The Portland daily press., 1871-02-01

To the majority of readers it is quite unnec-
essary to state the building known and desig-
mated as above, stands upon the part of Wash
ington street called the "Neck." whatsoever
has ridden up town in cred Line" omnibus,
Or any of the variously colored horse cars
which necessarily move southwark through
the principal avenue to the Highlands, has
seen between Concord and Worcester streets
a lonely, lofty, French rooted mansion, partly
hidden by high brick wall, which inclosed
and marked The boundaries of the estate, and
partly by score or two of young but thrifty
looking shade trees, which gave hint of a pos
sible semi-rural felicity on the part of the
privileged occupants of the secluded dwelling
place. Had it not been for the graceful archi-
lecture OF the building and the esthetic init
nations of the shade trees, the place might
have been suspected TO be the county jail
The high brick wall surrounding the lot
seemed well adapted to prevent either egress
or ingress, and its monotonouS surface was
nowhere broken by gate or portal Or visible
sign OF welcome to or intercourse with the
world without. Whether it were inhabited or
not, few had knowledge, and if there were an
owner or occupant, the wherefore of his mys-
FERROUS seclusion fewer still could tell. The
substance of the information gathered was
that the house was built in the French STYLE,
and that its owner and for some time occu-
pant was named Deacon, and pronounced his
name by preference with the emphasis on the
last syllable.
But the spell of secrecy and sequestration
is broken at last, and yesterday and to-day the
public to the number OF ten or twelve thou
sand, having tickets are permitted to inspect
the interior and crafty their long pent up Gu
rlosity. Those familiar with its history be-
cauie Volaoie IN the presence of newspaper re-
pofters, ana the latter in possession of a
unique local Item are expected to dilate there
upon.
1t was about the year 1910 that Colonel Ed.
wafd ireole deacon, rom WHOM the estate
takes its name, met Miss Parker. the danoh1
ter Of the late Peer Parker, ESQ.,. at Sarstn
ga, where the acquaintance was ma lie which
led to their marriage year or two atterward
Colonel Deacon was man OF ariStOcratic and
somewhat reserved feelings, and was never
well known in Boston, On account OF his
short residence here. He was native of
Maryland. and was the son of Commodore
Deacon, in his time wel-known officer in
the United States navy. He derived his title
of Colonel from having served in the army
against The Indian, and it is said that at one
time he was gagged in land operations in
Michigan Soon alter his marriage with Miss
Parker they went abroad, where they remain
ed several years. 1t is well known that the
late Mr. Parker was gentleman OF great
wealth, and it seems that, upon the return OF
the Colonel and his vile, it was determined that
a residence should be erected tor them after
heir oWl preferences. The South End,
where The site was selected, or rather the
Neck" as it was then called, was Just begin
lng to be built up, and old residents remem- |
Der very well how different locality it was |
rom the South End OF 1870.
The mansion, which was built strictly in |
he French style of the period, was completed
ABOUT the year 1S4S, and it is noted as being