The evening times., 1897-11-24

Philadelphia, Nov. 24.-The announce
ment Is made that Peter A. b. widener
tine millionaire president Of the Traction
Company, will entertain "A number cf
prominent citizenstonight and ma ka known
TO them his inteation of presenting 10 this
CITY his balat:ai Residence at the northwest
ccrEer of Broad and Girard avenue. for
use III establishing u branch OF the fr 90
library.
Mr.. widcncr will add, it is believed. a
'ihrary well-stucked storehouse of in
formation.
For some tine Mr.. Widener has been
contemplating this generous action. At
Il recent Cinner given at the Art Club
for ihe furfher9n.e Of a proposed cotn-
Ine-cial exhibition to be held here, he
guaranteed the enterprise against loss
AT tie same time he took occasion to
advocate the esta blishment of an art II IT,
scum i'll Fairnuunt Park.
For the past ten years Mr. Widener has
been one of the most extensive buyers Of
Paintings in this country. His outlay in
this directiun is estimated at $3.50, BOO
AT the George l. Seney art sale in New
York he ncfchased Ss7.75 worth of
pictures for MS house,
His collection contains masterpieces rf
Sir Joshua Reynolds and many other end
nent English and European artists, AMI
he has promised l, to thr city providing m
appropria tfor Is made for II building to
accommodate IL.
This has been provided for in the recent
loan ILL, which was passed by Popular
vote.
Mr- Widrner has also promised ;fat the
collections from his partner. w. l.. Elkins,
and John ". Johnson shall he aided. max
ing an aggreeat. value 20 be presented TO
the city or mes arly 81 500 ,0OU.
Mr.. Widen"r said; II nav. ~ part icuIars
t" give ouf at pif sent. Tonight intend
stating mysntent.oas to a party OF gentle
men who'll l have invited to dine with me-
An intimste frienl OF Mr.. w.dener, who
Will he present ut the dinner, said that
Mr.. Wi'lener's plan topresent his residence
to tie city did not indicate his departure.
He is so closely identified with TINS city,"
said tile fIiend, land is SUCH u typical
ThiladelDhtan that he would not he con
tented to i've anywhere else.'
The residence of Mr.. WMener is In
every way an imposing structure. No
limit WAS placed on expense after the
building wasE' started. and as result
it Is enc cf ths most pa ,atial and arts.
tic dwellings IN the city.
The tuilding proper is rifty-three feet
front hr IL feet deep, and is four stories
high. The material is brown stone through
a ha T1a
lard porch OF the second story rs called |
is set back ten feet, allowing the huidin;s
there to rorm two projecting wings. uniting !
in an nhroken surface above.
The idea of s,ateliness that pre,iom ina tcs |
III the exteriol is empha sized in the i'll
terior. an! finds its climax in grand |
banquet IAN. an apartment unlike any |
thing else in Philadelphia.
Mr.. Widcner was elected city tr;a s,rer |
in 1872. This is the only public office
he has ever held. although he has taken |
an active interest in politics and ha.;
always been Identified with the Repuhli /
can rarty. lie Wa talked Of for the Unite.l
States Senate.
At the last State convention he was /
much in evidence, and it is generally be
lieved that he will he a candidate fer
UeSt year. i ne announcement
uf his gift is expected to strengthen his
candilac y.
MIR. Eidener earned his first thousand
dollars as mutton butcher. When a
mere boy he went to work in a whcl.
sale butcherng establishment at a nom.
inal salary.
lie had even then a keen appreciation
Of the value of money, and the sa ring Jf
) cents gave hin: more pleasure than the
spending OF a dollar in amusement.
He Was horn here in ls33. His educa
Iion was obtained In the public schools.
IN 1896 Mfr. Widener built a superb
steam cruising acht, the Josephine. While
IN cruise in the vessel Off Bar Harbor
the same year Mrs. Widcner was found
dead in her stateroorn. the victim Of heart
disease.
After the death OF his wife Mr. W idener
began to dispose OF his holdings in 1nany
traction COMPANIES throughout the country
and retired from the active management
Of the Union Traction Company, of this
city, IN favor of his son, George ID.
Widener.
Patents Granted Loo al Invento :.
Patents Wee granted 20 Washington in
ventors yesterday as follows: Samuel
lloyd, Low nut cover for vehicles; Well
nrton StDtt SPECIALISTS chair