The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-03
A Popular Man.

New York Times.
Ward McAllister was a genial, charming
man to people who knew him. His manner
was invariably modest and unassuming.
His dress was extremely modest and even
careless at times. Despite a funny habit
of constantly saying Don't you know?
DON'T you see? Don't you understand
which reporters who interviewed him con-
stantly made fun of, Ward NIcAllister was
an interesting and intelligent talker. He
was never afraid to say candidly exactly
what he thought. Latteriy he had acquired
the habit of writing what he thought, and
his social. set had punished him somewhat
severely for it.
Ward McAllister's talents as a gourmet
were developed at an early age. When he
go to market at an early hour, SO as to
avoid the heat Of the day: Ward used to
buying for the family, SO as to get his
parents the best that the market afforded.
A1 ms w lbfe he he W mane to f suroy G be g VAS not
satisfied with partakinG of banquets in the
company of distinguished people. He wanted
were produced. He made the acquaintance
of the costly cooks at Buckingham Palace,
at Marlborough House and in some of the
best public restaurants in London and Paris.
He cultivated the society of wine mer-
chants and prodded into the secrets of
some of the famous cellars of Europe.
afterward worked into his remarkable and
iI4hCI III DOOh. A-otlCiS do ia OtfiAa
IT," which he published in 1890.
When Ward McAllister was about twenty
A maiden aunt left him some money and
after leaving college ne returned to Sa-
vannah. where he was admitted to the
bar. In 1852 he went to California. He
saw some pretty wild life in the far West,
OF which he wrote very interestingly in his
Miss Sarah Gibbons, whose father held a
steamboat grant from Robert Fulton, and
wharf property here which her father had
acquired For some years after his mar
rage Mr.. McAlllster lived altogether in
Southerners, but eventually. as he rose in
social prominence. he established a home
A NATIONAL REPUTATION.
1t was not until Mr.. McAllister arbitrarily
condensed the swell society set of New York
into .the four hundred that he achieved
what might be called a national reputation.
He was then at the head of the Patriarens,
an organization of fifty men, who con-
tributed most of the funds for the great So
ciety entertainment of every season. Ward
McAllister made 1T q rule never to dine at
his club. 1t was an axiom OF his that there
was no society without ladies. He had no
business that came in contact with his self
imposed social duties, and those he never
shirkad. His habits were very regular. Ii
was his custom 10 rise about s O'Clock. take
= aignl Dreakfass and devote from $3.50 TO
giving his advice to those who came to seek
IL about entertainments. To people not
sehooled in matters of this kind he was n
public DeHefactor. At noon he used to visit
his butcher. This he considered one of the
important bits of business of the day. He
usually lunched at the Union Club, and de-
voted the afternoon TO a CONSTITUTIONAL
walk, which he never neglected, sain or
shine. and TO making calls. Never was man
more scrupulous in fulfilling all the obIiga-
lions imposed. upon him as the leader of Sc
lect society
a few years ago Mr.. McAllister Vas In