The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-01-11

OF this complex drama and among
| them Is the fourth brother. Col VII
liam Astor Chandler, formerly con-
| gressman. and a sister. Mrs. Richard
Aldrich who as Miss Margaret Liv-
iDgston Chandler was the foremost Red
Cross nurse during the Spanish-Amer'
lean war, ven the great aunt OF the
misrepresented mad man, Mrs. Will
liam Astor, that absolute ruler Of New
York's exclusive society, is drawn in
1 10 the story.
The keynote of the charges that led
: to Chaloner's Imprisonment as a luna
tic and the charges that Will be most
emphatically refuted at the coming
hearings, concern certain supposed
features of Chaloners life at "The
Merry Mills" that being the name of
his estate near Gotham, Va. The per-
secuted young millionaire now de-
clares that his brothers who swore
! that they had seen these odd goings-
on at the merry Mills" never so
much as saw his Virginia property. but
T his denials have not disslpated the
popular belief that an atmosphere of
mystery enshrouds the life OF Chal-
oner on his plantation In the Old Do
minion. 1t was to probe these vague
Intangible rumors that the writer re-
Gently visited the Merry Mills"
10 sum up the observations of this
visit at the outset it may be said that
the present-day existence of John
Armstrong Chaloner at the Merry
! Mills is the typical life-seemingly
the ideal life-of man Of the tastes
and the temperament, the means and
the requisite leisure to enjoy country
life In the most perfect environment
which America affords for this form
of existence. The geographic and eli
matte conditions could not well be i'm
proved upon. Located in the pictur-
esQue Piedmont region, little more
than score Of miles from pine
Knot" the Chaloner's home is near
enough TO the large eastern cities to
insure all conveniences anil yet iso
lated enough to enable restful quiet
and seclusion when 1t is desired.
THE Merry Mills" is distant about
two miles from the little station of
Gotham on the Chesapeake G. Ohio
! railroad. The big yellow colonial house.
! with white trimmings, is not as Inn
! pressiye architecturally as many Vir-
einia mansions, but the convenience
| for any defects In exterior appearance
This stately house. surrounded by no.
BILE trees and set down on an estate
Of more than 400 acres. has been the
home Of John Armstrong Chaloner
ever since he came to the Old Domin-
lon at the behest of Cupid.
1t need scarcely be explained that
Chaloner is not a native Virginian.
Like the other members Of his family,
he is New Yorker, and the train Of
events which resulted in his migra-
ton to Virginia began twenty-one
years ago. when. one August night in
1887, at the Casino ball room in New
port. he met and forthwith fell head
over heels In love with Miss Amelia
Riyes, the beautiful daughter Of
Colonel Rives Of Virginia, former min
lister TO France Young Chaloner's res
olutions not to marry until he had
reached the age Of twenty-five were
bowled over IN an instant He fol-
lowed Miss Rives to her home at Cas-
tie Hill, near Gotham, Va. Won her
hand In marriage, and purchased the
neighboring estate. which has ever
since been his home.
This estate takes its fantastic name.
The Merry Mills" from an historic
old mill located on the edge OF the
plantation. Mr.. Chaloner does not at
present own this old building, but he
has an option on IL and declares that
II, as expected. he regains possession
/ OF his fortune. one Of his first acts
VIII be to purchase tne property. Ac-
cordlng TO tradition, this mill was, In
the olden days, the rendezvous for all
/ the younger people OF the countryside,
who gathered to dance on its expan-
slye floor. and such was the reputation
acquired that 1t came to be known uni
versally as the Merry Mill" In tlme
this was corrupted 10 "The Merry
Mills" and when Mr.. Chaloner pur-
chased his present country seat the
name caught his fancy and he be.
slowed It upon his newly acquired
holding.
Chaloner grew very fond Of Virginia
country llfo and Its magnetism re-
maiDed unbrokeu although his ro-
nance with the woman known to fame
as the authoress of the Quick and
the Dead" did not have the traditional
happy ever inter- sequel. After
about eight years Of welded life.
tHdlohel duu HlS virginia OTlOc agreed
upon divorce upon the ground OF
+ incompatability Of temper. In the
s eyes OF Some persons an evidence of
J Chaloners supposed eccentricity is
found In the circumstance that he has
been able TO continue on terms OF sim
! cere friendship with his former wife.
now the Princess Troubetskoy. who.
: with her husband. spent a portion OF
the past summer amidst the scenes OF
her girlhood.
Ever since nis escape from the New
York insane asylum Chaloner has
kept bachelors hall at "The Merry
Mills" which he declares will alwavs
be his home, no matter how wealthy
he may become. His constant compnn-
ion Is Colonel Ernie George Money, a
tall, athletic Englishman. quiet Of
manner and soft OF voice. who acts for
Mr.. Chaloner in the dual role OF sec
retary and business representative.
The relations OF the two men are those
OF chums, and Mr.. Chaloner gives
Colonel Money the credit for having
saved to him The Merry Millss" es-
: tate when an effort was mada 10 die