Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1889-04-16
THE FISHER MISERY.
A Palatial Mansion, the Owner Of
Which Is Wanted-The Pet Romance
OF San Rafael-A Faithful Guardian
Waiting for "The Master"


San Francisco CALL
In Ross Valley, at the base Of old
Tamalpais, about four miles from the
delightful town of San Rafael, Marion
county, there is four-story palatial
mansion, with an observatory, long
the object of good deal of curios-
ity. 1t is delightfully."- located, in a
sort of amphitheater, and the sides of
the hills are covered with outrageous
arboles, among which are groups Of
stately redwoods, while the lower
planes are an expanse of growing
grain or rich grasses, lush with the
life drawn from Mother Natures
ample and affluent breast. To which
ever point of the compass you may
look, Lorralne-like landscape may
be seen. The mansion has been built
for about seven years, and must have
cost, adding the improvements of the
surrounding grounds (some IS acres),
upward of $4,000. But with the
exception of q faithful retainer and
his small family, who occupy narrow
apartments in the basement, and
whose business it is to "look after
things" it has been tenantless for the
past two years. The building stands
in solitary grandeur, and is the prop
erty of a gentleman named Morton
Coates Fisher, whose eccentricities
while living here, and present unac-
countable absence, are topics OF con-
siderable discussion in the neighbor-
ing town.
MR.. FISHER.
No one seems to know very clearly
the history and career of this gentle
man, and the source from whence he
drew the great wealth which he pos
sessed when he built this palace. The
most absurd theories have been ad-
vanced in regard to him; that he was
a blockade.runner, some suggest a
pirate; that he dealt in slaves in Bra.
iii; in short, any wild idea that may
come into village gossip's head is
freely given forth. So far as the
truth can be arrived at in a casua
way, the gentleman was born in Phil
adelphia, and was one Of IL children
His father was an engineer, and he
imbibed good deal of knowledge o.
that kind from him. At Is, he facec
the world on his own account anc
gradually, as years went on, became
an active, self-reliant man of affairs
He went to England early (where hi
married), and there became a con
tractor; some say that he constructed
street-railroads in Dublin, some tina
he took large beef contracts for GU
Government during the war; What
ever may have been the Occupation
of his life, he made plenty of none,
evidently and proposed, judging from
the preparations to be seen, to spene
the remainder of his years in Califor
MIA, until some untoward event marret
his calculations and sent him abroad
again. The little that was known o
him while he lived. here is summed VI
in the facts that he was a gentlema,
of convivial habit, an accomplished
naturalist and fond of having on hi
grounds the best breeds of canine
procurable. He would be, were h
here, as in old times, the life and sou
of our Kennel Club. Before the nov
deserted mansion was finished h
lived with his wife and family in
handsome lodge at the main entranc
to the grounds. This lodge, in itsel
would be considered handsome resi-
dence by one of less ambition an
wealth than Mr.. Fisher possessed
The stables and other outbuildine
now on the ground are not excelle
in completeness by any similar struc
lures to be found in the State.
THE INTERIOR OF THE MANSION.
If one has read description of tn
interior of an English country HON
on a grand scale he will find it para
leled in this lonely mansion of Ro:
Valley. Its plans and arrangement
are all on the broadcast scale. Notl
ing that could contribute to the con
fort of its inmates is wanting. Ele'
trical buttons may be touched
every room, and the telephone con
muuication is equally complete.
kitchen completely appointed, an
adjoining wine room with its bottl
racks, show that the former inmate
were fond of the pleasures of gel
erous and we'll covered board.
MEMENToEs OF THE ABSENT.
Everything remains as left by Il
owner two years ago, and the o
9 servitor who accompanies you sa
simply when this tact is mentione'
S,Tha r,,ster told me he would 500