FOREWORD 



The Purpose of this book is to tell the story of the wonderful rise and de- 

 velopment of the Borough of The Bronx. It is a story of heroic endeavor, 

 individual self-denial, slow progress and final triumph. The hardy pioneers 

 who sacrificed their comforts and lives to wrest the wilderness from its 

 savage lords, and who blazed the path for progress and civilization, builded 

 better than they knew. 



The teeming Borough today is a noble monument to the greatness of the 

 men who brought it into being. As long as it endures their achievements 

 will be told in song and story. 



Here will be found a record of the extraordinary growth of this great 

 Borough. It is not the purpose of this work, however, to give a detailed 

 description of the early history of The Bronx, but rather a brief summary of 

 the mOst memorable events in its historical, commercial and municipal 

 development. 



It has been the aim of this book to indicate the modern development and 

 future prospects of the Borough as well as to create associations of Colonial 

 and Revolutionary memories with which almost every inch of ground in the 

 Borough is hallowed. 



In compiling a work of this kind, the author has had much assistance in 

 gathering material and making it accurate and authentic. He is especially 

 indebted to Mr. Nathan J. Kaplan for assistance rendered, suggestions made 

 and material furnished; also to Mr. James L. Wells, Mr. Louis F. Haffen, 

 Mr. Walter G. Scott, Mr. Lindsay M'Kenna, and Mr. Randall Comfort, who 

 furnished many of the photographs illustrating this book — all of whom have 

 rendered valuable service and made possible the publishing of this book. 



Where facts could not be obtained from local residents, the author con- 

 sulted early histories and documents for his data. 



Chief among the books consulted were Bolton's "History of Westchester 

 County"; Scharf's "History of Westchester County"; Comfort's "History of 

 the Borough of the Bronx" ; Kelly's "Historic. Guide to New York"; and 

 Jenkins' "The Story of The Bronx." The last mentioned work has been re- 

 cently issued and contains a mine of historic information relative to the 

 Borough. Besides these, a host of minor books, encyclopedias, newspapers 

 and magazines were drawn upon. 



HARRY T. COOK. 



