The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-08-14
A METROPOLITAN HOST.
Something About A Famous
New York Hotel Proprietor.
The Intimate Friend Of Daniel Webster
and Other Noted Men

The Intimate Friend of Daniel Webster
and Other Noted Men,
Joseph Howard, in one of his New
York letters to the Philadelphia Press,
gives the subjoined interesting remin-
iscences of a once famous hotel propri-
etor: The Astor House was built by
the original peddler, John Jacob Astor,
who sold it to his son William b. for
one dollar. My impression is that the
old man Stetson opened the house in
1887, taking his family to live there
with him, and from that time unit
somewhere in the seventies, he con-
trolled it absolutely. Although to the
elder Stetson, still living somewhere
in Massachusetts,, the fame and glory
of the old-time Astor House belonged,
it was in the latter days of his life
there that much of its modern reputa.
ton was made. Under the manage
ment of the Stetsons it passed through
great commercial commissions, its pro-
prietor being tine companion and friend
of the most eminent men in the coun-
try, intelligent, large-hearted and well
informed.
OF the unwritten history of the
country Mr.. Stetson has in his posses
sion more than any contemporaneous
person, and he knew more of the pri-
vate history Of the leading men of the
country than any person whose name
now occurs to me. One Of the most
famous rooms in the Astor House was
No. II, on the parlor floor, near the
ladies' entrance. 1t is doubtful
whether any room in the country has
had greater influence on the desti-
MES of the Union than room No. IL.
1t was occupied by Daniel Webster,
Henry Clay, ThurIow Weed, William
II. Seward, General Scott, Rufus
Choate, Horace Mann, Zachary Taylor
and others of like note. Among his
intimates Mr.. Stetson classed the gen.
tlemen named and also Martin Van
Buren,, James Buchanan, Franklin
Pierce, Abraham Lincoln, General
Grant and Admiral Farragut.
Mr.. Stetson had the ability to COM
pletely captivate those WITH whom he
conversed, and young Charles was al
ways at his fathers side. There was
an air of frank benignity in his man
ner, Of tenderness in his tone, and he
was unquestionably sincere in his eff.
forts to please. For many years he
was noted as one of the best takers
in the country. For half a century he
was the intimate companion Of one Of
our eminent public men. His inform
alton, anecdote, incident and story
about the Wing and Republican par
ties were monumental in their extent,
interest and fascination. His cores
pondence with public men was extend.
ed.
Although Daniel Webster frequent
ly occupied room II, he preferred
when in this city for more than a
night, the adjoining rooms, IL or 13
consisting Of parlor. bedroom and
dining-room. Come when he would
by night or day, Mr.. Stetson compelled
all who occupied them to vacate at a
moments notice, and so marked was
the impression produced upon Mr..
Stetson by the happy hours passed
with his friend and adviser of Marsh
field in these rooms that, at the death
of Mr.. Webster, the partitions that di-
vided the apartments were torn away
that they might not be used again by
any other guest. In later years they
were the private breakfast room Of
the ladies of the house
Mr.. Webster said that many of his
happiest hours were passed in those
rooms and that the CHEEKY voice of the
liberal host, which always welcomed
him as he crossed the threshold, was
music to his ears. From these rooms
worn and weary, Mr.. Webster was
conducted by Mr.. Stetson, on whose
friendly arm he leaned. when he took
his last trip to Marshfield, whence he
was never to return. AS he passed
into the marble-tiled corridor, Mr.
Webster turned to Mr.. Stetson, who
was supporting him on the left, and
rested both of his withered hands up.
on the broad shoulders of his friend.
Farewell, old friend" he said. "We
have known and loved for more than
thirty years. You will find little
present in the Office. Goodbye"
Before his death at Marshfield, he
wrote the last letter he ever penned, to
his lifelong friend Of the Astor.