The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1895-04-16


THE VANDERBILT MANSION.
for this reason he will live in the soil
tude of majestic mountains instead OF
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 Asheville. 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 600 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, 600
acres of land (about 160 square miles,
in 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-
ical plants and myriad colored rhode
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,
or 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
Nq hOT1Sn
planade Of 700 by 800 feet. This was
made by cutting down the summit Of
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 a faint con-
ception Of the magnitude Of this stump
tuous home. AS a starting point, recol-
lect troop of cavalry might walk
though the loggias and regiment
march down the stairways. The ban
quet hail aud reception room is as large
as any ordinary church, and city
house might be comfortably ensconced
in the library. The magnificent cary
ings about the principal entrances are
in the hands Of Karl Bitter. One of the
ne Of Jeanne d'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 teahouse
and stone fountain about 2, 900 years
old, brought from the vicinity of the
Nile Still farther is the conservatory,
the only spot that invites criticism, it
being very small and unpretentious. On
the left of the chateau are situated the
stables, carriage houses and dog ken
neIs A branch of tho 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
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 transpIanted 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 $40, 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 an advanced state of erection. and |
last, but not least of his many posses
sions, is the country store at Biltmore
owned by this millionaire.
Mr.. Vanderbilt had no trouble in Sc
curing the property he wished with one
exception. Charles Collins, 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, 600. 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 q vast territory, giving
to thousands Of men, SEEM
ingly investing his money wisely and
the most magnificent estate in
The world.
MAUDE JAMES chiffon.