mestic or commercial use. The explanation
is that the water, in freezing, rejects four-fifths or more of
its content of salt.

Four miles above Hudson we pass the estuary of Stockport, on the north
bank of which, at Kinderhook, once lived Martin Van Buren, eighth
president of the U.S.

The son of a farmer and tavern keeper, Van Buren (1782-1862) was
born at Kinderhook, N.Y., of Dutch descent. He obtained a scanty
education, and it is said that as late as 1829, when he became
secretary of state, he wrote crudely and incorrectly. He was
admitted to the bar in 1803 in N.Y., allied himself with the
"Clintonians" in politics and later became a leading member of
the powerful coterie of Democratic politicians known as the
"Albany regency," which ruled N.Y. politics for more than a
generation, and was largely responsible for the introduction of
the "Spoils System" into state and national affairs. Van Buren's
proficiency in this variety of politics earned him the nickname
of "Little Magician." In 1821 he was elected to the U.S. Senate,
and in 1828 governor of N.Y., and in the following year was made
secretary of state by President Jackson, who used his influence
to obtain the nomination of Van Buren for president in 1836.
William Henry Harrison, the Whig candidate, was his principal
opponent, and the popular vote showed a plurality of less than
25,000 for Van Buren. Van Buren's administration was compelled
to bear the weight of errors committed by Jackson, his
predecessor, and though he showed unexpected ability and firmness
in his administration, he was defeated for re-election by
Harrison.

130 M. SCHODACK LANDING, Pop. 1,215. (Train 51 passes 11:17p; No. 3,
11:45p; No. 41, 3:55p; No. 25, 5:30p; No. 19, 8:37p. Eastbound: No. 6
passes 6:24p; No. 26, 6:45p; No. 16, 12:41p; No. 22, 2:20p.)

Schodack was the Dutch rendering of the Indian word "Esquatack," meaning
"the fireplace of the nation." The island opposite the station was the
site of the first council fire of the Mohican Indians, who were grouped
about their "fire place" in 40 villages. They inhabited the Hudson
Valley and their domain extended into Mass.

In consequence of attacks by the Mohawks the Mohicans moved from
their council fire to what is now Stockbridge, Mass., in 1664.
Later many migrated to the Susquehanna Valley and became absorbed
into the