Westchester 413 



it will cross Castle Hill Neck, and Clason's Point and end at 

 Port Morris; but to do this will require a great amount of 

 filling in, as a number of wide stretches of meadow land are 

 to be crossed. 



On the north side of Throgg's Neck are Locust Point, or 

 island, and Weir Creek, as well as a small settlement called 

 Pennyfield. If we turn to the north over the Eastern Boule- 

 vard, we shall pass the grounds of the Westchester Country- 

 Club; and, continuing on our way, shall come to Pelham 

 Bridge. 



The ancient road connecting Westchester causeway with 

 Pelham Bridge passes one of the famous trees of the Borough. 

 This is the "Spy," or "Haunted," Oak. Its age must run 

 into centuries ; as three feet from the ground its girth is twenty 

 feet, and at the ground the spreading roots must increase 

 this measurement by at least ten more. It gets its name from 

 the tradition that a British spy, caught prowling near the 

 American line, was hanged from one of its branches. For 

 years, the spot has been considered to be haunted by the spirit 

 of the unfortunate victim; and he is, indeed, brave who will 

 go by the spot after nightfall. An old gentleman from Chicago 

 whom the author met at the tree and who was visiting the 

 scenes of his childhood and youth, told the writer that in his 

 boyhood's days there were two brothers living in the neighbor- 

 hood who were famous, or otherwise, for their boyish pranks. 

 These youngsters would frequently hide behind the stone wall 

 bordering the road near the tree, and, as dusk settled down, 

 keep a bright lookout for any traveller upon the road. Upon 

 the approach of such a person — if a child, so much the better — 

 they would at once set up a series of the most heartrending 

 moans and shrieks until the scared passer-by would take to 

 his heels with added evidence of the place being haunted. 



