The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-09-13
HARRY LEHR'S DECLINE
Enemies Say That He Is No
Longer in 1t.
MARRIAGE WAS HIS RUIN
Friends Declare He Is as Pop
uIar as Ever.

10 dS Close 10 Ilo SOS4Gi lAAACA-e
"a once he was, says the New YorH
World. There are many others who
declare with equal vehemence thai Harry
Lenr occupies just as strong position
as ever he did.
Mr. Lehr's best friends admit that II
has been a hard season for him.
Members of the $50 are taking sides.
Most of the women are non-committal,
but the men are very decided about it.
They say that King Lehr's reign is over
They don't display any sorrow over it.
either Some of them admit they are
glad of it-even go so far as to claim a
small part in bringing about the retire
ment
But his many friends are sure that
nothing like this is intended. They only
say that Newport is getting bigger and
bigger with each season and that Mr..
Lehr finds there are others who. with
equal facility, can assist the ladies who
entertain.
But for all that, it remains true that
this premier entertainer of the smartest
of the smart has not been anywhere near
the pinnacle of social prominence this
summer
Harry Lehr is out of it" say his enc
mics. and when they are asked for facts
they have plenty to say.
They admit that it is still his privilege
10 gather chairs on the Casino lawn after
the sacred concerts. They frankly tell
you no one can as deity seat Mesdames
Fish, Oelrichs or Drexel after the con-
cert. or assist them at their entertain
rnents But they insist that there has
arisen here a set who dare say that these
three ladies-an social leaders-cannot
give Mr.. Lehr the prestige he once en-
joyed Some of the other social lights.
1t is frankly admitted even by Mr.. Lehr's
intimates. have issued orders 10 the for
lists caterers and decorators that Mr..
Lehr must really not alter their plans
for any entertainments. This was his
privilege for years.
Even his enemies admit that there was
q time when Harry Lehr dominated New
port Once he was Mrs. Astors private
secretary. He revised every list for her
dinners. Some persons whisper to their
friends that they owe their new premier
place TO Mr.. Lehr. He has been very
happy in his selections for the new MEM
bers of the inner circle, and few whom
Mr. Lehr chose ever were false to their
trust
They have given the jolliest entertain
nents ln all Newport and have the finest
yachts afioat OF course, Mr.. Lehr al
ways has taken charge of their larger
entertainments. He generally revised the
lists and occasionally added a new name.
which, of course. has pleased those who
looked to Mr Lehr for their social guild
&nce.
Mr.. LehF was most welcome everywhere
until he married. But the elderly matrons
who looked to him the ruler among
the younger men Of the $50 began TO
pause a bit after he had welded Mrs
John V. Dahlgren, widow of the million
aire OF course, his alliance with
DrexeI-Mrs Lehr was a Drexel-gave
him further prominence among the Phil
adelphians who affect Newport. But 1t
rather upset the New Workers.
He is no longer an inspiration" de-
plore those matrons who once found
Harry Lehr, bachelor, most useful for
their social plans.
Other men were busy in New York, and
when they had no business cares they
found pleasure il sports in which Harry
I.ehr had no interest
happened was predicted on the day Of
Mr.. Lehr's wedding in St Patrick's ca
thedral, New York.
That day his social star began Its de-
scendant
For a time after his marriage Harry
Iehr came and went as before. The
present result has only come by slow
and almost impalpable degrees. Newport
society has grown more catholic New
faces are TO be seen at the prime fsac-
tons The Vanderbilts and the Astcrs
are inviting people whom Harry Lehr
has never seen and doesn't vouch for
These have proved to be in many cases
most agreeable people. In turn they have
given most satisfactory entertainments
This season he and Mrs. Lehr had
beautiful villa. Others had beautiful
villas. Somehow or other-it was ali very
gradual-the regulars at Newport didn't
see so much OF this very clever young
couple this summer. His friends were
hstounded.
Why they gasped. Mr.. Lehr has
had brilliant career in Newport and
New York. The most important women
sn society have recognized him as
man Of remarkable tact. artistic inspira-
ton and skill He is conspicuous and
daring IN his originality"
All this has been true this season. as
OF old.
Mr. Lehr has been quick. deft and nat
urally as gifted as ever in administering
social functions But he didn't have the
chief functions this summer to administer.
His enemies admit that he could have
made equal successes. but they rejoice
in saving that there have been other
men who have done equally as well.
1T is because Newport is now too large
for one man TO dictate to il. says Mr..
whitehouse. and he ought TO know. be-
cause the whitehouses have been cot
tzgers here ever since Newport was New
port
When the Spanish-American war came
society found its ranks depleted Of ell
gible men They were OF with the Rough
Riders. with Squadron a. with the Twelfth
regiment. with many newly organised
volunteer outfits and as officers in our
state troops.
Mr.. Lehr was the inspiration Of duh
season. The boys just from Harvard and
Yale and Princeton and Columbia who
were counted on for the dancing men.
were Of TO war. Mr.. Lehr filled their
places Society lacked a leader who
knew enough presentable men. and so
II naturally turned to Mr.. Lehr He soon
had the ranks filled again. When the
young men got back from Santiago and
Chickamauga and Porto Rico and Ma