New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-08
A MOUNT KISCO PHILANTHROPlST.
ATHERTON CURTIS ESTABLISHES Il PUBLIC LibhAhi
HIS INTEREST IN ART An d TEGETARIANISM

In addition TO the library which Mr. Curtis has
given for the use of the village. he has sun
larger collection of books at his hons; anu Juos-
ing from the titles in several catalogues OF THIS col
lection deposited in the free library the "Orhs Oh
his favorite topics in that collection are numerous
He also has a private art museum on his premises.
in which are shown many art treasures both In the
form of prints and etchings and Of statuettes and
groups carved from wood and ivory.
This collection which contains many etchtngs by
the masters the number of Rembrandts being par
ticularly large and valuable. is housed In sub
stantia ard attractive stone building erected for
the purpose Mr. Curtis's place. about two miles
from the village. The accompanying collection OF
japanese and other carvings in ivory, jade and
wood is said TO be one of the most extensive and
costly private collections in this country
Mr.. Curtis has gathered around him a consider
able colony Of congenial persons. among whom
painters and sculptors predominant 1t is said that
Tanner. the painter is at work constantly in stu
do extenporized for him in the loft Of the coach
house of Mir. Curtis. Miss Pebble. who has gained
prominence in sculpture. is said TO be another
of Mr.. Curtiss proteges. These people practise
vegetarianism. but. It is said. follow their own
tastes in dress conforming to Mr. Curtiss fondness
for great simplicity Mr.. Curtis and his wife. It is
said. dress only in black and white. One Of the
village admirers OF the couple said OF them:
They the kindest sweetest people have
met. When they come into the village in sum-
mer. clad in their simple garb and shod with san
dals worn over their stockings. they look like the
two figures in Millets 'Angeus. They go to the
city often. but they have never to my knowledge
worn their sandals on such trips
1t is said that when Mr. Curtis finished the build
inGs his place he hired local workmen to paint
the various structures He explained to them his
scheme of color. which TO harmonic with the
landscape. When the work done Mr. Curtis
viewed it from various points his farm and de-
cided that the color OF the paint was not right
The buildings painted times. said
the Tribune reporters informant, before the color
suited the artistic taste of Mr.. Curtis
Another story of the painters is told. 1t IS said
that, finding rat holes in of the outbuildings.
the painters put into them lot Of broken glass.
Mr.. Curtis, learning OF the fact, required the men
to tear up the floors and take out the glass, lest
the rats should be injured by its presence.
Mr.. Curtis buys all the goods needed for his fam
lily from Mount Kiscos merchants Frequently they
have not In stock what Re desires, and he has II
ordered by them from New York His black era
watts are purchased by the dozen from a sample
which he furnishes When he ordered blankets
lately he stipulated that they should be Of pure
white, without the usual colored stripe near each
end.
A story Of farmland employed by Mr.. Curtis
illustrates his kind and forgvtng nature. The
became insane secured club and gathered large
pile of stones. which he began throwing at the