Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-04-11
Ward McAlIister.

Ward McAliister.
The New York Sun in reply 10 the ques
lion Who is Ward McAlistsr, give. the fol-
owing notice Of that now somewhat noto.
rous individual, Enown aa The leader OF the
famous 400" OF that city
Ward McAlister was leader in society
more than thirty years ago, before the war.
l remember him fret in Newport. At that
time Newport was made up largely of aris-
tocratlc Southern families. 1t was very ex-
elusive aud 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 McAlister and
COL Magruder. "Wait until McAlister
comes" people used TO say, when the season
dragged in the early summer, she will make
il lively He organized cotilllons, picnics,
dinners and all sorts of entertainments, and
kept us all going until the end of the sea-
son. That was really how Mr. Ward Nc
Allister became what be is.
MIR. McAlister is from Georgia. His
grandfather was Chief Justice Of the State,
and his father was Justice OF the Circuit
Court of the United States. Ward McAllis.
ter was admitted TO the bar ia California in
1851. He is said never to have had more
than what rick folks consider very modest
income of hiS own Hs settled in this city
40 years aso and married a Miss Gibbon-,
who it Is said has an income OF $50 600 or
1000.
You have no lea what ). benefac!or be
is,' -aid cia Of the 400 Few men have
occasion To give more than throe balls ut
the outside, in the course OF th"ir lives. 1t
would be utterly impossible fer ali Of us to
be conversGnt with tho Thousand details
which mus; be locked after TO make such
an affair success 70 DE sure, we could
hire florists and band masters, aud caterers,
but where would you fad mat who COM
bined knowledge Of the best iu all these
ines? That is what Ward mcAIlister does
for his friends.
The hour and a half from 10 o'clock to
III O'Clock Ia never al idle one with Ward
McAllster. Lists Of invitations arc scan-
ned, flowers. other decorations, meats, and
muec arc decided upon. After luncheon
he goes to the Union Club. He receives no
one in the evening except choice coterie of
intlmates. He is In constant demand as din
ner guest. He is full of good spirits and
news. If there ia really nothing new in
current gossip he is never at a loss. He in
about everybody, and tells it in the most
charming manner. but have never known
him to say malicious thing. He is the es-
sence of good breeding as well as good fell
lowship.
Mrs. McAllister 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 dinuers 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-fsshionable set.
It is estimated that the modest style in
which he lives can be maintained on about
1000 year.
"I have no claim whatever to be the lead
er of society,"" he sayP. "In the first place,
man to hold such position must be rich.
[ am simply modest man living on mod.
est income"
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 a question:
"How many persons can you count on to
come to a swell ball ?n About 400" This
is true, My wife's valling list contains 900
or 1 500 names. Mrs. Astor's, Mrs. Wander.
bilt's, and dozens more have lists as large or
larger. OF course many names are dupli.
Gated, bu. altogether there are thousands
of them, and all of these persons belong to
society. No one would think of giving
great dinner without inviting Chauncey De-
pew, but it would be ridiculous to expect
him to come to @ ball. meet friend in
the club. Coming to my'ball to morrow
night?" 1 say. Oh your BALL." he
sayu, 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. Nc
Allister looks after all that. The Patriarch's
balls have fifty subscribers. Each of US is
entitled to invite Eve men and four women.
We send the names to McAlister' He com.
pares 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 be-
yond the established limit than we have, and
he has never been delegated the power Of
veto. Still I suppose he would exercise 1t if
some one insisted upon an Objectionable
name. He issues the invitations, and pre-.
snme that if should send in the name of q
lady of dubious reputation, or that of fan act.
ress. for instance. he simply wouldn't send
the invitation.
Personally, McAllister is as different from
what most persons imagine him as well
might be. He is 30 more dude than Mr..
Depew in fact, be is not even dandifed.
He is past the middle age-between So and
6O-stout and bald. His side face reminds
one strongly of that of the late Emperor Ma.
poleon the Third. He is about feet 10
inches tall and weighs 200 pounds. His
hair is light brown and slightly curly; he
has q heavy sandy moustache, streaked with
gray, and large gray imperial. His eyes
-. I--.-.. S.zs.,, ntaa hu haaUV eva: