The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-15
MORE RICH WESTERN WOMEN
Additions to the Roster ofCalifornia Mill
ionaires Who Live in New York.
The Wife ofD. o. Mills and Her Beautiful Home
Mrs. G. P. Huntington, Wife of the
Railroad King-Mrs. Mark Hopkins.
Correspondence of the Indianapolis Journal.

NEW YORK, Aug 13-The Croker family and
Mills family are so closely connected in many
ways that one naturally suggests the other In
the first place. Mr. Croker and Mr.. D. o. Mills
are identified with number &c enterprises and
their families are very friendly beside the con-
nection in young Mr. Croker having married
height, rather slender. a lady of quiet dignifed,
yet kindly mien. She has an oval face, and
white hair crimped and brought down each side
of her face. She also is a native Of New York
State; her old home was just above Pough-
keepsie, on tho banks of the Hudson. Her
maiden mama was Bishop Mrs. Mills is noted
for her charities and goodness. She has two
children, q son and daughter, of both OF
whom she IL very fond Her son, Mr. Ogden
Mills is interested in many of his fathers
enterprises, is thoroughly enjoyable companion.
and be and HE wife are prominent in New York
society, entertaining frequently. His wife is
one Of the twin daughters of Mr. Maturin Liv
ingston, whose home on Twenty fourth street
was well known. Her twin sister married Cav
endish Bsntnck, young Englishman and
brother to Lord Bentinck. Young MIR. Mills
and wife are spending the summer at their place
in Newport, where they entertain lavishly and
are great social favorities. Mrs Mills's daugh
ter is the wife of Mr.. Whitelaw Reid editor Of
the New York Tribune. Mrs Reid is young and
attractive; she is rather quiet and does not care
much for society, but takes her pleasure, for the
greater part, in the home circle. She is much
interested in literary pursuits, and takes great
interest and pride in her husbands prominence
oe svHu
Mr.. Reid is president of the Lotos Club, and his
wife is also interested in that and enjoys visiting
the club house on ladies' day.
The Mills home is situated on Fifth avenue,
directly opposite the great Roman Catholic Cathe-
draL It is in block of houses which extends
from Fiftieth to Fifty first street. The house is
large, but of very plain exterior; 1t is of red
brick. with slight orramentation OF brownstone.
1t was built and occupied originally by Mr.. ID.
P. Morgan once prominent Wall street specu-
lator, who subsequently moved to Washington
and died there The door is In the center of the
house, and is reached by fight of wide brown
stone steps. People often wonder why men of
Mr.. D. 0. Mills's great wealth do not build for
themselves large residences, with ample grounds;
an estate, in fact. The reason is obvious The
most desirable locations were built upon years
ago, and there is no land left to make into gar
dens. however much one might wish.
When Mr.. Mills purchased the Morgan house
the house itself as far as practicable. The front
door opens into square vestlbuie, with artistic
tiled flooring. This leads into the main hall,
which is superbly decorated with succession of
arches and medalions of stained glass; the cell
ing is composed of rafters heavily carved, and
they and all the woodwork, including hand
some winding staircase, of polished English
oak. On the right of the hall is the drawing
room, which extends the entire length of the
house. The walls are covered with soft satin
IS ohada yvhi leh aw md thnpa ht1itf
into the walls, are beveled-edged mirrors. in
quaint antique brass frames. Some of them
are long and narrow, like a portion of
the dado; others are let in between
folds of the silk, like panels. just above a
carved dado the silken cogaring on the walls is
embroidered with many-colored flowers. This
immense drawing room contains everything that
wealth can snggest-statuary and bronzes, rare
are of Mexican onyx. reaching nearly to the cell
ing The furniture is covered with ashes OF roses
satin, with here and there quaint odd chair or
table of superb marquetry. 1t is rich and i'm
posing apartment
To the left of the front door is the library
The prevailing color in the furnishings is of
crimson, and the air of the room is warm and
contradictory. The bookcases extend
almost entirely around the room and
contain, besides all the standard works,
rare copies of many books In this
apartment are two life-sized portraits of Mr.
and Mrs. Mills, both excellent licensees Be-
yond the library is the dining room, a sumptu-
Gus apartment, with cupboards and sideboards
containing an unusual display of foe cut glass,
for which Mrs. Mills has great fondness. The
Millss own many fine paintings by celebrated
artists.
Mrs. Mills has not been in very good health for
some time, and has, therefore, been little in So
ciety, feeling quite content with her family and
intimate friends She also has fine residence
in San Francisco and is now in that city with
Mrs Reid, her daughter, who ae companied. her.
San Francisco is so delightfully."- cool that those
who have homes there as we'll as in New York
are glad to return to them to escape the eneryat-
ing heat of the Eastern States
The Huntington residence stands on the south
east corner of Park avenue and Thirty eighth
street The front entrance is on Park avenue,
and the house extends down Thirty eighth street
over hundred feet 1t is pleasant house, with
numerous side windows but there is nothing
imposing about it, 1t is four stories high, with
a basement. 1t is of brick with brown stone
trimmings and green outer blinds the door is
not In the center of the house; the apartments
are therefore only on one side Of the long front
hall. The entrance is reached by long flight
OF stone steps; but once inside and you seem to
have been suddenly transplanted into the most
beautiful and spacious apartments; there is an
air of pleasure and attractivcness seldom to be
seen. 1t is not only rich beyond description,
but the air of femininity is there, and works
wonders.
The drawing -rooms are furnished with light
carpets, delicate roses in the pattern. success
sion of sliding DOORS leading from one room to
another as far as the eye can reach are each
draped with with some light satin fabric yellow
prevailing. Over all the chairs are delicate lace
or hand painted tides / do not suppose Mrs.
Huntington makes these things herself, but she
is evidently fond Of them. The drawing room
walls are covered with light-colored silk, of
French gray, the mantels are of white statuary
marble, and the whole abounds with choice little
onyx tables, collections of rare china, vases and
paintings The dining room is beyond the par
Tors and separated by sliding doors. 1t is more
somber and rich in its furnishings, while be-
yond is a conservatory of palm trees, ferns and
flowers. Leading from this again, at the end Of
the hall, is small apartment. containing many
valuable paintings. The upper portion of the
house is in good taste and elegance and Mrs.
Huntington's apartments abound in all dainty
accessories of the toilet of which she is particu-
larly fond rare manicure sets. silver shoe-horns,