Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1908-07-29


fresh in memory through the school
days of her children, while helping
them to conquer Caesar and vanquish
Cicero, but for her own part she finds
her greatest pleasure in the study OF
German. She is fond of music, but
makes no pretense at being an adept
in that art
Mrs. Bryan believes that her first
and best efforts should be devoted to
/. the welfare of her home and family.
Such duties have claimed so much OF
her time that little has been left for,
other work. She has been both moth
er and companion to her children, aid
ing them through the struggles OF
school days. giving always of her love
and wisdom for their growth in educa-
ton and culture.
There are three children, the eldest.
Ruth who, since her marriage to Mr.
w. II. Leavitt in October 1908, has
made her home in New Orleans. Then
comes William j., Jr., a stalwart
youth of is years, who measures five
feet IL inches, and weighs $50
pounds Lastly, there is the baby OF
the family, Miss Grace. who has en-
| Joyed about 16 summers, and in the
meantime has grown as tall as her
mother, all of which goes to show that
Nebraska winds and weather have not
labored in vain on the rising genera
ton.
Mrs. Bryan's father who died at the
age of 50, made his home for many
years with his only daughter: and TIE
most touching incident in the life OF
Mrs. Bryan is the filial devotion she
lavished upon him. For the last 30
years of his life he was blind.
Takes Up the Smaller Churches.
Until few years ago the organs
| We're identified with a Presbyterian
church in Lincoln, but withdrew from
that well-eStablished organization that
they might give their support to two
smaller struggling congregations in the
neighborhood. At present the family
attends services at q little chapel near
their country home, where they feel
they can come near to the heart of ma
ture and the great Creator. With
them simplicity and sincerity are more
to be desired in divine services than
ostentation and display.
Out of door sports and amusements
have always been very attractive to
Mrs. Bryan, although she has devoted
no considerable time to the acquire
ment of proficiency in any sport ex-
cept that of swimming which she
learned in the commodious bathhouse
in Lincoln. Driving affords her much
pleasure, and she has at her command
two splendid horses, her driver and a
fine saddle horse. She enjoys travel
as means of recreation only when it
is proving of value in extending her
knowledge of the world and its natural
wonders.
Something About Their Home.
The Bryan estate outside of Lincoln
now comprises about $50 acres of fer
tile rolling land. In the autumn OF
1901 the construction of the present
mansion was begun. Before it was
ready for occupancy the family fitted
up several rooms in the brick barn,
and lived there most happily and COM
fortably. They could well afford to do
this, for the splendid home which was
nearing completion is, beyond doubt,
| one of the finest private residences to
be found in the west. The house.
which is built of Clipped brick and
stone, is situated on the brow of fine
grassy eminence, which slopes away in
every direction, and from which an I'M
INSTRUCTED view of the country for
miles around may be enjoyed. There
| fore the name "Fairview'' is most APP
propriate. Every modern convenience
| is found within this home, and an cleo
| trio car line within reasonable walking
distance carries one directly to the city.
In the great hall on the main floor.
may be seen life-sized portrait OF
| Thomas Jefferson, while just below on
a stand there is usually displayed q
| priceless old punch bowl or mortar
used in the home of Jefferson. The!
| library is probably the favorite room
in the Bryan home. Here are gathered
many valuable books, most of them
being works of the great masters, both
OF ancient and modern times. Many
souvenirs are on display here, but per-
haps the one thing most in harmony
with western life is fine specimen OF
the American eagle, captured on the
plains of Nebraska and mounted by
personal friend of the family.
On the basement floor is found the
private Office and study of Mr.. Bryan,
which is probably the most interesting
room to many visitors who wend their
way to "Fairview.'' Here may be seen
an extensive and valuable working
library of political and economic
works, and massive desk well laden
with papers and communications, for
it is here that Mr.. Bryan prepares his
editorial work. when at home.
Another room especially worthy of
notice is the museum or den on the
third floor, which is maintained par
ticularly for the pleasure and educa-
ton of the children. 1t contains
specimens from land and sea, Aztec
pottery, curious weapons from for
eign shores, queer fish and birds and