The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1902-09-19
ENVOY IiEID'S FARM.

Altough White'aw Reid, editor,
politician and special envoy from the
United States to the coronation of
King Edward, and his wife, have spent
much of their recent time in the sumpt-
uous homes Of England, it is doubtful
if they have seen many that rival their
own splendid residence, Ophir Farm,
near White Plains, n. Y.
Ophir Farm, with its grounds, is
one OF the finest estates in America.
1t rivals even Biltmore, the magnifi-
cent Vanderbilt home in North Caro-
lima, in the splendor of its appoint
ments, although the grounds of the
latter are very much more extensive.
The estate is really farm, not only
one in name 1t contains more than
900 acres of land, of which more than
half are under cultivation. Herds Of
COWS are kept, together with great
flocks of chickens, ducks, turkeys and
other fowl, and more than thirty horses
inhabit the Ophir Farm stables. Prom
inent among the live stock of the es-
tate are the Kerry cattle, ''the little
Irish cows which were first imported
by Mr.. Reed The Ophir Farm herd
Of Kerry COWS gives better returns in
milk and butter in proportion to the
quantity of food consumed than. the
Jerseys, although Ophir Farm has a
number of prize winners of the latter
breed.
ALI the products Of the Ophir Farm
are for home consumption, nothing be-
ing intended for the general market.
The estate is under the control of a
manager, who is a practical Vermont
farmer. He is assisted by force Of
more than fifty men, besides the reti-'
nue. of servants for the hall, as the
dwelling house is known. Some of
the hands live in the farmhouse, while
others lodge near. by and,Stake their
meals there Two blacksmiths and a
carpenter are constantly employed
about the estate, and an electrician is
also a necessity, for everything about
the house, the farm and the grounds
is of the latest, most improved pattern.
The most interesting part of Ophir
Farm is undoubtedly the mansion.
This is a splendid graystone edifce,
enormous in siza, with battlemented
tower. Being situated on an eminence
more than 400 feet Ugh, it commands
wide view of the surrounding coun-
try. The house has had most un-
fortunate history. 1t was built hy the
late Benjamin Halliday, the western
millionaire, who named the estate in
honor of the Ophir mine, which
brought him his fortune. Misfortune
overlook Holiday, and he sold the
place to John Roach, the shipbuilder.
The latter in turn lost his FORTUNE.
Ophir Farm was sold by his son to
Mr.. Reid. During the present owner
ship the Hall was burned, and rebuild
lug cost Mr.. Reid nearly $l,000,OO0.
Ophir castle, or hall, is splendidly
decorated and contains much famous
painting, stutuary, carving and tapes
try. An idea of the enormous size of
the house may be gained from the hall,
which is p feet in length and % feet
wide. A stained glass window at the
top of the main stair case IS Is feet
wide and is made in three sections.
The library is 43 feet long, 80 feet
wide and Is feet high. Many artists
during the summer make Ophir Farm
point of pilgrimage, and their easels
may be seen dotted all over tue place.
They are welcomed by Mr.. Reid, who
is himself an art connoisseur.
Ophir castle is frequently given up
to entertainments, for both Mr.. and
Mrs. Reid are fond Of society. Mrs.
Reid is beautiful and accomplished
woman, who has moved in the best so-
cial circles of America and Europe.
She is daughter of Darius o. Mills,
the well known New York financier
and philanthropst. Mrs. Reid was
born in New York city, January 9Th,
! 1858, but much o1 her. earlier years
were spent in her fathers California
home, known as Millbrae. Here sue
met Mr.. Reid In 1878, and they were
married three years latG.. AT Mill
brae Mrs Reid laid the foundation. for
her later fondness for Ophir Farm, for
the former place was at that time the
finest and most extensive country es-
tate on the Pacific coast. -
Husband-"Af fter all, civilization
has it's draw backs. People in the saw
age state seldom get ill.,"
Wife (sweetly)-"I wonlnr if that
is the reason you arc so healthy?'
.s<l~2