Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-09-08
NO. PIG.
miscellaneous.
4 DISMANTLED HOME.

In the neighboring town of Westbrook
(now Deerng) about forty years ago. the
late F. o. j. Smith built costly mansion
in the midst of forest about half mile
square The house was considered a
marvel of magnifcence in those days, and
from its secliision excited the awe and adj
mration of the surrounding population.
In this Forest Home as he named it,
Mr.. Smith dwelt for many years. He
made large plans for the improvement
of this fine estate, none of which were
carried to completion. He had an infirmi-
ty of purpose which prevented him from
carrying through what he had begun, and
in his latter years the house fell into de-
lapidation and dacay. The career of this
man need not be told here. His great
abilities, the bright promise of his early
career, broken by his utter lack OF moral
principle his many projects, all OF which
failed for the want of that cooperation
which only confidence can give, his def
ance of law, his great success and his
many failures are well known to many OF
our readers. His was career Of great
possibilities misdirected by evil passions
and the lack of that moral stamina which
alone can give enduring success.
In Mr.. Smiths palmy days this Forest
Home was the scene of high living and
lavish expenditure Though he lived in
state of social isolation he did not lack
the power of making friends, for there was
fascination about the man. and a vein OF
generosity, that endeared him to a few in
Inmates. In his latter years. when failing
fortunes and domestic bitterness poisoned
his life. this home in the woods was far
from being happy one. His immorali-
ties brought their bitter fruit. AS death
approached he sat down and wrote a most
extraordinary will, bequeathing fortunes
with lavish hand, while his unproduc-
tive and neglected estate was really insol-
vent. The bequests have not been
realized. the fortunes have proved unsub-
stantal
After Mr. Smiths death the mansion
was occupied for time by the family OF
his widow and that of his eldest son, by
his first wife. Not long since his son
died there Il terrible death caused by in
temperance. His departure broke the last
tie of the Smiths with the decaying man.
sion. They have dispearsed, and Mr..
James p Baxter OF this city, who had
purchased the estate, subject to the Wild
ows dover. has come into possession.
This house in the woods. as relic of
| IdlIcn 1OTtuHes, Us .tiI tuiD!cHl VI u itiV
which was failure. is an object of curios-
ity to many. 1t stands in the midst Of u
beautiful forest park capable of great i'm.
prOvements. 1t has many outbuildings
most of which are in a state of decay !
There is an enclosure for deer park, one
of Mr.. Smiths pet projects. The house
itself is built on a singular plan. said to
have been obtained i'm France. Certainly
no other mansion, so i'll contrived can be
found in this region. The structure is of
brick, covered with mastic, much Of which
has peeled off and left the walls ragged
and bare. The basement story, in which
are the kitchen and dining room, is low
and ill-lighted. The first floor is reached
by a fight of high, narrow steps, guarded
by two hideous lions. The front door
opens into vestibule, a square apartment
of considerable size on the wall of which
still remains poorly executed bust Of
Mr. Smith. which no one has cared to take
away. This vestibule has no staircase,
but opens by two small doors into two par
lors, which are connected by sliding doors,
and occupy the whole width of the house.
When thrown together they make a grand
apartment. There are no means OF ac-
cess to any other part of the house except
through these parlOrs. In their rear is
passage with narrow staircase leading
to the story above. In the rear of this is
the sitting-room, a small apartment, adj
hitting to chambers on each side. In the
rear Of all this is the library, circular
apartment surmounted bv a dome, which
admits light through colored glass. This
room was intended to be fire-proof; the
walls are of brick, and admittance is
gained to it by very narrow doorway,
closed by an iron door as well as wood
en- one. A gallery runs around the wall,
which was reached by short ladder.
The shelves, which circle the whole room.
are now empty, the books, among which
were many rare and valuable ones, hav
ing been sold Immediately after Mr..
Smiths death. Carloads of pamphlets
went to the paper-maker. The library is
small, ill-lighted and gloomy. 1t has no
windows, but is partially lighted by al
coves on each side in the form of project
inc bay windows, cut off from the main
apartment. Here the proprietor had gath
cred many choice books and works of
art, Relies of the latter are seen lying
about in the shape of dilapidated copies
of old masters and plaster casts of famous
works. Everywhere is seen the evidence
of magniiicence AS well as of neglect and
decay. The walls are stained by leakage,
|; there is an accumulation of the rubbish
and dirt of long years, and the house is
/ full of foul odors One wants to throw
open all the doors and windows to admit
the light. and the free air of heaven that
II may sweep away with the foul smells
all the associations OF the past-of home
made wretched by an ill-regulated lite.
The whole house seems narrow. contract
ed. gloomy it wants breadth, air and sun
shine-and above all, oblivion of the past
This is likely to come in the hands Of its
present proprietor. who is now repairing
} and remodelling it, and whose fine taste
will have ample scope in the adornment
Q of the noble grounds around it-Po'fiand