The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-09-05
"OLD IRONSIDES. +"
A GLIMPSE AT MRS. PARNEL,s
PATRIMONY.
Its Wealth Of Ancient Relics-Fam.
lily Tokens Of the Irish
Leaders, Boyhood.

New York Star: Rumor has IL that
the Tory element in Bordentown, N.
j., has begurJa local campaign against
the home ie issue by a series OF at
tempts a rspine and pillage upon the
sod Ironsides" homeStead, the patri-
mony Of Mrs. Della Farnell, which
has been identified with the cause OF
Ireland for quarter OF a century.
Placards, on which the following le-
gend is printed in type bold enough
TO chill the blood OF every villain and
outlaw in New jersey ornament trees,
rocks and store Windows in aud around
the hill top towns Of Bordentown, N.
j.:
Twenty dollars reward offered for
the detection of the villains who, on
the nights of August 18th and l6'h,
destroyed fences and barricaded the
approach to the Parnell estate. Infor.
nation leading to the arrest Of these
outlaws will rewarded az above by
EDWARD SLEVIN, Manager.
Not one of the 5000 population OF
Bordentown had up to last midnight
earned that $40. The only police ex-
ecut We in the place Is a Marshal, ad.
vanced in Year,, aud decorated with a
badge which bears in Lain tee diplo-
matte axiom: "Discret ton is the bet.
ter part of vslor." AS the Parnell es-
tate les about half a mile out of the
Getty limits" and beyond the MAJ
shal's Jurisdiction, popular sentiment
is in favor OF allowing Mar ager Slevin
to earn his own $40. Thoroughly con-
vinced of this, Mr.. Slevin has located
spring guns in hidden places, and car.
RES deadly weapon in his pocket and
terrible intention in his mind.
The estate comprises 2 acres OF the
richest farming land and the most pic
turesque piece OF forest in the country.
1t stretches eastward over the hills
from the banks OF the Raritan river at
is widest part. A mile to the north
the river receives the mule power COM
meice Of the Delaware and Raritan
Canal, that runs through a half dozen
locks into Trenton, about ten miles
away. The homestead itself stands
upon high bluff, around the base OF
which coils the single track Of the
Amboy division OF The Pennsylvania
railroad. A hundred high and ancient
trees, oak, ash, hemlock and elm, hide
with their overarching branches the
TWO story and a. tic frame house, that,
uninhabited and yet richly fur
nished, faces the broad, sunlit
surface Of the Rsritan river.
A sandy lane, at right angles with
the highway, luns for an eighth Of q
mile westward, and stops at the great
swinging gate which offers entrance
30 ono end Of q vide, well kept car
riaSs way. OF eemi.cireular form that
leads 10 and away nom the rear piazza
Of "Old IronsideSgp Parteires Of lux
uriaut f7Wering plaA1 spansle the
green, woodland meadowed lawn on
ev@y side, and the view 10 the eas,-
ward includes the broken horizon Of
hill summir, patches OF fipenipg
grain, yellow and billoWy, and dark
stretches Of woodland, intersected by
weary looking roads OF red New Jer-
eey soil.
I Over tho rear plaza OF che home
stead is built large conservatory with
| walls Of glass, that holds now only q
few dead Garlsnds and blossomlts,
cacH. The windows in the peaked
roof and in the weather-wlfitened
walls are oil closed with wooden shut
ten. No spirals OF blue smoke curl
| up from the chimneys, no footsteps
disturb the dust deposit Of years, nc
voices awaken the echoes that went
out OF existence exactly four years
ago. s. 49,.
On August 20, 1882, Miss Fannie
Parnell died in the big northwestern
chamber up stairs. She was poet
esr, and II the life-size oil portrait that
rests upon an easel In the deserted
drawing room down stairs, is faithful
to her features land the neighbors say
IL is), she was very beautiful young
woman OF about q yers, with great
brown eyes, small red lips and an ex-
preston OF quiet dignity. She died
Of c consumption. Since that day her
mother, Mrs. Della Parnell, has never
lived for any length OF time in the
houee OF the old commodore, her
father. Beautifully situated, as it is,
roorny snd homehks, the mother Of
the most successful stat ssman OF Irl-
land today prefers the hurly-burly Of
the city TO the Iepote OF "Old Iror-
Sides"
II is not to be supposed that Mrs.
Parnell shares the superatitious dread
Of the old houss that the neighbors
evince. Not one of the practical farm
ems or their ever busy wives would
sleep one night In the house for any
consideration. Yet there are no evil
dent es Of ghostly visitation TO be found
within. The lofty, frescoed rooms on
the first floor are all carpeted with
lowered Brussels, and an occasional
Tnrkieh rug gives an air OF luxury to
the interior. The furniture is mahog-
any and is made in the styles OF an en-
tire century. The dining room opens
directly on the front piazza and I've
windows overlook the broad plateau
and glimpses of the river can be
caught between the trunks Of venera-
BILE trees. u
The library Is entered through an
atcade 10 the south Of the dining
room. Here are antlquated book.
cases with diamond shaped panes oil
glass protecting from the dust several
hundred books of very diverse char
aeler. The books OF John Adams, in
handsome leather binding, stand side
by eide with Marx Twains light and
AIRY sketches OF the humorous features
OF travel aud domestic life, All the
mora costly books have been removed,
however, 70 Mrs. Parneli's city home.
Over the antique stone fireplace ia
hung war painting Of the gloomy
,ints that beIray the brush Of an old
master. 90
There are very many family tokens
Of Charles Stewart PArnsll's boy
| The old sun dial on the bluff over the
river, which awakened his thirst for
scientific mysteries, Is still there,
some OF the books in the library bear
his autograph and margin quotations,
and in the attic a-e few old fash
toned tops and an old veloCipede that
are said u have been his property.
The father of st. Clair McKelway,
editor In chief of the Bro klyn Eagle,