The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-11-25
DIR. EGGLEsToN AT HOME.
Picturesque Madison Enjoys His So
ciety I'm Winter Months.

II Is in the season OF the year when
the frost is on the pumpkin and the folders
in the shock" that DR.. and Mrs. Edward
Eggleston turn their thoughts toward their
winter home in Madison. Ind. DR.. Eggles-
toms summer residence is at beautiful Lake
George. N, Y, and there IL is that, in the
early summer. they go for quiet sojourn
amid the restful surroundings Of that
charming spot. Every Madisonian. chill
dren as well old people, regret to hear
OF DR.. Egglestons departure, but the sum-
mer months soon pass away, and the early
autumn finds them all awaiting the au-
thor's return. Madison is old and
dreary town. and lying snugly nestled In
hollow among the foothills along the
banks OF the Ohio river. affords a charm
Ing spot for people Of artistic tempera-
ment The natural beauty of its situation
is great, for nature has bestowed upon
this Eden wealth OF scenic lowell
ness which Is not surpassed this side CT
Colorado and the Rockies II Is place
which Ebert Hubbard, the Roycroft man,
could have selected as an ideal community
in which TO establish his shops. There are
long quiet streets with rows of giant Forest
trees and there is the spirit OF generous
hospitality existing everywhere.
In ante-belum days. when Indianapolis
was but a struggling row OF houses along
the Michigan road, Madison was in the
zenith of her glory. Large steamboats, al 5
East and the products of the South
stopped at her busy wharves, taking and
dtscharging freight, and before the time or
railroads in this part of the country large
wagons and sturdy horses were used in
transporting this freight overland to In
dianapolis and other markets. lndianapo-
lis soon became a commercial center and
flxe oil rrc1ar
son, like ancient Rome. lost her power,
and to-day i'm the matter of population,
stands little better than she did in the
early fifties. Nevertheless, DR.. EgglestOn
has favored Madison by making it his
home during the greater part of the year.
Everyone here seems to know the author,
and the children. as they meet him in the
street, often stop to ask some question of
the dean of Indiana literature.
DR.. Eggleston takes keen interest in
public affairs and came on early this year
for the election. Two years ago he was in
strumental i'm organizing the Madison His
torical Society. This organization has for
its purpose the collection of antiquities and
papers pertaining to the early history of
Madison, and has secured space in the
public library for the display of these
relics. New and very valuable things are
being constantly secured.
Although not born in Madison, DIR.
Eggleston has spent many years of his life
here, and his wife, Frances Goode Eggles-
ton. is the daughter OF DR.. s. M. Goode, a
prominent gentleman or the old ScnOOl, In
this city. Their home is in the Public Lii
brary building and DIR. Eggleston has easy
access to the shelves. He has, on several
occasions advised in the selection of new
books, and has even lectured to procure
funds for the support Of the institution.
DR.. Eggieston is a firm believer in plenty
of outdoor exercise, and in good weather
mounts his bicycle and goes for a spin out
into the country, where the level roads
stretch for miles along the Hudson of the
West. He has a most commanding figure
and his crest of wavy gray hair adds much
TO his stately bearing. His works best
known in Madison are THE Hoosier
Schoolmaster' and 1.-The Hoosier School
boy"-books which have become fireside
companions and offer more enjoyment
with each reading. Is there a boy in Indi-
ana who has not lived again in his child
hood dreams the life of that ever fascinat-
ing school boy, John Dudley, or has not
admired his protection of Christopher CO.
lumbus George Washington Marquis de
Lafayette Risdale?
The people of Madison might well appro-
pirate for DIR. Eggleston that toast DR..
Nell, in David COperfield," so aptly be-
slows upon Wilkins Micawber: Our dis
tinguiShed guest the ornament of the
town. May he never leave us but to bet
ter himself. and may his success among us
be such as to render his lettering himself
impossible MACLYN JOURNEE.
Madison, Ind.