The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-08
THE HOME OF THE CROUKERS
A Millionaire Family of California Who
Came East to Spend Their Money.
Palatial Residence in New York City Fit for
Kings-Mrs. Croker and Her Charming
Daughter, Hattie, Who Set 1t Off.
of the Indian apolis Journal


inson, the once prominent stock broker, looked
about for location to build residence, none
seemed so desirable as the first lot on Fifty
eighth street. west of Fifth avenue. 1t faced
triangular plot of ground. bound by Fifth ave-
nue., Fifty eighth street and Central Park. As
Fifty street is shortened just at this point
by the triangle. it gives Fifty-eighth street an
uninterrupted view, not only of the principal en-
trance to the park, but up and down the avenue.
It is, indeed, an attractive spot, and here Mr.
Hutchinson erected large, substantially built
mansion. The exterior is of pressed Philadel-
phia brick, with light-colored Nova Scotia free
stone trimmings. Although about a hundred
feet from Fifth avenue, the house has side
windows facing the avenue and commanding
full view of the streets mentioned above. The
house is four stories high, with mansard roof
and basement, and is of quaint, irregular
shape, with many angles 1t is decidedly impos-
ing in appearance, and the beholder could not
fail to feel interest as to the occupants and de-
sire to know more of them.
The front door is at an angle of the house, on
the side, and is reached by wide, lightcolored
freestone steps. which lead to a stone plat
form fully ten feet square. This is covered by
stone portico In front is grass plot surround
ed by a stone fence, and in the rear is small
yard. There is no attempt at grounds, the house
occupying almost the entire lot. as is usually the
case in New York, where the city is too crowded
to permit much land to be used for gardening or
ornamental purposes. William Hutchlnson's
expulsion from the New York Stock Exchange
on account of the frauds he perpetrated on Mr..
Duff, of Boston, his principal customer, the sub
sequent loss of the money so obtained, and his
flight to Europe. are too well known to be more
than referred to here The magnificent resi-
dence, with other property, was thrown upon
the market
When Mr. Charles Crocker decided to make
New York his home for the greater part of the
year he looked about for suitable residence. or
the lano whereon to erect one The Hutchinson
house was brought to his notice. Here was the
very thing; everything done under the original
owners supervision, all that wealth. good taste
and modern invention could supply, with one of
the most attractive locations, and the mansion
soon became Mr.. Crockers property.
The interior OF the house is regal in its APP
pointments; in fact, very few princes have so
magnificent home. Nothing that great wealth
or skilled artisans could devise has been left I'M
done The front door opens into large square
hall with highly polished inlaid floor. The light
comes through stained glass windows In the door
and at the SIDE The roof is arched and finished
with Moorish fretwork and painting plush-cov-
are upon the floor; in one corner tall, old
fashioned clock the doors leading from the hall
to the other apartments are draped with plush,
or rare tapestries. At the extreme right is a
large winding staircase, which leads to the apart
mentS above.
The first apartment which you enter from the
hall is large reception room. the whole front of
which Is formed by bow window facing Fifty
eighth street The ceiling is beautifully painted,
while the walls are covered with dull-red vel
which
down, where ie meets a high carved ebony dado,
which extends around the apartment Costly
paintings hang upon the walls, high vases stand
in corners, low bookcases filed with books Of
every description, in costly binding occupy two
sides of the room, while upon the top is ex-
pensive bric-a-brac and magnificent bronzes.
The mantel is of carved oak, also decorated with
rare ornaments A large, heavily carved ma
hogany table stands in the center of the apart
ment Antique-looking chairs, blue plush cur
tans, and rugs complete the picture On the
comfortable the magazines and newspapers of
the day give an occupied and home-llke appear
ance so seldom seen in houses as heavily supplied
with ornamentation.
In the center of the large hall is double por-
there of old tapestry leading into the immense
drawing room. Here one is almost surfeited by
the splendid display. Exquisite statues upon
pedestals, huge bronZes, heavy Turkish carpets
the walls covered with paintings of great value
magnificent mirrors, the ceiling domed. cabinets
of rare workmanship, in fact, one can far better
tell what is not there rather than what is. Be-
yond this is the large dining-ro with leather
ornamentatious, mirrors and carved oak wood
work. Leading from this is the buffers pantry,
and wine closets, which connect with a we'll
filed wine cellar underneath. The floor above
the entrance is devoted to sleeping apartments
and pleasant sitting room. All the rooms are
sunny and homelke here. and look as if they
were lived in, and are at the same time very
richly appointed. Mrs Crocker's apartment is
furnished in antique mahogany, and Miss Hat
ties in pale blue satin and satin wood.
Mrs. Croker was born in New York State
Her maiden name was Eastman. When she was
quite young, her father left his native State
went west and established himself as dairy
man on an extensive scale, from which business
he realized a fortune. Mrs. Croker has two
sons who live in California, one Of whom mar
ried a niece Of Mr.. D. 0. Mills. Mrs. Croker is
gentle and pleasing, q woman of education and
good common sense. She shuns notoriety of
every kind and is without ostentatlon; as far as
the casual observer would know she might be
the wife of refined gentleman in moderate cir
cumstances In appearance she is rather short
and plump, with small dimpled hands, round
happy-looking face. with SOFT white hair, which
rests upon her forehead in waves She impresses
one as kind-hearted, motherly and a good
hostess, rather than with any great dignity or
austerity, yet she is dignifed in her own wav.
inasmuch as she is quiet and ladylke, though
too short and sunny in her nature to be impos-
ing. Her usual costume is BETTING her years,
and is generally black silk richly but appro-
priately trimmed. She wears little jewelry. ex-
cept on very full-dress occasions. when her toll
cts are very elegant. She enjoys the comforts
which her great wealth brings, and the means it
gives her to entertain her chosen friends, but
little for display.
cannot speak OF the Crockers without men
ton of Miss Hattie Croker, their only daughter
for she is the handspring of everything that
takes place in the family. She is the idol, She ia
the power; whatever she elects to do is az good
as done. When Miss Hattie desired to
live in New York. the handsome resi-
dence was purchased; when she desires
to return to her San Francisco home, they
start; every within of this much cherished daugh-
tor is grati6ed, and yet, with all this, and the
fact that Miss Croker has the prospect of be-
coming the richest young lady in the world, she
is not spoiled. On the contrary, she is very
charming. ladylike girl in the early twenties she
is very well educated, speaks French iuently,