The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-12-05

tington's mind at that time regarding
the danger of taking possession of his
mansion, it is certain that he, in COM
mon with many others. was fright
fully shocked by a tragic event that
had recently occurred ard was flashed
over the world.
This was the sudden death Of William H.
Vanderbilt In December, 1885. Mr.. Wander
bits palatial home was at Fifth avenue and
from the corner where Mr.. Huntington I:
mansion stands. 1t was built at a cost OF
between 81, e00oe0 and 50 00e, 600; even the
massive bronze doors which gave entrance
to 1t represented an outlay o. $25, coo. The
owner had not long enjoyed its grandeur,
when. one day in early winter, while IN his
library in the nl,6st of pleasant interview
with Robert Garrett, president of the Balti-
more & Ohio railroad. he suddenly fell for
ward On the floor unconscious. In five
minutes he was dead Mr.. Vanderbilt was
born in the same year as Mr.. Huntington,
1921. Only short time before his death he
different roads of the Vanderbilt system, then
made a tour of Europe, and settled down
to enjoy the peace and comfort of his mag
nificent home.
in Mr.. Huntington's mind while his residence
was under construction at the southeast
corner of Fifth avenue and Fifty second
street The splendid structure cost Mr.. Hunt
ington more than 81, 10000. 1t is one of the
most interesting mansions in New York. Its
erection was begun in 1889 or 1890, and it took
two years to complete it; Though it was
finished five years ago. this great house has
been occupied by Mr.. Huntington for only
two years. 1t has been suggested that few
persons privileged TO 'occupy such palace
could relnquish it without a severe pang of
regret. But If reports are true, Mr.. Hunt
ington was not only tired Of it before it was
ready to move into, but he is now discomfort
ed after two short years of its oppres .iye
grandeur, and would gladly forsake it for the
scenes of his early Western struggles, where
he found more happiness in pursuit than he
now has in possession,
There ire of course, many mansions, built
for the occupancy of millonares scattered
along Fifth avenue, but Mr.. Huntington 8
house is unlike any of the others. It stands
we'll back from the street, and is inclosed
by high iron fence The front is of rough
faced granite. The building is as nearly fire
proof as it was possible to make it, scarcely
any wood having been used in its construc-
ton. One curious fact connected with its
erection is that Mr.. Huntington required The
contractors and architects to employ only
American workmen aid to use only Ameri-
can materials, so far as practicable
OPPRESSIVE AND BEWILDERING LUX
URY.
The interior magnifcence Of this residence
is something oppressive and bewildering to
one used to modes of life in Western mining
camps. If Mr.. Vanderbilts bronze doors cost
$25 900, Mr.. Huntington's grand staircase was
built under contract for Goo 1t is six
teen feet wide and of only two flights; the
materials are select white statuary marble
and onyx. Another striking feature of the
architecture is an interior court, surmounte1
by large dome, which lights the whole in
side of the residence from roof to ground
floor. Along the sides of this court are
balconies, divided by splendid marble pillars
from which one may look down into the
acourt as one would look into the pit of a