New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-06-21
PoES HOME IN F0RDHAM.
"REMINISCENCES OF NEIGHBoR-THE POET
SMALL SALARY.


"REMINISCENCES OF NErGHBoR-THE POETS
SMALL SALARY.
The house that was the home Of Edgar A.
Poe In Fordham visited by many admirers of the poet
It remains to-day much when he rented 1t In the
spring OF lS46. though the neighborhood is part
OF the city and is changing with every year. Two
ago the place wasisod at public auction under forecos-
ure and 1t bid In for S57O0 the unpaid taxes and
accrued interest amounted something than that
From the railroad station the road winds the Ford
ham hill to the cottage with the native rock pave
ment The cottage seems than little paint box
shnged on the sides well the roof and covered with
vines on which the foliage Is appearing. 1t ia only
few feet from the road, but In summer is almost
obscured by the trees. Within, the FOODS are more
spacious than they appear from the road cherry tree
planted by Poe now vigorous and thrifty, shades a
pleasant porch There two good sized rooms, bed
ROOM aud kitchen the lower floor In the front
Virginia. Poes invalid wife. lay through her sickness
and died. On the upper floor there rooms
OF thenl quite large The old-fashoned chimney passes
through 1t, afordng oldtme fireplace which In
winter when filed with cracking wood would be
cheerful place. 1t favorte with the poet and
here he wrote Ulalume " and Eureka"
Poe moved to Fordham from Amity-st. Washington
Square Of the fine residences OF the city
and his house IN Amity-st, Unto which he moved when
the Raven had brougl him a reputation only
short distance from the Square He had engaged
suit against the paper for libel. after resgning
position he secured verdict and obtained several
hundred dollars With this money he secured the Ford
ham cottage at rental Of 800 year, furnished 1t and
removed there with his wife and her mother, Mrs.
GLENN, who renamed there until Poe's death in
1si9 The grounds, comprising about two acres,
interesting tho house. and have associations reaching
back 10 Revolutionary times when this Delghborhood
was a part OF the neutral ground and the field OF
Coopers" Spy The lawn slopes into grassy hollow
massive ledge Of blue-gray Overlooks the valley
at the height OF hundred feet and forms the eastern
wall Of tho place The site Is said TO have been occupied
at one time by a British battery. Now. tennis club
tue lawn In summer Tho rocky ledge commands
view OF the Long Island hills In purple background
TO become one OF the choice sites for residences.
The place rents for $500 year. For several years
has been occupied by Mrs. E. D. Dechert the widow OF
on engineer who drew many OF the plans Of Contra
Park and afterward Of the aud drives OF
Fordham few OF those who knew Poe and his family
still living In tho neighborhood. One OF these was
young girl She said recently that the frat time she
saw Poe he up in cherry tree picking the fruit and
young man." continued Mrs Cromwell and sociable
His wife had here to the good air. he said
and co dig In tho ground and get we'll But she was too
thin and weak to dig She became Ill and never
out until she buried. Her mother they called
Middle and Mr. Poe they always called Eddie. They
were awful poor, poorer than ever want to be-
Mrs Cromwell describes going over to the house the
morning that she heard OF Poes DEATH Mrs. GLENN
packing his things, Having received letter from him
the day before in which he wrote OF his intended
marriage to Baltimore lady. aud said that he would
come for her. She overcome when informed OF
his death and that he would DOT have diet had
been there to nurse him In his bad spell" The
raised money 10 enable to go Bam
Poe had paid any rent for several months and Mrs.
GLENN afterward returned and sold their few effects
rocking chair and clock, which she still retained
relics Of her distinguished but unfortunate neghoor