Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-04-04
MRS. PARAN STEVENS.

most prominent society people of recent years, both of whom havo made a distino- tive position in tho social life of this coun- try.
 At the time of her death only her phy- siCian, Dr. Thomas $ Robertson of 23 East Twentieth street, and tho manager of her estates. Mr Rankin, were present at the bedside, with two intimate friends Hor death was unexpected. It was lit tie more than wcok ago when Mrs. Ste vcns was first taken sick with what ap- peared to bo a mild attack of the grip. From tho grip pneumonia developed, and this was speedily followed by a complica- tion of diseases of which heart trouble was one. In spite of numerous consulta- tiOns which Dr. Robertson held with med ical colleagues they werc unable to do the patient moro than temporary good.
 Married a Rich old Man.
 Mrs. Stevens was ono of the largo fam lily of Judgc Reed, n prominent jurist of Massachusetts. Sho was born in Lowell a little moro than 61 years ago. While sho was only n girl she-met Paran Ste vens. n wealthy hotel man of this city, to whom she was marriSd year lator. It was in Boston. however, whero Mrs Ste vcns first began her social lifc, in which sho later achieved such a success. Paran Stevens owned tho Tromont House in that city. and 1t was in this house that Mrs. Stevens began to entertain so lavishly.
 Mir. and Mrs. Stevens took up their resi- donce in this oity, and 1t was here that MT. Stovcns died 20 years ago, leaving an estate valued at almost $l ,O00. 900. In cluded in this estate was tho Victoria ho- tol. which failed a few days ago; n share in tho Fifth Avenue hotel, the residence and business house at 230 and 22S Fifth avenue and considerable hotel property in Boston. To this property Mrs. Stevens assisted by her manager. Mir. Rankin, gavc her undivided attention.
 Two children wore born to the couple They were Horny Stevens who died 19 years ago and Mary Fisk Stevens. who is the wife of Sir Arthur Henry Paget of London. The Pagets live at 36 Belgrade square, London, and have three childron These children, with Lady Paget will be tho direct heirs of Mrs. Stevens. For a number of years preceding her death Mrs Stevens SpCnt q portion of each year with her daughter in London, and shc usually summCrtd at Newport. wherc she first met | the late Ward SIcAlliStcr, with whom she was on such friendly terms until the time | of his death.
 During all her long life Mrs. Stevens possessed a peculiarly striking individual ity, frequently taking personal matters | into her own hands and carrying out her wishes. At one time she hursewhipped ono of her tenants in a Broadway store | for his failure to pay rent promptly and l was afterward escorted to her home hy In | spcctor Williams, who was at that time a police captain.
 A Successful Matchmaker. l Many of tho marriages of America | | girls to titled foreigners were brought | about by Mrs. Stevens, and she was A SO l cial sponsor to hundreds of people now
 high up on the social ladder. She was
 fond of taking young girl in hand and | bringing her into the best set. and she did | this for many poor young woman ai | well aS nouvcaux riches to whom she tooE l fancy. She was the fairy godmother oi
 the Goulds and did much to bring about | the Castcllane Gould wedding
 Mrs. Stevens house at Newport, Mari
 etta Villa. is on William street, neal
 Bellevue avenue. tho grounds adjoining
 those of Mir James Gordon Bennett. Fol
 years Mrs. Stevens wished to buy tht | piece of ground on the corner which facet
 on Bellevue avenue. but Mir. Bennett'i
 price. she declared, was fancy" and sh'
 finllly built her cottage further down thu
 lane.
 In Newport Mrs. Stevens kept up hel
 Sunday evenings" gave numbers of din
 ners and entertained and went out grea
 deal She usually had a number of peo
 pie staying with her. Last summer Princt
 Luhecki, the Winslows, Mrs. Adolf Laden
 burg and Mir. and Mrs. Reginald de Rover
 all visited her