[J. Thomas Scharf (1886)] after, this was an important point in the town, situ-ated, as it was, on the road to Lower or South Salem, and about midway between the two points. It was then denominated Yerks' Corners, and for years the general training of the militia of this section was held here. It was also from this place that the party started out on the memorable expedition that re-sulted in the capture of Major Andre. When the railroad came through the town, in 1846, and people began to gather around the stations, hotels at these places became a necessity, and Isaac H. Purdy had one constructed at Purdy's, and Thomas R. Lee erected one at Croton Falls. Both of these houses have been conducted as hotels ever since. The one at Purdy's was at first a large, plain, two-story building, with full accommodations for the public who traveled at that time, some forty years ago. It was leased by Norman Smith at first, who was its proprietor for a] number of years. Then Hart Crosby became the land-lord and it was noted throughout this section for its excellent accommodations. He kept it some nine years and was succeeded by William T. Gaining, who, in turn, gave place to C. H. Rundle. Eli Reynolds, a native of the town and a direct descendant of one of the early families, who, at this time, was engaged