The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1906-07-27
MOST MAGNIFICENT GIFT
A MANSION AND ITS SURROUND.
INes OVERLOOKING BLAIR.
OFFERED VETERAN PREACHERS


Handsome Property to the Meth
odists Of Nebraska for Use Of Those
Who Need Care in Their Old Age.
Just at the edge of the classical
little city of Blair, Neb., on a COM
manding elevation overlooking the
town and vast portion of scenic coun-
try along the valley of the Big Mud
dy, is situated what is known as the
Crowel home. The mansion sits on
a most lovely site and nestles among
the trees and shrubbery of over eleven
acres. This elegant and costly home
was built twenty-five years ago, 1t is
said, at cost of $4,000. 1t has since
that time often been remodeled, i'm
proved and beautified. The grounds
are just sufficiently elevated and grad
ed to give them a charming appear
ance and they are very tastefully laid
out into lawns, gravel drives, cement
walks, and enclosed with appropriate
iron and lockwood fences. The grass
is kept closely cut, and presents
rich, soft, green velvet effect. The
grounds contain many kinds of trees,
shrubbery and flowers. Beside multi
farious and valuable fruit trees there
are the pine, fir, birch, chestnut, ma
pie, blackberry, linden of the most
beautiful form and color and size.
The house is a frame, three stories
and a half high, and contains seven
teen rooms. The basement is a very
elaborate affair, with a laundry and
the most ample and modern and costly
heating and lighting apparatuses. All
the rooms on the first two floors are
both heated and lighted in the most
modern and charming manner Mar
bletop wash stands are everywhere
where needed throughout the whole
fitted up in the most modern, costly
and ornate style, even the bath tubs
being beautifully decorated. The
house is finished with the most ele-
giant and costly lumber and materials.
think every room of the first two
stories has inlaid floors of oak of
various colors. They are simply SUI
perb, while all the walls are pressed
and the ceilings are decorated in the
most elaborate and expensive manner.
Most of the heavy furniture. and the
most costly as well, will remain in
the home. The house has some of
the finest bed room sets it has been
my pleasure to see. One I noticed
was of the finest ebony, inlaid with
pearl, while there are some OF the
richest mirrors my eyes ever beheld,
some costing as much as 5000 each,
and are gems Of richness and beauty.
AS to much of the house and its fur
niture would not attempt an ade-
quate description, my tongue having
no word and my pen no skill that
would begin to do justice to the same.
They must be seen to be understood
and appreciated. There is one hand
some barn, fine enough for mansion
to live In, also a new and beautiful
carriage house.
There is also a modern hot house,
secure and handsome storm vault
~ cave. with many other utilities and
attractions.
But what of all this? Much every
way. 1t has Just been offered as a
free gift to the worn out preachers
of the Methodism of the state Of Ne
braska as their permanent home, and
we are now arranging to have our
several annual conferences of the
state to accept it. The donors are Mr.
and Mrs. Crowell formerly of Blair,
Neb., but now Of California Mrs
Crowell is a Methodist. They are now
IN California enjoying their financial
| fortune.
This may look to be rather a rich
home for the blood of our old super
annuated ministers, but each thinks,
like some of us, that nothing is too
good for these old veterans of Meth
odism. ID. K. Tindall.