The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1881-05-04
ISLAND HOME.


ed. To form anything like a correct
conception of what the farm is, one
must 90 and see it. Standing on the
highest floor of the observatory, the
visitor takes in the entire scene at
a glance and the panorama of nature
and art that contronts the vision is
simply magnifcent-beyondo our Ian
guage to express. The enthused
Illinoisan who broke the astonished
silence Of our party by waving his
hat and eXclaiming, Damf tan t
lovelyr' came as near expressing
our sentiments as if it had been
clothed in more chaste and poetical
language. There's nothing like
the magnificent view of the farm,
the bluffs, the river, the landscapes,
that we have ever seen not even
the unappreciated but splendid view
one has from the cupola Of the Nor
ristown temple of justice. -Four
years have elapsed since ourprevious
visit, and great physical attractions
have been made to the beauteOus
surroundings of the farm house. The
grounds are laid off in splendid
avenues, drives and walks, all kept
in the best condition. The house is
situatedon a commanding eminenee,
fronting a broad, magnificent aven-
ne, three quarters of mile long,
on each side of which thrifty young
maple and elm trees indicate the
deliciousness of their outrageous
foliage in the near future. The barn
and other out buildings are Of the
most approved architectural style
and of the best quality. Combina-
ton, conception, perception and ex-
ecution are happily and effectively
blended wherever the eye turns.
The entire farm contains nearly SIX
hundred acres, one hundred and six
ty acres of which is an island, very
rich, perfectly level and in o high
state of cultivation. The remainder
of the farm is upland. The substan-
tial and attractive plank fence, kept
constantly in the neatest appearance,
adds much to the beauty Ct the
farm house and its surroundings.
A steam engine is used for grinding
corn, cutting straw, etc, for stock.
Speaking of stock, we hardly had a
conception of what huge monsters
Of the brute creation might be pro
duced, until Col. Dickinson introduce
ed rs to his two 4-year old pets, CAL
fred" and II Alexander mammoth
steers weighing nearly three thous-
and pounds each, and as beautiful
in their elephantine proportions as
twenty pound cupid. And yet he
does not propose to part with my
babies till they pull down the beam
at five hundred pounds more. The
finest breeds of cattle, sheep, hogs,
fowls and birds were exhibited. We
do not know as much about farming
and stockraising as our frisnd, the
. Old Granger" of the Cleveland
Banner. We would like for him to
see Island Home in it's present state.
Its winter wheat three feet high, its
luxurious grasses, clover, corn, pQ-
tatoes. Its Thoroughbred stations,
bulls, rams, boars, cocks, etc. He
would appreciate, in its fullness, the
wonderful Agricultural triumph
achieved and therare esthetical taste
displayed quite differently from the
boor who sees things stubbOrnly as
they are, and to whani
IA primrose by tie rivers brim,
yellow primrose is to him >
and who is prone to envy the elegant
and voluptuous happiness that
must abide with the honored objects
of such considerate care-even to a
life long stand in their place. We
hope he will be present at the Farm
ers' Convention next week at Knox
vile, and that every delegate to it
will make it g part of.his business
to visit Col. Dickinsq4's farm before
returning home The tripwill bean9Qf
moment and Importance to the intel
Egent and initiative farmer. But
we might talk in this unsatisfactory
WY through columns Of matter and
stifl the reader would have but an
obscure idea Of thG beautiful pic
-ture of farm life presented Of Island
Home. To be appreciated it must
be seen as it is. Col. Dickinson is a
public benefactQr. The thanks of
the people of the State, and especial
ly of East Tennessee, are due him for
creating and keeping within reach
and access of the people, learned and
unlearned, an exhibit of farm in
dustpy and success calculated only
to stimulate and increase competition
in developing all that is useful and
beautiful and paying in farm life.
A petition has been filed with the
United States Court of Claims by
the Union Pacific Railroad COM
pany, representing that up to and