The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-01-11


great carved door opens, and you enter the
vast old style hall, long and broad enough
for modern ballroom. Its walls are
adorned with paper of gorgeous coloring,
which represents scenes and incidents in
the life of Telemachus. This paper was
bought by General jackson in France in
1887 and is yet in an excellent state of
preservation. The pictures still hang as
jackson left them. There are two fine
portraits of Mrs. jackson by Earle and a
most interesting portrait of the general
himself, taken by order of the French gov
eminent five days before his death. 4
quaint winding stairway leads to the up
per rooms. Huge old fashioned claw foot
ed mahogany sofas, chairs and tables fur
nish the halls, giving it a hospitabie air.
The drawing room, with its antique yell
low keyed, spindle legged piano, its faded
velvet hangings, its inlaid and ormolu ia
bles, it's bronze and gilt capdelabra, its
quaint mirrors, its pictures and busts of
the general, is delightful with its stately
old time air of dress parade. Indeed the
whole house is packed with the mahogany
and rosewood, the mother Of pearl, the dam
ask and silver of those good old days and
is calculated to drive connoisseur quite
hopelessly wild.
Dining Room, Library and Bedroom.
The dining room shows curious man.
tel, decorated with tall silver candelabra,
over which hangs fine portrait of Jack
son. Here, too, you may see magnificent
silver service, presented by Lafayette, and
a beautiful piece of silver, the gift Of De-
catur.
In the library is a wilderness of curios,
medals, coins, pipes, swords and snuff
boxes as well as the generals books, a col
lection numbering many hundreds, most
Of which contain his autograph. There
is letter from Thomas jefferson and an
exquisite porcelain miniature of Mrs. De
Witt Clinton, presented by herself and
accompanied by letter couched in the
romantic compliment and high flung per-
sifiage of that day. There is a small panel
from the floor of Napoleon IS room at Long
wood, st. Helena. A candle found in Corn
wallis tent at the surrender Of Yorktown
and sent to Jackson with the request that
he light 1t upon every recurring Sth Of
January, the anniversary of the battle of
New Orleans, is an interesting souvenir.
There is penholder made from portion
of the tree under which Washington first
unsheathed his sword in defense of Amer
lean liberty. There is Washington's office
chair, and another chair presented by the
wife of Chief Justice fancy.
Perhaps the most interesting room in
the house is the generals bedchamber, in
which he died. 1t Is preserved just as he
left it. The curious high posted bedstead,
the easy chair and footstool, the dressing
table, all partake of association with one
Of the most picturesque characters of
American history. In this room is another
of those quaint hickory mantels which
are found throughout the house, sedate
and stately in shape and execution as old
time manners. Here is preserved guam
tity of General Jackson's personal effects,
Jewelry, clothing. his watch, seal, cornelian
ring, topaz breastpin, gold pen and pencil,
tobacco box, walking stick, slippers, dress
ing gown and marvellous bead regalia
presented by Sam Houston of Texas.
Interesting Relics.
In a large empty room on the ground
floor is the generals carriage, made from
a portion Of the old ship Constitution.
The sword presented to jackson by the
citizens of New Orleans is another SOU
venir of interest. In cupboards and closets
are stored away many rare old bits of fad
ed finery. There is the full set Of pearls
and topaz presented by New Orleans WON
en- to Mrs. Jackson. There is beautiful
pink brocade worn by Jackson's wife's
niece, beautiful Emily Donelson, at the
court of Berlin. This lovely girl was
great favorite of the general and was mis-
tress of the White House during her
uncle's administration. She Is said to
have strongly resembled Mary, queen OF
Scots. and TO have possessed much of the
fascination of the White Rose Of Scotland.
The gown which she wore at the first in
auguration ball is a precious and coquet-
fish relic. Ii is of amber satin brocaded
with yiolets and garDished with lace and
pearls 1t was present from jackson.
and even at that day was described at
great length in every newspaper in the
The wedding dress of Mrs Sarah
Jackson, the wife OF the generals adopted
son, is also preserved. This lady was a
Philadelphia belle and beauty and went 70
The altar in an exquisite robe of white silk
and tulle. This costume has been worn as
a wedding gown by brides of three success
'iye generations.
The mansion and grounds are under the
ARE and control of the Ladies Hermitage
of Nashville. The PROPERTY
Vas purchased some years ago by the state
rom the adopted son Of General Jackson.
With the prCvlso that bis wife remain
here during her life. When she died, the
general assembly OF the state assigned the
house and tomb ana a5 surrounding acres
% the Hermitage association 10 improve
md preserve in lasting memory Of the hero (
q New Orleans " men these patriCffc and
snsrgetic southern gentlewomen who
formed the association took possession OF /.
the property, they found ruin and decay /
prevalent upon the nozzle es-
tate. The old log cabin where the general
lived for Is years before The Hermitage
was built Yves total wreck
A Noble Work.
But these southern ladies. with their
loft voices. incident manners and lsnguid
,irs, can Be energetic enough over any ot- &
ect upon the welfare Of which their hearts
are set 1t was not long before the man. |
lion vas newly rooted. the roems repaired. /.