Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-27
ROLLING IN MILLIONS.
How Mrs. Hopkins spent the Money Left
Her by Her Husband.

How Mrs. Hopkins spent the Money Left
Her by Her Husband.
Mrs Hopkins-Searles, whose death was re-
corded III Saturdays STAR. one of the
richest women in America. Her husband,
Mark Hopkins. who died in 1878, was one of
the five men of California who built the Gen.
tr.l Pacific railroad and made each princely
fortune. He left an estate that was inventoried
at s2l, 100, 900, but that was said to be one
third below the real value. His widow re-
ceived all but "a. 0oc. 900 of it and year or so
ago she was said to be worth over $50 600. 900.
Mrs. Hopkins-Searles was born in New York
city. Her father was William Sherwood. a
teacher and author of some repute He went
to Great harrington, Mass. when she was
little girl. When he and his wife died their
daughters opened select school in the town.
which they maintained for several years, Miss
Sherwood teaching music. The father of Mark
Hopkins lived in Great Burlington. In lS49
Mark Hopkins. then a single man OF thirty i've,
went to California. He had u few thousand
"A hardware store in Sacramento. he firm made
money. and in 1854 Mr.. Hopkins wen; back to
Great harrington and married Miss Sherwood
VINO was his cousin. They went to California
In 1855. and in 1859 Mr.. Hopkins. &. p Hunt
lngton. Leland Stanford and the two Crockers
began to agitate the question Of building the
Central Pacific. People laughed at them. but
they made fortunes.
For come time before Mr.. Hopkins death. in
1878. lie was an invalid and great sufferer
from sciatica. The only place where he could
find relief was on the top of the mountains
over which he had helped to build great rail-
road. and IN II cabin on one of the high peaks
he spent the latter part Of his life In San
Francisco the Hopkins family lived In man.
sion that cost 81 co., U0.
hrS Ia l.
surrounding the old Hopkins homestead in
Great Darlington and in the rear OF that
structure she erected a palace whose magniti-
cence was talked about in all parts of the
country. She was alone in her gfeat San
Francisco house and it was natural that she
should be eager to return TO the home Of her
glr.hood. She often spoke Of the affection she
had for Great harrington. The palace she
built in her OLD home cost over s2OO0,OOO. 1t
is of blue dolomite, 17S by l43 feet. 1t is a
very hard stone, of finer grain than granite,
and was obtained from a neighboring quarry
owned by herself. The exterior walls show
the stone i'll rough surface.
The house has two towers. The entrance is
on the north side. up wide flight OF granite
steps. The floor, walls and ceiling of the YES
THULE are OF bluestone. In its grandeur the
main hall ecilpses many European castle
The floors and walls are Of imported marbles
In the left tower is a cloak room and in the
right tower reception room. The atrium is
1JX2o feet and 20 feet Ill the clear. The floor is
of marble and the ceiling Is OF stucco work pol
isEed to initiate ivory. The side walls are
paneIied with costly mosaics Illuminated from
the back by electric lights. The rear end is
almost entirely OF glass.
About two years ago Mrs HOPKINS Scarles
went to live in her Great Darlington palace.
For some years before that she spent her sum
mers in the old house i'll which she lived when
young girl ard in which she was married She
improved the structure and furnished it
sumptuously.
Mrs. Hopkins-Seares gave a good deal for
charitable purposes. The greater part OF her
gifts went to the Congregational Church in
Great Bsrringtor. OF which old Dr. Samuel
Hopkins. an ancestor OF her husband was made
pastor in I'LL For more than IA quarter of a
century DIR. Hopkins preached in that church
When the old church was pulled down about a
dozen years ago Mrs. Hopkins gave $4,000 to-
ward rebuilding it, and after it was completed
she put an organ worth $500 into it. The
parsonage which adjoins the church was built
by Mrs. Hopkins at a cost of 100000. and she
paid Sl4 900 for the ground on which it stands
Mrs. Hopkins-Searies had great strength of
character. In mental characteristica as well
as in appearance she was rather masculine
She knew much about business affairs and
looked after her great estate with minuteness
She was capable Of making as good O bargain IA
was her husband. Like her husband she was
passionately fond OF horses. Her stable ia,
built of the same material as her palace and she
provided u handsome cottage for her coach
man. The horses in the { reat harrington sta
BILE are of the finest breed. On the afternoons
Of every fair day she handled the reins behind
q pair of fine trotters.