Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-10-06
WEALTHY MEMS HOMES.
The DO nestle Life and Habits a.
Weil-knOwn New Workers.

iiien iIe, DIS II iule, very IaStlulOuS in
regard to their residences" was the
remark made to a representative of the
Star by man-about-town one day last
week. Now, for instance, there is Mr.
Cyrus w. Field. His downtown Office
is, perhaps, pleasantly enough situated
yet It is plain enough to suit Phil.
adelphia Quaker. The quarters in
which Mr. Field carries on a business
involving many millions of dollars per
year, comprises three small rooms
The rooms are very cheaply furnished.
An inexpensive carpet covers the floor.
The desks and chairs are exceedingly
common, and a few cheap pictures
adorn the walls The owner of this
office does not take the pains to have
the door closed between the inner
sanctum and the reception room.
Visitors are not required to send in
their cards, and MIR. Field always meets
them with CHEEKY salutation and the
query: "Well, my friend, what can
do to make you happy today
The plain, old-fashioned business
office of the man whose efforts brought
about the laying of the first Atlantic
cable presents a striking contrast to
his city residence or to his palatial
country house at Irvington-on-the-Hu
son. In his two homes there is every
thing that taste and wealth could de-
sire. Elegant carpets, costly furniture.
and paintings by leading artists are
there to be seen in profusion. The
owner takes great pride in his houses,
and nothing gives him greater pleasure
than to extend inequalities to his
friends. When Dean Stanley of Eng
land was in this country he was the
guest of Mr.. Field, and when he re-
turned home he wrote letter to a
friend in America, in which the follow
ing complimentary statement was
made: "While in the United States |
had many opportunities to observe
the home life Of many well-known and
wealthy Americans. | was the invited
guest of at least half a hundred differ
ent gentlemen; and can say, that at
no place did l feel more at ease than |
did at the elegant and home-like count
ry residence of Mr.. Cyrus w. Field at
lrvington- on-the- Hudson"
The home Of the venerable philan-
thropist, Peter Cooper, in not remarka-
bic for elegance or lavish display of
wealth. a reporter for the Star, who
visited Mr.. Cooper's residence, was
ushered into the parlor, where he was
kindly welcomed by the old gentleman
81 have called" the scribe began,
to obtain the facts of a brief descript-
on of your home life"
"All right, my good friend, responded
Mr. Cooper; 81 have no objection to
having you write about me. | am not
to let the public know Just
how live. AS you will see by an in
spection of my home, | am not of that
class of people who believe in gewgaws
and useless tnery My motto is com
fort before elegence,' and if ] please
myself and do not set a bad examle for
others to follow, | am satisfied"
The reporter looked at the carpets
and furniture III the parlor. 1t was
evident that the venerable philanthro-
pist had carried his ideas into practice
The carpet was of an old-fashioned
pattern, and in many places was worn
almost threadbare. The sofas and chairs
were of the style manufactured twenty
five or thirty years ago. They were
covered with hair-cloth and were some
what out of repair. Upon an antique
centre table We're several books. One
Of the volumes was a church hymn
book. The leaves of the volume were
we'll thumbed and the binding gave ev-
dence of long use. Upon. one of the
1y leaves was written the name of
adv whn Mr. Nnn,,or IL
Of his daughters who died many wears
ago. A portion of the extension back
If the parlor is devoted to Mr.. Cooper's
private library. Nearly all the books
IRE devoted to political, historical, and
financial topics. There are several large
'olumes madeiup of pamphlets written
~ Mr.. Cooper in advocacy of his pet
heories regarding the greenback sys-
EN- and the United States finances.
Judge Henry Hilton's residence is, in
many respects a marked contrast 10
hat of Mr.. Cooper. The house occu-
oies two lots of ground, has an elegant
tone front and imposing vestibule.
leavy, carved front door, elaborate
,ornices, and all its appurtenances are
If the most costly and elaborate char
lcter. The carpets are of the most ell
giant patterns, imported by A. I. Stew
,rt 4 Co. And the furniture, which
vas manufactured expressly for the
owner, is very elegant and substantial.
)ne ofthe most important features of
his palatial residence is the picture
gallery, which contains some very val
liable pictures by prominent home and
oreign artists.
The home of Mrs. A. Il. Stewart has
been so often described in the public
prints that it is needless to devote space
o an enumeration of itz features. The
ate Mr.. Stewart expended an enor-
nous amount of money in erecting and
lifting up a home, which has few equals
IN the American continent.
A light stone chateau building in Fit.
.y-secoud street belongs TO Mr.. w. H.
Vanderbilt. Mr.. r. NJ. Hunt, the arch.
tect, employed six draughtsmen for
nearly three years, besides making az
elaborate model in plaster of the out
'ide of the house, costing several thou
sand dollars. Upon the stone carvings