The herald., 1896-02-15
A CALIFORNIA CURIOSITY
Resulting From Carpenter Work Promp ted
by Spirits
A Woman Takes All the Corners Out of Her
Housc-The HON. of the Occi.
dental Club

curves The vertical walls fail to describe
right angle to the ceiling. Tho base of
the vertical walls melts by curve into the
floor, and where ordinarily are corners of
. room are other curves.
Architecturally in this respect the inte-
rior of the clubhouse is unique. When tho
architectural fact first dawned on the ap-
prehension of Buckley's followers, they
speculatod awhile over the proposition and
finally gave it up as to why rooms should
be built on this plan.
In tho basement is n large apartment,
which is supplied with numerous rows of
chairs, and "there," as ono of the men,
bers of the club expressed it, sis where &c
boys do de rough work" 1t is largo
enough for meeting ROOM Its ceiling is
high above the floor. 1t is far enough re-
moved from the main apartment on the
next floor above and shut off with suf-
flcient thickness of flooring and tight fit
ting doors, so that the enthusiasm which
accumulates there on occasion never dis
turbs the more tranquil politicians assem-
bled above. In this room originated the
ideas enthusiastically expressed throughout
the interior.
The property WAS formerly owned by
Mrs John NJ. Peck, who was a spiritualist
and listened to the promptings Of medi-
unls.
Mrs. Peck was a woman Of very deter
mined mind, positive and possibly aggress-
i've, and when sho began an enterprise
she carried it out. There was nothing re-
markabe about the property until her in
genuity and energy began to change the
interior. 1t is q sufficiently imposing
structure on the exterior, with turrets and
various projections but its location is such
that whatever external beauties it has are
liable to escape attention.
The spirits said ono day to Mrs. John
NJ. Peck that they objected to corners.
AT least that is the story, and those who
knew Mrs. Peck will suggest that this is
very reasonable supposition considering
the origin Of this houseful Of curves.
Surely no attenuatcd ghost, walking
through the library or smoking room, or
any of tho other apartments, which now,
as club, are devoted to different uses
from those for which they were originally
designed, could ever violently come in
contact-if such a thing can be imagined
rs violence in that connection-with
right angie.
This is not to say that there are spirits
In the house, excepting such rs have been
moved In there in largo quantities in jugs,
fluids. 1t is said on very good authority
that Mrs. Peck, modelling and remodeling,
building up and tearing down only TO re-
build and tear down again and once moro
reconstruct at the suggestion of spirit
voices, spent between $50, 900 and SIS, 00o
In making the interior of her building
what 1t is.
Tho largo room in the basement previ-
pusly alluded to was devised particularly
for q seanco room, and it was fitted up
with benches, somo of which may havo
been occupied, according to her fancy by
Intangible beings, while the others accom-
modated people in the flesh.
There is staircase which, in its present
shape, is the product of three attempts to
make something satisfactory 1t was
twice pulled down and third time allowed
to stand. At the foot of this staircase
magnificent bird, with delicate and finely
elaborated plumage carved out Of a single
block of hard wood, stands as q wardcr to
Ats beauties.
Thoro arc only Is rooms in the entire
building, and yet within very short
period between $4,000 and $1,000 was
paid to painters for painting and repnint-
Tag III different tints and colors A small
fortune, in fact went into these adorn-
thing Of tine eerie about them, because
Mrs.. Peck supposed that her Judgment
was either guided or approved by ghostly
voices.
Circular cupboards, ono being especially
devised for silver safe, carry out the gen
eral idea of eyading right angles, and they
observe we'll the lines of beauty. There is
one window in which Mrs. Peck indulged
Tho frolo mood. Displayed on this in
characteristic attitudes and pursuing their
favorite pursuits in mountain fastnesses,
In jungles and tangled copses, are lions,
bears, tigers and hyenas-a general assort-
ment, in fact, of carnivora on dress parade.
In observing the general theory of ro-
tundity Mrs. Peck's m.-,. or the sugges-
tions made to Mrs. Peck mind, did not
lack variety. Taking counsel Of many
hints, either from within or without q
variety of finish was devised which, oon-
Bidering there are only Is rooms and that
her ingenuity and acceptance of sugges-
hions manifested themselves mainly on the
two floors, certainly displays great mental
fertility.
How Mrs. Peck, listening to what she
supposed were voices from another world,
chased the fluctuations of the stock mar
Eet up and down, sometimes making mon
cy anu sometimes losing 1t, DuG always
having within her the calm assurance that
some time she would possess large for
tune, is a matter of common knowledge
among middle aged people now residing
here who knew her. But her architectural
exploits, if such they may be termed. are
less known. 1t is said that she discarded
the advice Of architects and very likely ex
pended much moro money than was neces-
sary to have accomplished the same results.
Apart from the impulse which actuated,
the house would attract attention only by
the disparity between the interior and the
exterior. For it is not mansion in out
ward appearance in the modern acceptance
of the term, but the interior betrays lavish
expenditures The assurance of those who
know that the work was done several
times over makes 1t seem very probable
that Mrs Peck may have expended as high
ns $40, 600, as alleged. The one bill for
painting is perhaps II sufficient indication
of tho charges which were not low. In any
instance, she had original ideas in the line
of making the home comfortable. Her
chief aim, however, was to make it mas
siye and elegant t-San Francisco Exam
liner.
Books In Paper Covers.
have been able to give only hasty