Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-04-05
THE GREELEY MANSION.
Something About Its History and Sur
rouudings.

The famous cid Greeley mansion at Chap
paqua, notice of the burning Of which has
appeared in the UiSpGfch, stood on the
western slope Of a hillside near that sleepy
village in Westminster county. II was in
lonely situation far from any other dwell
ing, and surrounded by naples and beeches.
The house was a two-story frame structure
with q French roof. and wide verandas
bordered it on three sides.
Half a rod from the southern side of the
house is a summer-h0use where Mr.. Gree
ley would sit looking over his newspapers
or chatting with friends III the pleasant
evenings, when he found time to spare
from his desk in New York. a gun-shOt
further on, in the same direction, IL the
Pines" o clearing surrounded by great
mast-like trees, under whose shade OPEN
air barbecues, pic-nlcs. and other gather
ings were held, to which guests from all
the country round. and not few political
notahilities. used to be invited.
The whole place is full OF picturesque
hooks, charming in midsummer, but
gloomy Of all other seasons. Tho kitchen
garden stands 10 the north Of the house
and alongside the kitchen door. Hanging
to the sturdy limb of an oak tree is the
old. rusty diuner-gOng that has called the
host and his troops Of friends to many an
appetzng spread in the wide dining-room
that faced the north and overlooked the
village.
Following the death Of Mr. Greeley and
his wife within a few weeks of each other
came that Of their daughter Ida. the wife
of Colonel Nicholas Smith. leaving three
children, who are now being educated IN
convent school. There has been some de-
lay in settling up the estate, which orlgl-
nally stood in the name OF Mary \. {.
Greeley. the wife of the statesman edl-
tor, and whose will was lately probated.
Horace Greelev. in his lifetime, bought
various small pieces of property AZ Chappa-
qua as he took a fancy TO them. lie
bought some eighty-three acres altogether,
in about twenty different parcels, some ~
his own name and others IN that IF his
wife. The farm was purchased IN her
name about twenty-five years $40, and II
SO stood till the day Of her death. lie
conveyed the other property also TO Mrs.
Greeley, and when she died her will direct
ed thai the estate be sold and legally dI-
vided between her two daughters. Ida and
Gabrielle. Alr. Greeley died soon after his
wife. Then the Will was probated, and
both the executors. Orestes Cleveland and
Oliver Johnson. being dead, the supreme
Cont appointod Isaac Haight, of Chappa-
qua. trustee. Then "a sale was ordered and
the estate was put up at public auction,
and no one appearing 10 compete, IL was
sold 10 Miss Gabrielle Greeley for $1,000.
This was done so that she might be enabled
10 deposit - 900 at once to the credit OF
the children of her dead sister Ida, when
She did. and It is now n a Brooklyn trust
company.
Miss Gabrielle Greeley, the sole survivor
Of the great EDITORS family. who mas been
living in the old homestead 50 long, Is
woman Of about tnirty-fyc wears, OF me
dun height, with purely classic profile
deep, earnest hazel eyes, wavy hair, trm
and sweet mouth, a strong chin, and a face
altogether full Of cASracter. With two ola
domestics. who haF been in the family for
many years, che has been living he life OF
solitary IN her hillside home. The farm Is
worked by hired man named CLARK.