New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-06
MOVING HIS HOUSE A THOUSAND NILES.
EY-u4YOR OF MAROUETTE, MICH, TAKING HIS
HOME WITH HIM TO BROOKLINE MASS.

To take apart 100000 house. transport it over
loo miles from Marquette. Mich. to BrooKIne'
Mass and rebuild il again better than Oeiore' 10
not an easy task. Those who know ho'iliie -
building say that much. Construction experts =.
all classes say it is a marvellous undertaking anu
they have hocked to Fisher Hill. Brooklne, from
far and near that they may see for themselves no"
the task of moving John NJ. Longyears Mlchlsah
abode is accomplished.
Mr.. Longyear. who was at time mayor Of
Marquette. Mich. is man OF great wealth. anu
OF considerable prominence in that part or the
country He was born in Lansing Mich, and III
1872 went INTO the Saginaw woods as land
locker" Some time later he went Into the Woous
Of the upper peninsula of Michigan in the same
capacity. After much effort he succeeded IN IN
teresting capitalists in investments in large tracts
of land in that region. In a few years ne became
one Of the largest landowners and most WealIhy
men in Michigan. Mr.. LOngyear is member OF
the board OF control of the Michigan College OF
Mines at Houghton in the upper part of Michl-
gan, generally known the copper country.
When Mr. Longyear's house was built near Mar
quette on a hill overlooking Lake Superior II was
one OF the finest ever put up in that part Of the
country. The body Of the house of Marquette
''raindrop'' sandstone, called because OF its
peculiar markings. The brownstone trimmings
were counted wellngh priceless. for the quarry
from which they were taken was exhausted IN the
construction OF Mr.. Longyear's home.
About a year and a half a railroad company
began negotiations for the right to run its tracks
along that part Of the Lake Superior shore on
which Mr.. Longyear's big estate fronted The
owner of the house appealed TO the courts, and a
battle royal followed Finally after long struggle
the right of way was condemned and to Mr. Long
year was awarded s2.55l as damages. Disguised
he offered his beautiful place for sale. Wouldbe
purchasers reasoned: 'Longyear has got to sell
cheap That road is going through. He won't
stay anyway He will sell at almost any price"
In accordance with this line OF reasoning. the
prices offered for the property amounted to about
one-fourth Of the value
Stung TO the quick by his rebuff in the courts
and the plainly evident belief Of would-be pur-
chasers that he was at their mercy, Mr. Longyear
resolved to show every one trick Of his own. And
he did He bought fine site on the crest of Fish
er's Hill, Brookline Mass. a place sometimes
styled by its residents 1.-The weathiest town in the
world" Then he called his architects about him.
and the builder who erected the house originally
took the task OF moving it. Mr.. Longyear aston
ished Marquette by the spectacle OF a great house
being taken to pieces. bit sy Bit carefully Grated
and carried away across the country to the new
site in Brookline. The work begun in May OF
the current year. Early in June the first con
signment Of the parts Of the house reached Brook
line. Thirty loaded with the stone comprised
the first shipment. 1t was followed by a shipment
! OF forty more. The cars were unoaded and the
stone spread out over five acre lot adjoining
the new site for the house. Great caution was
necessary in handling the stones. that they might
not become Clipped cracked IN vital parts, and
l
promptly on their arrival.
Tie plans for che construction Of the house IN
Brookline were supplemented by the builders with
a system Of photographs that have proved great
help in the work far 1t has gone. Pictures
of the outside walls of the house were made it
stood in Marquette until practically the whole ex-
terror had been photographed In sections. Where
the courses of stone laid in a manner per-
hitting it. they were-then numbered, after the
fashion of theatre chairs the numbers being
marked upon the stones represented in the photo
graphs and upon the corresponding stones IN the
building. Thus when the builders in Brookne
come TO the point where a certain stone in
&C.. is needed to complete certain angle refer
ence to these photographs shows that the stone
wanted is marked &C, So" 1t is found and is
in position. There is gang Of stone cutters kept
at work redressing the stone that gees into the
house.
Though the Reconstructed house is to be in the
main a reproduction Of the original, it IS not to be
exact copy. II will be larger. considerable
stone work being added. 1t will be even more at
tractive when finished the architects say. and that
means much. for the old house. in addition to its
outside attractions was they declare, "a model of
beauty inside" The reception and drawing room
walls covered with pink embroidered silk
ornamented with gold and silver trimmings
Throughout the rest OF the house there were fin
ishings in oak. birch. cherry and marble. There
is a carload of this marbs yet to be received in
Brookine.
All OF The outside stoneworl, amounting to about
1900 tons, is now on hand. and the interior finish
much OF which will be used in the new house
will be shipped next spring. The ceilings and wall
decorations must, OF course be entirely new 1t ia
estimated that year more will be necessary for