Gilpin observer., 1913-08-07

ton contained herein.
He mentions. particularly among the active
work of the post the branch OF the Y. NJ. c. A.
conducted by Chaplain Edmund B. Smith, the
classes for enlisted men and the drills supple
mented now with the more picturesque music
drills silent manual.
The military student finds at present little to
interest him. for the island is not fortified, being
in no way part of the scheme of Notifications.
which embraces Sandy Hook and the mouth OF
the harbor. Fort Jay. for 100 years known as
Fort Columbus but originally named for John
Jay, during the Civil war manned with heavy
guns, although not even threatened When Fort
Lafayette too crowded with prisoners at that
period Castle William took charge Of the
flow and at time housed thousand
prisoners. Among the noted prisoners who have
been confined there John Yates Beall, the
Confederate spy
Castle William completed in 1911 and is
built bed rock. In one of the departmental
reports 1t is described as "a stone tower with
fifty-two AZ and 32 Founders maintained two
tiers under bomb roof and terrace intended
to mount twenty-six 50-pound columbiads." In
several other reports Castle William is referred
to as an example of outgrown science"
In the museum the island is Sheridan's IA
nous horse, Winchester. who bore his master in
fortyseven battles.
In place of a regular army chapel, Trinity Cor
poration has provided the Chapel of st. Cornelius
the Centurion for the of the post. 1t is
charming Gothic structure of granite built
the old frame building. erected in 1S47 by DIR. Nc
Vckar, who taught ethics at Columbia college
during the week and Sunday preached in the
chapel he built and presented to the island him
self Garlanding the chance several upright
posts connected with heavy chain and bronze
tablet explains that they are cannons used in the
several battles of the Mexican war. Over the
choir, double of tattered battle flags hang.
One Is a mere cobweb and the light from the
stained glass window shows a fringe of blood
red threads and splash of blue where stars
were once woven This is the last flag pulled
In nho Dp ao,,Itc, l.
the one under which Major Reilly died and which
in China
Chaplain Smith is about to publish book OH
Governors Island. for with the exception OF a
monograph or two and some scientific articles on
technical subjects the place has practically been
overlooked by chroniclers. The book is to be
illustrated with several prints and engrav-
ings besides more modern work, and contains
data that have never been printed in this coun-
try and represent years OF the most untiring
search on the part of the author.
Situated near what is considered today one
of the most valuable pieces of real estate prop
erty in the world. Governors Island was pur-
chased (1637) by that shrewd old barater. wouter
Van Twiller, director general OF New Neither
lands, for some axe heads, n string of beads and
n few nails from two Indians whose Names
Cakapete1on and Pehiwas would indicate great.
er mentality than they seem to have possessed.
Across Buttermlk channel, to the ORIGIN naming
and history Of which Chaplain Smith devotes two
chapters OF his book. Sara. the first Christian
child to be born In the Dutch colony, daughter OF
Joris Janson de Rapalye, taken in tub at n
very early age OF her career and furnished the
only thrilling narrative OF the place for some
time.
For several years II furnished convenient
landing place for the settlers cattle and the first
building was erected 169s) by Van Twiller. and