The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-05-05
AN ISLAND HERMITAGE.
A HoosIER sAVANT.


TuRE-THEJURIsT,A AUTHOR, POET AND GEN.
TLEMAN COMBISED-MoST RRMARKABIE
LIFE m AMERICA. g1ns 4 lo ro'-Hii
From Special Correspondent OF the sentinel Cd
LoeANsPoRT. AprillS, 1s74.-Run up on the
east bound evening train Of the Toledo,
Wabash g. Western Railway, and you
viii shoot into the suburbs of this sprightly
city just as the lights make every window
gleam cheeriully without and suggest COM
fort within. The approach is romantic. You
must cross, not one, but two Wabash rivers,
for here the frisky old stream, as
II enamored OF the valley opens its arms
and embraces portion and holds the emer-
AID gem upon its silver bosom. The unman-
merry railway dasn straight across the
western limb of the islet gaining an ad
vantage by the use of two short bridges, in
lieu Of one long snd more costly one. As
you pass over the first and glance down
upon the low lying island, the eve catches
a passing glimpse ola substantial and neat,
though not large, mansion among the trees
which at this hour is brightly illuminated.
the picture sof an inviting home. 1t is, in
fact, the ''Island Home" of Judge Horace
p. Biddle. in many respects. the most
man OF his time, and living right
In the swirl of q scrambling and sordid
generation, lite which In this American
land is altogether unique. He is no selfish
hermit, Indifferent TO the claims of mankind
for that service which every man owes,
whether it is paid or not. He has done, as
Collyer would demand, an "honest
days work." Thirty-five OF his best
conscientiously to professional and
public service. From 1916 to 1852, and
again after an interval of eight years, fl ON
1850 to 1872, he served the Eighth judicial
district as judge of the Circuit Court, on the
occasion or his last election not one solitary
vote being cast for any other mau. He was
a member OF the constitutional convention
of Indiana in 1850, and was in
1857 elected to the supreme bench of
the state, though not commission
ed through misconstruction of the law by
Governor Willard. The rest of the active
years were given to the successful practice of
law in this place where he has lived all the
time since 1889. But according to a promise
made to himself, at the age OF sixty. he cut
the traces and released himself en-
lirely and absolutely from the exactions
of all business both public and private.
The certainty of fortune within his reach
any day, at the price of business attention,
does not shake his purpose, and the visions
Of political distinction which await only his
consent to be made realities exert no influ-
ence to tempt him from his Eden. Yet he
ure; he is both industrious and regular in
his habits, but his industry is permitted to
follow the line of taste and inclination.
WHAT HE HAS WRITTEN
Besides extensive contributions to leading
newspapers and magazines, he published, in
1858, volume of poems; in 1860, treatise
on the Musical Scale" and a revised edition
in 1861, scientific work purchased in
copy right by Oliver Ditson, of Boston, aud
held as standard work; in 1865 another
volume of poems, with second
edition OF the same in 1872; in
1871 "Review of Professor Tyndsll's
"work on Sound;" and in 1873, a large
volume of poetry, entitled "Glances at the
brief discussions. He has in hand at this
time an elaborate poem, American Boy
hood" besides other tasks, as time
aud pleasure dictate. This brief out
line suggests. truthfully what the
man has been, and might be
strife and ambition, and what he is from his
deliberate choice. L have stated that he
lives upon the island. This be owns entire,
with all that is upon it, except the railway
track and bridge, and highway and bridges
by which the public cross to the south side
Of the Wabash from the city. /
walked around the entire kingdom.
1t contains seventeen acres of land, and
the title covers actually thirty-two acres
with the riparian privileges. 1t is a veritable
Arcadia, comprising within its small terri
tory besides the "Home Mansion; a small
village of 10 houses, Inhabited about seven
ty- five people. The rental of these dwellings
contributes moderate but ample income
for the proprietor, requiring very little care
f.r hat To- <aol
people call "temporalities." To be more
explicit this settles the question of bread
and butter and pays the bills,
q very = convenient thing and of
some practical Importance. The lower
point and large part OF the south side are
bordered with primeyai specimens of the
sycamore, oak, and other foress giants.
Some of them are immense. At the upper
end is park devoted to the trees and
shrubs Just as they please to grow, and to
the million birds just as they choose to
sport and ting in the thickets. Six acres is
a smooth and grassy meadow at the rear of
the dwelling. around which are several cut
houses, a locust grove, and at one side a
burrow, or rabbit warren, where the happy
cotton-tails flourish, secure from the greedy
ours and adventurous boys. The rabbits are
fearless of the master when alone, but at
sight Of newspaper fiend they retreated
with prudent haste. Such is the half Sc
cluQ60 seat where with singular ntneSs
stands the treasure house OF learning, the
citadel OF all that is choice in ancient and
modern literature, and much that is beauti-
ful in music, statuary, painting, poetry
and curiosities. The house is
~, 3lll ALL A LIBRARY ol lil 4
and gallery of fine arts. Originally the
building was plain and solid square of one
story, the roof being high enough to afford
space for an ample attic chamber with two
dormer windows built out upon the roof and
down to the attic floor. On the ground
were four rooms and front hall. with base
ment for culinary and domestic pur-
poses. The walls are of stone plas-
tered outside with some hard set
stucco. To this original body, the judge