Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1906-01-13
A FAMOUS BUILDING.
where General Lew Wallace Wret@
Part of "Ben-Hur."

Associated with the name OF General
Lew Wallace and with that of his most
famous book is the name Of the Oldest
building on the continent, which mas
been continuously occupied as seat
Of government since its erection. Inns
IS the governors palace, which bounds
one side Of the plaza in the center OF
the CITY of Santa Fe. Unlike the Old
South church. Mount Vernon, and 9TH
or historic buildings which have been
saved from destruction only by con-
version into museums, the palace has
never once ceased to be the seat OF
authority since New Mexico was
crown colony of Spain. Spanish vice
rows. Mexican governors and terrltorlai
governors sent from Washington nave
all lived there.
1t was as governor Of the territory
that General Wallace occupied tne
house in 1S70-S0, and in the great, ram
Hing old adobe structure there Is one
room called the "Ben-Hur" room. Inc
author was known 70 have written
part of the book there, and when the
novel became famous former Governor
Bradford Prince, who has had IRE
long interest in the historic features OF
New Mexico, wrote to General wallace
for confirmation of the fact Generai
Wallace's reply. which has been pre-
served in Santa Fe, said:
"When in the city my habit was 10
shut myself up in the bedroom back OF
the executive office proper ana "rlte
till after u o'clock. The sixth, seventh
and eighth books were the result, ana
the room has ever since been associ-
oted in nv mind with the cruciixion.
The retirement, impenetrable to sound.
was as profound as cavern's."
The force of the reference can be I'M
derstood when one observes the thick
ness of the mighty adobe walls which
have lasted so many generations. 1t IS
perfectly unpretentious DuildlnS'
very long and only one story high. Inc
visitor is astounded at the spacious
ness of the interior. 1t has scores Oh
immense rooms, each warmed by the
Quaint three cornered fireplace copied
from the Pueblo Indians, and fired,
like theirs. with the resnous pinon
boughs, which make the brightest ana
most beautiful Of flames.
Vast loads of these pinon boughs 60
perambulating about the streets of San
IA Fe. apparently without any motor
mower But if one looks closely he may
F. discover the legs and nose of a sad III
/ tie Mexican burro protruding from
the mass. And in making his bargain
: with the bright eyed Indian boy who
: ACCOMPANIES it he will decide that the
fuel trade in Santa Fe has picturesque
features denied to load of coal dump
cd through a hole in the sidewalk.
4 sllylight in the roof Of the building
ot one point has a curious history. III
! 1850 the Pueblo Indians rose against
the Spanish invaders and drove then
temporarily from the country. Inc
Snanish garrison was massed in The
governors palace, which they evacuat
ed on Aug. 20 of that year. Great wal
the triumph of the Pueblo chieftaln'
when they gained possession OF INT
huilding from which the commands fo
:, their government had so long emanat
> ed. They burned the Spanish archives
, IN a vast bonfire, but preserved the pal
: ace to be the residence Of their CHIEFS
=, But the Pueblo Indian from time I'm
memorial has entered his house from
the roof, drawing the ladder up afte
. him when there are enemies without
y One may see such houses today in tn
- remoter Pueblos Of New Mexico. =
the conquering Indians of 1860 close.
q all the doors of the palace. reared LAD
-, ders outside and cut hole in the roo
I (stil preserved as a skylighb for tnei
a exits and entrances.-New York Fress