Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-11-28

son and Randolph families. In loving tribute, too,
the remains Of many of the artisans Jefferson
brought from Europe to help build his maLsion
inferred in this plot.
Leaving the grave to the majestic solitude of
the forest which surrounds it, the visitor follows
the winding road still upward through magnif-
cent park of oaks naples and pines until
abrupt turn in the path brings him to the main
entrance to the Monticello mansion. To the right,
on a Tower terrace, is q quaint old mansard-
rooted house. built by Jefferson before the man
sion was completed and it the loom house.
where the cotton. linen and wooden cloths for the
Jefferson household were woven and spun.
Turning TO the left. the first view Of Nonticel-
10 shows the presidents walk" a causeway of
imposing simplicity in which several sets Of mar
BILE steps break the slight incline to the plateau
above. On enc Of these are placed two massive
marble lions that guard the immediate approach
to the house.
Passing up the presidents walk" fanked by
neatly trimmed bay trees, the visitor is brought
to the main grounds, the plateau that took ten
years to level on the mountain top
A spacious veranda with tesseIated floor leads
to the reception hall q cool stately room where
formal tranquility is evident in the unusual
height Of the ceiling, an air of spaciOusness and
general atmosphere of refinement. The hall is so
large and the door of such generous size that a
coach and four might be driven through Just
at the entrance, deeply cut into the floor, there
is the print of horses hOOf that made
when the British General TarIeton raided Month
cello and rode uD the marble staircase, through
the magnificent hall and out through the salon
his fTuitIess search for Jefferson.
To fully describe the curios and relics that
are Unfolded to the gaze Of the visitor would fill
volume There are so many and each has it's
story Of historic association. all deeply interest
Ing and in all forming a collection that would
stock good-sized museum.
Standing in the entrance one faces the gallery
which half encircles the haIl-a gallery so grace
fully proportioned that Stanford White the noted
architect, declared the beauty of that gallery
may never be reproduced, especially the railing
for every portion of it was made by hands whose
art is nearly lost in the modern machine era"
In one corner Of this hall is Jelferson's old
music stand Made of walnut, it is almost black
from age, and there is pasted under the music
shelf bit Of paper upon which Jefferson signed
his name
Next to this rack is a column and capital the
original casts of the model designed by Jefferson
from which the pillars Of the Capitol were fash
toned
In this corner is the coffee urn Jefferson used
and in Paris when he was ambassador to France.
Stepping between double glass doors. that have
an ingenious mechanism for opening that would
be q credit TO modern housebuiIding craft, the
visitor enters the grand salon, an OctagcnaI room
with six French windows that reach from floor
to ceiling Here the impression is felt at once
Of delicate bat luxurious refinement. Priceless
treasures Of art. relics of Jefferson and herlOoms
of the Levy family. are stored in this high-ceil-
inged room,