Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1905-12-30
HERMITAGE OF A REcLuss.
george Alfred Townsend at His
Country Place.

george Alfred Townsend at His
Country Place.
AT Cranston's gap, In South Noun
taln' Washington County, Maryland,
is located the summer home of George
Alfred Townsend, who is widely
known by his nom de plume, Cath"
says the Pittsburg Dispatch. Both as
newspaper correspondent and a writ
er of books and poems Mr.. Townsend
has done vast amount of literary
work, and his Bohemian DAYS"
chesapeake Tales" katy of Catoc-
tin" and other books, published sew
eral decades ago, are still popular
AS a war correspondent during the
war of the rebellion Cath" was a
leader in his class, and at Cranston's
gap stands the memorial arch erected
by him in honor of the newspaper cor
respondents who were his contempt
raries and co-workers in the great
struggle of 1865.
Few men are honored in life by mon
uments, and the conspicuous structure
reared by Mr.. Townsend is unique in
NAOOAShs OllSO III Lie 1CdSOn ll1c1k
the names it will perpetuate are those
Of men who were living at the time
Of its erection, 1896, and many of
whom are still among the living. The
name of the late Secretary of State,
John Hay, is third on the list The
site of the arch commands a magnifi-
cent view of the beautiful Middletown
XalI
ture is visible from many points far
distant. While the location OF this
monument to the honored names with
which it is associated is comparative
~ obscure, it is ideal from the historic
viewpoint, being on actual battle
ground and only seven miles distant
from the Antietam field
The arch stands Immediately in front
Of the mountain home Of Mr. Town
send. 1t would be incorrect to refer
to this home in the singular number,
for it is in fact group Of imposing
buildings, any one of which would suf-
flee for a residence for the average
family. There are three complete and
disconnected stone structures, each
with wide porches and peculiar eXter-
ior decorations, and number of small
er buildings of more or less fanciful
design, including two small log cab
ms. In former years each of the
larger buildings had its particular func-
ton, one serving as a dining hall, an
other as a library and study and a
third for sleeping apartments, living
rooms, etc.
Notwithstanding the charm of the
place in situation and prodigality Of
buildings there is about it a distinct
atmosphere Of ruin and neglect. The
houses, although completely furnished,
are unoccupied, except one which
serves as an abiding place for the
owner during the summer season. The
place in years gone by, however, was
the scene of hospitality of the real old
fashioned kind. But Gath is older
now than he was when he wrote 1.-The
Rebel Colony in Paris and his pres
ent retired life at Gapland suggests
the name neighbOrs have given the
place-"Gath Hermitage" 1t is here
that the veteran writer secludes him
self among his books during few
months of each year and here it is that
he still devotes a part of his time to
literary work, despite his now nearly
threeScOre years and ten.
Mindful of the biblical warning, On
the midst of life, we are in DEATH"
Gath has erected within the grounds
of his mountain home a tomb or mauS-
Oleum.