The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-02
AsTOR A GOOD Halter.
Did Not Forgive the Duke OF West
minister Even When the Latter DIru.

w. E.. Curtis, in Chicago Record.
/ hear a curious story of that self-ex-
patriated American, William Waldorf As
tor. He is the owner and nominal editor
of the Pail Mall Gazette, one OF the most
conspicuous if not influential evening pa
pers in Europe. especially patronized by
the nobility and aristocracy, and devoted
to their doings; but IL is said to be the only
periodical that did not contain an eulogistic
obituary of the late Duke of Westminster,
who died a week or ten days ago. The
gossip comes to Washington in a private
letter that the usual obituary was written
by a member of the staff, who commended
the noble lord as an example or all that
is good and great, and was in type-some
say actually in the forms-when telephone
orders were received at the editorial rooms
from Mr.. Astor that no notice whatever
was to be taken OF the death or the rich
est man in Europe, which those who know
declare is a case of punishment after
death.
Mr.. Astor purchased his country resi-
dence, 'Cliveden,' near Hampton, on the
Thames, from the Duke of Westminster,
with all its furniture and appurtenances,
including pictures, library, bric-a-brac and
the thousand and one things that contrib
uted to the attractiveness Of one OF the
most beautiful and famous estates in Eng
land; but the duke carried away with him
the visitors book-an autograph album In
which were inscribed by their own hands
the names of all the distinguished guests
who had partaken of the hospitality Of
''Cliveden'' for 80 years, since 1t came into
the possession of Kitty Give, a famous
actress to whom Ii was presented by Sir
Robert Walpole, and In whose honor the
place was named. 1t is one of the most in
teresting and valuable collections of auto
graphs in existence, as you may imagine,
for Ii contains many unpublished songs and
satires in the handwriting of the most cele-
brated poets and wits of the last century
and a half, and epigrams, or at least auto
graphs of nearly every British statesman
of that long period, not to mention princes
and potentates from all the corners OF civ
ilization. eminent authors. soldiers. actors.
prelates and men and women who made
the British empire.
Mr.. Aston demanded the book, but the
Duke Of Westminster claimed that IL was a
part of the archives of his family. like
their private correspondence with each
other and their friends, and could not be
bought and sold. Mr.. Astor. however, ap-
pealed to the courts, where his claims were
established, and the Duke of Westminster
was ordered to deliver to him the precious
volume, which he did with great reluctance
and Indignation. Then Mr.. Aston, with the
magnanimity of the true American. re-
turned the book to the duke with a brief
and polite note asking him to accept 1t as
a gift from it's rightful owner. Westmin-
ster was not too proud to do so, and then
of Mr.. Astor's family, which the latter was
not able to forgive. Hence he has never
allowed any reference to the Duke of West
minister, living or dead. to appear In his
newspaper. 1t would be interesting to know
what disposition the Duke Of
has made of the autograph album in his
will.