Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1880-07-17
HANOOCK's ISLAND HOME.
The Pretty spot where the General
Passe. His Time.
From the New York star

The public will be naturally interested
in reading something about the home and
domestic life OF Gen. Hancock, the dem
ocratlc nominee tor the presidency OF the
United States. Although his home is
nominaliy in Pennsylvania, his real res
idence, as commander OF the department
of the east, is on Governors Island, in
New York harbor. The house IN which
he lives Is an old-fashioned one-story-
and-a halt structure. Long verandas ex
| tend the entire length OF the building.
and there are pillars supporting the roof
| which shelter the verandas. In the Gen.
ter OF the front Of the house there is a
substantially constructed door opening
into broad hall. Midway in the hall Il
| massive staircase leads to the spacious
chambers above. An Old-tashioned clock.
such as were the style in our grandfath-
er's days, stands near the staircase, and
| Its loud ticking at once attracts the at
| tention of the visitor. There are beauti-
| full shade trees surrounding the quaint
dwelling, and the place brings to mind
the rural home described in a familiar
poem:
''SOmewlat back from the village street
Stands The Old-isshioned country seat;
| Across lis antique p0riico, .
Tall poplar trees their shodows throw
On the day following the nomination
of Gen. Hancock, the reporter paid him
visit at his island home. Governors S
Island is reached from New York city by
steam ferrybOat that makes hourly trips
IRON pier East river, adjoining the new
barge Office On the New York landing
there is small passenger house, in
| t,r,lf fot, .rl To 4 hot
no improper persons go on board the
boat.
"You will have to wait half an hour
before the boat goes" said the guard; land
thus admonlshed, the reporter took a
seat in the house, and patiently waited.
There were several persons in the place
who were intending to visit the island.
One of them was an elderly lady accom-
panied by u young man. She was talk
ing about Gen. Hancock, for whom she
seemed to entertain very high regard.
This lady was Gen. Hancock 8 mother
in-law, and it was evident from her re-
marks in reference to the general that
they were on the best OF terms. The
traditional antipathy between mother-in-
law and son-in-law certainly does not
exist in this case. s.All aboard for the
island" shouted the guard, and the pas
sengers walked over narrow gang
plank to the boat. The boat has an eight
by nine cabin, and a promenade deck
about the same size. A sail OF exactly
seven minutes brought the vessel to
Governors island landing. Ascending
a steep pathway the visitors passed !;
sentry, who, with shouldered musket,
was guarding the long rows OF heavy
cannon, shot and shells, as though there
was danger that some one would steal
Uncle Sans property. The path leads
on up to the level campus. On the lett
are seen several cottages, one of which
Is the residence OF Gen. Hancock. Step
lping upon the front veranda, the report
er reached for little brass knob 1T the
right, and gave it pull, and shortly d
good.natured colored man, with i glis-
tening row Of white teeth and eyeballs
like peeled onions. answered the sum-
mons.
81 am reporter for the Star, and
would like to see Gen. Hancock and his
house." go n.-
The darkey grinned and said: Come
right In, boss, and take seat" The
invitation was accepted.
On the fsor in front OF the fireplace
was a curious mat, which was AN imita.
ton Of the skin OF q white ioX, with iun.
ny little sharp glass eyes in the head
which was raised. The representative
of the Star was intently gazing upon the
white fox, when there nolselessly enter
ed the same elderly lady who had been
heard talking about Gen. Hancock in
the boat-house. In the room were sew.
eral persons, evidently strangers. The
lady introduced herself. saying:
II am Mrs. Russell-Mrs. Hancock'S
mother. Make yourselves at home.
please. Mrs. Hancock is not ut home
but Gen. Hancock will be here prese mt.
ly."
The parlor was plainly furnished. A
somewhat faded Brussels carpet, the fig
ures upon which were anything but mod
ern in style, covered the floor. The
chairs, sofas, mirrors and other furni-
ture were decidedly old-fashloned. Sew
erai portraits and paintings adorned the
walls, aud articles of bric-a-b.uc were
arranged upon the mantle and ''what.
lnot'' ia a corner. A piano with quaint,
the inventory.
Soon heavy step was heard in the
hall, and the General ,~.!.ad into the
parlor. He greeted the company pleas,
antly, and sat down for a few minutes
chat lie has happy faculty OF Sc
framing his remarks that they apply to
and entert ain each one OF his listeners.
In this way he manages to make all his
guests feel at ease. HIS conversation
did not relate to his nomination or to
any political subject whatever. He spoke
OF the fine scenery on the island, OF the
trees. referred to the steamer City of
New York, that had been burned, and
sunk in the East river. and told the COM
pany that the military brass band attach
ed to the post would play some national
airs in the campus at 5 O'Clock that al
ternoon. One OF the visitors spoke OF
the action Of the democratic national
convention, but the general skilliully
changed the subject
Suddenly Gen. Hancock looked at his
watch, and exclaimed: Il am real sor-
ry; but shall have to ask you 10 ex-
cuse me. l must 60 over to my office,
and attend to some important business.
Mrs. Russell will entertain you. Please
make yourselves at home"
In another moment he was gone
The home OF the democratic nominee
for the presidency is unostentatious.
His family consists only OF himself, ife
and one son. The latter resides at a
distance The General and his wife are
thus alone. except when Mrs. Hancock's g
msther, whose residence is in St. Louis,