The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-03-02
AN ODD OLD kENTtCkIiN.
The House He Lives In and the Queer
Things ID COntains.

From The Louisville Courier-Jotrnd
Back in the farming district near Anchorage
Is one OF the most remarkable residences
in the country. 1t is an old place that once
was elegant, and though II Is now almost '
ruin the eccentricities OF it's present owner
make ii much more OF a SHOW place than y;
ever was in the days of its prosperity. Visit
tors often stop there for a peep into the old
mansion. but as the owner Is a reclusc not
every visitor has his curiosity eratifled.
The proprietor is a self-taught artist. who
has exercised his ingenuity in decorating
the interior OF his house in the most fan
tastic manner. To see the decorations IL
the = xCuse made by strangers for n visit.
but the gentleman himself and the trange-
ness of his surroundings create, much OF the
interest. Dickens, never imagined a more
dpsolate home than this II. surrounded
by fertile and picturesque land the ,houss
stands in a yard that Is almost "a tragedy.
1t is fenced in with an ornamental iron
rust until little OF II remain Just enough
TO tell its story Of former elegance. About
the yard IRE broken vases; faint outlines
worn pine trees, droop their gaunt limbs
and sigh dlsnally. Weeds take the place
OF grass and flowers. The house tells thu
porch says from the wall boards are lacking
In the floor. and the upper balcony seems
tottering. Window panes are broken ani
dirt that they almost cease TO serve their
purpose. The house was built many years
AGO nv AN HnttFNOF o lF III t~'llb Otiul dils
n man Who was distinguished as having pro-
noted and been president Of the first railroad
that ran into Louisville. u was a line houss
in it's time. and was the scene OF much eaiety.
When the party ! was with called at this
old ruin there was much scuffinR about among
n LOT OF negro children, who seemed to spring
from all sorts of holes and corners. Then
an old darkey appeared who undertook &c
say that our host was at home and WOULD
see ms Presently this gentleman came out
and gave ~ all a most elaborate and courtly
greeting. His attire was striking. lie Wors
Il frock CutlWay coat, NE Illels Of whCh
we're embroidered. Instead OF a shirt he
Ind on what looked Ikea woman's wais,.
made OF black silk and fastened at the back
After We had explained that We wished. 10
500 his works OF ART and after duly modest
protests on his part, he took W. into the house.
There was not "a foot. o. the walls ana hHtdly,
Nth n p%niutinE. One was a bride standing
under an electric lirlt, large. quantities OF
white paint being used to get the llght effect.
,lora of The traditional ng-le1f a piece OF
upholst-riug fringe was tackled across the
nortr1if of tho railroad magnate who built
thn house. and the present owner has appro-
priately, aided q Tniisoad ,Thin 10 NE ppnCdi
ceilings. In many OF the pictures, appear
n face that seems 10 be a portrait OF the artist
~ great old MAHOGANY bedstead placed
on end stood in p recess in the wall. End within
he frame a sidoboard was inseniousIy con;
trlved \ window had, been cut IN one 81
tho inside walls, and this was glazed with
rod and yellow glass our host explained
mt il was an Easter window, and that tho
r.J glos. represented the sunrise, whtla
The yellow showed the sunset effect. About
il. and. indeed, all over the house. were dried
grnSSes and flowers
Fixed to tho ~headhoard OF the, owners
bod T. an old wagon wheel. also hlahly. deco.
rated. Our host explained that he did not
sla.p very VOL and entertained himself
wh.n living awake by spinning this wheel.
The party was escorted 20 tho second nocr
md there the same conditions existed as
doWnstairs, inclldinr the chickens, when
uadc free of the whole hou~", but seemed
especlallv 20 occupy ono room whore was a
very ancient hnrp-iclord We were not
permitted 30 enter this room. the, owner
sXplalned that n wa too dirty. tie went
in. however. and 20 tho accompaniment or
the harpsiohord sanr q Tow NeI~rS OF u song
as ancient A. the instrument it-eli
our hos' told ~ rood-hy with the man
ners OF n Chesterfield. inviting ~ 90 return.
lilo poiu'od out an old stone srrlng ,hguse
on the place that was the scene 81 an lhdlah
wn-s,cTr Tradition IN the uelg~hborhood
saws that n large party Of settlers. tW"iv" or
fifteen. took refuge IN this stone bundlhei
brt tie Indians broke IN '!pou them and
Killed all. both men and women