Road Bar Scored As Farmers Seek Water For Stock
Way Fight at Middle Island Reopens
July 5, 1929

       Yaphank, L.I., July 4—After peace and non-interference of a year, following an armistice a year ago today, the battle of Bartlett’s Pond at Middle Island has again broken out this week.  Official steps are being sought to end permanently the rancor over the night of way leading to the pond adjoining the property of Charles Dieffenbach.  This time the situation is an acute one, due to the long dry spell and the need for water on the part of the farmers of this section.

       The pond is an old one, often mentioned in the record of the town of Brookhaven, but last year a real battle was staked when Frederick Brenner Jr., charged Charles Dieffenbach with striking him with a shotgun and chasing him from the shores of the pond and prohibiting others in the section from using the pond, which is the local “old swimming hole.”

        Assistant District Attorney Alexander G. Blue started prosecution of the case, but by mutual consent the case was dropped when Dieffenbech relented and allowed use of the pond on July 4.

       This week the fight loomed up again when Dieffenbach is alleged to have blocked off the entrance to the pond on July 4.

       This week the fight loomed up again when Dieffenbach is alleged to have blocked off the entrance to the pond.  With their cisterns dry many farmers in this section have been going to the pond at night and filling tanks with water for farm use, but they face a difficult problem with the road closed.

       According to Justice Frederick P. Marchant, there is a three rod public right of way to the pond and also a right of way around the pond.   In the meantime Town Counsel Ralph Hawkins and the trustees are being appealed to for a final order that will keep the entrance to the water open.