Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-05-10
WARD McALLISTER.

The New York Sun in reply to the ques-
following notice of that now somewhat no.
torious individual, known as the leader of
the famous "4OO" of that city:
Ward McAllister was leader in society
more than thirty years ago, before the war.
I remember him first at Newport At that
time Newport was made up largely of aris-
tocratic Southern families. 1t was very eX-
elusive and only few Northern families
were considered to have blood sufficiently
blue to be admitted there Among those
whom remember at that time the two
greatest beaus were Ward McAllister and
Col. Magruder. ''Wait until McAllister
comes," people used to say, when the sea-
son dragged in the early summer che will
make it lively" He organized cotillions,
pic-nics, dinners and all sorts of entertain
ments, and kept us all going until the end
Of the season. That was really how MI.
Ward McAllister became what he is.
MI. McAllister is from Georgia. His
grandfather was Chief Justice of the State,
and his father was Justice of the Circuit
ter was admitted to the bar in California in
1851. He is said never to have had more
than what rich folks consider very modest
income of his own. He settled in this city
forty years ago and married Miss Glib
bons, who it is said has an income of
$685. 900 OF $50, 900.
'You have no idea what benefactor he
i- - of
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 cater
ers, but where would you find man who
combined a knowledge of the best in all
these lines? That is what Ward McAllister
does for his friends
The hour and half from 10 o'clock to
III o'clock is never an idle one with Ward
McAllister. Lists Of invitations are scan
ned, flowers, other decorations, meats. and
music are decided upon. After luncheon
he goes to the Union Club. He receives no
one III the evening except a choice coterie of
intimates. He is in constant demand as a
dinner guest. He is full of good spirits and
news. Ii there is really nothing new in
current gossip he is never at loss. He in
vents something. He knows all the news
about everybody, and tells it in the most
charming manner, but have never known
him to say malicious thing. He is the
essence of good breeding as we'll as good
fellowship.
MIS-. McAlllSter never appears in society
nor does she preside at her own table when
her husband gives dinners. She is an inva-
lid, and her daughter Louise takes her
place. These home dinners are Mr.. Meal
listers pride. He gives about one week,
and covers are never laid for more than
eight-six guests, his daughter, and him
self. These affairs do not belong to society,
nor do the guests necessarily belong to the
most ultra-f fashionable SET
1t is estimated that the modest style in
which he lives can be maintained on about
$780, 900 year.
81 have no claim whatever to be the
leader of society,"" he says 'In the first
place, a man to hold such a position must
be rich, lam simply modest man living
on modest income
1.-The idea that there are only 400 persons
in this city who belong to good society is
Ridiculous said club man. "What Nc
AlliSter said was in answer to question
Chow many persons can you count on to
come to swell ball ?'' ''About 400" This
is true. My wife's visiting list contains 1, 1000
OF l 800 names. Mrs. Astor's, Mrs. Wander
bits, and dozens more have lists as large
or larger. OF course many names are dupli-
Gated, but altogether there are thousands
of them, and all of these persons belongto
society, No one would think of giving
great dinner without inviting Chauncey
Depew, BUTT would be ridiculous to expect
him to come to a ball. I meet a friend in
the club. Coming to my ball tomorrow
night?' ] say. "D-nyour ball H' hesays.
and we link arms and take drink together.
No use to invite him. When they get the
lists sorted it leaves about 400 who will
come to every big event. McAllister looks
after all that. The Patriarch's balls have
fifty subscribers. Each OF us is entitled to
invite five men and four women. We send
the names to McAllister. He compares
them all and sends us word that such and
such names are duplicated and asks for
more. Finally he sends the invitations. He
has no more right to invite other persons
beyond the established limit than we have,
and he has never been delegated the power
of veto. Still suppose he would exercise
it if some one insisted upon an Objectionable
name. He issues the invitations, and pre-
sumo that if should send in the name of
lady of dubious reputation, OF that of an
actress, for instance, he simply wouldn't
send the invitation.
Personally, McAllister is as different
from what most persons imagine him as
we'll might be. He is no more dude than
MI. Depew, in fact, he is not even dandi-
fed He is past the middle age-between
So and 6O-stout and bald. His side face re-
minds one strongly of that of the late En-
peror Napoleon the Third. He is about fee
10 inches tall and weighs 200 pounds. His
hair is light brown and slightly curly; he
has heavy sandy moustache, streaked
with gray, and large gray imperial. His
eyes are blue and srrmOunted by heavy
eyebrows. He is not in any sense fastid-
ious in his attire, nor does he live in a
dress suit, although his social duties re-
quire him to appear in one a good portion
of the time. Ordinarily, however, he is to
be seen in a comfortable sack-coat business
suit, and if one remarked him at all in
would be taken for a successful man of
affairs.