The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-12-17
Mutations OF A TOWN.
A New York suburb Where 1lillionaires
Delight to Dwell.

Delight to Dwell.
Especial Correspondence
GREENWICII, Conn. Dec Sit was when
William NJ. Tweed was i'm the zenith of his
power as boss" of the city of New York
that he discovered this pretty town on the
shore of Long Island sound from the deck
of his yacht. He was looking for an uttrac-
tive place within easy distance of the CITY
of which he was dictator where he might
build summer residence to his liking, and
he fell i'll love with Greenwich at first sight.
Further acquaintance with the place con-
firmed his first impressions and as soon as
possible he located himself within its Dor
ders, to the great advantage of the town,
which straiEhtway began to shake off its
purely provincial characteristics
The Greenwich of today is largely place
of suburban residences. The homes of
scores of New York business men, many of
whom are among the city's financial mag
mates and some of national repute, are To-
Gated here. Although the evolution of the
suburban idea would have included Green
witch eventually without Tweed's help,
there is no doubt that his influence set it's
development ahead by many years
The old Tweed place now forms part of
the Mllbank estate, Il property created by
Jeremiah Milbank, deceased Mr.. Mil
banks fortune was enormous Mt the time
OF his death, and he accumulated it in the
manufacture and sale of articles of table
consumption. Twcetl's purchase of the
farm now known as the Mibank place came
about i'll n curious way. The farm was, be-
fore Tweed got it, the property of Il man
named Mead, Il member of Il very numcr-
Gus family in Greenwich, and it had been
owned by Mead almost ever since it, first
nur inf, In
was valued ut about 500 an acre, but Mead
told Tweed when the latter asked about a
selling price that he didn't want to sell mt
all.
Now, Mr.. Mead" said Tweed, Suppose
you would sell; how much would Won
want?'
"A good deal morc'n you or any one else
would he willing to pay-more'n it's worth
by Il long chalk"
But how much?" persisted the "boss;'
maybe you'd get your price. Besides, I'd
like to know your figure as IL matter OF GU
riosity.'
WAL" said Mead SAY 81 900 IN acre.
That would be $6O, 900, but no one would
pay that for it,
Just rs II matter of curiosity" said
Tweed, lets make memorandum of that,
Mr. Mead"
Then he drew up Il few lines to the effect
that for :63, 900 the undersigned would sell
the farm at any time during the next three
months. Mead signed the paper, and to
his amazcmcnt Tweed gave him II check
for the S63O0C $4,000 more than Mead
Asked the next day, and the farm passed
from the possession of the family that had
held IL for so many years. The place was
at once put in good order, and has ever
since been one of the show places of Green
witch.
More interest is nowadays shown in the
deer park and trotting track that were laid
out by William Rockefeller than in the old
Tweed place. When the Standard Oil
company decided that it would be best that
one of its founders should live in or near
New York, Mr. Rockefeller was chosen tn
come east, and Greenwich looked as good
to him as it had some years before to
Tweed. lie built Il fine residence here and
being fond of horses laid out the track of
which have spoken. Every morning be.
fore break fast the petroleum magnate used
10 devote Il half hour or so to speeding his
most promising horses, and his place and
his manner of amusing himself attracted
good deal of attention, which was doubled
when he established his deer park. Mr..
Rockefeller determined II year or two ago
tomake his permanent home in Tarrytown,
y. y, where he still resides, but he retained
his summer home here and his deer, which
last are the admiration of the entire town
aId its many visitors.
Henry .. Havcmeyer, president of the
Sugar trust, is another prominent resident
of Greenwich. Mr.. Havemeyer has been
most open handed ever since he settled
down here. Mr.. IIavemcycr's most NUM-
iiccnt gift to Greenwich is the handsome
new schoolhouse that is being erected at a
cost OF over 100000. The smaller taXpay-
ers OF the place agree that il is q mighty
fine schoolhouse, but they are worrying "a
good deal about how they are going to paw
the taxes when the educational machinery
of the district is enlarged to meet the re-
quirements of the house. and its expenses
are correspondingly keyed up. The school
house at one time threatened to cause n
lasting rupture between f.. G.. Benedict
'thc presidents FRIEND" and Mr. Have
meyer. Mr. Benedict discovered one morn
ing TO his surprise that the roof of the new
building when completed would shut off
his view of the sound. There was Il very
earnest conference between Mr.. Benedict
and Mr.. Ilavcmeyer, and Il compromise by
which the roof will be built six or eight feet
lower than was intended
h. ii. Johnson, eX-presidcnt of the Ed
ison Electric company, is also u resident
here, and his house is one of the marvcls OF
the town by reason of the numerous and
expensive electric appliances with which it
is fitted up. Its system OF burglar alarms
Is so perfect that cracksmcn are said to
steer quite clear of The town for fear of be
ing shocked to death, and its lighting is SO
elaborate and so brilliant that it is an oh
ject of rare beauty Mt night. 1t may be
seen for miles up and down the sound and
Is landmark TO all who navigate these
waters. CHARLES APPLEBY.