The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1911-07-25
HISTORIC GROUND.
Spicgel Grove. Home 81 President
Hayes, offered 10 Ohio.

Hayes, offered 10 Ohio.
Col. Webb G. Hayes has decided to
the state OF Ohio. for the beneit OF
the archaeological and historical so
ciety Of that state. spiagel Grove. a
beautiful 25-acre cluster Of native
American trees, together with the
honse, in which his fnther. Ruther-
ford b. Hayes president Of the u.ited
States lived and died. The conditions
are that tho state legislature shall
erect fire proof building aud be-
come responsible for the perpetual
care and preservation OF the books
state papers, and other manuscripts,
and shall maintain forever the resi-
dence as typical American home.
II Is also stipulated that splcgcl
Grove shall be forever preserved
and maintained as a public PARK
and that no building or structure
other than those named shall ever be
erected within IL. In the event that
these conditions are neglected the
property win revert to the heirs OF
the grantor, writes William T.. Cur
tbs in the Chicago Record-Herald.
Spiegel Grove Is one OF the finest
groups of forest trees In the country.
Most Of them are primeval. Others
are mementoes planted BY the late
President Hayes. including O willow
from st. Helena. another from Wash
ington's grave at Mt. Vernon. two
oaks grown from aeorns from the
Charter Oak at Hartford. tulip trees
from the Virginia home OF James
Madison, and others Of similar in
teresf. All trees OF Importance are
marked with tablets giving their boz
tanical names and several have addi-
tional tablets of dedication TO fam
Gus men. including Chief Justice
White. President Garfield. Justice
Stanley Mathews. Generals Sheridan,
Sherman and Rosecrans. President
Cleveland. President Mckinley. vice
President Fairbanks and others.
When President Taft was at Spiegel
Grove in 1908 he vas invited TO Sc
Iect his tree. He promptly advanced
10 the largest OAK In the grove and
placing his hand upon the trunk. re-
marked with a smile. this Is about
my size"
spiegeI GROVE was the site OF a
village OF the wyandot. or Huron
Indians. and a station upon the grea:
natural trail OF the earliest French
explorers. missionaries and Indians
ln passing from the Great lakes 10
the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. The
all is still preserved for half a
mile through spiegei Grove and the
ruts4 made by the heavy wheels OF
the wagons OF the command OF Gen.
eral william Henry Harrison at the
time OF his march northward TO the
battle Of the Thames are still clear
" defined AM are protected by
guards.
During the war OF the revolution
Daniel Boone and Simon Kenton
were led captive along this tr.s, -
many other Indian prisoners. incIud-
ing the Morayian missionaries Zeis-
berger and Heckcwelder. and others
less famous. Nicholas. the rene
gade Huron chief. Pontlach, Te-
cumsch and other famous Indians
camped In spiegel grove. No other
spot in the country combines more
natural beauty and early historical
interest.
In 1917. the indian title being ex-
tinguIshed, spIegei Grove was en-
erred az homestead by ]. ". Stew
art and William Oliver. afterwards
sold to jacques Hulburd and later
10 Martin Baum. by whom IL was
transferred in 1ss5 to sardIs Birch
ard. the uncle OF President Hayes.
Mr.. Birckird. who was man OF SEN
timent, ca.Ied II spiegel, a German
word connected with fairy fales that
we're dear to his childhood, and
built the present mansion In 1859.
President Hayes came here 20 live
IN 1873 and enlarged the house by
the addition OF several rooms. In
1889 still further extensions were
made. but az n nov stands Il was
the home Of the es-president and
was identified with the serene and
dignifed confsntment that eharac-
ierized the latter Years OF his life.
Ne loved the place more than any
other. spot on earth because OF Its
natural beauty, the grandeur OF the
trees. the historical association and
his attachment to his uncle from
whom u was inherited. It 10 a large
house. the rooms are unusually spa
cious. the ceilings are high. the halls
are wide and there IL veranda
eighty feet long and fourteen feet
wide extending along two sides. 20
arranged - to furnish . promenade
tbirty-three Inpe to the. mile.
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