Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1883-11-10
THE KING OF THE LOBBY

| THE KING OF THE LOBBY,
saws the New Orleans Rcay@ae, has abdi-
Gated his tbornc and fled 10 England and
settled in Picadilly London. He Is now
busiy engaged on sketch OF his life, which
cannot fail TO be rich IN wit and humor and
anecdote. The King Of the Lobby was the
noted sam Ward Of the banking-house Of
Prime, Ward 4 Co., Of New York, which
house is still existing under the name OF
James G. King & Sons. He was graduate
of Columbia College. From there he went
| to West Point, and became an adept IN the
laws of war. He was then sent TO Paris.
and instead of devoting all his time to the
gayeties of that city he took lessons in music
and course of chimiquc under Lesfranc and
Dapuyteur. With his ample fortune, his
cood-natured face his apt talent for
story telling, and his great conversational
powers he soon became famous in Paris.
of the great Arago and Paganini, Of Rubini.
of the dancers Taglioni and Duverny, of
Ole Bull and Grisi he is full Of anecdotc OF
the most entertaining character, and he
heard in New York, before his trip to Eu-
rope, the great singer Malibran. On his
return from his four years tour in Europe
he was regarded as the greatest catch for
the wealthy females Of New York. He
was not long in seeking for an eligible
match, for he was sought for, and had his
pick out of lot of the wcalthiest. He
soon married the only daughter Of William
b. Astor, who inherited the fortune Of his
father John Jacob Astor the founder ofthe
present family After the death of Mrs.
Ward the house of Prime, Ward Il King.
sent Ward to California to represent the
house in San Francisco. This was in lS49.
He was not successful, and the banking
house became embarrassed. Ward, for a
time as it were, disappeared and led tho
rough California frontier life. Agood sports
man and dead shot, he entered with vigor
into all the exciting adventures Of border
life and enjoyed 4 soiourn among the lndi-
ans. And there were vague rumorS aloat
of his connection with Il mcnagere and
"fghting the tiger" and OF plunderinS and
scuttling ships in the blue waters Of the In
dian Ocean With his accomplishments
and his highly educated tastes, he could not
ALWAYS lead the rowing, exciting, and dan
cerous Lille he had fallen into III California.
In the end he was successful SO far rs pecu-
niarv results are considered, and he return
ed to New York Reports may have exag-
uerated his fortune, still his former ceebri-
tv opened all doors TO him. He soon
secured great prize. He married
Miss Medora Grymes, daughter of the
wel-known John Il. Grymes, Of this city.
who had married widow, who in her
dav was a most celebrated beauty. The
mother-in-law was somehow in the way,
and during another financial crisis and do
mestic troubles wife and mother-in-law de-
parted for Europe. Ward again withdrew
from the fashionable world and landed
second timein California. Heremained there
sometime, then returned East and took up
his residence in Washington, and was soon
crowned with the title Of the King of the
Lobby. He was always an ardent demo-
crat Though opposed to Grant and to the
republican Congress, he welded much pow
er The great men so-called, could not re-
sst the temptations of fine dinners, and
capital Jokes, and racy anecdotes, and the
persuasive influence of California gold. OF
course all was not prosperous. Some of his
schemes and specuIations failed. and he be-
came embarrassed, and his prosperity SEEM
ed to be on the decline, when, by bold
speculation in Northern Pacific and Ore
gon Navigation, lie recupcrated and made
third fortune. His democratic inclina-
tions rendered his life somewhat prcca-
rious. He was called the secretary TO
Bull Run Russell, and went with him to
| the South during the war, and, on being
recognized, came near being hanged for
spy, and while in New York he stood in
danger Of the same fate for being Copper
head. He captivated the English with Lit
| tie Neck clans, Blue Point oysters, terrapin
from the Chesapeake, pompano from the
Gulf, canvas backed ducks from the Poto-
mac, and reed birds from Carolina rice
fields. He was a great artist in taste. a
good Virginia ham, we'll soaked in water,
and then boiled in champagne and when
thoroughly boiled put in an oven and bast-
ed with sherry wine was sure to bring
wholesome results in his lobby movements.
And thus with fine dinners seasoned with
| the stories of his adventures in Europe and
in the West, with descriptions Of the great
celebrities with whom he had come in con-
tact. he carried his points and was aptly
dubbed King of the Lobby His book and
sketches must be interesting. He can write
as we'll he talks, and if he will only give a
correct sketch of the republican party as it
was while he resided at Washington, and
how he managed an adverse majority, his
book will throw new light upon party
movements and the motives which govern
ed all the schemes and out of which he reap
ed his reward. We hope the book will soon
appear. He has leisure where he is, and no
longer any disposition to engage either in
politics or speculation.
CLOTHING And FURNISHINGS.