The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-03
THE DEAD M'ALLISTER
SOME INCIDENTS IN THE CAREER OF
A GREAT SOCIETY LEADER.
He Called Himself a Specialist, and
His Task Was to Protect the Aris-
tocracy from Outside Barbarians.

New YORK sun.
A sketch of the career of Ward McAIlister
means a history of modern New York So
ciety. While at Newport he would invite
the cream of New York society to his farm
and his fishing parties, and his picnics on
the rocks made him the most sought-after
of all the married men at the seaside resort.
1t is said that his position as master of
society was clinched by Mrs. Maturin Liv-
ingston who then was one of the first ladies
in New York's exclusive contingent. Mr..
McAllister was fond Of relating how he met
Mrs. Livingston on Bellevue avenue.
.sMy dear Mr.. McAllister,'' Mrs. Living
ston said, 1--WE are all dying for a picnic.
Can't you get one up for us?"
why, my dear lady, you have dinners
every day. and charming dinners. too; what
more do you want?" Mr.. McAllister an
sweIed.
oh, they're not pienics. Everyone can
give dinners, but what We want is one of
your picnics. Now, do get one up"
81 will do your bidding" was Mr.. Meal
lister reply. Fix on the day at once, and
tell me what is the best dish your cook
makes"
The sanction of Mrs. Maturin Livingston
gave Endorsement to whatever Mr.. McAllis-
ter chose to inaugurafe in the way of en-
tertainnents. When he came to this city
he became the recognized head Of society,
and held autocratic sway over the dancing
and dinner lists Of the prominent movers in
Gotham's beau monde.
The move which made Mr.. McAllister a
public character was his formation of New
York fashionable society into a coterie of
400 persons. In speaking of New York's 900,
Mr.. McAllister said:
THE term 400 has no actual meaning. 1t
is a general phrase which stands for an
exclusive association of people. who repre-
sent the very best society in this city-the
aristocracy of New York as it were. 1 have
no doubt there are more than 400 people
whose wealth, refinement, and introduction
would admit them to a ball of the Patri-
archs. And then if you have more than 400
persons at a dance the affair will either
be too rowded, or so large that one is lost
and goes away feeling that he has not profit
ed by the refining Influences of a perfectly
congenial social gathering. 1t is rather a
strange coincidence that Byron, in one OF his
works, speaks of the AGO., and recently the
S cipele r 1u beredd 400. That is ! a little more
than the Vienna court circle, which num-
bers but 300. I presume any one who has
New Years ball may be considered a mem
Der OF the best society, or one of the 400, If
In 1872 Mr.. McAIlister organized the New
York gallants of the day into a band which
he called the Patriarchs; He patterned the
association after the Londos Aln1ack's,
which gave the grandest social events of
London society, taking men into the or
ganization instead of, women.
The first Patriarchs' ball was given dur
ing the winter of 1877 and 1873, and since
then the balls have been the leading social
features of each secial season in town.
They have become broader than mere local
affairs, until foreign and domestic govern
mental officials at Washington and leading
citizens of neighboring cities have sought
introduction to the dances. Mothers looked
upon them as the only fitting occasions for
Introducing their daughters into society,
and in the course of a few years the balls
became really young peoples dances. Then
to save the reputation of the Patriarchs and
organized a new association wholly for
young people, which he named the Family
fact a second edition Of the Patriarchs.
Then came .'The Ancient and Honorables,''
The Mysterious and The Fortnightlies,"
which he set on foot for the younger mem
Il little knew what II was undertaking
when / started these Family Circle Dancing
Circle balls" Mr.. McAlllster said. From
the giving of the first of these dances at a
private house to the time of my giving
them up I had no peace at home or abroad.
j was assailed on all sides, became in a
sense a diplomat, committed myself to
nothing, promised much. and performed as
little as possible. / saw at once the rock
on which we must split; that the pressure
would be SO great to get in no one could re-
Sist it; that our parties must become too
general, and that in the end the smart set
would give up going to them. L knew that
when this occurred they were doomed. My
mornings were given up to being inter-
viewed about them; mothers would call at
my house entirely unknown to me, the sole
words of introduction being, Kind sir, l
have a daughter These words were cabal-
istic. ! would spring up, bow to the ground,
and say: My dear madam say no more;
no introduction is necessary; you have a
daughter and want her to 90 to the +. c.
d.. C.'s. 1 will do all in my power to ac-
complish this for you: but, my dear lady.
please understand that in all matters con-
corning these little dances L must consult
servant ] must take orders from them,' all
of which was a figure Of speech on my
part"
The New Years balls, two of which were
given. Were planned BY Mr.; McAllister on a
General society WAS admitted, and one
thousand invitations were, sent out.
BRIBES WERE OFFERED.
Frequently fathers with wealth and social
aspirations, but comparative strangers in
New York, sought to have their daughters
and sons admitted within the pale of ex-
elusive society. Knowing that Mr.. McAnis-
ter held the open sesame they went to him
and tried dishonest means when fair means
failed. On three occasions large brides in
the shape of stocks, bonds. or checks were
offered to cover up any defects in introduce
ton or ancestry, but Mr.. 1AcAllister stood
true to his trust and blighted the ambitions
of many social aspirants. So careful was he
in issuing invitations that only one instance
Is known where an unlimited guest wrig-
gled into the Patriarchs ball room. The
strange guest was Miss Elsie De Wolfe.
At one OF the Patriarch's balls six years
ago a subscriber asked MIR. McAllister TO
account for the presence of the actress.
Miss De Wolfe had been for two years re-
garded as the rival of Mrs. James Brown
Potter on the amateur stage. and she was
known personally to many persons of social
prominence. Once d gentleman holding a
commanding social position had asked for
an invitation for Miss Elsie De Wolfe, but
for reasons not at all to Miss De Wolfe's
discredit the application was refused. Mr..
McAllister knew no invitation had been is
sued to Miss De Wolfe. He .gvent to the
door and asked of Johnson:
ION whose invitation has Miss Elsie de
Wolfe come in%' 100
ON Mrs. Edward Cooper's invitation
was Johnson's reply.
Upon investigation MIR. McAllister found
than Mrs. Cooper had sent an invitation TO
Miss Celeste Stauffer. of New Orleans. to
whom Samuel j. Tilden left sl0o, goo. Miss
StaufTer could not attend, and returned the
invitation to Mrs. Cooper, and, unconscious
of proceeding i~rregularly, Mrs. Cooper re-
issued the invitation TO Miss De Wolfe. At
a secret meeting the Patriarchs exempted
AIR. MeAllister from any blame in the mat
ter.
The incident brought no end Of ridicule
tfD0n the Pair; rcfS i'm general and Ward