Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-06-22

In the Sunny south Visited BY . Graad
kapias Man

A way down the east shore OF tie
Chesapeake Bay. nearly ninety miles
south of Baltimore. on the beautiful
banks of Mills river, amid 100 acres II
lawn, dotted with roses. unnuml.ered
varieties of trees, shrubs and hedges,
stands the ''vllla" Ii fret makes is
appearance 10 the visitor rs he nears IFS
shores. almost hid IN green foliage.
This InchAnted spot has lts history and
was once the scene of many CAV aud
festive gatherings. The cid manson
was erected IN the French style O, ar
chltecture nearly fifty years ago by Col.
Fred May. In early life he was an
army officer, and after retiring from ac-
tive service he selected TINS besuiful
place and made II paradise. Some
time after he had resid ed here, friend
of his, the well known publisher
of the New York Herald, Jas. Gordon
Bennett came 90 share for tune the
hospitality and beauties of Mays coun-
try seat. During me stay some trouble
arose between blm and the Colonel re-
gardlng Mr.. Mays sister. Hot words
were exchanged aud a challenge for a
duel followed. The place selected was
not far from the "Nilla" aud shots
were exchanged by the combatants.
The result was that Bennett received q
slight wound IN the arm ana Col.
May WAS forced 10 leave the country.
After time this property chsnced Ia
fall into the hands of Boss Tweed. the
once notorious politician and robber of
New York City. Here IL 10 claimed he
was ia hiding several months before he
lx.f& To- L.
captured and brought back 10 the
States. An Irieb servant whom he had
used as . catspaw IN some OF bis
lives On the estate. Although
sadly neglected, tho mansion
and grounds have not loet all their
beauty of former days. The old man
greeted us pleasantly and seemed
pleased to show us around and point
out the places Of most interest, espcc-
tally 90 when l informed him | was
from the barren" State of Michigan.
On three sides of the house are veran-
dss thirty feet wide, which were in
tended and used for dancing when the
owner Of the estate gave hls receptions.
The hallway and staircase IL twenty
five by sixty feet, and the floor is inlsid
with different kinds of wood. The
massive doors and walnscoating are
finished in black walnut and verv
richly carved. On the left as YOU enter
is large library or study, with hlgn
wall. decorated with antique carving.
In the corners of the room stand ruins
OF old neglected statuary covered with
the dust Of years. Built IN the walls are
the shelves, filled with musty old
law books, volumes sof poetry aud
histories such as were read IN an early
day. A huge olc-fashioned fireplace
occupies one side OF the room. Next
we came TO the ball room, with richly
fresc eed walls and marble floor. An
old piano stands under the chandelier,
secmingly lnst as II was left for the last
time twenty years ago. on the right of
the ball are the dining and recepto
rooms and IN the rear are the steward
and cooks apartments. The coioTed
servants bad their quarters in q build
ing near by. At the landing At the
head Of the staircase there ~ very
large round window with stained glass
This hghts the vast hall below and the
chapel above. Ia years gone by the
owner kindly gave the use Of this room
TO ali the settlers along the
shore when churches were ecarcer
than today. Our guide then
took us through the large grounds
which were IN the pslmy davs Of the
estate, a paradise on earth. We found
fragrant magnolias in full bloom, the
flowers nearly "a large 30 white water
lilly, and the leaves about two feet
long. and nine or ten inches VIDE.
Ten varieties Of large roses were IN fuB
blossom. One bush Of CaiIfofnis white
roses nearly thirty feet high. sud con
tainiDe over 500 flowers. extended 20
the topfnost branches OF red-ieafs.d
beech Holly wood hedges ~ over
mile enclose the gardens. fruit trees
and green houses. The winter conser-
vstorr - dofne-ehaDed. and made of
glass. Is hight - thirfy-five feet, and
IN the center stands a large fountsin.
Further on we found fp irees IA si,und-
snce, and the yleI0 promises 90 br large
this year. The nekt plscs of interest
vas the terrspin ponds, thai were once
IN nee for Tsfsins sea turtles ] ln-
Qnued the price OF them. and
found that good sized ones We %
selling for sirts.fIve dollsrs per
dozen TIE owner of the pond keeps
q for catching shsd AZ high tide tie
gate is lifted and tie fish rome INTO the
place 70 feed. TIE gate - then closed
and ss the water Tecsdes the fish are
easily captured. AT oyster Rod OF afr,ui
i've acres sseiongs ~ the estate With
plenty Of ses hsh. fruits. vegetables ard
flowers within ~ borders. snd DE-
bshsful ciInnsts al around. thSs besp-
tfui garden hss charms and surround
ings that shsll never forget
n Iaw0s1