Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-10-30
HIS BRIDES MAUSOLEUM.
The Memorial Church Erected by
Pennsylvania's Iron King.


ALMOST FINISHING A COSTLY MANSION FOR HsR
ROME, But ON HER DEATH LBvRLLISG 1T TO THs
GRoUND-THK CONSIDERATION CEREMONIES
LEBANON. Pa Oct. 1s-A new church ediice
the princely gift OF a Pennsylvania iron king.
was conSecrated In this quiet back country
borough to-day. There is quite a romantic
chapter OF love and sorrow connected With IL.
The new edifice cost very large sum OF m oney.
and it is generally known that every dollar
, was paid ny NE R 20 Coleman one OF me
founded upon three mountains OF iron ore here
In Lebanon county, about 40 miles westof New
York The church Is In the borough proper.
Cornwall, few miles distant, is the home of
the Colemans. the richest iron family In the
state Monday, being the festival or ST. Like,
was chosen for the conservation of the mayni-
ficent edif1ce, and Ii was dedicated with all the
rites and ceremonies OF the Episcopal church.
Several years ago Mr.. Robert Coleman met a
young Lady OF very progressing appearance In
tour he made OF New England. She was the
In Moderate circumstances A mutual attach
ment followed, and not long afterward the cou-
pie were married. short time after the mar
riage the young bride was suddenly taken III,
and trip on the continent was arranged by
her husband. 1t was thought that the cli-
mate of the south OF France, Italy or Spain
would be Test for her. All that love and bound
less wealth could give was furnished with a
most liberal hand. The husband was CON-
PEELED to remain at home by business engage
renfs 1t was confidently believed that the
| bride would soon be restored TO good health,
nd very soon after her departure the huSbahd
| SIT about preparing surprise for her. He sup
| oSed that she would be abroad about yel
and he determined TO erect one OF the most
costly residences she had ever seen and have {
all finished and furnished In time for her arr
val home. She was TO know nothing about it
until the carriage should drive her 10 the door
from The railway station. Mr. Powell, Phila-
delpla architect, was instructed to prepare
The plans. The structure was to be in the
Scottish baronial style, and Mr.. Coleman cared
very little about the cost 4 flne site was
chosen, broad and level and elevated, with a
commanding view OF long stretch CT the beau
tiful Lebanon valley.
The Coleman estate comprises about five
thousand acres. In one part of IL is a brown
stable, containing some thirty thoroughbred
horses. The most valuable animals are quar-
tered In rooms having mirrors on the walls and
Brussels carpet on portions of the floor. Five
monstrous furnaces are smelling ore night ana
day on the estate. Three hills contain an in
exhaustlble supply Of ore. These furnaces
have made D1illionaires of dozen families or
more Robert Coleman is the youngest OF the
iron kings OF the present line OF owners. In
terested parties AID heirs are scattered in
many climes, but Mr.. Coleman remains In CON-
piete charge of the vast estate. Everything is
conducted In pr1ncely style. Every employee
lives on the place. rent free. The cottages are
models of neatneSS, cleanliness, and conve-
nience. a church, store, Sunday school, and
other necessary wants are fully supplied. The
great farm supplies employees with wheit,
corn, potatoes, and vegetables at far below
market sprice. Splendid family mansions oc-
drawn by fourth hands, convey the members
OF the Coleman family and their many visitors
10 the neighboring towns and railway stations.
Hence the new mansion that was to be erected
Dy Mr. Robert Coleman as surprise TO his
bride, 1t can readily be imagined, was to be
something exceedingly grand. The founda-
tons were massive, and built of granite and
commodious, and finished In the most modern
style. A hard cement door was laid. The
frames Of the large bay windows for the first
floor weighed several tons apiece. The SUPER
structure was to have been OF marble. iron,
and granite. The interior was to be IN
ished IN hard wood The work was proceeding
splendiGly, and some fifty men were steadily
was arriving and being put In place. All efforts
were made to rapidly push on the compile
ton OF the work. Every detail of furniture
gardener had received his special instruc-
TONS In fact, everything had been fully ar
ranged looking to the rapid completion OF the
mansion, when telegram came over the sea
that the young bride was very Ill in Paris.
Quickly followed another dispatch that she Was
dead Every tool In the new house was
dropped The young husband, stricken with
grief. was for time not to be conSoled. He or
dereo the workmen on the Lew mansion to 60
to The Office and draw their pay, and then to
rernsre their tools and other property. In a
rev days orders were given 70 tear down what
mad been put up; to throw In the excavations
and plough the place over All that remained
OF what was to have been palace was ordered
TO be Obliterated.
The construction OF the beautiful church del-
lcated here today concludes the story. The
remains OF the dead bride were embalmed aBd
brought back to America, and were then placed
ln vault until the construction OF the church
walls Lad been sufficiently advanced TO receive
them. The new edifce is cruciform SO by IS
feet. The floor is OF Spanish tile from Valencia
The woodwork is OF oiled oak. A massive
tower twenty four feet square rises 100 feet in
the air. The structure is OF gray stone, even TO
the window silis. A hydraulic engine In the
basement supplies the air for the organ The
style of finish is old English, with massive
granite columnS