New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-09-12
"REMINISCENCES OF FRIENDS.

"REMINISCENCES OF FRIENDS.
TALK WITH II. G. sTEBDINs. WILLIAM L. DODGE
AND OTHERS.
Nearly all of Mr. Roberts most intimate friends
are still absent IN the country. From Colonel II.
G. Stebbins, however. the following "reminiscences
were obtained yesterday:
IL have been for many years on terms Of the
closest intimacy with Mr. Roberts, said Colonel
Sebbius. His LIE has been distinguished in
many ways. He was a man Of great public spirit,
and generous liberality; being naturally very be
nevoent, do not think he ever turned his back
upon any meritOTiOus claim for assistance lie was
always doing good, and he frequently be-
slowed his charities in WAYS which
were not suspected by the recipients He was
thorough-cong business man. He never lost sight
of what he had or what lie desired. His estate Is
worth -. 600. 600. should say. lie owned good
deal Of real estate Of it beng very fine prop
erty. He was a member Of the Union Club, but was
not what is termed club nan. On the
contrary, he was very domestic. IL his siylc,
habits and tastes he was quiet ana unob,rnsye nor
demonstTative or ostcniauous.
"He has not been IN active business for
some years. In politics lie was, at the
outset. a great Clay man. Oaly few
persons had SO extensive an acquaintance with
public men. His mini was always vel stocked
with INF rmatiou upon all the passing events of tie
day When the Wing parry won't 0ut "a oX-ot,nc,
he became n Republican. U.on one occasion
he gave a splendid reception 10 & neral
Grant at his housc. which WIS filed witt guests.
The whole City OF NeW-Yorh seemed 10 Zee thcIe.
Ii was a great compliment 10 General Grant, who
behaved in his usual quiet manner. SPECIAL apart
ment WAS set apart for the supper, and the whole
thing was done III the manner III |hleh MI itOber,s
did everything he underto *.
In his collection of pictures, ancient and mod
ern art is well represented 1t is one Of the best III
the country, ranking with the most distinguished
this city contains.
"Mr Roberts had been in Saratoga for tie last
two or three years in tie summer season. He
used to 20 to Oyster Bay, where his
friend. DrWood, has a country-house We had
serious approximations that Mr. Roberts would not
recover from the National Hotel poisoning, which
occurred in Washington. He suffered from it for a
long time.
"He was of a very shrewd mind, his natural en-
dowments being greater than he was generally
credited with. He wrote very well, and SAID all he
wished to say in the best manner His death is
great loss, not only to his native State but to the
country and it Will be more deeply felt as time
grows"
William L. Dodge yesterday morning at his office
in Chfl-st, spoke Of MT. Roberts in the following
terms: :" | never had any business transactions
with him, but socially knew him well. He was
a genial cordial whole-souled man. very fond OF
society. and most sincere friend to those with
whom he associated"
Ills family relations were always happy and he
was dearly loved by those who most intimately
surrounded him. lie bad in his house fine library,
and fine fame of his pcture-galleTy is almost
world wide. He was however, imagine. more of
n buSiuesS man than student, although fond Of his
books and very partial to works of art. am under
the impression that his age was within Two years Of
my own. and | am sevenly-ive. Mr.. Roberts
was an ardent Wing when l was. and
with him associ ,ted the names of Moses II.
Grnncll. Robert {. Wetmore, Theodore l.. Tomlln-
son James Bowen, Nathaniel b. Blunt, Simeon
Draper. James ;. lhayer, and other prominent men
OF kindred principles. Mr. Roberts was charitable
man. and during ms long life accomplished mucn
good In tins city. He Outliytd most OF his old
friends and business associates"
The following remarks were made hy
Theodore l.. 1omnSOn % knew Mr.. Rob
erts famllIarly, just rs one would college
chum bat | was never connected with him in aIy
business Transaction and WAS not frequent visitor
AT his house We never associated only - active
Wings and | believe hc va, Il member Of the
Young Mems Wnig Committee at The time was the
chairman. | first knew lin a. young man when
he kept "A small store down town. think ia West
ST. He prudent, iar--ccHg. speculative man,
and when met IN the street always appeared
TO be absorbed IN a revere. lie hdu macy
friends and was especially ford Of the late
James Braly. remember meeting him on one
occasion, moi long after Mr.. Br'dys death when he
ing that Brady had gwen Ii 10 hin, and that he was
gong to preserve II ~ his memory.
Z" know nothing OF us relations u his family,
except that they were pleasant. Mr.. Roberts
was always thinking and apparcn ~ planning some
future business scheme lie never uscd TO ta,k a.
our political meetings. remember hls saying to me
once that when he started up in buslue5s he little
dreamed of ever becoming so rich man. His life
was signal Success and M his death New-York has
lost one Of her most prominent and active citizens"
Chester 4. Arthur yesterday expressed deep regret
on hearing of the death Of ms old friend. have
known him and his family Tor more than a quarter
of a century" he sand. 4" and have always greatly
admired Mr. ROberts's business ability, his chaTl-
table dIsp ,siiOn, and the good old Wing and true
Republican principles which he 80 zeaiOusly es-
noused At election times he always came promptly
forward unasked, aud deposited his generous con-
tributon. He manifested this spirit of generosity
in the case of many charitable enterprise, often
times without making IT known and unostenta-
tiOusly. He did no taking IN political affairs, but
was an efficient manager. HIS death will be noted
by few If any, enemies, ana lamented Dy most OF
friends"
Tnurlow Weed appeared upon the street yescr-
dav for the first time since his pro,ractcd udspOsi-
tinn He took a short walk along FIith-ave. III tho
afternoon and was able 10 sit up four five hours
after returning to hs home. lie said to a TRIBUNE
reporter last ght that he was reganing his health
a. rapdly AS could be expected. The news of the
death of Marshall o.. Roberts shocked him greatly,
and he regretted that such "A career OF usefulness
should be terminated suddenly. Mr.. Weed felt
his loss as a friend kconly. and spoke OF HIM as a
good and noble man.
Al the Union League Club the death of Mr. Rob
erts not generally known. lie was one of the
oldest members Of the club. though not o fire.
Quenter of the club rooms, he took deep interest
In the proceedings of the organization and was
always present when any important business was
t. be transacted. IL Is not probable that any action
will be taken In regard u his death until the next
regular meeting, which will be held on tue second
thursday Of October.