Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1886-11-27
MODEL cOUNTRY-SEAT.

MARTINsBURG, w. Va, Nov. 23d,
lSS6.-One of the most attractive
country Seats in the eastern portion
of our Mountain State, is the time
honored manor of the well known
Shepherd Estate. four miles north of
Shepherdstown, in Jefferson County.
Looking out from a gently reclining
Hill, on the picturesque Potomac with
its varied and beautiful scenery, this
old Virginia Homestead is one of
those well remembered resorts, which
in ante-bellum days were the pride
and boast of the people of the South.
This part was then owned by the
late Mr.. r. d. Shepherd, wealthy
and distinguished member of the
family, by whom it was christened
Wild Goose Farm"
This magnificent estate, which
altogether embraces about a thousand
acres of the most fertile and produc-
tive land in this section of the country,
has since been purchased by Mr..
Henry Shepherd, who is its present
owner, and by whom it has been
greatly improved, especially that
portion upon which he and his family
reside, and which he calls his Upper
Farm.
Passing up a long avenue of well
grown and carefully selected forest
trees, -beech, linden, maple and
others,-we approach the mansion.
Here on knoll, empowered mid a
profusion of waving willows, stately
poplars, and quaking aspens, stands
the residence, built in quadrangular
shape, with two extended wings,-a
pretentious frame structure of a CON-
paratively modern architecture.
To some it may not seem effectively
grand, but around it is woven a web
of early family history, of intense in
terest to the living representatives OF
an aristocratic ancestry, long since
passed away.
We enter through a Gothic porch, a
spacious hall, leading to the parlors,
which are simply, but richly furnish
ed,-skillfully rejecting mirrors, and
choice paintings adding to the pleas
ing effect.
The Library adjoining, is a most
unique and handsomely furnished
room, and the dining and bedrooms
in elegance and taste correspond with
the parlor and library.
From wide piazza, in a lovely
meadow in front, we look down upon
miniature lake on which sport the
graceful swan, lordly geese and count.
less Musoovies.
A view of the garden presents q
happy blending of the useful and or
namentai, real vegetable gardening
decorated. In fact an observing eye
will see at glance over the surround.
ing grounds, beds, mounds and terra.
ces, vines, shrubbery and arbors, that
Mr.. S. exhibits the same fondness for
establishment, garden, park and
landscape, as do the English people of
fortune and culture.
From the dwelling a fine gravelly
walk leads down to the dairy and
spring, while northward two white
shelly roadways wind around a dia-
mond shaped centre plat, converging
at the barn.
The stables, in which the well bred
driving horses stand, are constructed
after the best models, and the man.
gers furnished with the latest contri.
vances for safe feeding.
The carriage room, with oiled floor,
is equipped with barouches, phaetons
falling-tops and village carts, while
the room connecting exhibits a fine
display of harness, most admirably
arranged,-a together affording the
material for several handsome turn.
outs.
Around the stables are a number
of fox and rabbit cages, while near by
howl pack of anxious hounds ready
for the chase-sport in which Mr.. S
sometimes INDUCES.
Across from the stables is an octa
gon japanese Pagoda, tastily design
ed and painted, and surmounted BY
gilt ball, weather cock and wild goose
Here stands the morning sentine
who at appointed hours strikes the
bell, giving signal and summons fol
all the workmen to repair to labor.
The barn and extended range o.
stables are planned and equipped
with a view to the greatest conven,
fence and usefulness.
a long row of painted shedding
contains and shelters the various agri
cultural implements, all assorted anC
kept with the same system and care
which mark everything about the
premises.
Holsters and watehmen are con
stantly on duty about the barn anC
stables taking care of the property
and the large herds of valuable cattle
| sheep and hogs,-all in quality anC
| condition in keeping with the fine
order of things so plainly visibl,
wherever you turn.
Passing down the avenue from Wild
Goose, we behold dotted here and
| there over the farm, number Of
modern style cottages, where dwell
the workmen in plenty, comfort anC
l contentment.
Leaving the avenue, and entering
upon the well known Shepherd Grade
a mile drive over a fine stretch o
wide level road, long famous as the
courie upon which the speed of many
steed was tried in other days, anC
We arrive at another branch of the
shepherd Homestead, now known a
the LOacer Farm.
This was the lifelong residence O.
Mr.. Henry Shepherd, ST., the fathel
of the present owner and proprietor
as also that of the Grandfather, Capt
| Abram Shepherd, who, in the Ian
guage Of Memorial, by an eminen
| divine of Virginia, "served with dis
tinction in the Revolutionary War
under Col. Hugh Stephenson. He
marched with his company from
Shepherdstown to Boston, in July
1775, and in March 1776 returned t.
New York. He was in the celebrat.
ed battle of Kings Bridge, Nov. 18th
l776, and after Col. Rawlings and
Maj. Ohio H. Williams, of Maryland
were wounded, he commanded the
Rife Regiment of Maryland and Vir.
ginia during the remainder of the ac-
ton. He received a letter from Gen,
Washington but two months before
the Generals death, speaking of him
as valuable officer in the Revolu.
y