The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-07-12
SUDDEN DEATH
OF LOBBY KING
An Aged Swain Expires In Arms
Of His Young Bride.
HIS FIRST WIFE MEANS FIGHT
He acquired Fortune Of Halt a Mllla1 By
BIuif Games In Measures
Before Congress-
HIS FIRST WIFE MEANS FIGHT

Atlantic City, July l2.-Just two weeks
after his marriage TO Miss Mabel Geyer,
Of Baltimore, Col Nathaniel Mckay, the
wealthy lobbyist and hotel proprietor Of
Washington. dropped dead of heart dis
ease in the apartments occupied by him
and his bride in beGch-front hotel. Col.
Mckay and his bride came TO this city on
their honeymoon after their marriage at
Crisield, Md
Col. Mckay appeared In his usual health
when he arose in the morning. After
dressing he sat down on the edge OF the
bed. few minutes later he fell over
Mrs. Mckay rushed TO his assistance, but
he expired In her arms before medical
help could be summoned
The young woman was Col. McKay's
second wife He was seventy-one years
old. while she is not yet twenty-eight.
KING OF THE LOBBY.
Col. NAT" Mckay. king of the lobby"
was one OF the most widely known men
in Washington He had been for years a
picturesque figure at the capital, having
q commanding figure and splendid
physique. AS claim agent he was unex-
celled. and during the last few years he
had obtained for himself and others mill
lions of dollars from congress.
Col Mckay seldom, II ever. visited the
capitol TO do his lobbying He represent
ted varied interests, and when he had
some particularly difficult work on hand
he usually attained his end by inviting the
most prominent members OF the sena te
and the house to an elaborate dinner at
his home There he could talk TO them at
his leisure.
THIRD HOUSE MEMBER FOR FAIR
His dinners helped TO make him famous.
He invited his congressional and other
friends every mouth TO state banquet
at his old -fas shioned house on Thirteenth
street. canvas on which were painted
sea nymphs and bacchanaltan subjects
usually surrounded the table. A brilliant
ly illumina ted model OF a man-o'-war was
a frequent centrepiece. A statesman not
equipped with a good pair Of legs had
difficulty In walking home from one Of
these state occasions, where the wine was
rare and In abundance.
Col Mckay and his first wife, Jennie
Pope, were married In 1889. and, accord
ing TO the colonel the marriage was un-
fortunate from the outset. Col. CcKay OBJ
tained n divorce In Oklahoma last April
and Mrs. Mckay is now living az 323 Nc
Donough street. Brooklyn. 1t is an
nounced that she will contest any claim
for McKay's estate which may be made
by the second Wife
LEFT HALF A MILLION.
Those who knew Mckay well say he
left fortune OF half million dollars. He
made his biggest hit with the claims of
John Roach for the construction OF the
Dolphin.
The Dewey Hotel. which he built In
1896, has been profitable. He owned two
fine residences IN Washington. He met
the present Mrs Mckay when the Dewey
hotel was building She lived across tho
street from the hotel A workman was
hurt and was carried into her house. Col.
Mckay went across to see how the man
was getting on and met Miss Geyer. He
fell I'm love with her, and, after he had
obtained his Oklahoma divorce, married
her.
Col. Mckay once essayed to horsewhip
Col. Mcclure, editor OF the Philadelphia
Times, for criticisms published In that
paper, but friends interfered.