Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-07-07


maple grove in which il is built. This
picture Of art and nature is set in a
beautiful frame OF green fields, into
which is carved farm scenes such as can
he found no where else in this country.
On the summit of the hill, just before
you reach Wheatland, you pass the
three striking evidences of this advanc.
ed civilization st. Joseph's hospital
and chapel, beautiful Roman edifoe
Just erected by the order OF st. John of
God tho Lancaster watch factory and
the Franklin and Marshall college. So,
standing guard over the old home of
one of the most honored men in our
American history, are these three strong
outposts, representing Charity, Industry
and Education.
The old roof tree at Wheatland sits
well back from the road and is half hid
10y the great trees which stand between
it and the turnpike. Before the porch
stand two towering Norway pines, clad
IN their richest yerduTe, from the limbs
OF which beautiful baskets of plants and
flowers hang like gaudy pendants from
the ears Of dusSy maiden. The grass
grows rank on the lawn, and the flowers
eA' EAbhINA hbEfAtA'A III Ahhtflhl hllhl
both before and behind the old time.
streaked mansion. The broad porch at
the front holds the present proprietor,
Henry Elliott Johnston, the eminent
banker OF Baltimore and the husband
of Harriet Lane. He welcomed us to the
home Of Buchanan, and we passed into
the great, broad hall, which runs clear
through the house, then to the left
into the little parlor which is tastetully
furnished, the walls Of which are hung
with portraits and beautiful landscapes
many OF which were presents to Mr.
Buchanan while he was abroad as our
minister to the Court of 81. James and
Russia. OF this parlor, in a wing OF
the house, is the library in which Mr..
Buchanan did his work. II is q plain
but commodious apartment, still kept
as nearly rs possible as in the days
when the statesman occupied It. His
portrait hangs over the mantel piece
and on the opposite wall copy OF his
inaugural address, printed upon satin,
delivered on the i,h OF March, 1857
In the dining room, still ghstcnine with
the family plate, stands an old clock,
the property OF Mr.. Buchanan father
Ii has Just been recovered By Mr.. John
ston after years Of search Il had been
bought at Mr. Buchanan's fathers sale
near Mcrccr-burg and taken west To the
Rocky mountains by a Fra.klin county
farmer. publication OF this fact led
to the search and recovery OF the an.
cjcnt timepjece, which often indicated
the school and working hours OF James
Buchanan when "A boy, and it has Just
been put in the dining room at Wheat.
land. All over the place and through
the old mansion there is an effort 10
preserve everything as nearly as posi-.
bic aa the great man who owned 1t left
1t. Relics belonging not only to him
but to his father and mother are promi.
ncutly displayed
From the back porch r turf walk
leads you between two lines OF flower
beds past the garden TO the great hick.
ory grove which forms a striking back.
ground 20 the cultivated, shTubbcry.
clad, foyer and grnss decorated lawn
in the front and rear Of the old house.
This grove was one of Mr.. buchanan
fayorite places of resort, and beneath
the grateful shade OF these several acres
OF towering hickoTics he often walked
and thought. or sat aud read, and often
took his friend. or went himself TO
view the beautiful country which lies
around about this home From the
back OF this forest home a charming
scene Is presented. 4 little valley,
which looks like cradle hung between
two hills, with its bed made Of maple
leaves, locust twigs and oak boughs,
runs for miles among fertile fields until
lost in a sloping hill, which makes a
pretty pillow for this charming farm
and woodland scene. broken only by
the tasteful farm house and spacious
barn which is such an important eyi.
dence OF the thrift and energy OF the
Pennsylvania huxhandman.
on the side OF the grove nearest the
house the scene il different but none
the less striking. Stretching for miles
away. the best evidences oisintelligent
husbandry to be found anywhere on the
globe grects the eve. Great fields Of
waving grain, beautiful farm houses.
and spacious barns to hold the gathered
harvests beautiful groves. and behind
all those, forming an impressive back
ground to this tasteful and thrifty pic.
thIt' arc tut ihiuaSN hitiH' Efrl0E ike
bank Of blue clouds against the horizon.
Here the great Cornwall mines and fur.
naces add their smoke and dust 10 the
quiet farm scenes which they overlook.
As much az Mr.. buchanan loved this
picture there is one on the old place
which ia still dearer to him. Almost by
the roadside and to the right as YOU
enter the gate Is a great spring walled
with brick. a dozen feet in circumfer.
ence. Around this is trio of great
weeping willows and under these was
Mr. Buchanan's favorite resting place.
lie could sit here and take in most of
the scenes have so crudely described. |
and from this spot there was n view TO
him more charming than all Others. IL
looLa dnyvn Tho road tn,rarJs na-...