Oregon Republican. [volume] (Dallas, Or.) 1870-1872, 1871-01-21
story of a Deserted Mansion.


Not far from Morristown, n j., and
situated on what is known as the Mad>
ison road, may be seen large and fine
house, standing in the middle Of exten
sive pleasure grounds, bearing the
marks of having been the abode of per-
sons of taste and wealth. The once
beautiful park, now, however. presents
the appearance of having been the
camping grounds Of at least regiment
of demoralized soldiers, SO numerous
are the tracks everywhere of fires and
wanton hacking among tho trees,
shrubs and evergreens.
Where once were flower beds aud
rare plants. now browse stray cattle. aud
pigs by the score root to their noses
content on the soft turf of the lawn,
On approaching the house, still more
terrible scene of ruin may be found.
The hall doors stand wide open, and as
the stranger enters, several cattle
calmly survey him from their comforts
able position on the drawing room floor
The house is three stories high, aud
surmounted with cupola. The rooms
are spacious aud numerous. and were
finished in the best possible manner
when built. Windows opening TO the
floor. and consisting of large and valu-
able panes of glass, oppose little or no
obstruction TO the cattle and pigs, the
former generally taking sash and all
with them, when leaving in haste.
On the floor of what has evidently
been the library, tramps or mischievous
boys have lighted fires, whose flames
were fed, from appearances, by the
doors Of cupboards, stair ratings, and
other small pieces Of woodwork Of the
house In many places the floor has
been burnt almost through, aud how
the house has escaped from being
burnt down is wonder With carbon
ICED ends Of wood, hideous and reyoIt-
ing pictures have been drawn upon the
pure, white walls, together with words
of indecent character.
The plaster center ornaments of the
rooms have been the mark for the
intruders to shy empty bottles aud
stones at, and all are greatly damaged
Door knobs, bells, and their wires aud
pulls water fauceis, the paraphernaia
of the bathroom, and everything of a
like movable nature, have been wrench
ed from their fistenings and carried
away. Window shutters have also dis.
appeared, though probably burnt a.
fuel and not taken from the house.
Such a scene of wreck and desolation
can seldom be found within thirty
miles Of the city of New York. One
might imagine such wreck among the
desolation of the South, but in the
prosperous North its history is unparal>
leled
This house has this sad story: Built
but few years ago, it passed into the
possession of a wealthy New York mer-
chant, who used every endeavor to
make it home of beauty. No expense
was spared ; and the house and grounds
became noted for their appropriate be-
longings. The mistress of the house,
the wife of the owner, unfortunately
there sickened and died. The friends
gathered to attend the funeral, and the
body was borne from its beautiful
earthly home to the cemetery The last
to leave the house was its owner, and
he, turning the key in the lock, left it
just as it was to its fate. The neighbors
clamored for days for entrance, but no
one was within, and all attempts to
persuade its owner, who had gone to
New York, to return to it, were un-
availing, Attempts were made to pur.
chase or rent it, but to neither plan
would the owner accede. If sold at all +,
the ground should be sold for ceme,
terry. On their peril, he forbade the
neighbors to enter the house.
The thieves of the neighborhood soon
found out the rich field, and for nights
piIlaged it. The constables hearing of
this, laid in wait in the house one
night, and arrested three men as they
were TolliHS UP 1Ho nuc Odi pCts ioi eho
purpose of taking them away. The
owner, when notified to appear and
prosecute the thieves, not only refused
to do so, but threatened to prosecute
the constables for entering his house,
saying it was bad enough to have three
thieves break into house sacred to the
memory of his wife, without having as
many constables also therein.
Some friends, seeing the peculiar
state of the owner, removed the balance
Of the furniture to safe place; and the
house remains open to the world. lad
persons congregate there, and the house
at night is supposed to be the resort OF
| thieves and robbers.
Some years ago squatter settled
himself in little gardeners house on
the property, and plows the land and
reaps his crops as if the fee simple
rested in him. The owner has refused
| to notice him or turn him out. Last