Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1896-11-14
SOME NOTABLE GUESTS.
Probably No Other Building
In the Country Has Enter .
tanned So Many Dis
tinguished Per-
sonages.
Especial Correspondence

i
not only in the heart Of the city-it Is in /
a sense the heart of the city because of it's
close aud intimate connection with every
phase OF metropolitan life. No other spot |
In New York is quite so famous, because |
hero, from time to time during the past 81
years, have been gathered the most distin- |
guished men and women not only of this
country, but OF the world Where the great
men gather, the humber and lowlier, each
of some Importance in his own sphere, is
likely to meet, too, and It is this attrac-
ton which has made the Fifth Avenue ho-
tel the most famous hotel on the continent.
1t is n striking fact that during all these
years the management of the hotel has
been the same. The group of men who are
responsible FOR the conduct of an institu-
ton which can accommodate 1000 guests
and occupies more space than any other
metropolitan hotel have been for almost
four decades engaged in the profitable en-
ployment of entertaining all the celebrities
of the United States and great many of
the worlds notables The names they
have seen inscribed on the register would
make n catalogue of eminent men not to
be equaled by any other establishments in
the country.
1t was in 1850 that the hotel began its
brilliant career as the home of eminent
men and women. year later the Prince
i
temporary home with his suit at the Fifth
avenue Then General Scott, the COM
1nander in chief of the United States army,
took up his residence there. About the
same time, in 1860, the brilliant wedding
reception of General and Mrs Mcclellan
was held in the hotel
| Since that time the corridors have echoed
with the tread of the most famous men in
| the land. Under its roof all the presidents
of the United States since Lincoln's time
have slept aud lived. The grand reception
and dinner to General Grant at the close
of the war wero given here Here General
| Grant lived for many years, and a con-
slant visitor now IS the generals widow,
and also his daughter, Mrs. SartoriS, and
his son, Colonel Fred ID. Grant Hero
Hayes and Garfield invariably staid when
they camo TO New York. President Ar
thur was always a welcome guest, and it
was here that he received the Korean en-
bassy.
Within its walls President Cleveland
and the members of his cabinet have gath
cred, and within a few weeks one OF its
distinguished guests has been cx-P President
Harrison, who makes this place his New
York home. The figure of James G. Blaine
was one OF the most notable that ever
strolled through its corridors, and he loved
to stop at the Fifth Avenue hotel 20 greet
his hosts of friends and TO be greeted by
them. His rival, Roscoe Conlkling, was
FOR long time resident here.
At one time, on the occasion of the cele-
bration OF the one hundredth anniversary
of the supreme court of the United States,
Il might have been possible 90 hold a ses-
sior ~ thataugust body, with all Its mem
bers present. G0d only within few weeks
Chief Justice Fuller Eas-friid another Of
his many visits to this resting place.
General Sherman lived in the hotel for
several years until he bought his homo up
town, and General sheridan was a fire.
Quent guest.
Here Dom Pedro, emperor of Brazil,
! once held court, and here "Plon Plon, -
! heir apparent TO the crown of France, dis
cussed his chances and prospects, as later
did Prince Victor Napoleon. II England't
heir apparent found the Fifth avenue suit
. ed TO his demands, SO, too, did the pictur.
esque crown prince of Siam and that lit
= tie group of royal sons of Slams king who
invaded New York in 1887.
Eminent men and women Of tine stage
have sought rest and quiet in the hotel aft
er the nights work was done.
s Here Joe Jefferson, having thrown aside
a the tatters of Rip Van Wrinkle, used x
D meet Mulberry Sellers, transformed int
the jovial and genial Raymond. Bootl
lived many months here, and he and Bar
rett were accustomed to meet with some O
their friends for quiet chat after TIT
theater.
But the Fifth Avenue is famous To-
events as well as for persons. Here wa
given tho famous breakfast TO Starr King
Past its doors marched the gallant Seventh
regiment on its way TO the war, cheeled 3,
10 thousands of loyal men and women VIII
were gathered before the hotel or collecte,
in its rooms. 1t was in Estate of siege
a during the riots of 1863 1t was In one O
its rooms that the Arcadian club gave 1t
as brilliant reception to Charlotte Cushmal
to mark her retirement from the stage
During the centennial of 1876 the hote
was overlooking with important guest
from all parts of the world. Around 1t
hospitable tables the opening of the Brook
Ign bridge was celebrated In betting man
* ner. Here the French and German dele
II cations to the Yorktown celebration fra
U ternized at the centennial banquet, an
during the Washington centennial Of ISS
y the register of the hotel was practically
i' catalogue of the prominent citizens VIII
> had come from all the states OF the Unto
81 20 celebrate that glorious anniversary. 81
u, too, with the funerals of Grant, Arthu
lc and Sherman and the laying of the corner
at stone of the Grant monument-on all thes
ne historic occasions the distinguished pal
III Elephants, from presidents and cabinet men
At bers down, naturally concentrated at IL
at Fifth Avenue.
ma Perhaps the strongest claim which tn
e caravansary has TO distinction and prom
nence grows out Of it's intimate connectio
no with the leading politicians and statesme
n and men Of affairs and the Important D
~ lltical movements of the past three de
-" AIDES If the walls Of its rooms cou
- speak, the stories they would reveal of p
@ litical endeavor, of intrigue, ambition al
"a ideals, - the tales they could narrate
nS disappointed hopes, of baffied plans, of so
ia, cessful coups, and of strategic strok
Gu would make a volume far more interestir
GU IN it's political and personal history thu
ID any that has yet been written.
IL In one Of these rooms, at the first Pc
III body dinner, In 1867, the movement (
by the nomination of Grant received its fl
aiu impetus. 1t was in another room that t
candidacy Of James 6. Blaine received
sre deathblow in the famous ALTERATION
oW "Rum, Romanism and Rebellion"
IN In this hotel have met the men vi
Ie0 make and unmake presidents and COVER
ors and who decide political questions
mo the highest Importance. For years It
been the rendezvous of politicians from
OF parts of the country, north. south, 90
TINS and west, and the most significant featu
of this phase of the Fifth Avenues attrs
rs tiveness is the fact that it is eagerly soug
by the men Of all parties-names Of pro-
ose inenoe too numerous to mention-Den
tie Gratis and Populists as we'll as Republica
1n- and Prohbitionists helping to make
the throng.
asU This year is no exception TO the reco
which previous years have made. Poll
CLANS flock there as eagerly now as In I
J. days gone by. Enjoying its hospitality d.
ing the campaign were the various me
bers of the executive committee of the ]
publican national committee who are cC
,or, nected with the New York headquarters
ur- General W. NJ Osborne, the committee's s
a rotary; Senator Quay, Joseph H. Mani,
it General Powell Clayton. and n, b. SEQ
Ter. In its corridors and rooms these gentlem
nv. meet daily with scores Of prominent pc