The Sunday morning news., 1891-06-07
WILL GROVER BUY IT /?
The Ex- President Said to
Have His Eye on the
Jefferson Farm.
HoHoKUs PEOPLE HOPE 50.
A Visit to the Famous House
Which Has Now Almost
Fallen 10 Decay.
Special to the Sunday Morning NsaSs.

llsuat equaHinlty OF this delightful little
village does not seem to be unduly dis
turbed over the announcement that ex-
President Cleveland had purchased the
farm Of Joe Jefferson, away up in the
hills, and is going there to live with his
charming wife. In fact, the honest
boarding house keeper who drove me
from the station to the famous villa this
afternoon. told me that the villagers
were not sure Grover could buy the
place. In fact. they were positive that he
had not purchased the property. as he
had not been to see it vet.
But wish he would take it and move
out here. 1t will be great boom for the
place. exclaimed my buccolic friend who
combines the labor Of farming with the
pleasure OF Keeping summer boarders.
THE JEFFERSON FARM.
The famous farm of Joseph Jefferson
eemprises about fifty acres of rolling
country and lies on the edge of the Sad
die River Valley at the foot Of
chain Of hills. 1t is one OF
the most picturesque spots in Bergen
county. a ride Of two miles from the
Hohokns station brings one there-a ride
over . well kept road amply shaded by
large spreading trees. past the brown
stone ruins Of the dam which kept Silver
Lake in place and which broke some
eight years ago sweeping people out of
their houses and flooding everything
way up 10 Senator John D. Bogart's
place" as the natives win tell you; and
then over the little wooden bridge which
spansi The Saddle River along the road
which skirts the valley
There is something OF the nature of
false pretenses about the Saddle River
and lts valley: In any other section Of
n N u
the valley gully. True. 1t is beautiful
spot with Its wild tangled brush and
creeper clad trees--with the stream fash
ing here and there In the sunlight like a
tiny thread of silyer--still TO one who
associates the Hudson or the Shenan-
doah with the word valley it has par
ticularly small look
The first thing you see of the Jefferson
estate as you approach 1t from the east is
the large green house standing in one
corner of d lot inclosed by tall hedge.
Then comes deserted gate overrun with
vines and hid amid the tall pines and
spruce trees, which skirt the edge of the
lawn. ana shut 1t out from the view Of
the road.
FIRST GLIMPsEs.
As you round bend in the road a
break in the gloomy firs comes in view,
disclosing one end s. the house and a
glimpse OF the front From the road It
tage. with an old Dutch gable. A broad
veranda overrun with honeysuckle and
wisterla skirts three sides Of the build
ing.
It must be most delightful recreation
to set on this veranda In the moonlight,
fnhaling the fragrance Of the honeysuckie
and listening to the melody down in the
valley where the Saddle River is Joined
by one of its branches which comes tum-
bling over the rocks with musical
ripple.
The cottage and the Immediate ground g
stand upon slight elevation which Is
kept in place by low stone wall. Narrow
fiaged steps lead up TO what might be
called the entrance to the groun Is, al
though there is nothing to prevent one
from dropping upon the wall at any spot
along the road.
Two immense frs. whose branches al
most sweep the ground, form a sort OF
gate at the head of these steps, and after
passing these you come to an open space
which gives you an unobstructed view of
the front of the house.
The first impression one gets of it is
that number Of large packing cases
fitted with windows aud doors have been
where they stuck. The stone
cottage is two stories high.
Then comes low one story structure.
with vine clad bow window. Then an
other plain, one story structure and last :
ly q small conservatory. An asphalt
walk leads around the house back to the
large barn off of which the inimitable
Rip Van Winkle built studio. and
indulged to This hearts con-
tent his passion for painting.
WITHIN THE HOUSE.
When Mrs. Cleveland passes through
the narrow door which leads from the
veranda into the house she Will uncon-
- t,n cn "A
ceiling LOOK The front door opens into
broad. old-fashioned hall, the floor OF
which is inlaid with beautiful pattern
of various colored wood
A corresponding pattern ornaments the
ceiling 10 the right Is large parlor
extending the entire distance across the
house. The floor and ceiling OF this IS
also inlaid, and two ornamental marble
mantles surmonnt as many old-fashloned
open fire places.
Two ornamented columns, with elabor-
ate gas fixtures projecting from them,
support the ceiling TO the right OF the
hall door opens into the conservatory,
while at the end. opposite the front door,
are the dining rooms following eacn
other and ending in the billiard room. A
large buffers pantry opens OH the oin-
ing room, from which narrow door
leads into the kitchen.
Slowed away in among these Closets
fHA hktIuHI3 anu pduthf 10 s%t~ .~-~~-~
room. A broad flight of steps leads from
the hall to the floor above, which Is oc-
cupied by seven bedrooms.
The tall, mournful fir trees shut out the
view from the house on all sides. In
THEIR midst, in front of the house, Is
snail marble urchip graspinga strug-
glug fish, from whose mouth spouts.
nigh in the air,a stream Of water-tnat Is.
When the water is turned on.
UNDER THE FII,S.
Two paths start out among the dlsmai
nrs from the house. One leads down 70
the deserted gate at the road, and the
other suddenly terminates at the edge OF
large lawn In the midst of which giant
Hr rears its lofty head apparently almost
to the clouds. Across the lawn IS the
road
The general air about the place is one
Of diiapidation. 1t is three years since
MT Jefferson occupied the cottage, ana
tne entire place bears evidence ofnegiect.
Tho trees need trimming: the walks are
overrun with grass, and the lawns are Ill
Kept. The buildings need paint, and IN
many places are sadly In want OF
repair. inside the main building
there n q musty odor which all houses
hare which have been closed for some
lime. A noticeable feature OF the place
y the absence Of flowers, defect which
Aira Clexeladd Will remedy, no dou BIT, as
soon as 5he enters into possession Of her
csrpenssrs were engaged yesterday
When INAfr{V9d there nafcff no m fha