The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-10-22
HOME FIT FOR A KING.
Magnificent Mansion Near the Hudson,
TO Cost Perhaps se,5OO 900.

which the many times millionaire, John
d. Rockefeller, has just bought for a
magnificent country park. the like Of
which, when completed. will never have
been seen this side OF the Atlantic. it
will, according to the Recorder. be a park
and country seat such as very few Of
the wealthiest gentlemen of Europe are
able to maintain now, although they were
not so rare a hundred years ago, when
there was more romance and less greed
fer money-makng -nong the nobility.
For several years the millionaire has
felt a disposition to retire from the noise
and confusion Of New York city Even
his palatial residence al west Fifty
FORTH street offered but little of that
quiet for which he has longed. He Is,
above all, lover OF nature and the asso-
Citations OF a country life, retired and free
from everything that is artificial. He has
long been looking for an opportunity to
indulge his quiet tastes in this direction,
and his eyes have turned naturally 10
that delightful stretch OF country along
the Hudson where his brother. William
Rockefeller already has such a luXuri-
Gus country seat at lockwood, with its
many acres and mansion. which has cost
$2.0000O0, and not far away the rich farm
Of Robert Bonner. and further down the
river, little more secluded, perhaps, the
beautiful Irvington, with It's stately man
sion, Lindhurst, the country place Of
the Goulds. II is in the midst Of these
and many more just as alluring. even II
a little less imposing, that the million
aire has bought his 700 acres. The new
property almost adjoins the estate or
lockwood. 1t may extend clear up TO
Rockwoods frontier before Ions. 1t
stretches out over hill and dale. through
fen and meadow, upon that section which
used TO be known as Tarrytown Heights.
1t was ali owned mostly by small holders,
who gave up their claims tardily, even
with misgivngs. for the country Is one
OF the most impressive spots which over
look the Hudson, and ali of them intended
building houses there.
ualfa Milton For the Land.
The Wadsworth property. OF fifteen
acres. known as Kaakout, was the first
secured BY the broker, who has been act
ing for the millionaire for the past six
months or more. Then the Wentworth
place was obtained This is included in
the estate Of the late George NJ. Parsons
Wentworth place is laid out In walks
and drives and has a fine old residence
upon It. 1t covers a dozen acres or more
Other properties which have been bought
and consolidated into the Rockefeller
place are Tower Hill, with its twenty-six
acres, the Davidson place with about
nine acres the Wilson place, the thirty
three acres II the John +. stephens
estate, the ]. II. Digges place and eighty
five acres. the ffty-fOCr acres OF the
late Stephen d. Laws estate, and several
odd bits Two or three hundred acres
more are now under negotiation. IL is
with some Of them that the new country
seat will be carried over as far as the
lockwood place.
Almost $4,000 has been paid for the
land thus secured. II will take many
years 10 carry out the idea OF the million
aire proprietor, in regard TO the laying
out and equipment Of the park. Mr..
Rockefeller intends II TO be the most
magnificent and picturesque place which
this country can present. His park Is 70
be stocked with animals and his grounds
are to be q marvel of pastoral beauty
II will be dream of olden times. There
will be lakes and rivers, lodges ana
HEDGES and drives and walks among
the hills and hollows, woods and nelds
and grassy hooks.
THE millionaire's residence, a mammoth
mansion OF the ancient style, proDaoiy
fashioned out OF great rough Doulders'
u,Il stand upon the summit OF kaakout
Mn almost the central point OF the es-
tate Already a tall wooden tower mas
be en- erected there for observation pun,
poses as a guide TO the engineers an ~
gardeners In laying out the srouh9s' an
~ the winding drive-ways VIII LEAD 10
tbis noint after trayersing the loveliest
,or.s ~ the extensive domain. Inc NIL
itonaIra himself has visited the property
several times and has given minute III
structIons as to the most important de-
tails OF the work
willing t spend Two Million Doii'rs'
No plans have been drawn yet ana
the whole vast scheme is In an uncer-
tain state 1t is only the rough outline
which Mr.. Rockefeller has decided upon.
There is no doubt that the millionaire
is busy with thoughts Of preparing Tor
himself a country retreat where ne can
spend most OF his time which is not
taken by his business enterprises-a place
where he can retire ultimately and pass
| the last OF his days In that rural ENJOY
ment which he loves so much. IL Is
said by those who have been active IN
carrying out this great scheme Oh inc
millionaire that he is Wiling 70 spens
100000 upon IT, and probably much
more, before he has everything III tue
! shape he desires IL.
| Aside from the personal character OF
| the new park. Il will be notable pun
| ito undertaking as well. IL has been tne
| one ambition Of the millionaire 10 Dui,u
| and eouip such a park, so that the pun
IL also might share in its delights. IL
"a his intention TO throw most OF the
beautiful place open 10 the public. IL
is that which makes his proposed coun-
4 try seat so different from the exciu-
stya domains OF his brother millionaires
oiong the Hudson. There viii be grot-
toes and coy arches among the rocks
Nover-beds and foot-walks. and ave
mes lined and shaded with trees. all
/ Tor the benefit OF those who choose 10
visit the park. To all practical purposes.
the park will be a public one. II Is said
and the proprietor intends that 1t shall
remain so forever.
THE first thing 10 be done Is the cut
ting OF roads through the land. That
will cost thousands OF dollars. for there
are many obstacles TO be surmounted
n Is understood that the plans for TINS
n,rt of the landscape architecture nave
already been decided upon.
one feature Of the mansion, wnict
will be more heavy and imposing thar
,ofty Will be a tall tower. It's ape
viii command one Of the grandest view'
along the river. From the top or tn'
tower which stands there now tnere II
clear stretch down almost 10 tns
N.w York bay. On q fine day the torcf
| nn4daez Of Liberty can be dlS