The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-06-01

put picked upon a rock maple as
1ner and more enduring kind of tree.
These three original members Of the
grove, are all in flourishing condition
day. although two OF the three men
who placed them there have passed
away. The Cleveland tree especially
has grown rapidly, and has put out
Droad-spreadinp branches which sug-
gest that its famous sponsor must
have impaired to 1t some Of his own
tireless energy.
/ Shortly after the founding of the
grove. in May 1897, Andrew Carnegie
was a visitor at Mr.. Benedict's home
and added tree to the group already
planted. Following the majority pre-
cedent, Mr.. Carnegie selected chest.
nut. During the same year Mr.. Bene-
dict invited his close business friend,
Charles Stewart Smith, who was presi.
dent OF the New York chamber of
Commerce, and in other positions
identified with commercial and muni-
!cipal affairs, had long been che of the
leading business men of Of the city,
to add a tree to his collection.
AS Mr.. Benedict's many friendships
have not been confined to men in
business and public life, but have in
cluded also large nun Der of men Of
literary and professional eminence, so
his group OF friendly trees commemor-
ates also some of these acquaintance
ships. One of these is linden = ant
cd by Thomas Bailey Aldrich, tho
poet, in 1898. Another is line which
Joseph Jefferson added to the grove
In 1899. Mr.. Jefferson accompanied
his act with a witty speech OF pre-
sentation, which he delivercI with the
shovel across his shoulder and in the
attitude familiar to all those who
knew the actor in his celebrated part
OF Rip Van Wrinkle.
A younger, but no less flourishing
member Of the friendship grove, is a
spruce tree planted by Charles War
rem Fairbanks in 1907, while he was
Vice President of the United States.
! Whether Mr.. Fairbanks WIS moved by
a ouch OF humor To- select a tree
known especially by its adaptibility to
i frizid climates In view of the char
/ acteristic which the cartoonists insist
1 ed upon attributing to him, he did lot
say, but it probably was merely a CO.
Incidence
4 The very newest member of the
grove is young, oak planted by Mr..
Benedict himself In 1908. Urged BY
his friends to add his own representa-
1 tive to the collection of leafy memor.
/ ials, the famous banker finally de-
| cided to do so. Several months ago,
/ Just prior to his departure for an ex-
4 tended trip to Europe in the presence
| of his sons-in.law and daughters, Mr..
and Mrs. Clifford B. Harmon and Mr..
and Mrs. Ramsey Turnbull, he plant
ed an oak tree in the grove, thereby
I completing it as it stands today. The
group as a whole, both from Its sen.
timental features and its picturesque
ness. forms an unique testimonial to
/ the enduring character Of friendship.
Mr.. Benedict is not only famous
host. but is also an ardent lover OF out
door life, and 1t was doubtless the
combination of these two character
4 istics that eau red him to create his
i friendship grove. His Connecticut es.
tate includes sixty acres Of woodland
III which nearly all the trees that
4 flourish II this climate are to- be
! found and are assiduously cared for
i In addition there are dozens of green.
houses sheltering rare tropical plants
/ and flowers. This love of outdoor
L life is shared by all the members OF
1 his family. Mrs. Clifford. B. Harmon
one of his daughters, is keen sports
woman. with particular fondness for
I yachting and fishing, while another
i daughter, Mrs. Thomas Hastings, wife
OF well-known architect, Is a noted
woman whip and is president OF the
Four-in-Hand Club of New York.
CITY NEWS