bring her schools up
to better standard.
At Peekskill, and for miles on each
side of that place, we noticed large
number of brickyards. They are not IN
operation at this time of the year, but to
Judge from their size, they must manu-
facture thousands upon thousands OF
bricks daily. Mr.. Shears told me that
southern darkeys are brought to these
plants by the owners each year to make
bricks. When the manufactured article
is ready for shipment they are loaded on
large scows and towed down the river.
It was almost dark when we came to
Fishkill Landing, so we did not ger
good view of Newburg on the opposite
side of the Hudson River. wanted to
see that town, too, for knew that you
and mother passed part of your wedding
trip at that place aud at West Point, Just
below; we will probably see more OF It as
we 90 back to New York City.
regret to leave here, for we surely
have been enjoying our visit with Mr.. and
Mrs Shears. Virginia is well and we
have gained several pounds each, since
coming to the hills Of New York State.
GRo. MARSHALL TOWNSEND. /