The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-08-25
JOIN CH4MBERLfH DEAD.
washington's Famous Bonifacc Expires
In Saratoga.

SARATOGA. N. Y. Aug. 23.--John +.
Chambcrlln, the Washington boniface.
died at the Grand Union Hotel at 1l:25
O'Clock tonight. He was in a semi
comatose condition for over thiriy-siN
hours previous TO his death. lie came
hero early in July In physically shat-
tered condition, and hoped TO be bele-
lted by The mineral waters and climate,
but gained little relief. Chanheriin re-
NAMED unconscious TO his DEAN. IT'S
daughter Olive was at his bedside when
he passed away. Tho remains VIII prob
ably be sent TO Washington to-morfow.
John i. Chamberlin was born at Pitts
field. Mass. in 1891. Ills parents were
moor. and his father was not able to
give his numerous children any siaft
In life. John from his boyhoo1 was not
inclined 10 be studiOus. ana ne aNoided
school as much "a possinie. lie was
still a boy when his family moved 10
Not until the close Of the civil war did
Chamberlln begin TO figure 20 any extent
In the East.
Race horses were Chamhcrlin's hnan-
cial ruin After being beaten ana nav
ing lost so much OF MS money. Cham
berlin gave up his stables and devoted
himclf almost entirely 10 the restani any
and hotel business. In New York FOR
sono years he conducted the famous
-
Cbamberlin married about twenty three
years ago Mrs. Emily Jordan. then
well known actress. Her maiden name
was Emily Thorn. and she was slsle.
OF Charles Thorn. the actor; VINO t ahren
high I'm his profession. TWO cnlidIth
were born 10 Chamberlin. both girls. me
elder is a Student. and ncr father ai"ay1
took great pride In purchasing LOT hei
the rarest and best OF books. her u
brary IS one OF the most extensive pr
waite collections in New YORK. where the
family have lived for the last seven or
eight years.
Although not studious man. John
Clssrnboriin had been mn enthusas lc
collector OF books and autographs. ahd
his Washington establishment was stored
with Curiosities.
the right TO erect a hotel on 1oEerhT"hl
ground at For ress Monroe, va, Nd@
passed during the closing hours OF the
Forty -ninth Congress, and was signed
by President Cleveland only about ilfce
hours before that body expired by con
stitufiOnal limitation. Congressman liaich.
of Missouri was IN the chair, and put IT,
through with a rush despite the Oppo,i-
ton OF a number Of delegates. II was
then stated that the bill was clear slii
10 Chamherlln of several hundre thou
sand dollars and he received an oner OF
large sums from various hoid lnei LOT
the charter.
There have been few kinder or more
indulgent men than John Chamberiin. ana
his Hberalty was not confined To ms
wife and daughters. lfe helped I'su-
larIy his aged father and maiden sisters,
who lived in st. louis Ills iather
died last year at the age Of eighty eight
years. in st. Louis.
Mr. Chamberln was as popular IN
Washington as elsewhere. and his hotel
there has been famous as the favorite re
sort of public men. Mir. Chamherlin
personal acquaintance with pupnc men
was extensive. He was warm htditcui
generous, kindly, and consideratr, ana
vas rarely 81 ever heard 10 speak iH OF
any man. IL was Mr. Chamberhns am
nual custom TO gather distinguished pun
lie men OF all parties ana private cltl-
Gems OF all professions abowi ms clTcu-
lar board and AT most dinners repre-
sentatives Of the Cabinet, the judiciary.
and Congress. and society generally din
ed and wned. and let flow the fountains
of wit and wisdom.
Mr. Chamberlin $ acquaintance with the
nublic men OF the country and the capital
vs. not forced nor superficial They knew
him well and admired him Tor ms worm.
Not one OF them but would DO him any
favor in his power and his note OF nitro
dustiOn was of more value 10 a '"ii'f
upon member Of the Cabinet than ne
of doreenent of his nOngressmau. Mr..
Chamherlln seldom had favors 10 ask
for himself. although not day passed
without his granting many. Ills heart
u
service Of his friends. Ii was solei'
through his wide persons Acquaintance
and friendship with public men that Con
gross was prevailed upon 20 pass the bill
giving the Chamberlin Hotel Company
the right TO erect upon the Government
reserve at Fortress Monroe the hotel
bearin> his name. that was recently
ovcn.d Many OF he public men. WHO
found the doors of "Chdmherlin's' always
omen TO them. poorly repaid the ho-pi-
talitv. An examination OF Mr.Chamherlin's
books il indeed he kept any. viii pronahly
show a remarkable list of delinquent debit
ors. II Is understood that well huowt.
ex-senator owed Chambeihn board 'll
or several thousand dollars. ana one mtH'
who is now q senator and courpcUoua
ia ne fr-e-s!ivcr NOV cment, to-aeY owes
Chanberlin 80 much that long ago D.,
was necessary 70 refuse him credit oil
any sort. 1..,
Mr.. Cbamberlin had made aercat Geal
of money in Washington during i.a LAST
df.aon years. as he had made it else,
whore. but WIS q poor steward, dnd
would have died without means. IL Us
fhnuxls.. but for the fact that a. rev years
uco 10 secured "A proprietary interest ih
- new brand Of whisky that lIoFci 10 ne
Of great commercial value.