The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-05-28

Gus ole He was a native of Lam
caster, in this county, and apprenticed
in the mercantile line, early developed
capacity which led to his rapid ad-
vancement.
In 1902 he became the purchasing
agent in France for William Gray, the
oid-time merchant prince of Boston
anu Salem, and afterwards in the same
relation with other parties for many
years amassed great wealth. In 1914
he purchased a large estate in Bolton,
near Lancaster, which he improved
and beautified, erecting fine mansion
thereon.
Here, for many years after his final
return to this country, in 1923, he dis
pcnsed a generous and elegant hos
pitality. Lafayette, whom he had
known in France, was his guest here in
1925, and many other distinguished
persons visited him from time to time.
4 nsn OF large intelligence and
strong religious principle, Mr.. Wilder
conferred many benefits on his adopted
town, Introduced improved methods in
agriculture, and built church, long
known a; the Hillside" near his
home giving it a valuable communion
service.
1t is interesting to note with refer
enee to the recent passage by the legis-
lature of the broad tire act that Mr..
Wilder more than seventy years ago
introduced and advocated the use of
broad tires in Bolton, taking the idea
from Napoleon, whose fertile brain
first conceived it with the purpose to
improve the roads in France.
In Paris Mr.. Wilder was instructed
in French by Latour Maubrev. who
afterwards became the emperors pri
vate secretary, and a friendship was
maintained with his tutor after Re en-
tered the imperial household. The
American in consequence enjoyed rare
opportunities for observation os the
inner workings of the court, and was
on familiar terms with Napoleon.
He was the representative ef the
United States in the absence of the
American minister, at the marriage Of
the emperor with Marie Louise After
the climax at Waterloo, Mr.. Wilder
formed a plan for the escape of Ma
poleon to the United States. his pur-
pose being to conceal him in a water
tank above the deck of one of the mer-
camille vessels in which he shipped his
goods to this country, which would
be allowed to pass by the blockadinS
squadron after inspection.
The tank was to be arranged with
divisions. the lower holding water
which would be slowly dripping
through a small leak, upon the dock
below. giving the impression that the
receptacle was full. The emperor was
tn he concealed in the upper division
until the vessel was out at sea.
NAPOLEON gave this plan his counter
ance al first. but finding that it would
oblipe him to abandon his faithful fol-
fowers he refused to leave them. and,
! soon after, surrendered himself to the
Rritish authorities. 1t was Wilder's
intention to bring his Industrious guest
/ 70 Potion. where he was to remain IN
| cognito for some time. Had this purpose
| boSn carried out. there is nothing i'm
probsbie in the thought that the con-
| 9ueror of Europe would have been seen
/ in the streets of Worcester.
i In later life business reverses over
/ 4,ai, AIR Wilder, and his fortune was
( lent away. but he was never reduced
/ - dfe+,,al want. 1t was in resisting
! - ~ he considered an unjust claim
49, he passed three months in Wor-
lotar iail from March to June. 1892.
/ ~ va finally released without taking
X eotb His last years were passed in
/ N-ev Jersey, where he died in 1864, at
I the age Of 81.
Il don't see Why you should ID. tax talk ABOUT
bsve never done anything. You have no
reason to be apprehensive
ives. / have. I am the man who is
sxpected to ask the questions and take
back talk. '-Nashingtoh slar.
..Pn.nvmede Club" is absolutely pure
t Ms,i7 under supervision Of Z. S. govern