The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-07-09

dreds Of Italian aa6orers On the Saltwater
farm removing the farm houses AMI
changing the scenery in conformity with
Searles' ideas.
The only building erected on this prop
erty so far Is q lodge at the gate entrance.
In parallel lines with the plan Of the mag
uAficent fortress at Methuep, hs IL causing
stone wall TO be built around his prop
erty surrounding Worlds End Pond.
At Methuen LORD Searles proposes to
stay. Immured behind giant walls, pro-
tected by the massive iron gates which
swing to and fro only when their master
passes through; secure beneath the frown-
ing Tower Of Chimes" and surrounded
by a body guard Of paid detectives, VINO
viii fight for him so long as his money
pays them. he is secure from invasion by
the authorities. HIS great wealth is the
basis upon whicr his security rests. He
can laugh in maniacal gIee at any attempt
to apprehend him.
Two years ago during the visit of a
party of English tourists he raised the
British flag to the top Of the flag stan
action excited intense wrath within the
breasts Of some citizens of Methuen.
Searle was born Of poor parents at Meth
uen over fifty years ago. When he met
Mrs. Hopkins he was engaged in decorat-
ing the interior Of the Hopkins palace on
mo HILL" San Francisco. She was then
the richest woman in the United States.
His knowledge of decorating attracted and
pleased her. His knowledge Of her wealth
fascinated him. Their acquaintance be-
gan there and then. For three years prior
to their marriage he literally rolled in
wealth.
The widowed mother of Searles mort
gagged her home in Methuen to raise funds
TO send her son Edward to a training
school The mortgage remained unpaid
until after he decorated the Hopkins man
sion at San Francisco.
Mark Hopkins. the founder of the
Searles millions, was born in Great Bar
rington. Mass, IN 1910. He went to Cali
fornia by way of Cape Horn in 1S4S. and
soon after his arrival there he started in
the hardware business at Sacramento with
Coils p. Huntington.
In 1859 Hopkins. Stanford. Huntington
and the three Crockers began working up
their great scheme Of transcontinental
railroading. They all acquired vast for
tunes.
Hopkins died in 1878. leaving no will and
his wife childless and the possessor of
over S3O.00o.OO0
Mark Hopkins was noted for his frugal
ity; the widow soon won fame for her
prodigality. Besides winning the latter
fame she won Searles.
She started to build the grandest house
on the Pacific coast. When it was finish
ed over 100000 had been spent and the
Stewart house, In New York, alone could
challenge comparison with It.
Then she turned her attention to Great
harrington. where, II is claimed. she was
born. Searles designed a structure that
suited her fancy. and she caused the
plans 10 be carried out. The mansion.
resting the Berkshires, outclassed all pri-
vate residences of the period. Its cost Is
estimated at 300. 900.
1t was during the construction Of the
Great Darlington house that the Hopkins
Searles marriage took place on November
s, 1887. Mrs. Hopkins was seventy-one
years old when she married Searles. He
was under fifty. When she died. July q,
3s91. she left everything to Searles by her
Will He became the possessor OF a vast
accumulation of cash, the 100000 house
on mob HILL" the s3,OO0Oo0 palace in the
Berkshres, a costly summer house en-
Block Island, and a fine house IN Paris.
Searles bega nlife as an apprentice 20 a
carpenter in Lawrence, Mass, when that
city began to grow.
From there he went to Boston where he
learned the decorative art. When he was
graduated he secured employment in the
house Of Paul & Co.. and remained with
them until 1874 He was an excellent Geo
orator and was employed by Herter Bros,
in New York.
Searles had a valuable acquaintance,
and the Herters made him their head
salesman. He left their employ IN 1881
and went to the Pacific coast for his
health.
After the marriage searles induced his
love to remove to Methuen. Prior to the
removal ne paid the mortgage on his birth |
place there. which he has since trans |
formed In the manner described.
Mrs. earles never liked the town. Tor |
was she filled with admiration for her |
young husbands birthplace. She seldom |
II ever, mingled with the people OF the |
town. and pinned for the splendor OF her |
magnificent place at Great Darlington.
While Searles was surrounding his wood |
en- birthplace with costly walls. his prop |
critics, purchased with his wifes money. /
at Son Francisco. Great harrington and |
elsewhere, were suffering badly from neg |
lect