The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-06-29

stately proportions II is approached by
twin SemIclrcuar starwsys, with carved
Iron bN!ustrndcs, leading up on either side
TO massive stone porch. and ascending
them and passing through TO the rear, me
It ps out upon a broad piazza, commanding
en- extensive and ,xguisite view. In the
distance, with graceful curve and musical
at ones feet stretches fragrant, tcrraced
garden shaded With magnolia, walnut and
I'm trees, the homes of squirrels, and song
Gravel walks, hedgel high with lockwood,
wind everywhere, leading out to summer.
house and ustic seats, and down to Il
oss-covered spting which bubbles below.
JOHN VAN LEW, OWNER.
During DR.. Adams occupancy tradition
tells of such visitors as Chief Justice Mar
shall and his distinguished contemporaries,
while General Lafayette was his house
guest during his stay In Richmond In 1924,
After his death, too, when, In 1884, Jonn
Van Lew, a native of New York and the de-
scendant OF an old Kntckerbocker family
purchased the property and brought his
young family there to live, II was still the
center OF cultured circle, Fedrika Bremen,
the Swedish authorizes. who made the tour
her uojourn there, Mr. Van Low had es,
tAblishod himself successfully In Richmond
MS hardware merchant, aud possessing
refined tastes, With the means TO galiry
books and pictures, delicate china, rich ma
hogopy and chlppend1le furniture and al,
the rest OF the accessories OF wealth ani
culture; and his luxurious coach, drawn by
four whito horsca. Ia which the faml1j
( went every summer 10 fashionGbie escorts
Is stu remembered ny tho older c tlzens,
His wife was daughter of Hon, Hillary
Baker once mayor Of philadelphia = eli
cumstancc which led to her own daughter
destined to become so ianous-being elu'
Gated there; and this IN tu.n; to her ATOP.
a sentiments
shaped her course during the war, Her In
timacy with Miss Bremen, too, pro
nounced nboliton!st, tended 70 emphasize
her views, and during her visit to her the
two drove TO the ''slaYo'solllng houses ana
negro jails In Richmond, Miss Van Lew,
whom the authoress describes as "a pale,
pleasing blonde" wecplng over the suffer.
ings OF the inmates and Winning her heart
I by her interest In them.
HER SUCCESS as A SPY
Had her father lived. according to one
who knew them both this interest would
have found different Quiet, He died in
$780, however. and at the breaking out OK
hostillties a year later. his daughter In
augurated a system OF intrigues. which.
J whether we decry or applaud H. according
10 our viewpoint, must still be admitted
to evince, not only marvellous astuteness
and adaptation Of means TO an end. but
tireless energy, slespless vigilance aud dar.
Ing intrepidlty. During the years when
the Federal army Numbered 1.-THE gates
OF Richmond she was In constant commune
cation with IL: and when Grant lowered in
its vicinity she kept In such close touch
with him that flowers cut from her garden
! IN the morning informed his table at the
| evening meal. she spled upon the Conted-
eracy and all Of it's agents, both civil and
! military, contriving TO Install her deputies
in the household Of President Davis 70
servants. and through them to aequaint
herself with the result OF his conferences
with. his cablnst. The Information thus
obtained was put In cipher, aud. concealed
between an outer and inner sole OF his
shoe, was smusged through the lines by a
negro employed on her farm. below the
| city, his humble station enabling him to
| pass In and out unnolested by the guards
She was also In touch with the inmates
OF Libby. prison. lngeniously supplying
them with Implements With which to wor.
their way out ana horhuFing them until
an opportunity 70 Glide the Confederate
| who tunacled mn underground passage and
with 1900 prisoners. made bis escape.
REMOVAL OF pAHrGRENs BODY.
Another dramatic achievement was tao
sunspttieus sssAavsi e tAs se4x II Eouas