The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1915-12-24
Photos 9 by American Press Association

the north portico is a spacious roof
garden. The interior is a blend Of
Italian renaissance and English gothic
II classic renaissance styles. The
drawing room is adorned with rich
portieres, and its woodwork is of dec
GRATED ivory enamel. The dining room
IS marked by ornate huted columns,
embellished doors and mantel, with
dark mahogany woods for a back
ground. The billiard room, done in
panels of red, with beams and elab-
crate tracery of black oak, is a treasure
room of gothic emblazonry and medic
val carved figures. A long promenade
on the roof adds a characteristic of a
battlemented castle.
Country Club Idea Abandoned.
The suit to be used by the president
n his bride is finished in old blue
with Il ceiling OF cream white and
ivory woodwork.
Mr.. Mccall occupied the residence
for a couple Of seasons, and while he
was Ill, just after the famous insur-
ance investigation, Myron H. Open
helm began negotiations for the pur-
chase Of the property. The transac-
ton dragged along until just before
MIR. McCalIs death, when it was closed.
1t was rumored at the time that Mr..
Oppenheim paid not more than $780,.
600.
When Mr.. Oppenheim took possess
sion OF the property he announced his
intention of turning it into a country
club. Members were to subscribe So
600 each, and the membership was to
be not more than 500. Several men
went into the scheme, and it was to
be called the Brook Lawn Country
club. However, Mr.. Oppenheim found
difficulty IN securing enough members,
so the plan was abandoned.
In August. 1906, Abraham White,
then president Of the De Forest Wire
less Telegraph company, visited Shad-
ow Lawn and, after looking over the
! place very carefully, opened negotia-
tons for its purchase.
In 1896 Mr.. White had practically no
money. He invested a cents in post
age stamps and, with an audacity that
astonished Wall street, borrowed ST.
100000 on nothing more than notes sign
ed by himself and his wife. getting part
of the amount from Russell Sage.
With this he made a gold deposit re-
qulred on an issue Of government as
then being put out by Secretary Of the
Treasury Carlisle. putting in bids
| around N nn1 40 III -o4 A. "
and made a big cleanup.
Was Sold For $5oo,ooo.
About the middle Of August, 1906.
White closed negotiations for Shadow
Lawn. paying, it was said at the time,
100000. At that time he said he
bought the property because his wife
had the most beautiful voice in Amer
lea. In explanation of this statement
he said that Mrs. White, although DOS
sesscd OF q beautiful high soprano
voice, refused to sing in public, so he
hoped that the beauty Of the mezzanine
floor would appeal to her and result
Ill her singing to her friends at least.
White occupied the house for a season
ana entertained lavishly, buc in 1908
failed to meet his obligations ON the
property. and it was sold at sheritf's
sale on May %, 1905, to Myron II.
Oppenheim for $lUS.OUO above a SlOO..
600 mortgage held by the Mctropolitan
Life Insurance company. White stat
ed that lie wanted to start Il bungalow
colony on the property, but the scheme
never materialiZed.
In April, 1909, a syndicate of prom-
inent J%erseyites attempted to raise by
subscription enough 1o buy the prom.
erty and present it to the United STATES
government as Il "lmmer White Uuuse.
1t was also offered to President Taft
ut the same time for the summer. Aft-
er receiving the delegation and listen
ing to its offer President Taft said that
~" would have 10 c"nsni, g - ,hs1. M.