New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-08
Dr.. Lyons
PERFECT
Tooth Powder
AN ELEGANT TOILET LUXURY.
Used by people of re6nemen:
for over a quarter of a century.
OLD DAYS AT THE ST. JAMES
PLEASANT INCIDENTS RECALLED OF
LIFE AT THE POPULAR HOTEL.


IT'S SUCCESS UNDER CAPTAIN cONNER's PRO-
PRrEToRsHIP-soME OF THE wELI.-KNowN
MEN WHO FREoUENTED IT'S CORRIDORS.
The passing of the st. James Hotel and the APP
preaching erection OF sixteen-sory office and
store building upon the site recall the interesting
and varied features Of the history OF one OF the
famous hoseres Of the city. While the ST.
James Is by means an old landmark inasmuch
IT was opened only far back 1883. 1t has
been identified with some OF the most pleasant
features of Ncw-York hotel life and 1t reminds
one at the same time of some Of the sad happen
ings in this crowded and pushing metropolitan
existence.
1t was there that Captain William NJ. Conner,
Familiarity known BILLY" Conner set out to
make a reputation as n hotel proprietor after he
had won fame and made some money as the man
aser OF John Mccullough. In fact. according 10
+. w. Milligan. the agent of the Spofford estate.
Captain Conner still managing the actor
when the two with Daniel Sprague. proprietor
Of tho Gait House. in Louisville took the lease
OF the hotel in 1883. Captain Conner soon bought
out Mr. Sprague. who then took the Oriental
Hotel. and not long afterward he bought out Mr..
McCulloughs interest. 1t will be recalled az one
OF the sad incidents associated with Mr. Corners
tenancy Of the St. James that it he who
called upon TO take Mr. Mccullough to the Bloom
was staying at the Surteyant House.
Captain Conner made considerable money out
Of the st. James Hotel. One Of lis friends says
that after the first year two he made not less
than $1,000 a year. and that year his profits
were $4,000 And yet this money went here and
there. that when Mr.. Conner died. In 1884, he
died broke" this friend expressed II.
1t was during the years Of Captain Corners
propretorship that the ST James was at the zenith
Of its prosperity. Its patrons only we'll
known cubmen and sporting of this city but
public men and others well known in various
States Of the country made the ST. James their
headquarters. Wealthy Southerners Of the best
type. who found the old New-York Hotel too far
downtown or not sufficiently modern to suit their
tastes, made the st. James their stopping place.
From Louisiana used to Albert Baldwin, n
National bank president OF Ncw-Oreans: John A.
Morris, of racing reputation: Sheriff TON" Duffy
and Colonel Patrick Duffy his brother. The the
atrical world was well represented. Captain Con-
ners career as theatrical manager accounted
for this In large measure Lolita made the ST.
James her New York home for many years John
Mccullough put up. there with his old friend until
the last year of his theatrical life. Mary Ander-
son made the hotel her NewYork resting place in
the earlier Part of her career. And here at times
were to be found Maggie Mitchell William J.
Florence. Stuart Robson and William H. Crane
Among the fporting fraternity to be found at the
St James were Jack" Dempsey. William Muldoon
3OHH 'ndIltS Kte1 ana most or kindred
spirits. Thet there Ncw-York clubmen and
lovers OF spout OF high degree Among these were
Lawrence Jerome. J. @. *. Lawrence. tom" l..
Johnson. now of New-York as we'll as OF Cleveland.
Wright Sanford and still others of their royal kind
from the leading cities Of the West The assertion
mas been made That 1t was during this heyday
season OF me SO James that the choice spirits who
there assembled IN famous private dining-room, off
the office. first broached the idea Of the great Ma
tional Horse Show Association.
rIahcss, Theodore Walton. famous as The
Plunger, was the predecessor of Captain Conner at
for new hotel Speaking of the history Of the st
James and the good old times. Mr. Walton said to
and f. C. Purcell, VINO had The Metropolitan Hotel
at that time. Mr.. Bresin having the Gisey besides.
Hotel They bought out the interest Of Senator
Jones. of Nevada, who had put up the money for
Jonesnnot a relatiyc-then head clerk of the Ion
dead. Senator Jones put his brother-n-aw in as
manager for snort time Before J9nes and Norton
and partner with German name; l forget what 1t
During the years 1877 to 1883 the ST. James Hotel
became famous The Democratic State Committee
Manning, Governor Robinson Daniel s. Lamont.
General Faulkner and other prominent Democrats
~ nominated in that house in NO How was that?
Well. the prominent Democrats who controlled mat
Sr held tg her Peer o S ,ned To p n a h
St James And 50 did Henry s. Grady. Editor Of
chester A. Ahar and judge Fossr were AMONG
the regular guest Ana nd there We're the ssnords
man. and william, who Is now dead. Those
great days for the st. James"
Mr. Walton spoke Of the hotel itself being
Of the most substantially built structures OF s kind
In the city He said on this point: Joseph Park.
who used 10 stop at the hotel. knew the builder.
man named Ross and he told that four stories
more could he put the building. solidy was IL
constructed" As to his giving up the hotel in 1883.
he said: Conner and spragqe. who succeeded, me-
got their lease by paying double what had paid"
Mr. Nigan speaking of the history of the hotel
the other day said The 81. James opened in
1893 and was erected by Paul Spoforl. 1t has been
owned by the Spoffor1 estate ever since Mr. Spot
ford's death IN 1863 Captain Conner died In Novem-
her 1891 when G,iStave Dorval took the house on a
five years lease The Dorval Company subse-
quently organized