The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-12
E1-MINIsTER ROBERTS DEAD.
Once Rich and widely Known. He Died Poor
and Almost FrIendless.

and Almost Friendless.
Estranged from his wife and family. forgotten
by his friends, and practically dead to the world
for eight years, William Randall Roberts, for
mer United States Minister to Chilli. died in
Bellevue Hospital on Monday evening. He was
for years conspicuous in local and national poll
tics. OF late he had lived with his friends, Mr..
and Mrs. Christian NJ. Siebert. at JOG West
Seventy-sixth street. At Mr.. Roberts's own re.
quest, Mr.. S.cbert says, the publication Of his
death was withhold, and the following death no
tice In a morning paper yesterday was the only
public announcement made:
~ROBERTS.-On Monday evening, Aug. o, William n.
Roberts. aged 81 years.
Interment Thursday. Aug. 10. Q p. H.. Calvary
Cemetery.
Mr.. Siebcrt WAS Secretary of the American
Legation at Valparaiso when Mr.. Roberts was
the Gillian Minister, and he and Mrs. Siebert
cared for him almost up to the hour of his death.
Mr.. Siebert told the story of Mr.. Roberts's later
years last night.
Mr.. Roberts was appointed Minister to Chill
by Grover Cleveland at the beginning OF his
first term as President. 1t is said that ex- Mayor
Grace influenced the appointment. He went to
Chill with Mr.. and Mrs. Siebert and took I'D his
residence in Valparaiso. On May 10,
1888, he had n paralytic stroke and,
although no partially recovered. he was
an invalid afterward. He remained In
Valparaiso as United States Minister
until September. 1889, when Patrick Egan was
appointed to succeed him. Mr.. Roberts then re.
turned TO this city with Mr.. and Mrs. Siebert.
Ihe Sleberts occupied the house AT. 100 West
Seyenty.sixth street, which had just been built.
and Mr.. Roberts was placed in a room
years he occupied the room he never left 1t. and
the only glimpse Of the outer world he got was
when Mr.. or Mrs. Siebert would assist him to a
GRnl "a ma window IIn gna tnrI L. n
J. M, Butler of AZ East Thirtieth street,
pa raj aSos1 and SG beea%e y% seSSc&i a s'rGte sae e
sank so rapidly that Dr., Butler as the
removed aSdp' to BELLEVUE fHospitaii." there hsa h1 he
human aid, Mr.; siehert snys that Mr.. Roberts
requested that the funeral BIO as private as pos
sible, and asked that he and his wife be tho only
mourners. My friends have forgotten me in
life, and surely they will not care for mo when I
Mr.. Roberts leaves a widow and a son, who
live in Long Island City. He separated from
his wife before no went to Chill and neither she
Roberts. is a real estate dealer, with an office
near the Long Island Railroad station in Long
Island City: He and his mother were not motif
asked to To- attend The funeral which viii tsssa
William Randall Roberts was, born in county
GGGk; Ireland s,ni FEB fs q lSy 49, b he G rsGsiv 10 t sS
clerk in the store OF A. T., Stewart. He saved
money and started IN the dry goods business at
252 Bowery. when that street was the great re-
tail dry goods centre. His store was known as
the Crystal Palace and the name became a
household word in this city; He retired from
After the civil war Roberts identified himself
with the Fenian movement In this country and