The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-05
MIR. EvARTs's COUNTRY HOME.
The New York Senator's Large Family and
Pleasant Domestic Relations.

Pleasant Domestic Relations.
Correspondence Philadelphia Times.
Twenty miles north of Bellows Falls, on the
line of the Vermont railroad, is Windsor, man
ufacturing village of a couple of thousand peo-
pie Adjoining the northern borders of the viii
lage is Runnymede The Evarts estate com
prises eight hundred acres OF meadow land. ara
bic fluctuations. prmeval forests and powdered
crests. The Connecticut river divides these
fair possessions into two about equal parts, that
upon the eastern bank of the stream rising abb
rupJly among the Hampshire hills of New
Hampshire. ard upon the west sweeping away
from the river into the lower foot hills of the
Green mountains
In the midst of these broad acres Senator
Evarts, with his family, lives in liberal style and
with princely hospitality. Four stately man
sons are devoted to the uses of the family and
guests. The Senator, with Mrs. Evarts AID
married guests, occupies the largest, an old
time spacious frame structure painted white,
and of the style common to New England
Here the family and guests assemble for their
meals in the great dining hall. and in the library
on the broad verandas pass portion of their
time in reading, writing, conversation or medi-
tation. A long stretch OF rich turf. shrubbery
and foliage plants greets the eye the adjacent
lawn, and. but two miles distant, may be seen
the huge isolated mass of Mount Ascut-
ney, rising skyward nearly 1900 feet
Curtains of lower ranges extend north
and south like immense battlements. Immedis
ately south of the main mansion is a brick DWELL
ing, containing the farm office and occupied by
Charles Evarts, who has charge of the estate
and also by younger members of the family.
Just beyond are the quarters of the bachelor
guests, containing sleeping apartments, billiard
room ard library just beyond, it might be
said, is the residence of the late Mr.. Stoughton,
the distinguished attorney. and at one time prom
inent in the diplomatic service of the United
States. South of the main mansion is the brick
cottage of Mr. Beaman, who married the oldest
daughter of Mr.. Evarts, and who at time
was secretary to Senator Charles Sumner.
and is now a member of Mr.. Evartss
law firm. There is also a farm house,
in the Elizabethan style, and a
spacious barn and other farm out-buildings.
Near the mansion is an artificial lake, about
eight acres in area, fed from copious springs
from the rocky ridge which borders it on the
west. A heavy dyke across a portion of the
meadow acts as the retaining mass for the crys-
tai sheet of water within. The finest varieties
of mountain trout thrive there in great album
dance. In the brief space of an early hour, one
August morning, thirteen of these speckled
beauties, from ten to thirteen inches in length,
were anged from these cool waters from boat,
by Miss Louisa Eyarts, whose skill in handling
her fairy-lke boat and the fly was a source of
great admiration. 1t was here, amidst this en-
chanting scene of precipitous pineclad cliffs,
springs filing the air with rushing waters, the
placid lake and sweeping meadows, that this
work of disaster and death occurred.
1t has always been part of the hospitality of
Mr. EvartS to invite to Runnymede, during the
summer, many distinguished guests-jurists,
statesmen. national legislators, politicians, men
of letters and of polite instincts and culture
Mrs. Evarts, queenly woman in her domestic
sphere or in social duty closely resembles the
portrait of Martha Washington, the wife of the
first President, which hangs upon the great East
Room of the Executive Mansion. In the cares of
her household she is aided by her accomplished
daughter Mary.
The family of sons and daughters is large
Charles has charge of the estate; Allen is part
ner in his fathers law firm; Sherman is turning
his attention to law; Prescott recently entered
the Episcopal ministry and has parish in New
York. The last two are twins. Maxwell, the
youngest Of the family, inherits his fathers ap-
pearance and much of his w.t. A son, failing in
health as a merchant in China, died in Washing
ton while Mr.. Evarts held the portfolio of State.
The daughters are Mrs. Beaman, Minnie, Mary,
Bette and Louisa-all married but Miss Mary.
Rarely less than twenty to twenty-five sit down
at the three meals which divide the active hours
of the day.
The recreation for the guests at Runnymede
at the hours when the sun is dropping away
among the western mountains is driving. Apart
from the farm stables there is a spacious struct-
ture devoted to the carriage-horses, with stalls
for sixteen, and large array of vehicles of vari-
Gus styles, from the American buggy to an En-
gllsh four-in-hand landau.