The evening times., 1900-05-15
HISTORIC BRANDON MANSION.
Incidents Recalled by the Discovers
of n Secret Chamber.

Incidents Recalled by the Discovery
of Secret Chamber.
RICHMOND. Va. May 15.-The scov-
cry Of the myteriCus secret chamber at
the historic old Lower Brandon has awak-
ened a deep interest here. snG il mary
/ other sections Of the country. The report
that 2 human skull was found IN his
chamber was without foundation. The dis
sipation Of this weird part of the story
has destroyed the basis OF a romance W.ich
the Imaginative were ready TO weave. The
discovery Of what VIII now for all future
! time possibly be known as the secret
chamber" is confirmed By telegram from
Miss Guile Harrison
Lower Brandon. which is one OF the old
| est. il not the Oldest, colonial homestead
in Virginia. was erected more than goo
| years ago. Since the original structure
was reared there have been several ad-
ditions made To this old mansion. Never
however, during its two centuries exist
ence was the chamber which has been
revealed in such an odd way known. II
adjOins what was during the lifetime OF
George Harrison. who married the beauti-
ful Miss Ritchie, Of Baltimore, the cham
Der Of that couple
Is daughter OF the present mistress Of
Brandon, was examining the walls OF the
room referred to- In pressing against the
wainscOting, her hand touched an object
which attracted her attention Invest ga
tion revealed a secret spring. 1t proved
TO be what would now be considered a
rather clumsy affair. II consisted Of a
wooden device somewhat like a trigger
The connection with this .sas reached II
an aperture which hadt5beeA plugged up
with wooden core, When this was re-
moved and the spring cf trigger. pressed
a door opened which led into a room or
closet about three feet BY siI with a pitch
similar TO that OF the main room WHICH il
adjoined. The floor Of this efoset was Gov
cred with dust, which had lsid there pos
sibly since the erection % this part OF the
old homestead. There NeTe7 however. no
bones or skull. or any other gruesome OBJ
jects, which some have Imagined The
use tc which this myterious room was put
or its purpose none OF those acquainted
with history knows. II vas possibly con-
structed for the unrOmantici hut highly
practicable purpose of concealiLg the sill
verware and other valsabIes OF the cary
owners Of Brandon.
In those days il was not uncommon for
the Indians TO prOHi about the premises
Of the lower James River. Later on dur
ing the American Revolution there was a
feeling OF insecurity among the denizens
OF the lands about the Virginia water
courses which might have induced the ear
ly owners Of the property TO conceive the
idea OF constructing a secret repository for
their valuables from possible foraging par
ties. AT any rate. the room has been re-
vesled and those interested can ind no
more romantic explanation for its exist
ence than that suggested.
This revelation has, however. awakened
a general interest in the old colonial
houses along the James. These. and es-
peciaIIy Brandon. westover and Shirley,
have from time to time been the theme Of
prose and verse writers. The beauties and
hospitality of Lower Brandon have been
favorite topics OF some OF the best writers
in this country.
The original homestead was erected
about 1908. Before that time though. John
Martin claimed this section OF land under
a deed from the King Of England II was
he who asserted the right 10 be represent
ed in the Virginia House of Burgesses with
out that body's having jurisdiction over
him OF his household This was a demand
which that body OF determined old Vir-
ginians very promptly refused to concede
Martin. Following this owner Of Brando-
possibly. came a company OF London mer
chants, among whom was a connection OF
William Shakespeare. The property has
has. however remained in the possession
of the Harrisons for more than 4 century
and will probably so continue for genera
tions to come.
Lower Brandon is probably the only
house In this country which can claim the
distinguished honor Of having entertained
every President OF this country from
Washington down to and including Ben
jamin Harrison. a kinsman Of it's present
owners All Of these Chief Magistrates
have been entertained by the hospitable
owners of this famous old property. The
portraits OF several of the Presidents
adorn the walls of the beautiful and artis-
tically designed drawing g-room. Before
that part Of Virginia had been invaded by
the Federal troops the window panes in
the great rooms at Brandon bore the sig
natures not only OF many Of the nations
Presidents, but other eminent men OF this
country and Europe. These were cut into
the glass with diamond rings or other