Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1896-01-18
IN EAST TENNESSEE.
Scenes Observed by n Utah Missionary
A Magnificent Dwelling.

My brother, Willard Halliday, in 1890
while labofing in the cause OF God Id
Davis county, n. C., alter a siege o
pneumonia, parted this lie to labor IN a
holier and happier sphere; to visit the
place Of his death, In connection with
Elder X. X. Judd. OF GrantsvilIe Utah,
we left our field OF labor in East Ten.
nessge aud alter visiting number Vi
SAINTS IN the upper counties, on Novem.
Der i7ih, just at noon, we crossed the
Blue Ridge. through "Grandmother's''
zap, the great watershed which di.
viues the MYERS running into the Mis-
sissippi from those running directly into
the Atlantic ocean. The mountain
scenery along our route was indeed
grand, while the pure mountain water
that gushed forth from the rocks In
numberlcss places added much to the
pleasure oil the trip.
Arriving at Moeksville, we had no
trouble IN locating Mr.. L. NJ. McClam.
rock, ut whose home my brother died,
aud whose kindness shall never forget,
Tor am persuaded that no more will.
ing hearts or tender hands could have
administered TO him, had he been at
home. And II was source OF great
Joy to us to know that during our
brothers. last moments on earth, tie was
so favored as 10 iall among such good
Samafilans.
Returning again via Ashville. n. C.,
we lay over one day for the purpose VI
visiting the famous Vanderbilt mansion,
now IA course Of construction. The
mansion Is located about five miles
south Of Asnvillc, and feeling quite
weary from our previous days journey,
we slowly saunlefed down South Main
street, anu reaching Baltimore, the closest
point 10 the mansion that will lie reach.
ed, when completed, by any conveyance
save carriages, We called on general
manager Macknamee. requesting passes,
but were informed II we were on loot no
pass was necessary. SO taking the rail
road track, about three miles brought
us 10 the mansion, As we crossed rough
ridges and deep gulies We wondered
how II could be possible that a man
would select such rugged place upon
which 10 expend 50 much money, tor
surely nature has presented many more
beautiful and less rugged places to sub.
due aud beauty.
II so happened that the same morning
we visited tue place Mr.. George w.
Vanderbilt himself arrived. lie is a
single man probably thirty years OF age,
dark complexloned, medium height
and would weigh about one hundred
and thirty.fve pounds.
As we reached the spot, a most beaut-
iul spectacle met our gaze. Towering
before us probably $50 feet high, COO
long by 1870 leet wide, beautifully decor.
ated by stone sculpture WORK, stood the
magnificent white sandstone mansion,
and when being informed by the mana
ger in charge that the stone both Tor the
mansion aud the huge walls, arches anu
steps which bedeck the grounds had
been shipped from Bedford, Indiana.
we were led 10 exclaim "what cannot be
accomplished with money"
After viewing the mansion with its
surroundings. and procuring
souvenirs, we followed the winding pave
and macadamized walks into the floral
or horticultural part OF his premises. In
the greenhouse we found many tropical
trees and plants. with thousands OF
varieties Of flowers in bloom as though
It were springlime
The high stone archways and sculp.
ture work gives massive and substan-
tial appearance to the grounds. The
water supply Is piped from Bushy, dis.
lance OF three miles, and the sewerage
Is perfect.
We were informed that the tract OF
land upon which the building stands
comprise about seventeen thousand
acres. with probably three hundred OF II
already beauiiiied, while farther back
In the mountains Mr.. Vanderbilt owns a
tract oil seventy thousand acres, known
as the paint beds" From one in
charge we obtained the following stats
ties. About one thousand men employ.
ed upon the grounds, of which about
three hundred ATE working on the in-
terror OF the building, receiving from one
10 hve dollars per day wages. The
building contains three hundred and
skty-eight rooms. Forty FIVE carriage
horses VIII be kept at the mansion for
me accommodation oil the millionaire
and his guests. Forty miles OF maeadam-
zed carriage road is already constructed
on the grounds, reaching most OF the
scenic points. Everything seems to be
Of substantial nature aud will last for
ages. And we leave this beautiful
picture, with the breeze so health in.
spring, with sigh OF regret.
East tennessee conference is in a
condition, and with the re-
cent arrival Of Elders Thomas Coffin and
j. X. Terry, our number is increased to
With appreciation Tor your paper,