Omaha daily bee., 1899-07-02
Nebraska'S New
Executive Mansion

In designing and constructing the beauti-
ful Thomson residence on IL street, just
purchased by the state for use as the gov
ernors mansion" no pains were spared TO
make it cne of the handsomest, most up-to-
date and convenient homes in Lincoln. the
house was built after the style OF ola
colonial architecture, with all OF the mod
ern ideas as to interior arrangement added
At the time the Thompson residence was
designed this style of architecture was
sort CT fad in Lincoln, but the completed
structure surpasses in all or the essential
points all of the other houses constructed
after that style. The convenient location
the beautiful lawn surrounding and the close
proximity to the state house all add to its
attractiveness.
There perhaps is no house in Lincoln to
which the name mansion" could be more
properly applied than to the house the
state has acquired. The structure Is three
stories in height, with a deep basement ex-
tending under the entire lower floor. Lead
ing up to the front entrance on III street Is
wide stone walk with equally wide steps
appro aching the porch. Large stone pillars
extend from each side of these steps above
to the porch around the second floor. The
lawn is terraced on the H and Fifteenth street
sides, with a driveway running around the
der tall archway near the
front on the west side Stripped
of its movable furniture the house
alone was valued at $4,000, while the lot
was purchased about ten years ago by Mr.,
D. E. Thompson for $40 900. Mr.. Thompson
estimated his furniture to be worth $4,000,
Notwithstanding it was sofd to the state
for 500 conditional on the purchase of the
house fer $4,000, later reduced to $4,000.
The large porches extending nearly
around the house on the first and second
floors impress one favorably, but the in
terror is even more attractive. 1t is nm
ished throughout with hard wood CT the
finest variety. The floors are all of
polished hard wood, and the walls are deco
rated in many of the rooms with figures in
bas relief.
In the receiving hall are several expen-
sive divans, one of which was purchased by
Mr. Thompson in ConstantinOpie. The lower
floor is divided into four large rooms, with
a kitchen, conservatory and other small
rooms in the rear. On the right of the en-
trance or receiving hall is the main drawing
re om and back of this is sitting room CT
library The dining room is at the right
of the library and Immediately at the rear
of the receiving hall. From near the door
beautifully carved stairway winds around
the reception room to the floor above. All
of the rooms are tastefully and handsomely
furnished, and in the dining room much cf
the furniture is built in the walls.
On the second floor the northeast room ha.
been used for a smoking room and the
others fer bed rooms. The second floor is
divided in much the same manner as
floor below. The rear rooms are reserved
for domestic help. All of the rooms the
second floor are papered and furnished in
different corCrs.
The third floor has been finished for
dancing 1t has an elegant floor, with
numerous small rooms at the rear. The
facilities for entertaining in this residence
are better than in any other house. All Of
the rooms are more than ordinarily large and
the ceilings are exceptionally high.