OLD NINETY-NINE’S CAVE
CONTENTS
Page
Illustrations vii
Introduction ix
Chapter I 1
Chapter II 11
Chapter III 26
Chapter IV 49
Chapter V 97
Chapter VI 107
Chapter VII 116
Chapter VIII 124
Chapter IX 157
Chapter X 164
Chapter XI 193
Chapter XII 212
Chapter XIII 246
Chapter XIV 270
[Illustration: Reuben]
OLD NINETY-NINE’S CAVE
BY
ELIZABETH H. GRAY
[Illustration: Le Succès est un Devoir
CMC Pub. Co.
MCM]
THE C. M. CLARK PUBLISHING CO.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
1909
Copyright, 1909
by
The C. M. Clark Publishing Co.
Boston, Massachusetts
U. S. A.
All Rights Reserved
PRESS OF MURRAY AND EMERY COMPANY
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
_DEDICATED
To the loving memory of my Father and in grateful
recognition to my friend J. F. C., whose
encouragement made this book possible._
ILLUSTRATIONS
Reuben _Frontispiece_
_Page_
Margaret 61
Into this den of venomous serpents, only the
hardy dared penetrate 149
Tim Watson 170
Jack De Vere 194
Beyond the hills melting into a pinkish haze 206
Canal boats still crept sleepily on 248
Sam’s Point 255
The Rondout Creek tumbled musically over
the rocks below forming many beautiful
cascades 292
The laurels take on a rosier hue in the warm
afterglow 308
INTRODUCTION
Tourists in the Shawangunk region are unanimous in pronouncing it
one of the most beautiful spots east of the Mississippi, and in some
respects unique on this continent. Mokonk and Minnewaska need no eulogy
from any pen, Sam’s Point tells its own story, while the entire Rondout
Valley has a charm of its own.
It has been the author’s good fortune to have access to old books and
papers relating to the local tradition of “Old Ninety-Nine.” He is said
to have been the last of the Delawares in the Rondout Valley, and,
excepting his death, on which tradition is silent, the account given is
the one generally told.
The house of Benny De Puy is still standing and the “very spring from
which old Ninety-Nine drank on his way to and from his cave” yet gushes
out not far from the door.
The photographs of Sam’s Point and Margaret are by V. T. Wright. That
of Reuben and others used are by A. V. Turner.
The author feels indebted to “The Four Track News and Travel Magazine”
for courteous permission to reprint parts of two articles by herself
that were published by them.
Old Ninety-Nine’s Cave
CHAPTER I
The Shawangunk Mountains extend from near the center of Ulster County
to the southwestern corner in an almost unbroken chain. The Catskills
are in the northeastern part and between these two ranges is the
Rondout Valley, which extends from the Delaware to the Hudson River,
averaging in width about three miles.
Shawangunk is an Indian word meaning “Great Wall,” and the range
separates the Wallkill from this beautiful valley. Here flourish the
trailing arbutus, azalea and laurel, and in July that glory of our
continent--the American rhododendron--is found in perfection.
History and tradition have added charm to the natural beauty of this
region, and every lake and mountain-pass has its legends.
Early settlers were Dutch, and French Huguenots who found the
country disputed by different tribes of the Delawares. Those
living in Ulster County were called the Esopus Indians, and their
hunting-grounds embraced the territory between the Highlands on the
south, Tendeyackemick on the north, the Hudson on the east, and the
head waters of the Delaware on the west. They were, however, divided
into clans which generally took the name of the place where they lived:
thus those on the east side of the Shawangunk Mountains were called
“Waconawankongs” and those on the west were called “Wawarsings,”
“Minisinks” and “Mamakatings.” Originally they were a portion of the
Minqua or Delawares, who always claimed a protectorate over them and
with whom they merged when driven westward by the settlements of the
whites.
In the heart of this valley and nestling close to the base of Point
Wawanda lay Nootwyck, a quaint little village and seemingly part of its
surroundings. Huguenot Street intersected the village, running from
east to west towards the mountain, and extended part way up its side.
It was in December, 1878, that John De Vere hurried up this street
towards the home whose welcome lights glimmered through the falling
snow; even the gaunt Lombardy poplars which lined the street were
attractive in their soft mantle of white. At the extreme end of the
street he turned into his grounds and ascended to the house by the
winding road which led up to it. Being a scholarly man and an admirer
of the Greek style of architecture, his house had been made to conform
as nearly as possible to it. The broad piazza which extended around
three sides commanded a fine view of the valley.
Springing up the broad steps, Mr. De Vere was soon in the midst of his
family, who were seated at the supper-table. The family consisted of
his mother, wife, and four children: Jack, a handsome young fellow of
twenty-two; Celeste, a girl of twenty; Eletheer, sixteen; and Cornelia,
six. Reuben and Margaret, the two blacks who served them, were husband
and wife.
“Ugh!” said Mr. De Vere, “a bitter night and this snow added to what
is already on the ground will make a heavy body of it.”
“I think the temperature is moderating,” said his mother, “and the snow
will probably turn to rain.”
“Father,” said Jack, “Mr. Valentine Mills called at the office to-day.
He seemed anxious to see you.”
“What can he want in the country at this season of the year?” returned
his father.
“He said something about wishing to purchase your mining claim and
erecting a sanitarium on Point Wawanda; he showed me his plans and I
tell you the structure would be an ornament.”
“O, don’t sell it!” protested Eletheer, “you know that is to be the
site of my hospital.”
“John, I don’t like that man’s looks and would have as little dealing
as possible with him.”
“Why, mother, he seems very much of a gentleman.”
“Nevertheless, I mistrust him.”
Mrs. De Vere, or “Granny,” was a woman of positive ideas and, in her
younger days, of great executive ability. A strict Calvinist, she had
accepted the doctrines of her church as ultimate truth beyond which
there was no cause for investigation; these questions had been settled
for all time and those who differed from her were either deluded or
wilfully in error. She never obtruded her religious beliefs on others,
but, when asked, always gave them in a remarkably direct manner, which
precluded all argument.
After supper she retired early, accompanied by Eletheer whose
self-imposed duty it was to see her comfortably tucked in bed and then
read her to sleep from her beloved Bible. Mr. and Mrs. De Vere went
to the library where a bright fire crackled on the hearth, scenting
the room with birch. Throwing himself on a couch, Mr. De Vere with a
deep sigh said: “You know the mortgage on this place comes due January
first, and probably Mills wants his money. I can’t blame him either for
Nootwyck is dead. One enterprise after another falls through for want
of railway communication. Look at the iron mine, the blast-furnace and
the rolling-mill. They cannot compete with like industries elsewhere
and consequently fail.”
“This town is bonded for the railroad and we are entitled to have it
extended through to Kingston,” his wife said.
“The business men of Elmdale do not want this extension, and I fear
they have played a winning game.”
A loud ring at the door announced the arrival of some one, and who
should Reuben usher in but Mr. Mills himself.
“Good evening, Mr. Mills,” said Mr. De Vere cordially. “Stormy night.”
Divesting himself of overcoat and rubbers, Mr. Mills entered the
library and shook hands graciously with both.
He was tall and spare, of about fifty-five, and his manner was that of
a man of the world; but his unsteady glance never met one’s frankly and
his movements were restless.
Reuben brought in a tray on which were a plate of crullers and some
cider and while they were sipping it, he replenished the fire.
“Where did you get that treasure?” inquired Mills after Reuben left the
room.
“He was a porter in the college at Vicksburg, Mississippi, when I
occupied the Chair of Ancient Languages there. He became enamored of
Mrs. De Vere’s maid, Margaret, and begged me to buy him, which I did.”
“If not an impertinent question, may I ask what you paid for him?”
“Certainly. I gave one thousand dollars for him. He is not an ignorant
man, as you can see.”
“How did he get his education?”
“I taught him and he still studies every spare moment of his time.”
“Your life has been an eventful one,” said Mills interestedly.
“Mrs. De Vere’s has,” her husband returned soberly. “Jack told me that
you were at the office to-day.”
“Yes, I wanted to see you on some business connected with your mountain
preserve.”
For some inexplicable reason, Granny at this juncture entered the
room, leaning on Eletheer. Mills sprang to offer her a chair, and as
soon as she was seated Eletheer left the room.
“A charming family, De Vere,” said Mills.
“A God-fearing one,” returned Granny, “all except Eletheer have
accepted the Word of God, which is cause for great thankfulness.”
“God is good. His ways are inscrutable. Let us trust that the remaining
lamb may be received into the fold,” said Mills reverently.
“She is a good child, but wilfully in error, I fear,” replied the old
lady wiping her glasses. “Cornelia is a true De Vere and even at her
age the family traits are pronounced in her.” Mills moved uneasily.
“We were discussing Mr. De Vere’s preserve on the mountain back of this
house,” he remarked. “I should like to erect a sanitarium on it.”
“Eletheer has set her heart on that mining claim, and I think she ought
to have it,” said her grandmother.
“As a mining claim, it is worthless. Experts say that gold is there but
not in sufficient quantities to pay for mining. Instead of chasing a
phantom, would it not be better to erect an institution where the sick
and suffering may be benefited by the medicinal springs and balsamic
air of these mountains?” Mills replied.
“That is just what she proposes doing.”
“But it takes money,” he answered with a sinister smile which no one
saw. “Several charitable New York men are interested in the scheme and
wish to negotiate through me for the purchase.”
The old lady was momentarily won and Mills, seeing his advantage,
continued: “The company wish to begin operations as soon as possible.
That is what brings me into the country at this season of the year.”
“Well,” said Mr. De Vere, “there are reasons which must be carefully
weighed before deciding, and I will let you know my decision within a
week.”
Seeing that Mr. De Vere was determined and that nothing would be
gained by prolonging the interview, Mills was obliged to be content and
soon after left, fully convinced that his mission was accomplished.