DEDICATION OF THACHER PARK

Took Place Last Monday — Governor Glynn Accepts Famous Indian Ladder Section in Behalf of State — Many Present.

With impressive exercises appropriate to the occasion, supplemented by three scenic pageants, representing the beginning of civilization in the Helderbergs, John Boyd Thacher Park, the new reservation in the historic Indian Ladder region, which was given to the state by Mrs. Thacher last spring, was formally dedicated Monday afternoon.

At noon the official party was conveyed to the Altamont home of Mrs. Thacher, where luncheon was served. The exercises began at 4 o’clock in the afternoon. Among those witnessing the ceremonies were a delegation of members from several chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Dana Historical society of Albany and the Albany Institute and Historical and Art society, besides many distinguished citizens of the state. Special coaches on the 12:05 p.m. D. & H. train for Meadowdale and Altamont, carried a large crowd of people from Albany and surrounding towns to the scene of the dedication, and it is estimated that the attendance numbered fully 1,000.

The ceremonies illustrated in realistic style the actual scenes and occurrences of the primitive times when the Helderbergs were the rendezvous of untamed savage and the aboriginal Indian. The site where once stood the original Indian Ladder had been transformed in appearance by placing a huge oak tree against the cliff and looping its branches to form a natural ladder from the valley below to the plateau  above. Souvenirs consisting of fossils excavated from the limestone deposits were presented to the official guests as mementos of the occasion.

Glynn Makes Speech.

The program arranged by John H. Cook, superintendent of the park, and the state archaelologist, Albert C. Parker, was thoroughly enjoyed by all present. It opened with an address by Governor Glynn, who said:

“This park will serve as a monument to the memory of John Boyd Thacher. Here in future years will come people in search of recreation; students in quest of historical inspiration and geologists to study one of the oldest geological formations of the world. History, happiness and science all meet on this spot and pay tribute to the memory of the man in whose honor this park was presented to the state and gratitude to the lady who made this valued spot a state possession.

“This gift is appreciated all the more from the fact that John Boyd Thacher needed no memorial to perpetuate his name. He had written that large in the pages of our literature by his historical writings; he had carved that deep in the political annals of his time by the office he held and the honors he won from his fellow men; he had written that in letters of love upon the hearts of all who labored with him in the vineyard of life. The sod, the trees, the shrubbery of this place were not needed to keep his memory green. Generous in life, the generous spirit of him still pervades his household. He loved to do for others and those who lived with him caught up this love and gave expression to it by the presentation of this park to the state.

“Again, on behalf of the people of the state, I thank Mrs. Thacher for this contribution to the riches of the state. This park stands as an inspiration to all who would do something worth while for the state and an aspiration for all who would be enrolled among those whom the state loves to honor and respect.”

Dr. George F. Kunz, in replying on behalf of Mrs. Thacher, dwelt at some length on the value of the park to the scientific world as well as to the student of history. Addresses also were made by Dr. Finley, and by Dr. Clare.

Immediately following the close of the speeches, the three pageants were produced.

The first of these depicted an Indian warrior, a hunter, and a medicine man participating the peculiar rites of their race on the occasion of the discovery of the Indian Ladder region. The weird incantations and half-religious half-warlike chants of the savages were reproduced with remarkable accuracy and cast an almost magic spell over the spectators as they saw enacted before them the strange ritualism of the “untutored Indian” who thus sought to express the admiration and wonderment of his undeveloped mind.

Two Indian couriers coming up the trail from the valley below the hills, opened the second pageant. Making their way to the summit of the ladder formed of the oak, the couriers proclaimed to the crowd the approach of the white canoe which carried Hendrick Hudson up the river to the present site of Albany. Costumes such as were worn by the Indians of these times lent the perfecting touch to the impressive spectacle.

In the third pageant was shown the beginning of civilization of the Helderberg region. Settlers cleared the land and prepared to occupy it with their families. Surveyors were seen running out the lines along the top of the cliffs as they are described in the old deeds from the Patroons to the early inhabitants, and other scenes carried the spectators back to the time when the first Indian ladder provided the readiest access to the plateau at the top of the steep trail leading from the wild gorge to the fertile land above.

When the pageants were over each visitor was asked to carry one or more bits of stone from the foot of the cliffs up the mountain road to the park where they were deposited on a rise of ground which forms its highest elevation. The cairn thus formed is intended to mark the spot where will be raised in the near future a monument commemorating John Boyd Thacher and the gift of the wonderful region to the people for a pleasure ground.
It is the intention to make sue of every stone thus deposited in the foundation that will be laid for this monument, thus commemorating not only the occasion but also showing how wonderful are the fossils with which the region abounds.

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A CORRECTION.

Ames, Iowa, Sept. 8, 1914.

To the Editor of the Enterprise:

I was much pleased to read in your paper the account of the battle of Reams’ Station, Aug. 5, 1864, in your last issue. There were some errors in the account which I wish you to make known or correct, as I was in that battle. Dauchy’s Battery was the 12^th N.Y. in place of the 12^th mass. A. S. Liddle was gunner of the piece whose lieutenant, Brower, was killed, and was one of the two who came out alive. The author of the sketch in your paper states that all were killed; it is not so, for I am alive yet. Brower was shot and fell in front of me while sighting the piece, and we were so busy that we could not save him from the enemy. To tell you how Peter Krupp and A. S. Liddle got back to the remnant of the battery would be a story that some would not believe, for we were surrounded and nothing but a clear head and active mind saved us. The boys often said that bullets were not made to kill A. S. Liddle.

I am writing this that you may know of one of the many battles in which I took part. I like to read these interesting sketches, for they bring to mind the scenes of fifty years ago. At that time the people thought it was a terrible war, and they were not mistaken. But what was that, compared to the strife going on at the present time in the East, where thousands are being slaughtered! We had a just cause for war, to conquer those who had rebelled and ignored the constitution and government of the United States. But in these days of civilization and enlightenment, there are no disputes which cannot be adjusted in peace. The Europeon war has been brought about to satisfy an old grudge, and the common people must suffer for it. May the time soon come when wars shall cease, and the Kingdom of God shall reign throughout the world.
Respectfully yours,

A.S. Liddle,

Late Lieut. 12^th N.Y. Battery.