The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-03-27

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THE VANDERBILT MANSION.
for this reason he will live in the soli-
tude of majestic mountains instead CO
the atmosphere Of clubs and theaters.
For the last three years the youngest
son of William II. Vanderbilt has given
his attention and money to the erection
of his new home at AshevilIe. He comes
here every few months and remains
few weeks at the 'Red Farm House.
his temporary residence It will prob
ably be seven years before his home and
grounds are completed, in spite Of the
fact that 900 workmen are employed
daily upon the work. Mr.. Vanderbilt
will probably eat his Christmas dinner
in 1895 in his palace, for it is nothing
else.
He has acquired the title to 100. 900
acres of land (about 16O square miles,
III and around Asheville. It is said he
may drive 81 miles in straight line
from his chateau and still be on his own
possessions. Already 20 miles of mac
adam roads have been built, which are
lined with brilliant hued, hardy trop-
ioal plants and myriad colored rhodo-
dendrons. These roads lead down to the
valley or up hill after hill to the heaven
aspiring peak of the famous Mount
Pisgah, or perhaps they wind toward
that blue, hazy curtain which on nearer
inspection proves to be the Smoky range,
oE else wend their way toward the
grandeur Of the Black mountains.
The chateau when finished will testi-
fly to the magnificent work of man, as
the scenery does to the wondrous work
OF nature The house stands on an es-
planade Of 700 by 800 feet. This was
made by cutting down the summit of a
hill and filling in the depressions. A
perfect level is the result The architec-
ture is pure Italian. 1t is built of Mary
land limestone and is four stories high.
Let the imagination run riot, and
even then one can have but faint con-
ception of the magnitude of this sump-
tuous home. AS a starting point, recol-
lect a troop of cavalry might walk
though the 1oggias and a regiment
march down the stairways. The ban
quet hall and reception room is as large
as any ordinary church, and a city
house might be comfortably ensconced
in the library. The magnificent cary
ings about the principal entrances ara
III Lis udUklS VI MARI D1GJ0Gs Ou6 u us
guardians OF the portals is heroic stat
ue of Jeanne Arc. Beyond the drive
way is terrAced stairway in imitation
of the famous Porto Aggatio Possibly
these two facts show the historic ecleo-
ticism of the owner. On the right is the
tennis ground, with its quaint teahouso
and stone fou1tain about 2, 900 years
old, brought from the vicinity of the
Nile. Still farther is the conservatory,
the only spot shat invites criticism, it
being very small and unpretentious. On
the left of the chateau are situated tho
stables, carriage houses and dog ken
nels A branch of the Southern rail
road runs from Biltmore to the back of
the house, thus enabling a private car
to run directly to the door of the man
sion. Besides the railroad one finds a
stone quarry, where all the stone used
for walls, roads, foundations, etc., has
been procured; also dairy of $50 COWS
and a brickkiln.
From the private nurseries over
1000, 900 plants and ornamental trees
have been transplanted into the grounds.
In another year a game preserve and
hundreds of deer will be an acquisition
to the parks. About that time 20 cot
tages. costing $50, 900 each, will have
been erected. These houses will be rent
ed to the personal friends of Mr.. Van
derbilt. A 500, 900 church is already
in en- advanced state of erection. and
last, but not least of his many posses
sions, is the country store at Biltmoze
owned by this millionaire.
1fr. Vanderbilt had no trouble in So
curing the property he wished with one
exception. Charles Collins, a thrifty ne
gro, owns plot of seven acres right in
the middle of the rich mans domains.
Collins has scornfully refused 81, 500 and
will continue to be Mr. Vanderbilt's
nearest neighbor until he gets his own
price, said to be $12, 900. No one is al
lowed on the grounds without special
permit, and all cameras are conf1scated
and not returned until the visitor leaves
the gates.
An impartial observer cannot but
commend the young millionaire, who
is improving a vast territory, giving
employment to thousands of men, SEEM
ingly investing his money wisely and
building the most magnificent estate in
the world.
MAUDE JAMES Chiffon.