Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1873-08-13
An American Palace.

Hills, stands a. huge pile of masonry.
which strikes the eye Of the eeho.,Lrf
with wonder and admiration. This is
'Ogontz.' the country seat of Jay Cooke.
the noted barker. The magnificent
structure is 490xl57 feet, and is built Of
native stone, taken from quarry on the
place, except those used for the corners.
which were brought from another part OF
the country. There are two towers cor
nected with the house. the larger OF
which is 90 feet in height. The top of
this is surrounded with an iron railing,
and is used as an observatory. Under
the roof are two tanks. capable of hold
ing 5000 gallons of water, from which
the house is supplied On the smaller
tower is flagstaff. from which tue ma
tonal colors are displayed on State days.
The house is five stories high, includ-
ing the mansard roof. a large porch
extends on three of is sides, and on the
/ fourth side, between the Kitchen and the
tower, is a grand conservatory. or rather
crystal palace, tie workmanship os
which is very fine The interior is III
describably grand. The floor is black
and white marble III the centre, raised
upon mound of stones, is a revolving
fountain. Around the basin are a large
number of aquatic plants of rare beauty.
and near by is large aquarium, contain
ing a number of Chinese fish. Suspend
ed from the dome is large chandelier,
composed of glass figures of every shape
which is illuminated with gas, as are also
the house, stables. and park. In every
available space are tropical plants among
which We noticed the banana and india
rubber trees. The mansion contains
fifty two rooms, finished in walnut and
other hard woods, and the walls and cell
ings are fyescoed in a most beautiful
style.
The furniture is all of heavy walnut,
elegantly carved. The aoors..are cover
ed with costly carpets, and lace Curtains
of the finest texture adorn the windows.
Oil paintings in the highest style of art,
many of them of the largest size. line
the sides of every room. French plate
looking-glasses, which reach from floor
to ceiling, are in the parlors. On the
third floor is billiard room, in which
are billiard and bagatelle tables On The
fourth floor is a play room, containing
all the paraphernalia of theatre GA
the first floor Of tie main tower is the
private Office of Mr. Cooke. Here is
battery by which he can telegraph to all
parts of the civilized world. On the wall
is large dial having all the points of
tie compass, which is connected with q.
weather-vans on top of the tower
Space will not permit Us to give I'll the
particulars of this wonderful building
The whole tract belonging to the place is
beautiful rolling stretch of 200 acres,
$50 of which is cultivated
The park, grove containing so acres.
situated on the north and west sitcs,
forms handsome background. This
park is laid out in the most beautiful
manner-young evergieens and other
ornamental trees arc planted profusefy
over the ground. flower beds are laid ont
in every conceivable shape, broad drives,
grand promenades. gas lamps hero md
, there, with other oraamentai devices cal
culatcd TO bca;.tify place. 1t the en-
trance is a porter's lodge, to the left as
, you enter At the head of broad walk
bordered With grange and fig trees stands
building which represen an ancient
castle in ruins. The counterfeit is som-
plete 1t looks as if it would fall at any
moment, but is really very strong. This
ia the natatorium Near the top of tie
tower is a reservoir holding 500 gallons.
, This supplies bath below in the same
, building which is 90 feet square and 10
| feet deep, holding 10000 gallons. Near
this building is a large fountain another
still larger, stands near the mansion close
to the woods and both are nearly afwaJs
playing,
J, On the west Of the park is l';rss
f water course, which drives the water
D works. On the north. about FIVE hun
!. dreds yards from the house. in gorge
: in the woods, are the stables. Here -
? room for twenty horses. The upper
: story is laid out into rice rooms to ac-
: commodate the stable men. Below are
t the gas works and near by are the green
f houses They cover one acre Of ground.
At the foot of the park. near Rocklane.
is a beautiful marble vault, in which re-
pose a number of Mr.. Cookies family.
Near the tomb, in large pond, is a
fountain of many jets. In another part
of the woods is large deer park, which
did contain number of those animals.
but the epidemic last fall destroyed all
but one. A large force Of men is con-
stantly engaged IN improving the park.
everything being done in the best man
ner.-Doylestown Ia,eliigencey
a country postmaster in Virginia
f wishes that people who use postal eards
wouldn't write go fine. as he consumes