Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-05-31
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
Correspondence of the Bulletin.
WASHINGTON. D. G.. Nav, "a. *


OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
Correspondence of the Bulletin.
WASHINGTON, D. G., May, "a, rs
One of our wealthy citizens has erect
ed grand monument here for the per-
petuation Of his memory. 1t is not in
STORED urn or animated bust, or huge
pile of marble in our beautiful Oak Hill
Cemetery, where sleeps hundreds of our
celebrities. But it is charitable insti-
tuition, reared at heavy expenditure
and endowed quite as literally. The
| citizen is W. W. Corcoran, and his mon
ument, or benefaction, rather, is the
Louise Home" an immense and mag
pifcent six-story building, at the corner
of 10Th street and Massachusetts Ave
nue., intended as home for INDECENT
gentle-women" 1t crowns beautiful
terrace and overlooks lie Droit Park in
the east. Mt. Pleasant on the north
while in the west the elegant mansions
of Ex-senator Stewart, Of Nevada, and
Boss Sheppard loom high above the sur
rounding buildings, greeting the loftiness
OF Louise Home. Georgetown also lies
spread out in the distance, all hanked
by the beautiful Potomac. Like the
Tai Mahul of India, it is ever repeating
the one word which seems all beauties,
graces and qualities" dear to him who
mourns, and would forever honor the
memory of his deceased wife and child,
through this temple of charity. At the
front of its grounds stands the eques-
trian statue of Gen. Scott. Approach
ing from the east, the building greets
the eye with it's elevated square, it's
lofty tower, and innumerable windows
looking at us through climbing myrtles
and honeysuckles A serene repose
rests on everything, and at once gives
the visitor sense of rest. The main
entrance is on Massachusetts Avenue,
and is reached by steps rising on the
terrace, and lands upon large portico
overlooking the gardens of flowers and
choice shrubbery on the east and west,
enclosed by an iron ornamental fence.
Entering at this door, we are admitted
to large hall with marble pavement
Of block and marble tiles, from whence
the main staircase Of massive proper
tons rises to the upper stories. From
the outset one is impressed with the
elegance and permanence Of architect
ure. The left of the hall opens into the
library, a room of ample size, containing
cases of books, a reading table strewn
with the daily papers and periodicals..
The furniture OF the room is covered
with green leather, the carpet is soft
Brussels. Suspended over the marble
BILE mantle is life-size portrait of
Mr.. Corcoran. Leading from this to
the last, and connected with folding
doors is the Committee room, where
meets in council the nine directresses
every Saturday, who, with the matron,
constitute the management under MIR.
Corcoran. Miss Hunter, the matron,
tall, with dark hair and eyes, dressed in
plain black, is an ideal for the position
she occupies The ladies parlor adjoins
the Committee room on the south, at
tached to which is half octagon veran-
da. obscured from too obtrusive scene
by profusion Of vines. 1t is in this
room that Mr.. Corcoran has placed the
portraits of his deceased wife and
daughter. Seeing them, we can appre-
ciate the secret impulses of his good
ness. Mrs. Corcoran wears white
frilled cap, which exquisitely harmon
ICES with her sweet spiritual face. The
daughter, Eustice, now dead some five
years, must have seen the fathers pride.
Hers is lovely face, patterned some
what after his, but with the mothers
sweetness of expression. The piano
belonging to a daughter when a girl, is
in this room with other priced relics.
Here, in the afternoon, the ladies con-
gregate to chat or engage their time as
suits their elderly tastes. The long,
French windows look upon well cared
for flower beds, and smooth shaved
lawn. Leaving this, we enter the mat
ron's secretary, handsomely fitted for
the purpose. The principal object of
interest here, is an old-fashioned por-
trait of young girl of fine features.
1t belongs to one Of the gray haired old
ladies', and is relic likeness of herself
when she was young" Passing from
here, we enter the grand court, or hall,
open to the roof, from whence it is light
ed. Its first story walls are hung with
the private pictures of Mr.. Corcoran,
placed here at his breaking up Of house
keeping. Rising one above another, are
five tiers of windows, which are accessi-
BILE by the main stairway, an interior
stairway, and an elevator, especially
provided for the additional comfort of
the invalids. Passing to the west
end of the court, door opens up
on the principal portion of the grounds,
which descends off the terrace in
beautiful prospect of lawn, winding
walks lined with shrubbery and flowers
and choice trees. The Infrmary looks
out upon all the beauty Of the surround
ings, and for it's internal comforts, no
pains and expenses have been spared:
Spotless linen, choice flowers and all
the delicacies that charm an invalid's
eye, are tastefully d sposed about This
same care of the physical and aesthetic
comfort of these elderly ladies, charac-
terizes the private apartments. They
breakfast at eight, and dine at two, and
at six cheerfully discuss the topics of
the day over tea. AS last care, this
great benefactor has purchased large
lots in Oak Hill Cemetery, where they
are to sleep in their last resting place.