The Wichita daily eagle., 1891-09-08

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MR.. wANAMAKER's SUMNER HOME.
The real home, and the one for which
the postmaster general himself has the
greatest fondness, is Lindenhurst, at Jen
kintown. about ten miles from Philadel
phia. on the Reading road. Here it is
that the Wanamakers have lived for years.
The name itself doesn't breathe the spirit OF
poetry nor conjure up visions of beautiful
landscapes, but in reality these are just
what are most noticeable in the place. In
addition the villages about are of historical
interest. Germantown is near; so is VALLEY
Forge, and other localities known to fame
are within easy driving distance.
Mr.. Wanamaker's estate is grand com
binatien cf all the features that nature
furnishes Jenkintown, and no money has
been spared in adding whatever man could
with his art. When the postmaster gen
eraI leaves Washington Saturday noon he
has to give a couple of hours to business in
Philadelphia. Then he takes q Reading
train, and when Jenkintown is reached
there is always some one waiting for him.
Sometimes it is Mrs. Tom who has
driven down to meet her husband and
father-in-law and pilots them over the
roads hemewsrd. If guests have come, a.
is more than likely to be the case, there is
strong horse and depot wagon that will
contain a number of people. The Wana
makers entertain very freely, and usually
there are several people or house party
whom Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas WanamakeI
have as guests. The drive homeward i.
over the old Yorke road, which, before the
time of railroads, was the stage route be
tween Baltimore, Philadelphia and New
York A pretty lodge at the entrance to
the grounds is the keepers home, and once
through the gate there is long drive up a
broad, winding avenue, bordered by great
oak trees to the very top of the hill where,
surrounded by gigantic oaks, is the gray
stone mansion with its tower and project
ing bay windows.
The general effect of the plan of the
house is ootagonal and gives an impression
of spaeiousness and strength. On the first
floor are the parIors, library, music room,
dining room with q fine conservatory
opening from It, and all opening into the
great hail which extends clear to the roof.
EVERYTHING is luxurious, comfortable and
homelike, and pictures OF the same grade
as those in the gallery in Washington
cover the walls in every room. A fine oil
portrait of Miss Wanamaker hangs in the
parlor, and inst now there is a great empty
gilt frame in the music room. 1t contained
a large oil of Miss Lille which Mrs. Wan
amaker has taken abroad to be retouched
by the artist who painted it.
On the second floor are the family sleep
ing rooms, morning rooms and writing
rooms for the ladies. In the hall on this
floor is the grand pipe organ, which was
built especially for the qualification of Rod
man Wanamaker, who used to spend hours
before it until he married a French girl
and took up Paris residence.
No money has been spared to add ele
gance and luxury to the house, and the re-
suit is beautiful enough to satisfy any one
who stopped short of a desire for royal
msgnificence.
The Wanamakers have the contrast neal
at hand, for down below the hill but in
cluded within the grounds, is another
stone house, but at much variance with the
magnificent mansion on top of the hill. 1t
is low and small and old fashioned, such
a house as harbors moderate circumstances.
Here it was that years ago the postmaster
general lived He himself tells how he
used to stand in the doorway of the little
house after his days work was done and
look with longing eyes at the hill crowned
with its big oaks. Then he vowed that if
ever he could he would some time live in a
house built in that spot.
Il was in 1880 that the successful mer-
chant realized his dream, and the stone
mansion resulted. 1t is the favorite home
of both the postmaster general and his
wife, and yet in two years Mr.. Wanamaker
never used it except TO sleep in Saturday
and Sunday nights.
L, 81 = i. l. -
q second cottage, where the postmaster
generals mother lived for years.
Eighty acres of hills, woods and lawns
comprise the estate. Brooks cut it fire.
euently and on the drive to the house. one
IS spanned by handsome extension bridge.
There is a big pool full of goldfish.
Beautiful by nature, no attempt was
made TO attain any regularity of design in
planning the gardens. Simply the most
has been made of every nook, and flowers
grow everywhere. There are large stables
and sheephouses, coachmen's and garde-
ners' houses and great Conservatives. both
adjoining and detached from the house.
AL the butter and milk required by the
family are handled in well planned dairy
house built over natural springs. Near the
big house is a little house calculated to sat
ssfy the heart of any child. IL is a big dolls
house, with up stairs and down stairs fur
nished completely, and here Miss Minnie
and Miss Lille used to play at keeping
house. Another handsome building con-
tains big swimming pool, and on the sec
ond floor is billiard table for the amuse-
Enent of guests.
Everything is brilliantly lighted from an
Sid mill on the stream outside the gates,
which has been turned into an electric
plant. Rodman Wanamaker also has g
summer home which is a very handsome
place.
The postmaster generals son Thomas
and his wife live in the big house and keep
It ready for Wanam1ker's weekly home
coming. Hrs. Tom is woman Of taste,
talent and energy. She is very fond of
outdoor life, plays tennis, drives long dis
tances, holding the reins over a pair OF
lively. well matched horses, and is great
enthusiast over cricket. Her husband has
another fine roadster, and there are always
plenty of COED steeds in the stables.
Mrs Tom draws together the people in
the country round about, and usually on
Sunday nights some Of then drive over &C