davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-04
by HARRIET s. GILLESPIE.

The charm of a remodelled farm
house IS perennial one. 1t gets Into
the blood like microbe and lies low
with all the cunning Of regular bug
until the precise psychological moment
irrives--invariably the first days of
sprlng-when 1t suddenly comes to Wig
orous life. imbuing its victim with an
Unsuitable desire to roam the country
side in search OF abandoned farm houses
OF the sort to be easily turned into snug.
little homes for summer occupancy or
all the year living at small expense. To
folks prone to the malsdy the mere sight
of a gently sloping Dutch roof. the
glimpse OF a low dormer. the suggestion
OF d brown stons chimney or the ancient
aspect OF weathered shingles Is the will
O. the wisp that beckons them to fresh
effort. the Joy of discovery often being
the only reward.
Many fanciful tales are still written
about abandoned farms, but according
to a farm specialist there amt no such
animal now. The lure OF the land still
lives. but the abandoned farms OF which
go much has been written. have. for the
most part. gone the way Of the auction
eer's hammer along with the fine old
mahogany and old blue china that were
once part OF them. Nearly all those
farms whose owners have long since
died or moved away have been picked
up and are now in the hands OF rea! es-
tate agents who are holding them for
better prices. or else have been bought
by individuals for whom the property
has some sentimental value.
Make Charming Country Homes. .
Upon these unworkcd tracts. how
ever. are any number OF abandoned
farm buildings which, with a little land
thrown In, may still be bought for the
proverblsl song. Not many of these
farms lie in the vicinity OF New York,
but up In Vermont, through New Hamp-
shire and Maine. are any number of
small farms ranging from IS 10 500
acres with dwellings ard cottages which
ara capable OF being altered at small
vIsy into the most charming of summer
I,urIes.
The hunt for decrepit farmhouses has
resolved itself into "A pastime for archi-
tects-when they allow themselves the
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-04

water from a high pressure main. These
walls were constructed by two Columbia
undergraduates during their vacation.
and the tests were conducted under the
direction of Ira II. Wilson. engineer of
the National Board of Fire Cnderwrit-
ers. aad Prof. James II. McGreSgor OF
Columbia University. These walls are
believed to have stood a greater fire and
water stress than any walls ever tested
in the United States. In discussing the
use of cinder concrete, Mr.. Oliver said
The real truth OF the matter Is that a
first class construction material has been
available for years and 1t Is now pro-
posed to take advantage OF Il In order
to lower the cost of building and help
relieve the present situation. A number
OF the leaders In the cinder concrete IN
dustry intend, in the near future, to
urge an amendment to the building laws
to permit it's more extensive use. and
there is no good reason why this amend
ment should not go through"
Cinder concrete has the advantage OF
being much cheaper than other forms OF
concrete and vast quantities of It's conf
ponent parts have been daily going to
waste in the past when its use was
chiefly restricted to sidewalk construc-
ton. In recent years, however. cinder
concrete floors have been used in hun
dreds of important buildings with COM
plete satisfaction.
Some recent examples of the use OF
reinforced cinder concrete in structural
work are the three story Edison Storage
Battery Building at 247 West Thirty
fifth street, and the Baker Williams
building. a ten story structure at Leroy
and Greenwich streets, whose reinforced
floors are of this material
Tho floor panels of the Edison building
are 22x2S feet wide and 10 inches thick
and are designed TO support $50 pounds
per square foot. The panels Of the Ba-
kcr Williams building are 19x21 feet wide
and s inches thick, and are designed TO
support 400 pounds per square foot on
the first floor and ESQ pounds on the up
per floors. The floors in both buildings
are reinforced by Clinton electrically
welded wire cloth. and the Chew system
OF electrically welded. octagonal steel
mattresses.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-04
MAYOR SURE TO SIGN
TAX LIMITATION BILL
So Says Real Estate Board in
Dicusssion of Measure.

Baslng It's optimism on tho enthu-
sasm shown by real estate men, land
owners and tenants at the hearing be-
fore Mayor Hylan last Tuesday morn
ing. the Real Estate Board OF New York.
In statement issued yesterday. conf
IDENTIFY predicts that the city's Chief
Executive will sign the blu limiting the
tax on real estate In Greater New York
to 225 per cent. This bill was passed
by the Legislature on the condition that
1t would have TO have the approval of
Mayor Hylan before II became q law.
after such satisfactory hearing"
reads the boards statement. the Mayor
will surely sign the measure, which will
stimulate every real estate activity
While 1t Is true that the benefit derived
from the bill will, until 1922, be SEN
tmental,, yet sentiment plays q large
part in business.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-04
KEW GARDENS HAS
HAD RECORD SEASON
Plans Are Being Made to Open
New Section Of Property
Very Shortly.

If what Kew Gardens has planned ano
accomplished in providing homes IN time
for the coming housing famine had been
duplicated in other sections the serious
problem involved would have been met
for at least one class OF homeseekers.
Immediately after the signing of the
armistice the men responsible for the
success of Kew Gardens took action to
form a construction company and to
bring together a high class and efficient
building organization.
Even before the armistlce tho Kew
Gardens management had foreseen the
situation that would Inevitably follow
a conclusion OF the war and the return
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-04

detail in every particular so as to make
1t conform to the original model
A very interesting example OF an old
farmhouse alteration by Mr.. Albro is
seen on the estate OF John i. Have
meyer at Ardsley-on-the-H Hudson. It Is
one of a small group of farm buildings
which when MIR. Albro took hold OF
II was but a mere box Of a house with
nothing especial to bring It into prom
inence. To-day 1t presents the appear
ance OF an old Dutch colonial cottage
and looks as though It had been there
for years. 1t was altered at a cost Of
$500.
To the original unit OF six rooms Mr..
Albro added its own length, practically
making a two family house OF 1t. put on
a broad veranda upheld by ten small
Colonial pillars to which the roof was
made TO slope down In the graceful
sweep peculiar to the early Dutch houses.
Five dormers were let into the roof,
solid green shutters provided. and
picturesque grill set up In the center of
the veranda which. while 1t supplies an
artistic note, is virtually meant to di-
vide the porch for the occupants. The old
part is used by the head gardener and
the new portion as bachelor quarters
for weekend guests when the main
house overfows.
While modern plumbing and heating
plant we're the main new features intro
duced In the old house, the addition in
cludes a large living room. 24x2S feet,
with an enormous fro place provided by
the new chimney built at this end which
also supplies fire place in the bed
| chamber above, almost a counterpart Of
the living room. To reach this bedroom.
bath and smaller apartment on the second
~ OF W ri rif
sively from the corner of the living
room. The new unit Is quite ideal for
| and comfort. AS a typical example Of
! four walls and a roof. this adorable
| those seeking hints.
Owner Must BE Sympathetic.
Alfred Busselle has done some charm
very delightful example OF which is the
old house AZ Chappaqua. remodelled at
a cost OF IS 5000, and another at Ossining
which. with little original pretence TO
! beauty, is now a charming cottage of
the Dutch type. Mr.. Busselle not only
holds that only those with a real feel
ing for the Colonial are able to salts
| factorily remodel the early American
homes, hut he goes further and says
that it takes the right kind of person
| to live in an old house.
The matter OF remodelling old farm
houses" says he, is one of the greatest
| interest to the architect who is mentally
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-04

equipped to specialize in domestic work.
The owner as we'll must be properly
equipped to own. appreciate and SYM
pathetically occupy such house.
There are many besides purely senti
mental reasons for selecting the early
American farmhouses for remodelling.
In the first place the location or plac-
ing OF these old homes Is usually good.
The old settlers and their immediate
successors were very wise in this re-
spect. AS rule the houses open
pleasantly to the breeze and are pro-
tected from the cold winds either by
rise Of ground, groves Of evergreen
trees. or failing these by the arrange
ment Of the house plan itself.
again the immediate surroundings
are already made. That Is to say, large
trees and old shrubs are usually to be
found there, little II any grading Is
needed and the whole setting requires
but little supplementing In detail to
be all that is desired. Those who have
once built in a bare. exposed place will
readily understand how much this
means. There are usually also some
accessory features Of interest, some out
buildings, perhaps a good old fence, q
wall or other features which people
would not be likely to reproduce. and
yet being there add to the charm Of
the place.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-04
ADVOCATES USE0F
CINDER CONCRETE
Builder Says 1t Will Cut Down
Construction Costs and Re-
siSt Great Strain.

The acute housing situation and the
necessity for the immediate resumption
OF building on a large scale have
brought forth many suggestions as to
how building enterprises may be accel-
Grated. One OF the most interesting OF
these Is that proposed by Albert Oliver
OF New York. who Is recognized as an
authority upon building and construction
matters. His plan calls for the more
extensive use of cinder concrete in con-
struction.
Mr.. Oliver suggests that the building
laws of New York city be amended to
allow reinforced clnder concrete on steel
beams to be used for walls OF high
buildings and as wall bearing construc-
tion for living houses up to four stories
in height.
Cinder concrete floors In many OF the
best known buildings In the United
States have demonstrated the strength
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-04
81 LEWIS cor ALsao AseHiTE Ct. ~
Phase of Back to the Soil" Move
ment Fostered by War---Architects
Find Broad Field of Activity in
Rehabilitation of Old
F1omesteads

pleasure-and lay folk who have fallen
victims to their charms, 30 each spring
you will know the incubation has begun
to work by the hordes Of 'tin Lizzies"
that haunt the turnpike, each manned
with an eager eyed crew OF ''old farm
house" worshippers on a still hunt for
their objective. The older the house
the better. for the chance OF getting a
bargain Is greater and there Is the 10Y
OF making something from nothing
which Is always stimulating. or in de-
signing something different a course
which. IL in the hands OF competent
architect with a taste for the Colonial.
Is bound to be interesting.
Only as II happens architects don't
let themselves go" to this extent as
rule for the very reason that a man
with a big clientele can't give tho time
and the smaller professional man can't
get enough out OF II to pay overhead
costs. But this spring. which differs
enthusiastically. as It does In every other
way. presents an entirely new situation.
The architects, free from war work.
but with fresh building operations yet
at standstill, have found Impossible
for the first time in many years to
satisfy the more or less insis.ent de-
nands Of certain clients to remodel old
farm buildings. AS a result New York
architects are pretty generally occupy
ing themselves with alterations, since
building costs are nigh. and In the main
this phase OF their work deals almost
entirely with remodell!ng old farm
dwellings.
Old Home Has New Meaning.
It wouldn't be. right to say that either
or both OF these reasons are responsible
for the renaissance of the early Ameri-
can farmhouse or for the demand which
has arisen Just now. There Is a far
deeper psychological principle involved.
for which world events are responsible.
The real underlying reason is because
the "old home" has taken on a new
significance since the war. The re-
Mobilization of these homes is In some
sense memorial for those fine lads
who gave their lives to defend Just
such homes from possible devastation.
1t is equally intended for those who
come back with new ideals and the de-
termination to maintain and perpetuate
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-04
Defects Can he Remediel.

Then there are almost always good
outlines to the old house. Sometimes
these have been obscured a. some period
of Victorian prosperity by the addition
OF a jigsawed porch or by assertive
dormers, but these are minor matters
which can easily be rectifed. The gen.
eral arrangement OF the plan, while not
providing large living rooms. bathrooms
or comnrodious service quarters, Is
usually quite adaptable to such altera-
tons and the ingenuity required In the
work OF alteration produces all the more
irte~,s'I~y results.
"' .i~.- the cost OF the old build
90. con p..Icd with a new house OF
equal size It Is o. course impossible
to speak generally. for great deal
depends on how much OF the struc-
turai work can be left as II is From
the experience OF many such operations
should say that the cost has averaged
about one-half the total value OF the
completed building. Against this is to
be weighed. on the one hand, the per-
sonality of the old house and. on the
other, its acknowledged eccentricities-
II said in the beginning that II needs
Just the right kind OF person to live In
an old house and I mean just that. 1t
must he one who loves American tradi-
ton and who aspires to the solid vir-
tues OF domestic tranquility-let none
other presume to buy and remodel and
live in an old American farmhouse"
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-04

It Is just such homo folks as Mr.. Bus
selle has described who are taking up
these abandoned farm buildings and
rehabiiitating them for their own use.
The prospect which this new movement
holds for real American folk Of the right
sort. returned soldiers who want to get
back to the coil and others whose SYM
pathies lie along the same line, is inter
esting for It will undoubtedly have the
tendency to reestablish a colony of
American pioneers" like the early set
tiers who will build into their homes as
did the latter the fine American ideals
to which we as a country have just now
dedicated ourselves.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-04
ABRAM I. ELKUS TO SPEAK.
VIII Discuss denomination a
Bronx board Luncheon.

A regular monthly MONDAY luncheon
Of The Bronx Board OF Trade will DO
held on Wednesday. May 7. at Bronx
Pythian Temple. 14Sth street. Walton
and Gerard avenues Tho topic for
discussion will DO DEMONSTRATION and
Unemployment
Tho speakers will be Abram I. Elilus,
chairman of Governor Smiths Recon-
struction Commission. and S. c. Mead.
secretary OF the Merchants Association
of New York.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-04

REAL ESTATE AT AUCTION.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-04

all the fine old American traditions
which the old New England farmhouse
SO splendidly representa-
So Il will he seen that this renais-
sance of colonial farm architecture that
Is taking place Is in reality matter OF
deeper psychological import than is seen
ON the surface. II Is n step toward
paving the way for the desire OF the re-
turned soldier to go back to the soil.
for there isn't the slightest doubt in
the world but that hundreds and thou
sands Of American lads. after their ex-
perience in France want. nay. are eager
to take up farming. The remarks Of
q young Cornell graduate recently re-
turned with the Twenty-seventh Division
Is typical OF half the men you meet.
II want to bury myself In the coun-
try" he said. land take up farming.
I'm going to reclaim lot of marsh
land along tho lake, and after Il is
drained plant the fine alluvial soil TO
grain. I'll have a real farm II l have
half n chance. Father has promised
by degrees, as / show my fitness, to
turn the place over TO me. and I mean
to make a model place OF It City life
holds no moro attractions for me. Just
let me get to the country and I don't
ask more"
Back to Nature His Dream.
The young fellow Is to remodel the
old farmhouse and live In 1t after he
marries the little girl who waited for
him while he was soldering. and to him
as to many others the brightest pros
pect that opens after two years OF war
fare is to get close to nature and live
true to our fine American ideals the rest
of their lives.
The most fertile field for remodelling
operations Just now Is to be found in
old estates such as have been retained
In a family for generations and are kept
for that very reason. Nearly every New
York architect has contracts for one or
more such alterations to his credit. one
prominent Fifth avenue architect is at
work upon three In Connecticut. each
with an historical value. Happily. which
doesn't often happen. he has been given
carte blanche TO do with them as he
secs 1T
Lewis Colt AIbro, whose houses are
always marked by their picturesque
roof lines. lives during the summer in
a remedelled farmhouse which Is gem
OF its kind. 1t Is two and a half
story dwelling built on typical colonial
lines, with roof sloping toward the front.
broad hall in the centre, with rooms
either side and wing running forward
Mt right angles from the left front. Mr..
Albro Intentionally kept the house in It's
original state, the alterations tending
mainly 10 provide modern comforts
rather than to effect any conspicuous
changes in It's structural form. The
architect owner. however. restored the
The Washington herald., 1919-04-10
MARRIAGE LICENSES

WHITE
F~d B. Turner o. and NsTl-~s L pWN
n Rev. P. J. O'Conne. -
William l. Moore, 3. and Katharine H
Dittes q. Rev. H. schrp~de.
Arthur S HAWKINS. 3. and NAY A rcw-iI.
q Rev. H. 2. Albsnsh-
Dudley b. Csrk, z. and KstAsrns 7. spr~s-~
Rev. Howard p. Downs
Aaron r. Jones. n ard C1os Whitman. n.
Rev. r. W. Almendinser
Alfred A. stHus. .. and Louise Avn. 3.
Rev. ]. II. Hand.
Steven NJ johnson, =. and Louise Ayr.s q.
a. Rev. howard p. DownsN
Jonuis A. Holden. 2. and Katherine A. Cal
lsher ~ Rev. G. Y. ThonxN
Michael r. Burrvvx 8. and EtEzn-th c.
Brsdy. "a Rev. J. II. Iern-
Marion l.. Rice, q, and Kate q. Gsrthwnsh :,
y. Rev. Earle Wifrry.
OoDORED.
Robert LomsS. s. and Hester Montague. 2.
Rev. II. T. GAskins
Walter II. johnson. 9, and Edna z Bme--rn.
q Rev William r. DeGn-
James s. Bruoe. n and MGry S. Howard, 81
Rev Joseph J. Msfthevs q
Richard H. Carroll. q. and Mar Z. Ke,s.ss
Rev. J. !. Loving. -
Chsriie smoot. 2 and Dina Poter. u.
Rev William J. Howard
Ernest IAcGsoo, q. and Luls Gr-en, q R--.
James Z wints
Charles Sawyer, -. and Isabella CORNISH. T.
Rev. W. h Dean
The Washington herald., 1919-04-10

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE DIS
trict Of Columbia Msr5 G. Hoover, et al
vs.. Jane L. Howell or her unknown heirs, de
risees or slienees al Equity No. Si7s The
object Of this slit TO establish the title o'
the complsinsnts TO the real estate Described In
the Bill Of Complaint herein, fled. known as the
west 2 q sect Of lot Numbered two e. by the
fun depth thereof, in square numbered eight
hundred sni ninety-eight tssl in the City Of
Washing1on, District Of Columbia. to be sooo
and indeieaSble in fee simple By adverse poe.
session In the complninxnts, and TO make the
said title OF complainints matter Of record and
to perpetuslly enjoin the defendants from ss
sertine any right. title interest in said rrsl
estate. On motion Of the complainsnts, 1t il
this sth day Of February. 1873. ordered that the
dead, her unknown heirs. derisccs or shenees,
Samuel II. Howell, II living. or, IL dead. his un-
known heirs. devisees or sheneea and the un-
known hen devisees or siieooes OF James
Greeuleaf, Henry Pratt. Thomas Willing Frsncis.
John Miller. Junior, John Ashley. Jacob Baker.
Gillies Groeneveldt. Rndolph Mess. and Pietes
Wander Waller Van vollenbosen, cause their
appearance to be entered herein on or before
the frw rule day occurring after the expiration Of
three months from the day Of the first publics-
ton Of this order; otherwise the cause viii be
proceeded with rs in case Of default PROVIDED
. copy Of this order be publisbed twics q month
for three months IN the Washington Law Re
porter, and in The washington Herald. before
aid day. WILLIAM HITz. Justice A true
copy. Test. lsesD ]. R. YOUNG, Clerk; by r.
T. CUNNINGHAM. Asst. Clerk.
L, Caben wtiiismsou and
Charles J. Murphy.
At&ognsys Su rhintihA fssH.nht. =. .apaaA
The Washington herald., 1919-04-10

WE. THE UNDERSIGNED PRESIDENT AND
majority Of trustees Of the Empire Light Il
Power Co, do hereby certify that the capital
stock Of said company is 500 90: that $1,000
has been paid in, that the debts are sa.o0
John A. she,lito, president; trustees John A.
Shellito, C. W Phillips Dr.. A GAranelh /
hereby swear that the facts above stated are
true to the best Of my kncSledge and belle. O.
W. PHILLIPS Subscribed and sworn to before
me this 18th day Of January. 1873. HELESk
HORGAN Notary Public splon
The Washington herald., 1919-04-10
LEGAL NOTICES.

WE. THE UNDERSIGNED PRESIDENT AND
majority Of the trustees Of the Dayton Fnre
Recorder Co.. do hereby certify that the capital
stock Of said company is S 600 0o: thai S.ou !cu
has been paid In Snd that the debts o, said CON
pany pooe VIII ! Ohmes, president; trus-
tees VIII !. Dinner, d. s. Fletcher. Prank
Groves. hereby swear that the facts above
stated are true to the best Of my kncwledss and
belief. FRANK A GROVES. secretary. Sub
scribed and svorn to before me this 10Th day Of
January. 1878. q. z. LINKERS. Notary Pub
lie aplolt
The Washington herald., 1919-04-10

We THE UNDERSIGNED PRESIDENT AND
majority Of the trustees Of the OolfAI Oil A
Gas Co., do hereby certify that the capital stoci
Of said Company i. xsoon; that So o2S has
been paid in and that the debts Of ssid con-
pany are none. ]. II. Aan, president; trustees,
J. II. Agin, B. B. Milburu, r W. Harp
hereby swear that the facts above stated are true
to the best Of my knowledge and behef. R. W.
HARP, Secretary. Subscribed and svon to BE-
fore me this l2rh day Of March, 1873 Z. MIL
10Y. Notary Public. splolt
The Washington herald., 1919-04-10
DEATH RECORD.

wBITE
Andrrw n Manning. u IN. Gc m ~ r~.
Brdset n Martin. a. III e. nv
hisoun Hipcr, Is. i1 Lsth 81 D.
Aforso R Tshc-io. >. ST Eizxh~th', Hc<l
Winter B. hi-1eon, O. St. Eizb-th's Boa.
Edward W. McDonald. 81, o. s. Navy Yx-o-
Louise r. Harris z w v.rnun ,t nv
Nirsini, ?. Bal. -. III lst 81 ne
Gecrr. 4 Fsian, e. Ia sA 81 ne
Infant Of Irvin and Esnor Coxy1nx dxy~l
Honeopsthio Hospital.
COBORD
Caroline websster, IS. wsSh. Asy1um B0x-
sKrsh Robinson. s. lss 9Th s Nv.
Eliza Stewart g. lsp O~ses ccu1 -
Joshua Bucnc. s.. Fr--tznen's Hosptd
James Z Jackson, 6 ZH Ct.xmpisin an. n-.
The Washington herald., 1919-04-10
BIRTHS REPORTED.

WHITE
DsurrDoe A. jr. and Dorvthy slsashter, bpv
Simon and Justins I. Schiedel. Cin
Renal G. and Bins O Phelps gn
Leon d. and Felic. Nesro bog.
Cornelius J. and Nay Morton, boz.
John and Mkry MKher, Sn
James c. and Florence h Lombard boyL
Wm- J. and Catherine Kesne boz
Arthur and Ida G~hmkn. boy.
Plscido and Mary O&poutt. bog.
COLORED.
Robert and Duls WRIGHT rin
BentSmin II. and Edna WashinTton. hos,
James and Rosa ThHnr~oo. bnJ
James n. and Sarah 4 Tnomks boz.
John and Mamie Tstun. bog.
Howard NJ. and E~tens Blsdtforc sir
Conrad and Gertrude AlexADdr. Grl
The Washington herald., 1919-04-10
CounteYfeited in Jail.

Philadelphis, April s.-Three cell.
mates In the Eastern penitenttsry
have confessed TO raising" bank
notes in their cell
The men have long criminal rec
ords and one OF them-an artist
skilifuIly raised 81 bills to ives and
50 to tens More than a dozen com.
pleted jobs were found