Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-04-09
GOTHAM'S SOCIAL DICTATOR.
Who Is Ward McAIlister?-The ALI
absorbing Question Fully Answered.

question that has been asked more times OF late
than any other by reading men all over the
| country. and even in this city. who the devil
! is Ward McAllister?" WAS the way some one put
| the question to the Sun, and that way Of put
ting it expresses the feeling Of the public better
than any other, perhaps.
When the great McAllister arbitrarily con-
densed swell society into four hundred souls,
all New Workers, there was general stir about
him. The people did not feel greatly interest
ed then because TIE people are not in high So
ciety. But now that this mysterious man is
spoken of every day as the principal spirit in
the great holiday with which we are to close
this month. when the aldermen and the legis-
lature, the Grand Army and the veterans, and
ever so many other bodies have fallen out with
him and abused him, it begins to be an inter-
esting question with everybody: 'Who the
devil is McAllister?" In the foggy view of
those who only guess at the answer he seems
to be greater official than the mayor, a Gus
todian of the ultra-fashionables, despot as to
who is to dance at the coming ball. Who is he,
anyhow?
WARD M'ALLIsTER.
1t is a curious fact that even among his inti-
mate associates little is known about his fam
lily or his personal history. The Patriarchs
themselves-the fifty men who contribute the
funds for the greatest society entertainments
OF the season-confess to this.
Ward McAllister," said one of these, twas
leader in society more than thirty years ago,
before the war. / remember him first in New
port At that time Newport made up
largely of aristocratic southern families 1t
was very exclusive and only a few northern
families were considered to have blood suffi-
ciently blue to be admitted there. They had
to have money, too. Among those whom re-
member at that time the two greatest beaux
were Ward McAllister and Col. Magruder.
'''Wait until McAllister comes, people used
to say when the season dragged in the early
summer, he will make it lively He did, too,
don't you know? He organized cotillons pic
mics, dinners, and all sorts of entertainments,
and kept US all going until the end of the sea-
SOIL
That was really how Mr. Ward McAIister
became what he is. There must be some one
in every social circle to take hold and do the
actual work of getting up fun and entertain
ments. You will find that in all places. Every
little country town or village has its social
leader OF this Sort without whose countenance
nothing will be success.
''McAllIster did everything old fellow he
would cry, amt you in for picnic tomorrow?
1t costs 500 If the person thus invited did
not subscribe that was the end of it. If he did
he was sure of good time, with nothing ex-
cept pleasure on his mind. McAllister looked
after everything, always got the best, and
made sure that everything ran smoothly. Dur
Ing the war Newport was dead. and few sup
posed that its former social prestige would re-
turn to it. McAllister was not there. I've
been laying low. don't you know he said when
he did come. 1t wasn't good form. my boy,
to entertain while the trouble was going on
He reappeared as soon the war was over and
took his old place. and has held it ever since"
Mr.. McAllister is from Georgia. His grand
father was chief justice of the state. and his
father was a justice of the circuit court of the
United States. Ward McAllister was admitted
to the bar in California in 1851. His brother.
Hall McAllister, who died last December in San
Francisco. was the leading lawyer of the Pacific
coast His practice was said to be worth
100000 year. Another brother. Col. McAll-
lister. was in the United States army Ward
McAllister is said never to have had more than
what rich folks consider a very modest income
of his own. He settled in this city forty years
ago. He married Miss Gibbons. Her father
held steamboat grant from Robert Fulton in
the early part of this century, and it is said
that she derives an income of 81, 600 or $50 900
from wharf property in this city which her
father acquired at that time.
McAllister never dimes in his club. "There
is no society without ladies' is his motto He
has no business except that which comes from
his self-assumed social duties, but he does not
shIrk that. His habits as regular as those
of bank clerk. He rises at about 8 o'clock
and eats light breakfast. From 10 o'clock to
ii 80 oclocb he devOtes to business. 1t is dur
ing these hours that he seceives his friends who
want advice about entertainments
You have no idea what a benefactor he is"
said one OF the 400. Few men have occasion
to give more than three balls. at the outside in
the course OF their lives. 1t would be utterly
impossible for all of us to be conversant with
the thousand details which must be looked
after to make such an affair success To be
sure, We could hire florists and band masters
and caterers. but where would you find a man
who combined knowledge Of the best in all
these lines? That is what Ward McAllister
does for his friends. Should a stranger go to
him he would probably ask, DO you take me
for PiHard! "
The hour and a half from 10 O'Clock to II 80
O'Clock Is never an idle one with Mr. McAllis-
ter. Lists of invitations are scanned. flowers.
other decorations, meats and music are de-
clded upon. At noon McAllister visits his
butcher. This he considers one of the most
important duties OF his day. After luncheon
he goes 10 the Union club. Between this visit
and his daily walk, which he never neglects.
the afternoon is consumed. He receives 10
one IN the evening except a choice coterie of
intinates. These are the persons who know
McAlllster best. The great chief has but few
evenings to devote to them or to his family.
He Is N constant demand as a dinner guest
He Is fun OF good spirits and news. IL there is
really nothing new IN current gossip he is never
at a loss. He lnvents something.
1T Is diner-out that Ward has scored his
greatest trlumphs and cemented his hold on
society" said one OF his crones. He knows
all the news about everybody. and tells il in
the most charming manner, but have never
known HIM TO say "a malicious thing. He i the
essence Of good breeding as VIII as good fell
lOwshlp. There was a revolt against him once
Some ladies imagined that he was partial in
assisting others daughters into prominence
They organized the cotillons. with only
women on the committee. They couldn't help
asking for Mrs. McAllster's assistance
Certainly" said Mr.. McAllister. my wife
will gladly join. 1t is an excellent idea, and
We Will do all We can for it."
There was no standing that kind of treat
ment, and the cotillons we're soon abandoned.
Mrs. McAllister never appears in society, nor
does she preside at her own table when her
husband gives dinners. She is an Invalid and
her daughter Louise takes her place These
home dinners are Mr.. McAllisters pride He
gives about one a week. and covers are never
laid for more than eight-six guests, his
daughter, and himself. These affairs do not
belong to society, nor do the guests necessarily
belong To the most utra-fashIonable set
Mr. McAlllster's house at l6 East 18th street
Is plainly furnished and not very large In the
summer he hires cottage in Newport, and his
WIFE and daughter maintain open house there
with plenty OF comforts including horses and
carriages. 1t is estimated that the modest style
IN which he lives can be maintained on about
$4,000 year.
Everybody does not admire him. There are
carpers even among the sacred few whose names
always pass his discriminating pencil. Mr..
McAIiIster himself diSclams the title which haa
been generally accorded to him.
Il have no claim whatever to be the leader
OF society" He saws: In the first place a
man to hold such position must be rich. / am
not l am simply modest man living on
modest income"