Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-24
Millionaire D. Edgar Crouse's Stables
at Syracuse Are One Of the
Wonders of the World.
A DREAM OF MODERN SPLENDOk
That Will Compare With the Most Cor
geous and EXtravagant Concep-
tions Of Ancient Royalty.
EARTH RAKsACKED FOB MATERIALS
Race Taek, Carriage Rooms and Banquet and Re
ception Halls Under One Roof
rcoRKEsPoEDENcr OF THE DrsrATcB.l

SYRACUSE, n. Y, August 2S.-The fin
ishing touches have finally been put upon
the costliest stables in the world, and D.
Edgar Grouse, of this city, is in possession
of q palace for his horses that far surpasses
in elegance any structure erected for like
purpose. Complete, the stables represent
an outlay Of over 100000. Three years
have been spent in their erection, and drafts
have been made unto the farthest ends of
the earth for material with which to excel
all patterns for the science Of construction,
and all limitations in beautiful ornamental
tion. An adequate description of these
stables will sound like a chapter from
Monte Cristo or the Arabian Nights tales.
The masonry on which the building
stands is of cut stone laid In Portland
cement a substitute for mortar which en-
tailed a greater expense but must add
durability to the work. The foundations
are of extra thickness and were more than
once relaid to correct possible, not apparent
defects. The front of the building is some
so feet in extent on Mulberry street and
some so feet deep on the alley at the rear of
the Grouse mansion. The stable is three
stories in height, exclusive of the gables,
floor has been fitted up.
THE MATERIALS USED.
The materials used in the construction
were red sand stone quarried in New Hamp-
shire, Trenton brick, encaustlc tile and
terra Gotta. The first floor is enclosed in
sand stone, above which the brick SUPER
structure rises. The architect has mainly
depended on giving the front elevation eff
fectiveness by skillful adherence to SYM
metry, its fine expanse being comparatively
unbroken, except by buttressed chimney
with carved base, projecting south of the
main entrance which occupies a central
position.
The exterior, impressive and imposing as
it is, does not prepare one for the splendor
of the interior. The rarest and most costly
woods, combined with the most exquisite
workmanship, have made the rooms wonders
OF the designers and joiner's craft. There
is no veneering nor imitation here. The
woods used in finishing the rooms are San
Domingo mahogany, ebony, bethabia, white
holly, California redwood and antique oak
The basement has been divided off into
compartments for storing discarded equi-
pages, coal cellars, wash rooms, cleaning
rooms and for the heating apparatus. An
elliptical track one-eighth of mile long has
been laid out in the eastern end of the base
WCuL, Will Dc uSeU l0Cl6W6QE
weather on which to exercise the horses.
COMPLETELY EQUIPPED,
On the first floor are the stables, reception
room and two offices fronting on Mulberry
street. A billiard room, drawing room and
dining room are on the second floor, besides
the spaces over the stables proper, which
will be used for storing hay, oats and straw.
The main entrance is on Mulberry street.
and is led up to by wide, heavy steps of
gray granite. The entrance hall is in the
early English style. The woodwork is en-
tirely of mahogany, richly carved and
panelled, and wonderfully beautiful in de-
sign and execution. The floor is of tiled
mosaics, and the ceiling is composed of
small panels in honey-combed work. Two
heavy mahogany doors open into the lobby.
The lobby is separated from the rooms by
hsngings of rich Turkish draperies, over
which are open spaces, so that when the
portieres are drawn the lobby is lighted from
above, as well as through the glass in the
doors. The woodwork in the lobby is of
mahogany, inlaid with ebony. The VAIN
scoting is about feet inches high. Be-
tween the base and rail OF the wainscoting
are placed glazed tile of chocolate and yel-
low, surrounded by intricate lacings
The walls are of mahogany inlaid with
ebony worked in panels. A small block of
ebony two inches square acts as bottom,
around which break the holdings forming
basket. The ceiling is put together IN
alternating square blocks of glazed black
tile and mahogany beautifully nodded and
carved.
A WORLDS WONDER.
The room which is entered from the right
of the lobby is probably one of the most ex-
pensively decorated rooms in the world.
The woodwork is entirely of solid rosewood
Tbie rri11 he cad a
The curtains and portieres are of the richest
texture, and in their artistic tone fully
harmonic with the deep, warm color
Of the rosewood; thus, in spite of
its massiveness, the room suggests
that which is so often lacking
in an apartment used for such purposes
hospitality and ease. The floor is an ex-
quisite piece of mosaic work, wrought from
rare and costly woods, and in its entirety
represents a mammoth bouquet of flowers.
The woods used in its construction are
mahogany, bird's-eye maple, bethabia, white
holly and California redwood.
The extended wall space has been dealt
with in the most pleasing manner. A rose
wood base about II inches wide runs the
whole length without perceptible break.
Rising from the base to the rail of the
wainscoting are exquisitely nodded pilasters,
holding in place large slabs of elaborately
designed tile glazed in yellow and blue.
The tiling is fanked on either side by
narrow strips of molding. On entering, the
artistic eye realizes at a glance how much to
these tiles is due the pleasing tone of the
room, relieving as they do the too woody
effect that would be sure to exist without
them. From the wainscoting to the frieze
line are beaded holdings interlaeing each
other, set with carved rosettes.
A MAGNIFICENT MANTEL.
Between the windows is placed the man.
tel. An attempt to give q description of
this would convey but a faint idea of its
magnihcence. It consists of two parts, the
lower one simple in its outline, the upper
massive, yet graceful, with columns, pilas-
tiers, cornlce and other artistic details. Prob
ably no room in the United States shows
finer specimens of woodcarving and mold
ing than are visible in the frieze, ,cornice and
ceiling OF this. A frieze eight inches wide,
highly polished, runs the entire round OF
the room. The design is plain except for q
marrow bead running lengthwise in its GEN.
ter. Above the frIeze is a narrow picture
molding, which hides the joint and makes a
base for the massive cove that Joins the cor
nice with the ceiling and completes an im-
mense canopy. This cove is Of solid rose
wood, three feet in width, and runs the en-
tire round of the room without apparent
break The ceiling is of rosewood, con-
Vtructed with delicate bead moldings and
beautifully paneled, the panels being most
elsborately carved.
chandelier Of solid brass IN italian repousse
work, disporting all manner Of figures and
trailing vines. The fixture is suspended by
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