Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-08-04


His Raral Home On the AudsOo.
Though Mr.. Tilden had become q hopeless
invalid" his death was unexpected, as there
had been no bulletins from Grey stone announc-
ing that his last illness had como. The last few
years OF his Life were spent chiefly at Greystone
where he kept "bachelor's hall' on splendid
scale. He always had a fonduess for the coun-
try. He loved ell kinds Of animals. and was
passionately fond OF watching the growth OF
horses, sheep and ali domestic animals. In
looking about for q country place near enough
to New York city, so that he could have his po-
litical friends and business associates visit him
when necessity required, his attention was
called to an estate OF lis acres on the Hudson
He visited 9reystone, the name by which the
estate was known, and purchased II. Carpen-
ters, upholsterers, gardeners and engineers were
set to work, and soon had fitted the house and
grounds, which had been tenantless 81 long. for
never appeared publicly before the . country, al
though carefully watching all points OF interest
0RKYsroNE.
0reystone lies on the right bank of the Hudson
In the township Of Yonkers, New York. 1t is
$50 feet above the level OF the Hudson river al
high water, and slopes In six natural terraces
Top OF Greystone on clear days the Catskils,
Staten island. New York bay and Long Island
tains tower above il on the northwest. On the
rear OF the house from q broad piazza you can
LOOK down upon the silvery sheen OF the beauti.
old oak trees Of the lawn. A mansard roof
snentiy mars the stately appearance of the
msgnincent dwelling. A broad, macadamized
drive, lined on either side by ar trees, leads up
TO the front door, under the portico. On enter
Ing the hall. which runs through the center OF
side. in q sub-hallWay, rises the grand stair.
case lighted by . stained glass skylight. The
southern half OF the first floor is divided into
reception and MUSHROOMS, saloon, parlor and
library. Above these on the second foor are
Mr.. Ttlden's suite OF sleeping, dressing and
Wallets rooms. Crowded into every niche and
corner OF these rooms are bookcases full OF rare
ana valuable works which MIR. Tlden had
spared neither time nor money in collecting.
dairy farming, horses, sheep dogs and poultry.
They all show evidence of having been fire.
quently used. The third story is divided into
eight spacious chambers, which are used as the
guest chambers. The kitchen and servants
quarters are in an extension which forms part
OF the building and are cut of by a hallway.
The billiard room is on the second door OF this
extension and IL lighted by six immense win
dows.
North. south, east and west the ground rises
In natural knobs, which gives free scope for
landscape gardening without fear OF artificial
effect. The forest trees OF every variety In the
grounds Immediately surrounding the house
were Mr.. Tildens especial pride. They are
watched. cleaned aud nursed with the same
attention that he gave TO his booded stock. On
the second terrace OF the lawn which leads t.
the river In the rear of the house stands an
enormous oak which was Mr.. Tilden's especial
pet he had comfortable wild wood settee
putt under II, and often sat there by the hour
listening to the reading of Miss Gould, his con.
slant companion.
HIS LAST DAYS.
Mr.. Tildens routine lite IN recent days was
described by visitor at Greystone as follows
Mr.. Tilden usually woke in the morning about
half-paSt four. An electric bell at the head OF
his bed summoned his valet, who gave him his
medicine, which he took regularly. Afterward
ne lay stu until about eight y clock, seemingly
h0 falf "A a.
nine O'Clock breakfast, which usually con-
sisted Of milk and some ricn broth. Owing IL
an attack of paralysis MIR. Tilden was unable
TO close his lips, and his mouth was constantly
open. His right hand from the same cause,
was entirely useless, trembling all the time. He
had not even the power to raise 1t 10 his mouth.
his left hand was but slightly affected by the
stroke OF paralysis, and he had the partial use
OF 1t. In eating he used his left hand 10 hold
Miss Anna Gould, who is the sister OF the wife
OF Mr.. Henry Tilden, placed 70 his mouth
every particle OF food that he ate. She gener-
ally put ~ Ia his mouth with spoon, and he
was enabled 70 swallow 1t by raising his lower
jaw with his left hand ana putting his head
back.
While at breakfast the morning papers were
read 70 him, and notes made by his secretaries
at his direction OF any important point or move
In the political world; After breasiast he
the hall, where he saw the different employees
OF the place. and heard their respective Reports
concerning the welfare OF his stock and farm.
his horses or his dogs Mr.. Tiiden manifested
the greatest interest. He went into the mi
nutest details, and often aslouisned the men
with valuable suggestions about their different
work which they, VINO have been in that es-
pecial branch OF farming all their lives, had
never thought OF. He had two secretaries,
whom he Kept busy all the time. He WAS very
methodical and thorough In everything that
he did. His retentive memory enabled nim 10
place his hand upon any paper or account that
he desired. After he was through with the
farm hsnas, Mr.. Geo. w. Smith, VINO was his
business manager aud confidential secretary,
usually came up from New York, where he
lived, 70 see him and make his report. At IL
O'Clock Mr.. Nlden would go out for drive. His
face was very thin and turrOwed. His hands
were shriveled until one could almost see the
bones. He stopped q little, and leaned heavily
OH tho strong arm Of his valet. But to look at
his eyes one forgot the change that had come
over the statesman. They were just the same
bright, kindly, truth-telling eyes, that made SO
many friends Tor him. They looked at y stranger
with glance as II they would read his inner
most thoughts.