Thomas R. Bayles
has written much about Long Island and we are happy that the Forum
has chosen to carry some of his articles. A new booklet by Mr.
Bayles: “The Early Years in Brookhaven Town” is appropriately
dedicated to Mr. Bayles’ father, Richard M. Bayles, one of the most
famous of Long Island Historians. Indeed much of the material in
the booklet, states the author, is based upon his father’s work.
“The Early Years”
makes pleasant and instructive reading. There is a brief
introduction to Eastern L. I. and then an account of the Indians.
Then Brookhaven’s part in the Revolution and an interesting
discussion of the famed Setauket Spies.
The illustrations
in the booklet are superb.
Of course author
Bayles deals with famous men such as the Townsends, Tailmadges,
Smiths, Woodhulls, etc., with famous events too but he finds space
for some very interesting, if less momentous bits of history.
For example he
quotes early records. In 1663 “William Poole was fined ten
shillings for cursing, and William Fancy was found guilty of lying
and fined ten schillings.” Just think of the tremendous revenue our
local governments would have today if such laws were enforced.
“Early Days-“
should be in your collection of Long Islandiana. To own a copy you
just send one dollar to Mr. Thomas R. Bayles, Middle Island, L. I.,
N. Y.
The August issue
of Holiday magazine carried an article, “The Faces of Fire Island”
by one Alfred Bester. We quote the last two sentences. “It is a
miracle of nature preserved, virtually untainted, in a country that
is fighting desperately to save what of its original beauty that
remains. Fire Island is a part of that beauty.”
Most of the
article preceding these two sentences is devoted to describing the
horrible behavior of wild weekenders. Mr. Bester gives expression
to his prejudices and weeps inky tears for the plight of the
perverts.
A most attractive
booklet marking the Golden Anniversary of the Fireplace Literary
Club and the Brookhaven Free Library came out way recently. The
club was so named since “Fireplace” was the original name of the
hamlet of Brookhaven.
The purpose of the
Club was to establish a library, which it did in 1912, and some 500
books then kept in the old two-room schoolhouse on the site of the
present school building.
In 1926 Mr. and
Mrs. James