Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1897-07-17
THE BILTMORE ESTATE
A NORTH CAROLINA WILDERNESS
TURNED INTO A PARADISE.

miles from the cstS OF ASheNlilt, y. y.
IL Is in the mclntains which makes
Asheville SO noted - a summer resort
The estate belcags To George Wander
bilt and contains 1000 acres. More
than half OF this "a In beautiful wood
lands. the remainder III a high state oi
cultivation.
II is impossible 70 tell how much 4
money has been spent ON the estate f
from beginning 20 end. but Il Is some F.
where between $1,000. 600 and Slo,-
O0o. 900. with 40 end yet 70 the amount
II money Il Oill cost the young mill
ionaire. Every day he Is spending
money on il. aud seems 20 pay no at-
tention 20 what goes out When he
gets everything - suit himself. the
estate will be. beyond all doubt. the
most princelv in the world. II Is
probably now the most attractive place
II this country
Across the French Broad River. in
the heart ~ the North Carolina Noun
ans. Mr.. Vanderbilt has bought
1000 acres 81 property. This Is unim-
proved. except 10Y a mountain shaniy
here and there IL l. Thought - he
the intention 81 ;he young millionaire
% make great game preserve 81 this
tract II is not connected with the
estate ON which money is now being
SEQ lavl-hlv expended X Is So noun
famous "a, 90 he worthless for any pur-
pose except a grea; game estate.
Work on the Bltmore estate was
begun about seven or eight years ago.
NJ Vanderbilt then owning abou,
one-hait 81 the land now embraced IN
/ his property. lie has continued 60
buy until the acreage is. as stated,
! 1000. Besides the princely mansion
/ 81 millionaire surrounded 10y hand
some walls and Iron fences. there are
many beautiful houses on the estate,
occupied by employees. And here II l.
interesting 20 know that several hun
dred people are employed on the es
tate At the mansion itself forty OF
fifty people are on duty. Yet Mr.
Vanderbilt does not spend a total OF a
month each year az ;he mansion. III
is now in Europe The salaries Of th'
employees 90 on Az the time
The neighbors and the Ashevill
friends OF the millionaire say that h
j. big-heartel. a pAilauthropist and
benefactor Of mankind. Those IN hi
employ who are faithful and a.tentiv
are assured home under all misfoT
tunes. In case ala emplcve Is strike
with serious illness his salary ~Oes o'
and his house remains a. his disposal
Nothing is left rnlone cor las comfort
Mr.. Vanderbilt Is though,fll an
kind 90 the farmers. He has taugi
L. 49,
them in every way possible. He e.
, conrages them - the improvement
, their stock aud the introduction % IN
} proved methods Ia farming. His owe
8 seers are instructed 20 all the farme
I IN every way possible. The result ,
& this magnanimitv Is that the best ella
/. OF cattle are being introduced into Il
% country and the old red hills arour
s the estate, heretofore lit only 70 gro
/ sprouts and blackberry vines, a
l. blossoming into cultivated fields
inspiration has been set which has h,
g. farreaching effect. Even IL the bull
K ing Of mill dams the millionaire b
4 | furnished new ideas.
u The farming operations are CO
A. Quoted under the supervision OF m'
10 Of scientific knowledge Every il
l. proved instrument Is used. 4 sp!e
of did truck farm Is operated. Tn
A. however, has not paid, owing 70 I
= competition Of Virginia and Georp
= truck farmers, and Is % be abandon
~ after this year. Small fruits will IA
e- the place OF vegetables.
he 1t Is impossible 70 describe il
- short article the beauties Of the esta
Ill The most attractive features are I
a. drives. These have been maca,
Oh mized, the rock being pulveriz.
MP The roads are hard, smooth and fir
50 Bicyclists are allowed TO use the
ats All along these drives the native W
,ss | flowers have been added 20 10y fore
is flowers and plants. Honeysuckl
Il: wild roses, lilies, daisies, ferns. pla
81 abound in the wooded portions OF
estate, presenting bower of beau
which draw from all visitors unbou
ed expressions OF delight. Washi
in ton Star.