The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-07-30
GOVERNOR HOVEY's HOME.
A Fine Establishment, Plentifully Supplied
with Curios and HomeIike Attractions.

with Curios and HOmeIike Attractions.
Mt. Vernon Letter in st. LOUIS Republic.
This splendid little city claims as one of
it's citizens the present Governor of In
diana. and his elegant residence here is
well worth description. We shall call
sion," for Indiana, unlike her sister States.
maintains no executive mansion" and,
besides, this home is a mansion. for it is
without doubt one of the finest in the land.
1t is situated northeast Of the courthouse,
on beautiful grassy. plot surrounded by
huge forest trees, whose foliage at this
season of the year almost hides its immense
proportions from view, and renders a front
view impossible. 1t is a massive building,
constructed of stone and brick, two stories
high, and while not striking in its exterior
architecture, it "shOws up" we'll.
A single look at the handsome interior
grasses ali thoughts of the outside. AL
though having remained unmarried for a
maintained this home. living with his
daughter. the wife of Mai. G. V. Menzies,
an attorney OF national repute, who with
their family occupy this house and make
life pleasant for the old gentleman.
Mrs. Menzies is charming lady, gracious
and easy in her style and manners, having
the advantage of seeing much Of the world.
she being with her father while minister to
Peru in 1855 to 1869.
While there they obtained many hand
some presents and curios which are to be
found in almost every room of the man.
sion. Passing through the large entrance
ball the correspondent was admitted, to
the right into the the reception-r0om where
several easy chairs and splendid cOuches are
so arranged as to temptthe weary. Heavy
portieres divide this room from private
apartments on the left On the opposite
side of the room is beautiful mantel with
ahigh shelf surmounted by large plate
glass; mirror encased in an arched brace
frame, which reflects in splendOr the hand
some furnishings of the room. On either
side of the mantel are large bookcases
filled with neatly-bound volumes of his
tOrica! and educational works. On the
mantel and tops of bookcases is quite
collection of the curiOsities brought from
Peru. There are some eight or ten images,
made of hi ghly-coloredp pottery OF something
of the kind, which are supposed to be like
they greatly resemble the many Chinese
idols seen in this country. Near by are
two figures of the Andes llama, about six
inches high, made of solid silver from Pc
Several Indian Workers OF water bottles,
were distributed on the tables. These are
surmOunted by ill-shaped animals. They
look very much like some of the mound
builders" work. Standing on one of the
cases huge flamingo looks over the room
with an 'all-seeing" eye. 1t would be i'm
possible to describe all in this room.
Passing through the hall, in front of the
grand staircase, o massive door opens to
view the drawing-rO0m: and the first sight
that meets the ewes is the very elegant
life-sized oil painting of the Governor, a
look at which makes one think he is pres
ent in person. To the left, suspended on
sword, which he carried during the
late war. Cross this is Major Men,
zies sword, which he carried while
lieutenant in the navy. Near by on table
lies a round box Of solid silver, which
for oil hald fha ~ bof xuaa 4 ho
United States and Peru, and among the
books were several pieces of cloth and
other small articles which were taken from
the tOmbs of the older lncas.
stands q beautiful mounted crane with his
graceful head peering out on the lawn,
while high up on the right side of the room
is perched an immense bald-eagle, measur-
ing several feet from tip to tip. as If prepar-
ing to swoOp down on victim. This noble
fellow was captured several winters ago
floating down the Ohio frozen into q huge
cake Of ice. He was brought to shore alive
and afterwards killed and sent to the taxi
dermist.
Underneath this is large couch, over
which are negligently thrown several rare
and valuable robes, one of unusual size be-
ing made entirely of ostrich feathers. An
other is E large jaguar skin; which was OBJ
parlOr stands the grand piano. on top of
which were noticed numerous presents re-
Gently received by the Governor. Among
them was one Of the centennial plates"
which was presented at the New York cele-
bratiOn; also, one of those beautiful satin
invitations to attend the opening of the
Texas Spring Palace, at Dallas. and numer-
Gus other invitations and badges
At one side hangs large photograph of
Mount VernOn's beautiful young ladies
who attended the Governors inauguration,
and were conceded to be the handsomest
party in attendance. The room is furnished
in handsome style, and the carpet is the
finest of Moquette. The walls are finished
in panels of sky-blue and red. the contrast
being shown up by bars of gliding placed
between the panels. around the room are
hung several very elegant paintings and en-
cravings. In the rear is the dining-room
which is furnished in fine style, and the side
board is covered with silver and rare china
and on the walls are hung pictures of one or
two of the war ships on which Major Men,
zies sailed the seas over" On the second
floor are the private rooms of the family, all
of which are furnished to suit the ideas of
connOisseur. The Governors private
room is fitted up elegantly, and well sup
piled with books, where he can while away
his leisure time.
The presence of Mrs. MenZies's children
two daughters Misses Mary and Juliet. tw
charming little ladies of eighteen and six
teen years of age, respectively, and son
Winston, lend much to grace and enjoy
ment of the surroundings.