Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-12-07

A Description OF the Interior.
The following notice Of the purchase by
Col. Frank j. Hearne of a palatial resi-
dence in Pittsburg. is taken from the
Post of yesterday, and will be of interest
to Wheeling people
The Le:shman mansion, which is said
to be more superb in it's interior finish
and furnishing than any other private
residence in Pittsburg, for seven years the
shelter of Pittsburg's best known diplo-
mat, John G. A. Leishman, has been
transferred to Frank ]. Hearne, vice
president of the National Tube Company,
for about $1250O0 cash. The deal was
consummated through the real estate Of
flee of w. A. Heron & Sons, Wood street,
Yesterday afternoon, and the deed trans
ferring the property to the new owner
Will be placed on record to-day or to-mor-
row.
The residence is located in the Wood
land road, Twenty-second ward, not far
from the intersection of Shady and Will
kins avenues, and is surrounded by ten
acres of attractive land, five of which,
are still retained by Mr.. Leishman, Mr.
Hearne not caring to purchase the en-
tire tract which surrounds the spacious
mansion
The house which stands in the center
of the plot bought by Mr.. Hearne, is a
magnificent structure. 1t was built by
benjamin Thaw, about nine years ago,
and has been the scene of social gather
ings that are down in the annals of
society history as the most elaborate
ever held. About seven years ago Mr..
Thaw commissioned the late Colonel Will
liam A. Heron to sell the property One
morning in the days of the old Fifth ave-
nue. cable cars, Mr.. Leishman was seated
IN one of the cars when Colonel Heron
boarded it at Bidwel street
The men began discussing the different
residences of the East End district, and
Colonel Heron told Mr.. Leishman that
in his opinion the Thaw house was the
finest of its kind in the State. In an off,
hand manner Mr.. Leishman asked how
much money the property would sell for.
Colonel Heron replied that $4,000 would
take the house and grounds. Then and
there Il was decided that Mr. Leishman
would purchase the property.
The next day agreepents were drawn
up, signed, and the property transferred
from Mr. Thaw to Mr.. Leishman for $3.50,
900 cash, which was considered a very
high price for a residence property at
that time. In after years Colonel Heron
often referred to the deal made in a Fifth
Avenue cable car, and which was perhaps
the quickest on record. When Mr. Thaw
removed from the house small army of
painters and decorators We're placed at
work.
For months these men labored daily.
Art decorators from New York and other
Eastern cities were busily engaged deco
rating the walls and frescoing the cell
ings, while other workmen remodeled the
interior of the mansion. When the work
was completed and Mr. Leishman INSTALL
ed in his new home the unanimous opin-
ion was that the interior finish Of the
house was equal, if not superior to, any
IN Western Pennsylvania.
The exterior Of the house is not i'm
pressive but upon entering the front door
and looking about, an exclamation Of ad-
miration bursts from the guests 1t is
two stories in height and contains six
teen large and roomy rooms and re-
ception hall that Is magnificent. Spacious
porches extend from the front about half
way to the rear of the building These
are built of the most attractive grey
stone and give the place the appearance
of castle more than a private residence.
Mr.. Leishmann occupied the house until
he was appointed by President McKin-
ley as minister to Switzerland. 1t was
not generally known until a short time
ago that the property was in the market.
Mr.. Hearne, the new owner, at present
occupies a suite of rooms at the Hotel
Schenley. Before taking up his abode in
his new home he will have the place
thoroughly renovated from top to bot
tom and including the cost Of a new stone
stable, Mr.. Hearne expects TO spend about
s35o00 for improvements. With his fam
lily Re Will move into the house about
April /