New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-27

Springfield Ohio, Sept. 26-TIigh ~ the
top Of a giant white oak tree, sixty-seven feet
above the ground, an artist, Oran StelnberSer'
was visited yesterday by The Tribune CORE
spondent. Mr. Steinberger was formerly an In
structcr in the art department at Wittenberg
College, who, fearing that he was a victim OF
lung disease, adopted the novel method of living
IN the treetops to cure himself.
His dwelling, which he calls Camp Aloft and
the Treetop Studio is situated in the top of
big tree on the farm of Duncan Mcdonald
about nine miles north of Springfield, on the
Trtana Pike 1t consists of a platform built
around three central branches of the tree and
extending outward for several feet to the nearby
supporting limbs on the platform are bult
benches and seats that can accommodate with
ease twenty persons. To reach the treetop home
of the artist the visitor must seat himself IN
a swing attached TO long rope and allow HIM
self to be pulled upward by a block and tackle
arrangement.
once on the platform. far above most OF the
surrounding trees, the visitor can see for miles
No ard down the Mad River Valley, one of
IL most beautiful stretches of natural scenery
ir This part Of the country On the platform
Mr. Stcinberger has arranged benches and Ia
lles. SO that comfort is not lacking to make
the visit enjoyable. 1t is surprising how clear
ars pure the air is at the height OF the tree
top studio above the ground. The soft ira
gr.rce OF the woodland. untainted by dust, the
gentle swaying Of the tree when the WIND BLOWS
ana the exhilaration caused by the strange sur
rouaaincs all unite in making the trip one OF
unusual pleasure.
Mr. Steinberger himself is a most interesting
man. and his description Of life as he sees 1t
from his elevation and Of his experiences in life
Is Wen worth going nine miles to hear.
Several years ago. according TO his story
his lungs became affected. and it was neces-
sly TO get out Of this climate or die, so his
musicians said. He went to Arkansas, but his
health did not improve, and he came BACK 10
hz home almost resigned to die. During all
tbs ,iue he worked faithfully at his chosen
profession. and took Sundays for exercise IN
the hope Of gaining strength. For a while ne
t~ied working on a woodpile every Sunday
morning while the old folk at church,
but the axe made too much noise. and the
reiahrors began to frOwn, so he quit chopping
wood and went into the timber patches to tnd
eAe.cfc.
I-crc he began TO climb trees, and he found
The c. rcise so beneficial that he made II
r..rliar practice. In the treetops he made the
.i.eovery that the air purer and more eX-
htI.rating so the idea came to him that he
r.!.ht 30 well to build him house in the trees.
ana do his work there. where the air felt SO
r.,a His first attempt made in the woods
o. hte fathers farm, but visitors became SO
freIueut that he removed to his present quar-
tiers.
SteinbeISer claims that consumption can he
cured by living in the treetops, as there is more
oNyec. there and the air is free from all i'm
pu-ities found the ground. He says that in
Ills own case there is no doubt He is well now.
and stronger than ever before in his life. In his
home in the white oak he receives few visitors.
ard as friends he has the squirrels and tree
NICE lie would not even allow a spider that
rr:Tied across the platform to be killed He
sa-e that he loves nature and the trees and his
little COMPANIONS. and he Will not see them
hurt. Last Saturday he had some trouble with