New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-24


statesmen. soldiers and scholars. The proprietor
in his time OF great gambling houses, he was never
tainted with the impurities OF that calling in the
estimation of his acquantances: the of great
horses and important stables. he was never
'horsey' the proprietor of hotels. he was looked
upon the gentleman entertaining MS
friends than a public host providing for the needs
Of a transient public He was the prince OF good
fellows and the acknowledged autocrat of good liv-
ing. II at his dinners given with gener-
Gus frequency TO his friends. that he showed his
mastery in the art OF entertainment The company
was always chosen with rare a discrimination as
the viands and the wines. and wit and wisdom held
brilliant sway until lights turned and the last
cigar was smoked. At those dinners Of Chamber
Inns to be found the best and brightest in
statecraft. the arts. the stage. journalism and the
countrys service. a list Of those who have sat
around his board would comprise names known in
every household and If the roll was called each
would answer with hearty tribute to their old
friend
Mr. Chamberlln born In Massachusetts. at
Pittsfeld. in 1896, and removed to New-York City
when in his teens He remained there a year or
two. meeting Ben Harper mean time, who
was Interested I'm Mississippi River steamboating
and who took a fancy to the youth. The result was
that Chamberlln went to the South and secured the
saloon privileges of the floating palaces that
steamed from ST. Louis TO New-Orleans. Those
the days Of luxury in the South and high liv-
ing and royal carelessness. on the boats the
planters would meet. and cotton and tobacco would
change possessors in a single trip by way OF the
poker table. In such an atmosphere and among
such surroundings young Chamberlin matured, and
tired of the river he was enabled to up estab
lishment in st. Louis which became the resort ol
all those gay characters he had met on his voyages
He made a fortune in St. Louis. and, coming back
McGrath a clubhouse which Immediately became
the centre of the higher set Of sporting NE IN ne
lie EarO was nj q
measured by the desires of the players Every,
thing h@ or wo PIy grew Se richer and
richer. despite their ,prodigal expenditure From
being the most popular man in ST Louis. John
Chamberlln became the most popular man In New
York. and his generosity was soon a proyerD IN
race horses and he bought stable and soon after
ward built the Monmouth PARK raeetrheS Ne cb
house at Long Branch which has been operated LOT
His losses in his turf transactions demanded
closing out Of the New-York establishment. and
opened a clubhouse. This in the establishment
built and for long time occupied by the Washing
by the Young Mems Christian Association and re-
Gently destroyed by fire lie moved thence TO tnS
by General Myer and afterward TO Fifteenth and
s' YhSTf doa6 tSeTe IS another hotel
proprietor in this country that IS personally ac-
quanted with so many persons who have become as
Chamberlln was. All classes Of men from PRESIDENTS
down to Jockeys were acquainted with Mr.. Chamoer-
lin. Poets soldiers statesmen dipomatists actors;
artists professional men. artisans and laborers liked
him. he was liberal 10 fault ana never hesitated
TO aid others when they were in need Of assistance
without regard to his own wants As stated a2o y
II John Chamberln that the turf Is indebted tor
Monmouth Park and the many years OF successful
David D. Withers. Chambern did much toward at
tracing attention 10 Long Brancn as summer re-
Saratoga or any other summer resort Of great masses
of people in this country. When he arranged the
Harry Bassett at Monmouth Park he started a boom
in thoroughbred racing which save 1t an impetus tnat
a turfman was known from the Atlantic TO the Pacinc,
for /, was John Chambern who sent his famous racer
the Pacific Slope IN four-mle contests. True Blue
broke down and failed 70 win, 5ur Cham6eriIn W Tg
couraged and returned to the East confident that
fortune would again smile upon nm ana tndt pc
horse Tom Ochitree and won many races win him
He was awags devoted TO the Tt ana a 6 o DO sp
aged by John Chamberlin and it was the favorite
resort OF politicians of the better class. In at
tempting TO make his Long Brancn CLUB and Mon
Saratoga club and the Saratoga racetrack Chamber
In Incurred the enmy OF powerful s}Yndicate OF
John Morrssey. the celebrated pugllist; George
Wilkes well known Journalist and Marcus cieer@
noficians in the DAYS of Tweed and Ring rule in
9 Gy and aver eorge WFes The later attacked
Chamberlin through the columns OF weekly paper
b s' thTogghout the city Mr Chamberlis
turned the attack so vigorously and with so much
came out OF the battle with flying colors.
Some Of the dinners served at Chamoerns IN
Washington have become standards for leading hotel
men all over America, when they serve dinners 10
large parties OF prominent guests. II was Mr.. Cham
bern's ambition to build a hotel that would excel
any seashore hotel In the world BY the efforts OF his
friends in Congress he secured act permitting him
to build a hotel upon the Government reservation at
Fortress Monroe When he had obtained the right
10 build ne raised $4,000 by subscription among
his friends. Every dollar of that amount in
vested and to-day the Hotel Chamberlin at Fortress
Monroe is widely known. Mr. Chamberln was ailing
for a long time before his death, and was subject 10
severe attacks Of govt. but hs intense desire 10
the completion Of the Chamberlin at Fortress Mon
roe and TO have It successfully opened kept him up
His nerves were strained 70 the utmost tension The
Chamber.in opened las; spring. The reaction
caused its protector collapse and his strength failed
rapidly that his last visit 10 this city In June
his intimate friends failed 70 recognize him. His
dea tn was caused by Brights disease and comp-
cation Of other ailments
Mr. Chamberin married Emily Thorn. the actress
rban che ras ar Tho heigh, ~ har or,Isc -I,,ra.h
and their domestic life has been an ideal one. Two
daughters survive him