Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 May 1892 — HOW GOVERNORS LIVE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HOW GOVERNORS LIVE

MANY HAVE POOR PROVISION FOR THEIR COMFORT. Boon* at Private Joe Filer and Hle Fam-ily-Peek Enjoy* Himself at Wisconsin** Capital—Executives of Some Other States Fare Badly. Filer and Hts Home. The mansion which the State of Illinois has provided for its chief executives

was first occupied by William H. Bissell, who was elected Governor of the State in 1856, and who died in office. Then followed John Wood, Richard Yates, Richard J. Oglesby, John M. Palmer, Richard J. Oglesby, John L. Beveridge, Shelby M. Cullom (two

successive terms), John M. Hamilton, and Richard J. Oglesby again. It was well planned, and although an old structure the building was so thoroughly overhauled, inside aDd out, about two years ago that it still makes a creditable and comfortable, if not an elegant, executive mansion. It is a plain brick structure, and is situated on the south end of an entire block of ground. The ground to the north slopes gently to the street, the lawn is thickly studded with fine shade trees, and a fountain plays In front of the house between the gracefully curved carriage drives. The present occupants of the mansion are Governor and Mrs. J. W. Filer, their

daughter Florence, aged about fifteen years, and son Herman, who is perhaps seventeen years of age. The house is oomfortably and tastefully, though n-j* extravagently, furnished by the State, and the State also pays the expense of heating, lighting, and of caring for the grounds. The other household expenses are paid by the Governor out of his private purse. Governor Fifer and his family are what may be called plain livers, and yet they live in a manner befitting their station. Mrs. Fifer is an unaffected and refined lady—a splendid type of the American wife and mother—and Is very much in love with her husband and children. She is an excellent performer on the piano and entertains charmingly. Governor McKinley. Governor McKinley has his home at the Chittenden Hotel, as the state of health of his wife prevents keeping house. The Governor lives very quietly, and is not much given to society. He

walks from the hotel to the State House fqr the sake of the fresh air and the exercise. He seldom goes out in the evening. Ever since he has been Governor he has been almost overwhelmed with demands upon his time. Ho really is not given sufficient time for his meals, and he finds It impossible to givo proper consideration to his mall. Gov.

and Mrs. McKinley have a pretty suite of rooms at the Chittenden. In addition to parlor and private rooms, the Major has a snuggery or library, and there is also a private diningroom, where MhifA SB

all their meals. The great protection champion is a man of decided domestic habits. He spends every spare moment of his time in the company of his invalid wife, and his unfaltering devotion to her is shown by his every effort to provide for her comfort, and so far as possible make her life one of constant sunßhlne.

Governor Peck’s Home. Governor Peck occupies, perhaps, as handsome a home as any State Executive in the oountry, and it is, too, a home

rich in historic associations. As the illustration shows, the house is located among towering elm trees on the bank of a lake—Mendota, in the euphonious language of the Indians -.with whom its banks \ were in primitive times Sa favorite haunt. The location is charming in the extreme. The grounds surrounding

the residence embrace more than an acre, and are always maintained in excellent order. The house is very roomy, and is furnished in handsome style. Governor Peck lives quietly, yet elegantly, and entertains but little. The absence of social entertainments is, however, due chiefly to the delicate health of thie mistress of the establishment, who twenty years ago was the wife of an impecunious printer, oocupying a humble home on a baok street of La Crosse. That printer, however, is the present Governor of the

commonwealth. The Governor is particularly at home at a dinner party or banquet, where the men have things all their own way. Then he overflows with fun and is a delightful neighbor. He tells a story in rattling fashion and has a big stock of good ones always on tap. Ho enjoys humor wherever it develops, and Is an admirable auditor to the droll narrations of others. The house in which the Governor lives was the same In which Ole Bull, the famous violinist, oourted Miss Thorpe, and it was there that he won and wedded that talented jroqpc ladv. Ole Bull died abroad

about ten yean ago, and soon afterward the property waa sold to Governor Rusk, and by atm later to the State. Governor Peck Uvea eurrounded by distinguished people. Senator Vilas' handsome home Is but a block away, while judge*, university professors, State officials and capitalists are all about him. It is a congenial neighborhood, full of culture ana refinement. Intlus's Executive. It has long been a reproach to the State of Indiana that her chief magistrates have not been provided with a

residence suitable t o the dignity of the office to which the suffrages of her people have called them. But, while a mansion is not provided for the residence of its Governor, it 6 present executive, by! an odd coincidence, is domiciled more e 1 egantly than were any

of his predecessors. When tha new capitol was erected, at a eost of $2,000,000, apartments were arranged for the judges of the Supreme Court not resident In the city, and lor the Lieutenant Governor. The latter was supposed to be there only during the meetings of the Legislature, and he was provided with two rooms, one for his private office and the other for a sleeping apartment. As Lieutenant Governor, Chase took possession of these apartments, and when Governor Hovey died he also succeeded to the latter’s elegant parlore. He still continues to occupy the rooms alloted to him as Lieutenant Governor. The office is furnished with a desk, book-case and chairs, and a Brussels carpet covers the floor. Folding doors connect it with his sleeping apartment, which is similarly carpeted, and contains a folding bed, easy ohairs upholstered in damask and plush, marble top washstand and dresser, and a small writing table and wardrobe, the furniture being In oak to correspond with the finishing of the room. The windows are draped with damask, and altogether the Executive has apartments that are hardly surpassed In the city. The Governor’s family reside at DanviHe, Mrs. Chase had the small-pok some eighteen years ago, and when she recovered from the disease it was found that her sight had been very seriously impaired. She continued to grow worse, and some eight years ago became totally blind. The family is comfortably domiciled at Danville, and It is understood that Mrs. Chase is averse to taking up her residence in Indianapolis. Governor Boles. lowa as yet has no gubernatorial mansion, and Gov. Boles lives at the

Bavery Hotel in Des Moines. The Governor's home Is at Waterloo. For many years he lived In a modest one-story cottage, with broad verandas opening out on spacious and well-kept lawns, but during the last year he built a new home. He has been twice

married. His first wife, Adella King, died in Erie County before he came to Waterloo. A daughter survived her, who is now Mrs. J. W. Carson, living at Mount Vernon, lowa. His second wife was the daughter of Dr. Barber, formerly of Erie County, but who had located at Waterloo before his daughter’s marriage. He had come West for her health, and It was this circumstance that probably had much to do with the final location of Mr. Boies at Waterloo, Three children survived her—two sons and one daughter. E. L. and Herbert Boies are two bright young men who are carrying on with the help of ’ their father’s advice a large law practice which he had built up at Waterloo. Miss Jessica Boies presides over the Governor’s household, and is the only member of the Governor’s family who displays any interest in his official position. This young lady is about 26 years old, and spends considerable time with her father in Des Moines. She is a most Interesting young woman, very popular in society circles both at Waterloo, Des Moines, and throughout the State. She is known in the best society in all the different cities in lowa. Tall and stately, she Is a handsome brunette with an especially graceful carriage and pleasing manners. She Is an active member of the Congregational Church and takes an earnest Interest In the promotion of religious work. Governor Boles has two splendid farms In lowa, which he operates by means of tenants and by the cultivation of a great many acres himself. His whole landed possessions aggregate about 3,500 acres, most of which he acquired when lowa was a young State and lands were cheap. Governor Boies' tastes and habits are of the simplest

kind. He is a plain, every-day American citizen. Michigan’s Chief Magistrate. Michigan’s Governor, Edwin B. Wlnans, of Hamburg, has become one of the best known executives in the Union,

because Michigan, heretofore one of the stronges t Republican States, went Democratic while his name headed the State ticket. In appearance the Governor is a man of command-’ ing figure, tall, straight, and mil-itary-looking, with decided features that impress

one very favorably, and oan on occasion express the kindness and gentleness of a woman. His hair is iron-gray, and a mustache of like color adorns his face and sets off, very attractively, a pair of bright eyes that seem to inspire confidence in the man. When away from the capital city the Governor’s time is generally spent at his handsome country home, one mile out from Hamburg, Livingston County, and which comprises a farm of 400 aeres of the best of farming land, and is devoted almost entirely to diversified farming. Pestered by Crank?. Kansas boasts of one of the finest capitol buildings in the country. It is nearing completion and will cost $4,000,000. The first of the four wings was built twenty-three years ago and appropriations for continuing the work have been made at each session of the Legislature. At several sessions bills have been introduced providing for the purchase or the erection of an executive mansion, but they have invariably failed of passage, so that the Governor has been compelled to either rent and furnish his own home or take up his residence at

cm of the hotels. Got. Humphrey decided wpon the lettdf eouree, end •elected a suit of two pheasant rooms at the Copeland, the recognized Republican headquarters of the State. The Copeland stands directly in front of the main entrance to the State Capitol, one block distant. The Governor’s living room has a bay window overlooking the Capitol. It is cozily furnished, and heated by steam and an open fire. The vexations and annoyances which come to tie Governor are legion. The officer seeker and his backer are ever present, and their staying qualities would be worthy of emulation by the youth of the land if exerted in another direction. A day rarely passes when one of them is not on hand to offer his advice and good offices to the Governor as he struggles to arrive at a conclusion that will be for the best interests of the State and people. In Nebraska's Capital. Nebraska has no executive mansion, and Governor Boyd resides at the Lin-

coin Hotel, whioh is the most pretentious hostelry in the city, and here he can receive and entertain his friends (n a handsome manner. Governor Boyd is fond of good living, ‘though not given to extravaganoe, and always wants the

best the market affords upon his table. He is not a rich man, but possesses enough of this world’s wealth to enable him to gratify his desires in this direction. He is not selfish, and likes to have his friends about him and to dispense hospitality with a liberal hand. As yet he is new to the capital, and his future mode of life is not yet known, even to himself. Circumstances will have to determine suoh questions. In the meantime he lives in modest and unassuming though comfortable quarters, entertaining as expediency may dictate or pleasure command. Those who know him best say that Governor Boyd will not be laoking in the social amenities of his position.

GOV. FIFKR.

GOVERNOR'S MANSION. ILLINOIS.

OHIO'S EXECUTIVE BUILDING.

Gov. M'KINLEY.

Gov. PECK.

GOVERNOR'S MANSION. MADISON, WIS.

GOV. CHARS.

GOV. BOIES.

GOVERNOR BOIES’ WATERLOO HOME.

GOV. WINANS.

GOV. BOYD.