Show AN OLD FRENCH CASTLE fort niagara at the mouth of the niagara river has interesting history duffalo lalo N no place in america rose esses more interesting history thin old rort niagara at the mouth of the niagara river the story of the possession by tre indians then the french british and americans each in succession and then by the again and flolly by the americans Is intensely interesting many of the old buildings are still in an excellent state of preservation and are in constant use by the present occupants of fort magara the building shown la the illustration Is the old french mess house or castle aa it Is now called it yaa begun by the french in 1725 and finished in 1726 it Is said to be the oldest existing masonry work west of albany its dimensions as planned by the french were feet the brick used in laying the main floors was brought from france and much of the stone for the alls from frontenac it Is the tradition that the castle which is a very strong building wag erected by stratagem A considerable though not powerful body of french troops had arrived at the point their force was inferior to the surrounding indians the french obtained consent of the indians to build a wigwam and induced them with some of their own officers to engage in an extensive hunt the materials bad been made ready and while the indians were ab sent the french built the castle hen the hunting party returned at night the french had advanced so far with the ork as to cover their faces and to defend themselves against the savages la case of any attack |