The evening world., 1904-02-15
Eo~fd That Could Not
Be Bought and That Blocked
Ills Plans for Fine Country
Estate is In Ashes.
RICH OWNER MAY SELL NOW.
New York Woman Holds Property
inherited from Father az a Matter
Of sentiment-House Was TWO
Hundred Years Old.

Tho only. house in the old Indian VAL
ley of Manhasset, on h north shore
Of Long Island, which Payne Whitney,
son of the late W. C. Whitney. could
not buy. was destroyed by fire two
days ago, and with its destruction n
OF tho ancient landmarks Of Long ISL
ana disappeared forever from the land
scape.
It is quite three years ago that young
Mr.. Whitney brought his bride, a
daughter of Secretary John Hay. to
spend their honeymoon among the hills
OF Manhasset. They took possession
OF Alneric Hugh FACETS house. and
young Mr.. Whitney spent days wander
iAg through tho romantic woodlands In
that section.
Fine Country Estate.
The, sequel OF this honeymoon trip has
been the purchasing by Mr.. Whitney's
agents Of large tracts OF land through
out that section where Mr.. Whitney
proposes to lay out q magnificent coun-
try estate Il equal. IL not surpass. that
OF his young millionaire friend, William
K. Vanderbilt. jr., at Success Lake. a
few miles distant.
Farms and homesteads were gathered
In, tho old Mannasset Lake was bought,
and families who had held their estates
in unbroken succession since 1880 sur
the prices offered. In all more than
800 acres were gradually acquired, and
everything went along pleasantly. There
was no thought OF opposition. A Ques-
ton OF price was no obstacle to the
But nestled away down In the valley
Just off the Lakeville road, some dis
lance from the village OF Manhasset.
stood the Brooks homestead. 1t was an
ancient. weather-beaten structure, said
to h old tribe of Manhasset Indians,
and quite 100 years ago it passed into
tho possession of Joshua. Brooks, a
oolored man of unusual intelligence.
Would Not Sell.
Brooks was a famous cook in his day.
Enough ManSasset valley in search Of
O small fortune, and tho old homestead
has remained in his family ever since
and Is now the property Of Mrs: Joseph
Inc Brooks, a wealthy colored woman
While during the winter months Mrs.
Brooks, has lived in the city she made
old homestead. This property cuts
quite into the centre of Mr.. Whitney's
holdings. n unless 1t can be acquired
It Will make a serious break in the
plans for laying out the estate, and Mr..
Whitney's agents encountered their first
surprise when they sought to purchase
To ali overtures It Is said that Mrs.
Brooks stoutly declined to sell. It was
not a question of money but OF men,
cries and sentiment.
The price offered was no temptation.
She loved the old homestead and IL Is
said contemplated spending her declin-
ing days beneath its roof. Her heirs
could MAKE whatever disposition of the
property they saw At after her death.
Flames Make Way.
Il would seem, however. that fate
conspired to thwart Mrs. Brooks's In
tentions, and to aid the young million
aire in his ambition for q magnificent
country estate. This year Che old
homestead was left in charge of Will
lam Dean and his wife. and the other
night the structure was discovered In
flames.
There is no fire department in that
locality and while Dean n his wife
and two children escaped the old house
old homestead gone 1t Is Thought that
now Mrs. Brooks will no longer caro-
20 keep the place, and people In Man.
hasset believe the property will soon
pass into Mr.. Whitney's control.
In order to finish his plans as
originally laid ou 1t IS still necessary
for Mr.. Whitney to obtain possession
OF half of one OF the main business
streets In ManhaSset. The rear of tho
houses along this street extend down
TO the lake front and on acquiring this
property Mr.. Whitney will have all the
buildings removed.