The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1902-09-06
ENVOY REID's FARM.


Although Whitelaw Reid, editor
politician and special envoy from the
United States to the coronation oi
King Edward, and his wife, have
spent much of their recent time in
the sumptuous homes of England, il
is doubtful if they have seen many
that rival their own splendid resi-.
dence, Ophir Farm, near White
Plains, N. Y.
Ophir Farm, with its grounds, is
one of the finest estates in America.
It rivals even Biltmore, the magnif-
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. It contains more than
goo acres of land, of which more than
half are under cultivation. Herds OF
cows are kept, together with great
fiocks of chickens, ducks, turkeys
and other fowl, and more than thirty
horses inhabit the Ophir Farm stables.
Prominent among the live stock of
the estate are the Kerry cattle, "the
little Irish cows" which were first
imported by Mr.. Reid. The Ophir
Farm herd of Kerry cows gives bet
ter returns in milk and butter in pro-
portion to the quantity of food con-
sumed than the Jerseys, although
Ophir Farm has a number of prize
winners Of the latter breed.
All the products of Ophir Farm are
for home consumption, nothing being
intended for the general market. The
estate is under the control of man
ager, who is a practical Vermont
farmer. He is assisted by force of
more than fifty men, besides the ret
inue 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 take their
meals there. Two blacksmiths and
a carpenter are constantly employed
about the estate, and an electrician is
also necessity, for everything about
the house, the farm and the grounds is
of the latest, most approved pattern.
The most interesting part of Ophir
Farm is undoubtedly the mansion.
This is splendid graystone edifce,
enormous in size, with battlemented
tower. Being situated on an erni-
nence more than 400 feet high, it
commands wide view of the sur
rounding country. The house has
had most unfortunate history. It
was built by the late Benjamin Halli-
day, the western millionaire, who
named the estate in honor of the
Ophir mine, which brought him his
fortune. Misfortune overlook Halli-
day, 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.
aafWga BAN Was TBS HREeseRt qgBB6sihdh dJgi tAs
Mr.. Reid nearly 81 900, 900.
Ophir castle, or hall, is splendidly
decorated and contains much famous
painting, statuary, carving and tapes
try. An idea of the enormous size of
the house may be gained from the
hall, which is IL feet in length and
~ feet wide. A stained glass win
dow at the top of the main staircase
is IS feet wide and is made in three
sections. The library is 43 feet long,
81 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
the place. They are welcomed by
Mr.. Reid, who is himself an art con-
noisseur.
Ophir castle is frequently given up
to entertainments, for both Mr.. and
Mrs. Reid are fond of society. Mrs.
Reid is a beautiful and accomplished
woman, who has moved in the best
social circles of America and Europe.
She is daughter of Darius o. Mills,
the we'll known New York fnancier
and philanthropist. Mrs. Reid was
born in New York city, Jan. 6, 1888.
but much of her earlier years were
spent at her fathers California home,
known as Millbrae. Here she met
Mr.. Reid III 1878, and they were
married three years later. 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
estate on the Pacific coast.