The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1884-01-31
A DUKE WHO RUNS A HOTEL
,-scrting Italy and the Gaming Table
to Become Nine Host.
New York Journal


n residents of Hoboken are we'll &C
painted with the famous Dukes HOTEL 1t
is opposite the Hoboken ferry. The hotel
and restaurant are patronized by prominent
New Workers as we'll as Jerseymep. The
proprietor Is as well known as his hotel, and
many have enjoyed a good dinner there. Mr..
Shipper, of the Hoboken Ferry company, is
one lie wealthy gourmets. His full title
is the duke of Calabritti, and he is of one Of
the oldest and noblest families in Italy. He
claims to have an indisputable right to this
title
He is tall and well built, and has thorough
military bearing He is well-trained bust
ness man and genial with all his patrons. To
a reporter OF The Journal he gave some in
teresting particulars concerning his lifeb before
he came to this country to embark in the
hotel business.
Thirty years ago the duke of Caabritti
was one of the foremost noblemen III Italy.
He was man of attractive appearance, and
was courteI wherever he went. He, how
ever, was fond of gambling, and being very
wealthy he did not mind few heavy losses
He was a great favorite with Neapolitan
society, and was considered king among men.
He contracted n marriage with an English
lady belonging to wealthy London family.
After happy trip over the continent he
brought his bride home and installed hor in
the old historic palace. His marriage, how
ever, did not stop his taste for gambling, and
whenever the opportunity occurred he was
always TO be found at his seat. He met with
continual bad luck. ellis money went fast
Money-lenders came to his rescue, but to no
purpose, for he could not recover his losses.
One morning he awoke to discover that he
was poor nobleman. He had been the vic
tim of conspiracy on the part of notorious
gamblers. He could not recover any OF the
money he had lost as the thieves made good
their escape. Then he determined to come
to this country His relations with his wife
wer not of the most pleasant character.
ST. efused to come to this country with her
husband, but with the dowry settled upon her
Tat the time Of her marriage she had ample
means TO live npon.
When he came to this country in 1858, the
duke went to the Astor house, where he lived
for some time.
After few months of expensive living the
dukes money dwindled very low. He then
made up his mind to go south. After spend
ing some time at New Orleans he returned to
New York and al last concluded to settle
down in Hoboken. He determined to give
up the gaming table and start into some legit-
mate business. He started little bar-room
near the ferry and from that sprang up the
now famous Dukes hotel The duke does
his own marketing, and he can serve up an
Italian or French dinner fully equal to those
of Delmonico. He is not over anxious to
make his rank known. He is well educated
and far above his present calling, but he
takes things rs a matter of fact and nothing
seemed t. bother him. He has become fully
an American, and says that good dinner
and bottle of wine are the two essentials to
make a man happy. The duke does not care
about returning to Italy