The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-02-17
NEW YORK'S LEADING HOTEL.
Chats In the Lobby OF the Windsor
America's Greatest Men Among the
Permanent Guests and Frequest Wis.,
itors--Handsomest and Largest Dim
Ing Room In America.


Permanent Guests and Frequert Wis.,
| Ing Room In America.
New York, Feb. i7.-Since Warren H. Lee
| land became proprietor Of the Windsor Hotel.
Fifth avenue, i6 and AZ strests, he had done 80
much to improve and beautify IL that those
who were familiar with ID in former days
would scarce recognize 10 now. The instant
one crosses tho threshold an air of Hospitality
and good cheer greets him. The artistically
arranged electric lights. the heavy sofs rugs
| upon tho tiled floor. and the comfortable
| lounging chairs richly upholstered, are very
inviting. And for every one who comes Mr..
| Leland always has welcoming smile, or
pleasant word OF greeting So it is not sur.
prising that the lobby OF the Windsor Is fire.
| quentei by men OF note and influence. who
| tarry there 10 talk over topics OF the day. or
recall "reminiscences OF the past.
Ex-Governor Roswell p. Flower Mr.. Schepp.
ths wealthy cocoa manufacturer, and several
well known bankers, formed an interesting
group few evenings since. Later they were
Joined by George M. Pullman. Once, when
Mr.. Pullman was asked how IL feels 10 be n
millionaire, he replied ~ have never
thought Of that, but believe am no better
of-certainly no happier-than J was when /
didn't have dollar to my name and had TO
work from daylight until dark. relished
three meals day then good deal more that
do now. had fewer cares. | slept better.
and may add generally. that believe was
far happier in those days that have been
many times since. And yet il is comfort
able feeling to be provided for"
Colonel George W. Brady il sometimes seen
chatting with friend OF two. The colonel is
an interesting talker, and many soul-stir
ring tale Of warfare he tell, for he was
'at the front" during the rebellion. suffering
all the vicissitudes of war, even the horrors of
Libby Prison. where numbers Of his fellow
prisoners less hardy, than he. answered the
last roll call. For the past twelve or thirteen
years Colonel Brady has been general superin.
tendent Of the Norwich line OF steamers, a po-
siiion he has filled creditably for himself and
prohtably for the company. He is thoroughly
systematic, energetic, liberal and courteous
and with his employees, from the highest to the
lowest. is as great favorite as with the gen.
eral public.
Hon. Lyman j. Gage. president Of the First
National Bank Of Chicago, who has been ap-
pointed secretary of the treasury in Presi.
dent-elect McKinley's cabinet, is a warm
friend of Proprietor Warren Leland. and
when he comes to New York, wants no better
stopping place than the Windsor Hotel
Henry b. Plant, n millionaire who controls
the Plant system of Southern steamships,
railroads and hotels, visits the Windsor when
he is in town. He has not enjoyed good
health during the past year. yet he gives
much attention to his numerous enterprises
A permanent guest is Brigadier General c.
M Sorrel. manager OF the Ocean Steamship
Company, another hero of the late rebellion,
who has felt the sting Of bullet, and bears
the title of general as a reward of bravery ON
the field. He was in many engagements in
the Virginia campaign, leading his command
until wounded in a. General Sorrel can
talk about war and describe battles but evil
IDENTIFY prefers the peace and luxury of the
Windsor Hotel while quietly smoking cigar
in the lobby.
Speaking Of permanent guests there are a
few who, beyond doubt, can strictly be called
such. First on the list is Mr.. W. H. Chapman.
dapper little gentleman, whoss name has
been OH the register Of the Windsor for %
years. He is wealthy, sood-lookiRg, ex-
tremely neat and natty in his attire, and q
bachelor.
Mr.. Silas Bowling, we'll known wooden
merchant, has been permanent for about 20
years. He is short and stout, and his shapely,
silky white moustache is decidedly becoming,
as the ladies say. jolly Mr.. Dowling Is an
agreeable companion, and an hour or two in
his society is always enjoyable.
Two more permanents are Mr.. James X.
Hill, retired lawyer. and Mr.. W. Chat
worthy. The former has been guest here
for Is years and the latter for seven years.
There are others who cannot date back SO
far. who make their home here. and can be
seen in the lobby enjoying an after dinner
smoke chat with others, who drop in of an
evening.
Prominent among those seen In the lobby OF
he.wlndsor frequently are Chauncey M. De-
pew, Ex-Governor ID. Russell Brown OF Provi.
dence: Vice Presidcnt-elect Hobart, Colonel
Frank N. Barksdale Of the PennsylvanIa rail
road, Ex-Governor Levi p Morton, President
s. II. II. Clark of the Union Pacific railroad,
Colonel John Jacob Astor, O. p. Huntington,
Abner Mckinley brother of President elect
Mckinley, Commissioner John Brady Of wor-
cester, Mass, Governor Grisgs Of New Jer-
sey, Vice President T. H. Wick OF the Pull
man Palace Car Company. Judge Kelly of
Omaha, General Caldwell Of the Lake Shore
and Michigan Southern railroad, j. W. Doan
Oh incaRo, ID. ftehm or ChlcagO,
Charles f. Lambert of the Vest Shore rail.
road, United States Senator Fairbanks of In.
diana, President Henry Fink of the Norfolk
and Western railroad and President z. E.
lie nsrd of the Peoria, Decatur a. Illinois
railroad, and Judge W. ID. Cornish OF Omaha
The grand dining room OF the Windsor Hotel
is the handsomest and largest in America,
the new decorations alone having cost upward
of 5000. Richard Chamberlain, the head
waiter, is handsome looking gentleman,
brimful OF intelligence and courtesy, who
has held this position for 22 years. His assist
ant John Hanrahan, has been with him about
Ia years and quite n number OF walters
throughout the great room have been serving
under Chief Chamberlain from eight 20
eighteen years. NEW YORKER.
Endeav0rers Entertainment.