Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1899-08-03
COL. BLEES' HOBBY.
MILLIONAIRE WILL PERPETu-
ATE HIS NAME.
Features of the Military Academy Now
In Course of Construction ut Macon
To BE One OF the Finest In Existence
Elaborate Plans.
Macon. Mo. Lottery


course OF construction here, is intended
to be magnificent architectural monu-
ment to the pet ambition of It's wealthy
founder, Like all men OF means, Col.
+. w. Blees has his hobbies. He loves
fine horses, and has a score or more
Of some of the best bloodod animals
in America in his stables. Painting.
music and horticulture receive his
warmest encouragement and support,
but his real, earnest. controlling pas
sion is for the military and the devel-
opment of martial instincts. His own
training was obtained in the Prussian
army, which he entered Immediately
after his graduation and was commits
stoned second lieutenant. He was
among the first in this section to Of
fer his sword to the state when HOSTILE
ties between the United States and
Spain commenced.
Col, Blees came to America In 1881,
and after teaching in various schools
and academies in this country, accept
ed position as commandant of Girls
void College Corps OF Cadets, Daven-
port, la. In recognition OF his success
in that capacity, he was appointed lieu
tenant-colonel in the Iowa National
Guard and aid-de-camp to the COM
mandef Gov. Horace Boies. He after
ward resigned his position to accept
the head mastership of st. James Mill
tary Academy here, and later was an
pointed superintendent. The academy
waS discontinued 1urInU Col nIa,a, I,
sence at the bedside OF his parents in
Germany. and after their death some
time was necessarily employed In
winding up the affairs of the princely
estate In the old country. But all the
time the dream of an academy that
would perpetuate his memory as an in
stitution Of influence and power In the
land was with him, and as each stone
and brick is laid In its proper posi-
tion the rearing of the structure causes
a responsive ascendency In the
colonel's hopes. The grounds for the
building have been carefully selected,
with regard to health and with a view
to the picturesque. Nature has done
much for them In the way of gently
rolling hills, natural streams, cascades
and table lands, and the landscape gar
dener will do the rest. Within the
campus there will be lake covering
eighteen acres, and just across on the
rolling hills, natural streams, cascades
grounds. Will be another body Of water
nearly AZ large, Rustic bridges. grot-
toes, foliage labyrinths, fountains and
al al, L..
resort to the students and attractive
to visitors.
The general plans by the superin-
tendent, Col w. W. Clendenin, are
embraced in the following:
The academy ground proper COM
prise l43 acres, and lying adjoining is
the farm OF Col. Blees 400 acres.
known as the "Blees place" which will
supply the academy with everything
that can be produced on a model farm
where all modern methods of husban-
dry are employed. For the present tho
buildings will be limited to the acad-
emic hall, gymnasium, kitchen, laun-
dry and power house. The arrange
ment Of the buildings mentioned will
be equal to anything In the country,
and Is the result of careful calcula-
tions, in which each member of the
faculty has assisted. Everything, from
the hagstaffs on the towers to the con-
crete In the basement, will be abso-
lutely fireproof There will be SIX
1S5-foot recreation court in the center
Of the academic hall, fitted up with
pianos, lounging seats and all manner
of games for indoor entertainment
This court will be decorated with hand
some foliage plants and portraits OF
illustrious American citizens. All the
cadet rooms will open upon this court,
which Is to be lighted by a skylight.
and provided with running water,
steam heat and electric lights. Each
cadet will have a room to himself.
During the first year the school will
be limited TO 100 boarding cadets, but
1t Is the purpose to build for the even
tual accommodation OF 500. The gym
nasium will be 75x160 feet. In the
basement will be 50-yard rife range.
bowling alleys and large swimming
pool. In the building above will be all
manner OF apparatus for the physical
development of the boys. Extending
around this room or hall, as a wide
balcony, will be half-mile running
track A polo field, football grounds
and baseball diamond, with large
grand stand, tennis and hand-ball
courts and half-mile race track are
the provisions for outdoor exercises.
A troupe OF twenty powerful cavalry
horses, specially selected, is some
what unusual feature, and one thai