Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1897-01-05
ABOUT WILLIAM WALDORF hSTOR
Some of His Numerous Objects in be-
coming, a Briton,

coming Briton.
The report that William Waldorf Astor
has quit-Ulaimed his allegiance to Uncle
Sam for the livery of Queen Victory is no
surprise to Americans, says the Chicago
Tribune After taking up his permanent
residence in England, breaking with his
American relatives, and deciding to sell his
vast realty holding in New York, his hob
nobbing with royalty and aspiring, by ru-
NOR to marry into the regning house-not
to recall his declaration that America Is not
fit for gentleman to live in-have rendered
his formal act of becoming a naturalized
subject OF the queen seem, If anything, a
trife delayed.
Mr.. Astor's life hes been of interest to
the people of two continents not so much
for the accident of his wealth as for The &c
centric uses to which he has devoted it in
furthering social emotions. Whatever may
be the verdict upon him by his eX-country-
men, none can say William Waldorf Aston
has not been fascinatingly original
William Waldorf Astor is As years old
His present position in English society is
that Of a widower, eligible beyond the dreams
OF impoverished mobiles, who has also two
daughters almost at the threshold of society,
and son who may through the ancient
sagacity of the Heidelberg fur peddler, marry
to any social position.
1t Is but two years since MIR. Astor's wife
died at Clivede -the-Thames, the family s
magnificent residence she was Miss Mary
Paul of Philadelphia and was the niece
Of Admiral Dahlgren. The marriage took
place on June 6, 1873 being a simple home
wedding This branch of the Aston house
did not figure as conspicuously in society for
years as some of the cousins and nephews
In 1888 Mrs. William Waldorf bstor really
began her social prominence. She led off
with participation in the series of exclusive
dinners given by Egerton Winthrop, Mrs
Coleman Drayton and Mrs. Frederick Bron-
son. out of this alliance. with Mrs. Astor
recognized as the guiding mind. came the
segregation of the extremely wealthy set
of New York from the ordinary arlstocrats
which finally established hard boundaries.
Then there came the rivalry between Mrs
William Waldorf Aston and Mrs. William
Aston to succeed to the title Of plain Mrs.
Aston" at the passing of Mrs. John Jacob
Aston The latter was the mother of VIII
liam Waldorf, and William Aston is his
uncle.
Mrs. William Astor wanted the distinc-
tion of being Mrs. Astor," because she
had been the most conspicuous society wo-
man in the family. William Waldorf wanted
the distinction to fall to his own
wife. A letter directed to Mrs. Aston"
without other Identification was sent to
Newport, and both women claimed it. The
postofice refused to arbitratc. 1t could not
be settled between the families and an
irreparable break occurred.
How far the reputation of each branch
OF the house by the other went was shown
at the death of Mrs. William Waldorf Aston
two years ago. The families had not eX-
changed civilities since the Newport letter
incident When the widower brought his
wife's body to New York for burial the
William Astor branch showed its entire con
tempt of kinship and propriety by holding
aloof recognition and sympathy and plunging
straightway into lavish social dcmonstra-
tions.
Mr.. Aston returned TO England as soon as
his mission was over and has not been to
America since.
In America Mr.. Astoys career was not
confined wholly to the realms of finance and
moneyed aristocracy. He has a record also
in diplomacy and literature. lie was minis
ter to Italy from 1882 to 1885. While IN mat
land he wrote his novel, Valentine" and
planned "Sforza," which WAS published later
Upon removing 10 London In 1892 William
Waldorf Aston took up his residence ln Lans-
downe house. formerly rented by Lord Rose
berry, He also rented another elaborate nome
at No. IS Carlton House terrace. Then no
purchased the magnificent CllVeden on the
upper Thames, where royalty has teted.
Mrs. AstOr began her new career conserya-
lively, but there was no doubt at any time
the Aston ambition was lusty, and at length
Mrs Aston, who at least could wear that
cognomen without dispute In England, was
presented to the diplomatic circles In the
queens drawing room. rare mark OF favor
to bestOw upon one untitled,
Mr. Astor found favor In the eyes OF the
prince OF Wales. Gossip Is severe enough
to say that the ancient fur peddler was at
the bottom OF II. Their close acquaintance
came In the wake OF the death OF Baron
Hrsch. who had advanced the prince vast
loans, which were recalled suddenly by ad-