The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-16
JOE JEFFERSON.
The Eminent Actor Preparing to Retire to
Orange Island, New Iberia, La.

HoHoKUs, n. j., Dec 15.-After very many
years of social sunshine, the residents of this
romantic little village are finally to lose the
presence of the old actor. Joseph Jefferson, and
that of his immediate family. To-day they will
leave their old homo and village forever, and
are to settle permanently at Orange Island,
New Iberia La. The home which they will give
up here is pleasantly situated on the banks of
the Saddle river, and cost it's owner about $4O,-
000 1t is of stone remodeed, and is luxurious
ly furnished, with surroundings that give it an
air Of solid comfort. It's conser vatories
abound in tropical fruits and flowers,
and there are artificial ponds that
TEEN with trout and black bass. In the
house the masters favorite resort is the
studio, where Mr. Jefferson spends
many happy hours with palette and
brush. The hospitality of the Jefferson
family is proverbial, ard their love of children
intense, yet the tastes of father and sons differ
as to the sex. Two severe disappointments
occurred recently, when Mrs. Joseph Jefferson
presented her husband with a son, and the wife
OF Thomas Eugene Paul) her husband with a
daughter. There are no male grandchildren
with the exception that Mrs Farieon, the novel
lists wife, has a son. Charles B. Jefferson has four
bright and pretty daughters. and an equal number
OF female olive plants found in Thomas's
household If father and sons could have had
their choice the girls would have fallen to Rip
and his sons would be fathers of the boys. 1t
was originally intended by Mr. Jefferson to take
the and their families with him upon his
retirement from the stage, and spend his last
days with them in leisure in his Southern home,
and to that end elegant residences for each had
been erected on the premises, but the death of
the wife of Charles Loretto Vuhee) at New lbe
ria created among the aversion for the place
and its surroundings. Dir. Jefferson is a lover
of nature, and has in his new home every thing
to crafty the senses. Just now he has hundreds
of orange trees that are covered with green foil
age and golden fruit. His groves contain about
900 trees of the Mandarin ana Brazilian varieties
grated on the sour orange. Pecan culture is
extensively INDUCED in, and this season the har-
vest was large, there being about 100 nut-bear
ing trees on the island. Lake Simonette. on the
premises, affords the finest of fishing and all the
luxury and excitement of wid-fow shooting
may be INDUCED in right at home But Jetfer-
sons chief delight will be cattle-raising the
Holstein being his favorite. The Same note
worthy hospitality is extended at this latter re-
sort that has been so common with the family in
their home in this village. 1t is no uncommon
thing for score of visitors to be enjoying en-
tertainment at Orange Island at the same time.
The Japanese room of the house is marvel of
beauty and attracts visitors for miles around.
1t is probable that Mr. jefferson will retire per
manently from the stage after this season, and
enjoy the fruits of his labors. He is fifty FIVE
years of age.