Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-29

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BILTMORE. THE
IN North Carolina. George Vanderbilt
has finished his 100000 castle. and
has hidden all OF his kin 10 the most
magnificent house-warming ever cele-
brated on these democratic shores.
Each person invited has accepted. 1t Is
needless 10 say. for this young Wander
bilt is the baby-brOther. and, in conse-
quence. is very dear to the older bro
TIERS and sisters. and 20 the nieces and
nephews, who are almost his own age.
WONDERFUL DINNER PARTY.
Mrs. William x. Vanderbilt VIII ma
tronize the soOily company at New
Years dinner. and az the same time rep
resent Just about $1,000 GO. The host,
George Vanderbilt. Will sit opposite 10
his mother. and his worldly estate can
be safely put down at more than 49,
00).0l0. Next. his mother. by right OF
eldest sOnship. VIII be seated Cornelius
Vanderbilt, one of the richest men in
tho world. for he IS worth at the lowest
rating more than $4,000 90. Mrs. Cor
nelius will sit at her husbands left,
and next 20 her will come Fred. Wander
bilt and his charming wife. adding S25,-
OpOop more TO the yertable gold-mine.
Mr. and Mrs. William ID. Sloene-ths
latter was lovely. golden-haired Emily
Vanderbilt-will sit on the left OF Mrs.
William h.
Mr.. Sloane IS as rich az his wife. and
their combined wealth f. said 10 exceed
forty millions. Mr.. and Mrs. II. Nick.
Twomoly and DR. and Mrs. Seward
Webb add S4GolDe0 by their gracious
presence and Willie X. Vanderbilt repre-
sents in his jolly parsonage eighty mil
lions more. Mrs. Elliot F. Shepard, the
eldest sister Of the host. IS In Egypt,
so $0O0oJ) belonging to the Vanderb!ts
cannot be counted in.
OF the nieces and nephews there are
more than a dozen. each OF them with a
good. big fortune in his or her own right
Il Will be a remarkable dinner party.
representing something Ike 2al0l0oD0
But the house which is 10 be officially
opene is equally remarkable. In the
first p ace. IL Is the grandest and costliest
country home iu this country and per-
haps any other country. IL has taken six
years to build, and as many millions.
The history OF the building OF the place
Is unique II Is SIX years since Mr.. Van
derbilts agent began buying tract after
tract Of wastes and forests IN this Land
of the sky az the r gon around Ashe-
Vile has long been known. Quietly but
quickly this and that farm WAS bought,
and. before the sellers and the natives
knew the name OF tn real purchaser be-
tween G0l0 and 700 acres had been ac-
quired al reasonable figures.
When MI NanGerblt's name became as
ISOLATED with the purchases. the prices
advanced at least 100 per cent Mountain
land that previously went begging for a
few dollars an acre jumped up TO $780,
and some Of IL could not be bought for
500 an acre.
The mountain site and thousands OF
acres having been acquired. the most
elaborate plans and preparations were
made for the Transformation Of the rough
and ragged hills into a scene of great
grandeur and beauty, and for the build
ing Of one Of the most splendid and
sumptuous piles Of architecture 10 be
found anywhere I'm the United States
The work OF improving and beautifying
tho estate was put into the hands of the
most competent and experienced men.
The architect the landscape gardener,
and the forester, particularly received
free swing 10 carry out their ideas and
plans on larger scale than ever before
attempted IA this country.
a HERCULEAN TASK.
Some idea OF the extent OF these opera
tons may be had from he fact that
during the past three years 300 men have
been steadily engaged in bringing the
grounds 20 the perfection exacted by the
landscape gardener, Frederick Law Ohm
stead. who laid out most of Central Park
and the grounds Of the World Fair at
Chicago. and that from 100 10 $50 stone
cutters, masons, and carpenters have
I.s q stately
according TO the plans Of the architect,
the late Richard Nj. Hunt. Then. there
have been the forestry operations under
the direction OF Clifford PinchOt. the brick
and tile factory, and other industries,
which have given employment TO more
than 100 men.
The Vanderbilt mansion is about two
miles from the station. The house stands
on mountain peak, which has been cut
down and levelled until II Is not much
higher than the surrounding ground. This
gives a park OF about l,0le acres. In which
a bowling green and tennis court are the
most conspicuous features. The green u
about go fec, long and 80 feet wide. II
Is surrounded by a beautifully carved
balustrade. Every one who visits BIT
more Is sure to speak Of the tennis court
Il is said 10 have cost so go. The greater
part of the expense consisted in building
a huge retaining wall TO sustain the
court. This wall is eighteen feet thick
and forty feet high.
The house is constructed mainly or In
diana granite. but, OF course. immense
quantities OF brick were used. and neal
Fillmore Station brickworks were es-
tabllshed. There was plenty OF good red
clay at hand. suitable for first-class brick
and tile These were used mostly for the
surrounding buildings. stables, &c. Three
brick and tile-kilns were erected. each
with capacity OF 5000 a day. The
brick-machines turned out brick at the
rate OF $4,000 a day. Besides these, about
200 or 5000 fiower-pots were made day
To carry the material for the different
buildings a railroad from Biltinore Sta
ton TO the site Of the mansion. distance
OF three miles. was built. This cost about
$50 900. The worlmen went back and
forth every day on the cars. When the
buildings were completed the railroad was
torn up. the track and bridges removed
and the grounds put in proper order
The foundations OF BiltmOre were laid