Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1901-01-24

sion has not been used since the old
house was deserted, Is years or more
ago. From the roadway only parts OF
the old mansion can be seen, because OF
the tangled growth and the unkept sur.
rounding trees, some of which, being
evergreen, obstruct the view at all
seasons. Desolation is everywhere.
bare tree branches are quiet. Cleans
of sunshine breaking through the over.
hanging tanglewood play fitfuily over
the granite walls and peep in the
open windows. Traces of a winding
roadway may be seen in the yard, and
there are long rude tables showing that
picnickers made merry under the trees
during the summer.
| The house is plainly but very sub
stantially built of large granite blocks
Surrounding the two stories is com
modious attic. The front and rear are
the center of each is a massive porch
with six solid granite columns. These
columns are II inches-nearly six feet
in circumference at the bottom
tapering slightly as they rise. A large
window on each side of the porch
lights the lower rooms, while three
windows light the second story. Two
windows are in each side of the house
These would seem inadequate to
brighten the great extent of interior
but because of the arrangement OF
halls and rooms are sufficient.
From the first floor front windows
small balconies project, protected by
iron framework Dormer windows
one in front and one in the rear. are
placed in the center of the roof tc
light the attic. Two tall chimneys
stand like silent sentinels on top the
venerable pile.
Cost not Considered.
That cost was little object is showr
by the fact that copper rainspouts
carry water off from the metal
sheathed roof and the massive doors
are of mahogany, plainly but hand
somely carved.
1t is not difficult to enter the build
ing. The doors and windows stant
open, as though glad to welcome the
light and fresh air.
Entering at the front one finds +;
splendid hallway the width of the
porch. Its lofty ceiling bends in
graceful arch. The floor is of the fin
est hardwood, closely fitted and pol
ished like that of a ballroom. Nea
the western, or rear, entrance the hal
narrows, the projections on each sid
being guarded by a graceful Corinthial
column. A stair hall running at RICH
angles to the main hall divides tn
southern half of the floor and lead
to the Colonial stairway, constructe,
of oak with a mahogany handrail an,
newell post.
The Ballroom.
The north side of the first foo
contains two stately apartments, witt
high ceilings and plain white walls
They can be thrown into one, maxim,
a magnificent ballroom. Few modern
bathrooms have better floors for dane
ing. Open fireplaces indicate tina
festive occasions in the old hous,
were made cheerful by the blaze ant
splutter of burning oak logs. On,
can readily imagine that the genia
glow thus given fashionable gather
ings of that day could not have beef
improved by the sultry steam-heatins
n>tures of modern times. 1t is sale
that artistically carved marble mantle:
adorned these open fireplaces, bu
there is no trace of them there now
This ballroom is even now noted
place in Howard county, as
dances are frequently given there, anC
the polished floor kept smooth by the
feet that follow the music of the two
step instead of the stately minuet and
the rollicking Virginia reel.
Dining Room and Library.
On the south side of the first floor
beside the stair hall. are two large
well-lighted rooms, evidently used as
dining room and library. These, too
have open fireplaces, but no mantels
Indeed, open fireplaces are in nearly
every room in the house, but whatever
adornments they may have had have
long since disappeared.
The second floor is also traversed by
wide hall, ample enough to accommo
date a score of patrons at a seaside
hotel. There are six large chambers
enticing even in their present. bleak
esClation-dreams of luxurious com
fort in their days of use. There is also
a smaller chamber containing the
wreck of an old-fashioned bathtub
partly set in the wall.
1t is said that among the appoint
ments of the mansion when it was
left new and beautiful by the builders
was magnificent marble bathing pool
costing many thousands of dollars. II
is not known where this pool was 10
Gated. A local tradition has it that the
pool was some distance from the house
and corrected with it by a subter
ranean passageway. There is no trace
of any such thing now.
The Attic.
Two cross-halls and five rooms Of
good size take up the space in the at
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