New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-09-10
THE OAKS, Bay SHORE, L. L.
Estate Which James HaSen Hyde
Has Sold to Louis BOssert.

nnce Society, to Louis Bossert, Brooklyn luih-
Der dealer AS one of the Long islanders ex-
pressed it:
Mr.. Hyde was always spending so much
money on The Oaks and we always got some
.f It We don't know the new master, but we
hope he's got just as much loose change"
AS soon as the younger Hyde came into pos
session of the four hundred acres which his
father had improved at expense Of nearly
$4,000 he planned alterations to cost as much
more Unlike his father, he did not lay out
general scheme in the beginning, and then fol-
low that but he was constantly changing his
plans, the ideas Of to-day overthrowing the
ideas of yesterday. As the shore folk
pressed it:
Father Hyde came to The Oaks when he
wanted to rest Son Hyde comes when he can't
rest"
The Oaks Is situated half way between Baby
Ion and Bay Shore, and the South Country Road
runs through 1t for half mile. It takes its
name from the groves Of native oak which grow
upon it. Three hundred acres lie to the north of
the road and contain the house and barns, and
the other hundred reach south from
The road to the ocean. On either side Of the
noroughfare trim trees and shrubbery give 1t
the appearance Of a private driveway.
In architecture the house much resembles the
home of English country gentlemen. 1t Is built
entirely OF wood, a fact which the Bay Shore
people never mention without a laugh. The
elder Hyde built the house at the same time
that the great home of the Equitable was being
erected in Broadway. Enemies OF Mr.. Hyde
thereupon spread the report that he was put
ting up his country house with the granite de-
signed for the Equitable Building Directors Of
the company became aroused and appointed a
committee to visit the Bay Shore property. Mr..
IT.
dignation. he courteously showed them every
part of the structure. 1t was found to contain
not single piece Of granite.
The interior Of the house is finished in solid
mahogany and oak.
When the son became master of The Oaks he
decided that although its rooms were big there
were none large enough for the house parties he
Intended to entertain. Accordingly, he built
large addition the northwest corner, where
he might seat hundred guests at dinner
clear the floor for a great ball He also added
more bedrooms and spent an average about
$4,000 year in REPAIRS"
The younger Hyde also found that his fathers
barns too small for him. and among the
other buildings which he erected was an $4,000
structure, where he kept his carriages. He also
spent s30,O 600 for sewage plant and $4,000 to
fredse out canal which runs back from the
bcean. He had several artificial lakes constructed
and filed them with fish, and preserve which
he stocked with elk and deer The pastures con-
tained blooded cattle and sheep. The hot
houses were constantly filled with costly plants
and especially with volets. Mr.. Hyde spent
k2,0O0 year in the cultivation of violets, which
he used not only to decorate his country house
IN summer and his town house in winter, but
also for the constant adornment Of his coat. He
also when driving fitted out the head stall OF
his horses with pompoms of violets.
In entertaining his guests Mr. Hyde, the
shore folk say, spent even more money than in
improving his estate. At the time the Duke and
Duchess of Marlborough visited The Oaks he is
said to have spent $4,000 in various forms of
hospitality For the purpose of taking his
guests coach rides within his own grounds,
he had special road laid out in the shape Of
ngure g. Here he would also practice by the
hour in driving different teams of horses.
Mr.. Bossert is reported to have paid 100000
for The Oaks considerably less than
half what the elder and younger Hyde expend
ed on it. Mr. Bossert already owns country
zlace Lawrence, Long Island, which he
expects to give up because it is too small. He
and blinds, and his factories extend for some
distance I'D and down NewtOwn Greek, Brook
fyn. He had never visited Bay Shore, it is said.
until the last day of the recent Horse Show, and
then it he learned that the Hyde property
for sale.
AFRAID or 4 SCRATCH.