Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1886-11-27
WILD GOOSE FARM. !"

with the admirable interior and ex-
terror arrangements, besides being
deeply interested in the history of
the place and its occupants, that notes
were made and a sketch prepared
This week we had the pleasure of
spending an afternoon in looking over
the premises, in company with Mr..
Shepherd himself, and we must admit
that the description published in
another column does not do justice to
the grand and perfect display
in all that is useful and orna-
mental in the fitting up of "Wild
Goose Farm" While everything is
carried out at great labor and ex-
pense, yet in all the designs and ex-
ecutions there is visible the impress
of a well defined object and method
that have their origin in good taste
and prudent Judgment. There is har-
mony to the very least detail, and
unity of purpose in the highest and
lowest degree,-not for the effect of
show or display of wealth, but for
lasting usefulness and the most profit
and enjoyment.
From what we had heard and read
we formed an opinion of Mr.. Shep-
herd that he was an aged man, of
more wealth than he knew what to
do with, and was amusing himself in
various ways without any object in
view. An idea thus formed like that
of many others, is entirely erroneous.
We take Mr.. Shepherd to be a man
in the prime Of life, of fine physique,
courteous and entertaining, and every
inch business man, There is system
and science in everything he does,
and he has yet a lifetime of work
before him, just well begun. Judg-
ing from the few hours spent in con-
versation with him, he gives little
thought to worldly detractions, but is
absorbed in his home work and that
which interests his immediate Sec
ton of country,-such as farm and
stock improvements, the local pro-
gress of Shepherdstown and neighbor-
hood. Politics and civil affairs are
left to those whose inclinations run
that way, though we are free in as
serting that no better representative
could be sent to Congress, for the
reason that Mr.. Shepherd would make
a matter of business and
that is what the country most needs
at this time.
We know farmers would be deeply
interested in a more particular de-
scription of Mr.. Shepherds stock and
buildings, could we give it, but like
the beautiful such things are best I'M
derstood and appreciated when seen.
In Shepherdstown Mr.. Shepherd has
a beautiful residence and handsomely
office, for the use of him
self and family when in town. The
fine woodwork in the interior is most
attractive, inlaid tables, desks, chairs,
cases, &c. The road lead
ing out to Wild Goose Farm would
cheer any farmers heart to travel
level as floor, with walls here and
there, put up by Martinsburg masons,
to keep up the entertainments. The
outside painting of the cottages, barns,
fences, &C., is in two contrasting
colors,-red and olive,-even the
fences correspond, with posts tipped
with white, mostly the work of Mr..
John Scharff, and hands, of Martins
burg.
The drive from the roadway up to
the residence, is broad, even and solid,
lined on each side with trees and
stone fences. The gate to the entrance
is a novelty, as it flies open and shut
by the force of the passing wheels.
The gardens are laid out in walks and
beds, bordered with trees, flowers and
and surrounded with grape
arbors and rustic cottages. The out
wood sheds, tool and store
houses, are models of neatness and
The dairy is built of
dressed stone and is perfect in its
arrangements. The residence we
have to pass by for to be described at
all it would have to be at some
length. From the attic to the cellar
it is laid out by a master-hand, and
in the grandest style, with
well defined land well supplied) de-
in charge of the most skill
ed servants. The library interested
us most of all, because of a love for
books. 1t is hardly possible to imag-
inc how such display of art can be
so arranged as to be all in place, and
yet it is. The view from one side is
over the adjoining meadows, with
the lake and feathery tribe; the in
coming driveway, and the yards and
trees. In summer this must be a
lovely sight.
There are extensive poultry yards
and houses, clean and neat, with iron
feeding and drinking troughs hun
dreds of ducks, chickens and geese, of
different breeds.
The hog-pens are high and dry,
with solid floors, sloping drains, and
water that can be turned
through the troughs; the porkers are
ready for the market, clean and
smooth, and "as fat as pigs" The
watering troughs for all the cattle are
double the usual length, thus giving
plenty of room to accommodate them
selves to their fancy.
The carriage house and harness
rooms are in perfect order, every
thing oiled, covered and protected.
In the centre of the buildings stands
the superintendent Office, as neat as
any business office in town; every
thing is under good management,
overseen and inspected by the fore
man, and ever under the eye OF MIR.
Shepherd himself.
The horse stables are as comfortable
as many human dwellings, with every
provision for safety, and so arranged
that no feed can be wasted. A new
plan to prevent horses from injury by
rubbing is a slanting box stall. de-
vised by Mr.. S., which will not al
low of a horse getting against the
sides. Everything is solidly and sub
stantially built. There are long sheds
for sheep, and large iron basins in the
yards where water can be turned in
like at fountain; stalls for calves,
with patent sucking apparatus, that
does away with calves at the COW, as
they are removed at once and cared
for separately. The cow-stalls are
wide, with box-stalls, sunken drains
cement floors, white-washed walls,
and well lighted and ventilated. The