The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-09
CAPITOL "REMINISCENCES.
THE HOME OF THE WIDOW OF GEN,
U. s. GRANT.

carlos From Every Corner of the
GIObe-StOries of the Famous East
Room of the White HOuse-FOrmer
Mistresses of the Executive Man
sion.
Washington, May 7.-While so much is
oeing said about Gen. U. s. Grant, why
not little about the present home-life
n the one woman who occupied his heart
rom early youth to the day of his death?
No house in Washington possesses greater
national interest than centers in the resi-
dence of his widow-a palatial home,
made possible by the heros last great
work. when he bravely held the grim
reaner at bay until the memoirs were
completed which should yield her a COM
peteney. Although the dying soldier hop
cd much for his book, in the way of re-
4rieving the wrecked fortunes of the fam
flv it is doubtful if he had any idea of
the wealth 1t would bring. A few years
,go when Mrs. Grant found herself with
annie means at command, she determined
To make her permanent home in Washing
ton-the city most endeared to her by
nleasant memories-and after considera-
HE looking about she purchased the resi-
dence Of ex-senator Edmunds, 2111 Mas
sacbusetts avenue, in which she has now
passed three winters.
The commodious house of red brick
faces south-the pet fad for Washington
bouses-and has an English basement,
with three stories above. Though in the
neighborhood of many fine residences it is
far enough off the main thoroughfares to
afford additional charms as a private resi-
dence while the view from the front to
The westward suggests the country. Its
square han is finished in highly polished
oak floor. walls and ceiling, with an am
ple hearth for a wood fire, though the
house is heated by steam throughout; and
beautiful stained-glass window in the
west wall lights the winding stairway.
The other two rooms on the
basement floor are library
or reception room, in front, and a break
fast room in the rear. The latter is dec
GRATED in the Delft style, the wall paper
bringing out the tints of the blue china
plates and plaques which adorn it on all
sides. while the same tint appears in the
Dutch tiles of the hearth, the clock and
mantel ornaments, the draperies and rugs,
and rare pieces of china seen in the glass
frOnted closets. The parlor, dining room
and pantries are on the second floor, and
at the head of the winding stairs is a
large square landing into which all these
rooms open, while on the floor above are
the bedrooms, bathrooms and linen clos
afe i firp mo- RP ha h
ington houses, the kitchen is in the rear
cellar, the furnace room and coal recepta-
cles occupying the front. This fashion or
lginated in slavery days. OF course, there
are dumb-waiters from the kitchen to the
dining room, two floors above; but 1t re-
quires several more servants to accom-
pllsh the work in such a house than in one
built on the good old country plan of serv-
ants quarters on the ground floor, with
doors and windows opening into a back
yard instead of to a steep flight of stone
steps leading to a concreted area.
Mrs. Grants collection of various SOU
'enrs OF her travels around the world and
pits made to her or her husband, are per-
@ps the most remarkable ever seen in a
lnVate house. They adorn not only the
s geat drawing ROOM library and reception
ioom, but are scattered through the halls
ahd stairways-all the smaller articles in
nehly carved cabinets ranged around the
walls. The window hangings and por-
ueres are also of finely embroidered or
emoossed fabrics from far-away lands
ana the rugs spread upon the polished
loors are from the looms of Persia, Tur-
Key ana India. The linen closets too, are
soGked with the choicest productions of
Ireland and the china closet with the
most delicate and beautiful ware of the
ountrles which produce the finest in the
ora Every chair and table and other
~ Oh lurniture-of Indian teak wood or
japanese mosaic, or Mexican onyx, or ORR
ntal carving, bronze or lacquer. suggests
me wonderful journey made by the Grants
lnu Is doubiy endeared TO their owners
connection with the honors paid TO her
|IsuaHu, Each has its separate history
i'0n MRS. Grant loves to relate, and
nv might spend days in looking over the
interesting and uncommon things collect
gu under this roof
mere are many in Washington. who
members Mrs. Grants first appearance
'He capital when, naturally. she was
WAT less sophisticated in the ways
eo0Iety than now. She made her debut
$3.50 80 10 speak, as the wife of the Pres
- When her husband was inaugurated.
- It0VeuIhB Andrew Johnson. That long,
60 remembered fourth of March in the
10 annals opened with a heavy rain.
- alter while the clouds rolled by and
~ sun shone brightly. The procession
foa,,, an imposing one, among its peculiar
D1tt'cs being huge and gaily decorated
Up OF state drawn on a fat and n
80 ,e omnibus filed with the survivors
In ~ The inaugural ball took place
car,,.' wing Of the treasury. then lust
e''u' ana on each floor of the great