New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-08-14
THE HOME OF A TETERAN MANAGER.


From The Baltimore sun.
In Gilmor.st. and on the north SIDE OF what was
once the Old Windsor Mil road (Which formerly began
al Cove Fremontst.) and In proximity TO Presst-
man.st, IS the residence OF Mr.. John I. Ford, VINO
has for forty years been recognized leading, as
H. is by Ia the elder of tho living amusement man
agers, estimating consecutive years, In this city, as
Mr rords house was purchased in 15Go from the
heirs OF Major lorato Armstrong, descendant OF Ia
part OF the Armstrong house is still standing, al
though il enlarged The outer walls and roof were
level The present structure presents fine appear
ance with It's large ycrandas It's balconies It's man,
city Tie ground. 100 feet front, with depth of
about $50 feet are laid out with paths ana slight
bshc, bearing odorous and snowy blossoms and leaves
grouped for effect in diversified cooring There are
which almost exhaust variety the fora OF this state
and Virginia Towering vines Chamber over a
windows on the sides Of the mansion and the neghbor-
ing houses. Grasses boautfy the grounds with
vcycy richness Of green in many ns snaGes represent
as FAR a. possible all Of the most decorative evergreen
towering odorouS and declduous varieties that ara
native or that could be accumated. -,
Mrs Ford the mistress OF ms home. which ~
descendant. planted or aided to plant, every bush,
tree vine In the garden, and she still deyote her
keeping the foliage shrubbery and flowers in the best
possible condition. Her speciality, II She has any
aower nG that S' Sby p@no its I p@ta just
before sunset TO the surprise ana delight OF the on
who ha ecssd & resembling tightly
wrapped cigar in form break almost nstantaneously
into null bloom 1t was Of these howtrS that Keats
wrote:
Ger which the wind may hover until 1t do1es.
DER which 1t we'll might take pleasant sleep,
But that us ever startled by the leap
OF buds into ripe flowers
Such are the surroundings OF the inner home
OF II citizen whose name IS so intimately associated
with the gayety and rational .musements Of the city,
students ms he Is one OF the best informed Inside
Of his home the walls are covered with pictures
cravings. with trophies won by public service IN the
cause of ch" r or y nsS cr O rS
numerous, almost priceless, dramatic works, from
the earliest to the later authors. From Marlowe, and
present day. each era 81 literature Is representa-
he panW sy o" cs walls BY H. socn GSes
Charles Voliar Joseph Parker and Others including
and and '' graduate Of the Maryland Institute Among
the prints are splendid steel engraving OF Washing
o ess at the Conrt Of Elizabeth recnr
Midsummer Nights Dream the Boyde Shakes
perean plates complete "Tasso at Court the Prod
what Mr. Ford STYLES the trophies Of his manage
comprise ed sSs OF 10000 receped
theatres for charitable purposes, many oCwhich are
IiouSh T Of the Htte Church Around the Corner
AND s so s & the
in the year 1871 In The Maryland penitentary, where
Mr.. Ford Is yet u DI an Inmate there, who
hearing Of the letters obtained perm ssion to Illustrate
them 1t Is remarkable piece OF pictorial pen work
Among the furniture Of the house are a number OF
chairs from the White House and the House OF Rep
resentai ives the FORMER having been used by all the
Presidents from General Jackson to General Grant
Inclusive the chairs that Henry Winter Davis. 5. s.
COX. Alexander H. stephens and others used prior to
the reftng Of the halls OF Congress In Grants
Presidential terms the sofa that IN the state box
and the portrait Of Washington that hung In 'front.' and
the door that led to the state box tie night Of tho
assassination OF Lincoln. at Ford's Theatre. Washing
ton. portfolio contains autograph letters from ex
President Fillmore. Charles Dickens. 5. s. Cox. Edwin
Forrest and from other and living celebrities famous
I'm letters. acting and state@manship 4 cabinet OF
presents Is interesting object. IL contains. among
other things ebony cane with gold head that came
Inscribed, from printers In Louisville. KY. In 1852 !;
silver service. which bears among Others the name
of the genial Florence and gold medal that recognizes
Mr. Ford's labor In the Interest OF the "Sesqul Gen.
tennia, OF the city.