Show TAFFS TEXAS RANCH OROTHEROF SECRETARY OF WAR i I BUILDS PALATIAL HOME Vast Estate of Thousands of Acres Where It U I Said the President Will Visit Some Time Next Spring Tho fact that tho most magnificent country home In Texas has just been built by C II Taft of Cincinnati brother of tho genial secretary of war and tho further fact that President Roosevelt has promised to visit tho ranch next spring lends special Interest Inter-est to the place at this time The presidents penchant for hunting will find full gratification In chasing wolves and hunting javcllnes or wild hogs which are to be found upon the vast estate which Is hundreds ot thousands of acres In extent Many distinguished men from tho north and cast have visited the ranch but heretofore tho accommodations for guests have been somewhat meager Now that tho new residence and stables have been finished there will bo no lack ot room for a liberal display dis-play of true ranch hospitality towards all who may visit tho place The ranch borders for many miles upon tho Bay of Corpus Christi and It Is upon this water front that the now country residence and pretentious outbuildings out-buildings have been erected It Is claimed that tho residence Is not only tho most magnificent ranchhouso In tho state but that It eclipses In elegance ele-gance of appointments and furniture any homo in the whole south cither country or city The building was designed de-signed by Henry T Pholps a young architect of San Antonio who was given full freedom in the exercise of his Ideas as to tho comforts and elegance ele-gance of the proposed structure The style of architecture of tho residence I resi-dence Is colonial each and every detail de-tail being carefully studied and followed fol-lowed out to produce harmony of feet Tho roof is In a soft green flnlbh with the exterior washed with tho dull gray sea satin Tho site of the building gives it the brunt of all the sea breeze that may bo blowing and In order that tho full pleasure of this breeze may bo obtained a large brlckedin gallery occupies tho bay front with great doors leading Into a spacious reception hall With theso doors open a perfect torrent of breeze sweeps through tho houso during the very warmest season of tho year Tho reception hall Is ISxlO feet In size This hall fs finished In paneled walls stained a gycen brown with n coiling of studded beams That the residence was designed and 1 built with tho Idea of making It a sort of sportsmens headquarters for the friends of Mr Taft Is shown by the builtin gun racks which ornament the largo hall These racks are insufficient in-sufficient slzo to accommodate tho accoutornjents of a largo house party of sportsmen The living room leads off from tho big main hall This room presents a handsome appearance with Its hardwood hard-wood floor and walls paneled two thirds of the way and with decorated frieze In handsome designs A feature fea-ture of this room Is tho largo fireplace fire-place which with Its burning logs In the cooler days of winter will give an air of comfort to the surroundings surround-ings A builtin mantel In dull red tops the fireplace Tho library Is situated off from the living room and Is finished In tho same style as the former It Is furnished with hand somo mission furniture It Is stated that the dining room lathe la-the largest private dining room In n It A k ldflti 1 uP Interior View of Dining Room In Taft Ranch Residence Texas It Is equipped with a great fireplace and is furnished with a quiet elegance In full keeping with the remainder re-mainder of the residence The kitchen and butlers pantry are flitted In enamel and aro equipped with all modern appliances necessary to culinary art The second floor of the residence is reached by a double stairway which leads Into a great hall This hall is fitted as a morning room and open I ug I Into It aro eight elegantly appointed appoint-ed bedrooms or guest chambers Each of these guest chambers has Its own private bath and dressing room Tim third floor or attic is fitted up with a large billiard room which runs through tho whole length of the buildIng build-Ing Tho windows opening into this room are large and there is no lack of breeze day and night to make It comfortable for those who desire to partake of that recreation Opening oft from this billiard room are cozy nooks fitted with easy seats and Couches It Is Intended that should the occasion I require It the billiard hall can bo quickly converted into a ballroom The largo stable Is situated to one side of tho residence and on tho other side aro the laundry and servants ser-vants quarters Tho outbuildings are connected with the residence by long pergolas I |