The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-01-31
A Fine An Gallery.

Throa years ago was the last time the
public had chance to view the natural
and artificial beauty Of this home as re-
vealed by tie art gallery and conserva-
tory. At that time l, 500 people from Phil
adelphia. Baltimore and Washington were
introduced TO Mrs. Benjamin Harrison
and Miss Garrett and allowed to inspect
her collection of art treasures. While by
no means as extensive as the Walters gal
iery, it is one of the largest private collec-
tons in this country. The critic finds
Rosa Bonheur, Miliet and Greuze repre-
sented in the works as well as score OF
painters almost as noted. A variety of
sculpture adds to the effect of the gallery,
which is all in one apartment specially
built to afford the best light effects.
From All Chimes.
Through the glass partition is seen a
collection OF Towering and foliage plants
from the tropical and temperate zones.
Palms, orange trees and various species Of
giant cacti are growing as luxuriously as
in their native country. A pond, in the
center OK which is beautiful fountain,
contains one of the best collections OF trop-
ical lilies and other water plants in this
country. Many rare orchids as well as
other japanese flowers form special fea-
lures or this conservatory. at Montebel-
10, which Is country seat OF nearly ], 200
acres, picturesquely located about four
miles from the city, is another large con-
servatory. Here the owner spends most OK
the spring and fall months, sometimes e1-
tending her sojourn until July. The house
is one of the old time southern domiciies,
built by John ". Garrett, with wide We
randas and long, low chambers. It is very
unpretentious in appearance, and a man
with 81, 500 year could live in it comfort
ably.
Fond of Jeweiry.
Strange to say, this sl5, 600, 900 woman
has 10 special fad or eccentricity unless
one for jewelry. She is fond Of having
bracelets studded with diamonds, Of dia-
mond ornamented combs for the hair and
has ono which is valued at $500. A few
years ago she ordered pair of garter
buckles made from special design. They
were solid gold and cost $40, principally
on account of the work required on them
OF late, however, she seems to have lost
her taste for jewelry and now wears very
little. In fact she is becoming more and
more retired in her home life and goes
out less than formerly.
Miss CARROTS millions are invested in
various ways. She owns many thousand
shares of Baltimore and Ohio railroad
stock; also has many securities Of the
Chesapeake and Ohio canal, which paral-
1els the Potomac river from Cumberland,
Nd, to Washington. When this canal
was reopened for navigation two years
ago, she was one Of the signers of bond
to maintain it in good order, which re-
quired at least three signatures represent
ing So, 900, O00
She has over 500, 900 Of government
bonds, but nearly so per cent of her mon
ey is in real estate, the bulk of which lies
in and around Baltimore. No one knows
just how many acres in Baltimore county
are controlled by her, but the area is fully
5000, the prices of which range from $3.50
to SO, 900 per acre. AS may be imagined,
she pays a respectable fortune yearly in
taxes alone. Bank stock forms another
very large item of her personal estate, and
she gets some very large dividends from
it as we'll. Municipal and corporation
bonds form considerable item.
Miss Garrett is doubtless the richest
spinster in America and bids fair to be
for many years to come, as her health is
excellent, and she says she will never mar
ry. She is a member of the franklin
Street Presbyterian church.
d. ALLEN WILEY.