The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-04-15

n 1860 the Americas Club pitched It's tent
for the summer on the grass-grown lodges oil
Indian Hnrbor Point. in the town OF Green
wich. Conn. For two summers they were salts
fed with the tent then they put up an unrre-
trntious wooden structure. which in after years
grew into the palatu club house. famed III the
history Of the Ring. In their tcntng DAYS
Tweed was not with the club but he soon after
ward appeared ms the ruling spirit. Thus he
became acquainted with the beauties OF Green
wich and its surroundings. and learned to
appreciate its advantages rs n summer resi-
dcncc. He made careful survey OF tho village
and the various estates within its limits. and
finally In tho spring ot 1865 bought in the nanc
of his wife, Mary Jane Tweed. the philHndcr
Button place OF Mrs. lille liardenhronk. VINO
Of forty urrrs of land, nm old square house. and
a few outhuildings. lie paid for the property
about slO,uOO In 1850 n" added u small farm
OF twenty-five acres to the place. and soon after
warl bought seven acres more. Then he en-
closed III. Who'll. seventy 9crcs with handsome
native blue granite OF that section. and broken
by half dozen stately entrances. where wrought
iron gates were nankrd by lamp posts.
The old house WIS not torn down. but II was
given u Mnnsnrd roof. nanked hy n square
tower and SO transformed as to appear Ike n
new house. II II now most charming sum
mcr house. low. rambling. and comfortable. Its
appointments are perfect without my ostenta-
tious display OF wealth. At some little distance
from the house stand the stables. also OF wood.
In their construction money wns absolutely
throwIn away; they are said TO have cost flOoi
600. In them are the billiard room and bowl
ing alley. besides rooms for the coachman ana
his assistanis
West of the house. aud Mt the same distance
from 1t MS the stables are the conservatory
grapery. ana rosary under the nrchcd plate.
glass roofs Of which nearly two acres oi ground
are enclosed. Close by the rosary stands nm m.
! mcnsc oak tree. high up among the branches oil
| which are three platforms. one above the other
| reached 10y winding staircase from the ground
/
| used To ait. and sometimes take supper.
D., Trounds afe WIN eH H mr. nhI o1n rnh
berry winding walks. fountains. and iron lamps
| Tho uncultvatcd taste OF the hate proprietor Il
iron. painted to resemble bronze. that are a-
| numerous and M vHried in design rs were those
ad9rning the grounds OF Lord Timothy Dexter
| In Nrwburyport. Mass some years since.
| Among the statues in the grounds Is colos
snl Gambrnus. standing with one foot on q
beer kcg and holding m uplited mng OF hctr
On the lawns and among tn. shrubhery may b.
! seen cnst-iron Mercury, Flora, Ceres. ant
Pomona. Columbia. an American Indian, anc
| numerous animals. dogs. eagles. deer. and IN,
great tiger OF the Amprcus Club. This last Is {
decided blot upon the scene. for. besides helms
resemble stone The lawn, batwcen the hous'
and conservatory. is also dsilgurrd 10y an i'm
mcnsc liberty pole. from which thern used I,
wave. on all gala days, the American flag.
The grounds are now sadly neglected. nn'
some thousands. Of dollars will be required e
restore them. In the vast conservaiores. II
which Tweed himself once said there were owe
| three miles OF steam pipe. rare plants. vines
| and shrubs stand wth"rrd and dead. trooI
| OF horses. one" sleek aud well kept. now rom
about the grounds ut Will. rough and unkempt
tearing up the lawns. walks. and flower bed
with their iron-snod hoois.
The site NJ the Tweed place is historic, q
nearly 50. ioI II II on the brow ot Putnam Hlll
and "A short distance north ot 1t Is the precplt
ous face down the rocky stairway ol which rod
Israel Putnam when pursued by British sol
plunge. The property cost first and last
nhUui 100000. ana is worth now about s6O0h
The only claim against II ~ an attachment He
for IS. 700. held by james II. Inger-oIi.
Here for many summers have resided III
Tweed famiy-Mrs. Mary Jane Tweed. Ger
has two children. Willie and Mary; Mar
Tweed. now. Mrs. McGinnis OF New. Orleans
Lizzie Tweed. also u Mrs. McGinnis Of New Or
leans. the sisters having married brothers
josie Tweed. now Mrs. Douglas OF this city
Jennie. Dick. Charlie. and George Tweed. IA
twolatter nowaged l6and Is. Thetwo younGe
boys are ut school in Scotland. The Tweed
very quietly while there, No party was eve
| given in the great house except to the boy
from Rnndal's Island. and but little compan
WAS entertained The Boss received all of hi
friends Mt the Americus Club House, a mile die
tant. In front Of H. too. he kept anchored hi
steam yacht. the Mary Jane Tweed. In which h
used often to travel TO and fro from tn" city.
When the Twreds first went to greenwich
they attended the Methodist church, and chief
with their money IN" present edlilre OF that d'
nomination in the village WAS built. As the
increased in riches and Importance. they he
came attendants NJ Christ Church, TO which the
give an organ. Both Mr. ana Mrs Tweed al
man in Greenwich who owes his little house
the bounty OF William NJ. Tweed