The record-union., 1899-01-08
COLONEL RoosEvE1rs HOME.
The House at Oyster Bay and It's
OccuuanfS


Occupants.
It is safe to say that Colonel Theo-
dore Roosevelt's quiet little home at
Oyster Bay has for the last week been
the most talked-abou private dwelling
in New York State. But at no time
during the discussion in which the
house has figured has the place itself
been disturbed by the excitement which
the politicians brought upon themselves
by questioning whether the house really
is Colonel Roosevelts residence, or
home, or domicile, or dwelling place, or
whatever the lawyers may be pleased
to call it.
The house is on Cove Neck, three
miles by carriage from the village of
Oyster Bay. 1t is approached by
steep, winding roadway, which takes
the visitor through dense wood before
revealing to him the house itself. Once
on the crest of the little hill which the
Colonel selected for his home, the Wis
itor has beautiful view in every direc-
ton, especially to the north and east,
where the waters Of the Sound and Cold
Spring Harbor are seen. Around the
house on all sides is a closely cropped
lawn studded with shade trees, big and
little, and of many kinds.
The main entrance to the house, on
the south, is under a beautiful porte
cochere, laden with heavy vines and
bearing pair of spreading antlers. The
walls of the dwelling are of red brick
to the second story, and above that of
wood, painted in many colors.
A broad porch runs around three sides
of the structure, covered, except in
front, by a shingled roof, and shaded
here and there by luxurious Virginia
creeper.
Within, the house is beautifully fur
nished from cellar to attic In nearly
every room are trophies of the Colonels
life on the Western plains, and not
few relics from his Cuban campaign.
Just at the right of the front door is
Remington's bronze of the bronco
buster" which was presented to the
Colonel by the Rough Riders at Camp
| Wikoff. In the library, on the ground
| floor, are many long shelves, well filed
with books, and collection of bronzes
and hunting trophies. A fireplace Of
old-fashioned proportions is at one side
Of the room, and near the windows is
the desk at which the Colonel does most
of his literary work and correspond
ence. On the walls of the study are
portraits of Washington, Grant and
Cabot Lodge and of the Colonel HIM
self. holding in his arms the rightful
| heir to his name and fame, Theodore
Roosevelt, Jr.
| The Colonel is never so happy as
when he is sitting quietly in his home
with his wife and children. Home is
and he never allows his family circle
| to be disturbed by the many cares
| which fall upon him as a civil or mill
tary servant of his country. He is,
however, most courteous in his recep-
ton of all visitors, even though they
may come at a time when he is most
DESTROYS of quiet and solitude
The romping, out of door life which
his six children enjoy for nearly eight
months of the year at Oyster Bay is
making athletes of them all. Teddy
Jr., is already known as a 1lorseman of
I skill, and every one of hts brothers and
sisters would, if riding alone counted,
be fully qualified for admission to a
regiment of Rough Riders by the time
they reach 'Teddy's' age. Young
Teddy is in all respects the counter
part in miniature of his father, even to
| the large trimmed spectacles.
| On Oyster Bay the Colonel has
boathouse and bathing house, both of
which are literally used throughout the
summer months.
/ The Roosevelts usually occupy their
Oyster Bay home carly in May, and
rarely leave It until after Christmas
The children attend the village school
like the other children OF the town.
Their father says the public schools are