Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1903-09-10

he impressed that fact upon certain
customers, as we'll as upon the pro
prietor. Those two years were val
, liable ones to the young man; he
learned all that could be learned about
the business in Parker's. And he
wanted to rise in the world.
Mr.. Boldt carefully cultivated the
rich men who visited the place, and
that is something the self-made mil
lionaires never mention when they
are giving advice to young men who
want to gather millions. One of the
check mans restaurant friends came
from Cornwallol-the Hudson, which
was popular summer resort in those
days, and he was instrumental in hav-
ing Mr.. Boldt made steward of one of
the largest hotels in the river town.
Pretty nearly every hotel man in the
country was looking toward Philadel-
phia in 1876, as well as everybody else
in the country, for the centennial was
the biggest show that had ever been
held in the United States. Mr.. Boldt
had neither the money nor the incli-
nation to speculate in a temporary
hotel; he was looking for something
bigger, more permanent. AS a hotel
town Philadelphia was in bad way.
Not having much money himself, Mr..
Boldt realized that the best way to
get it was to interest in himself per-
GONG who did hova oopav a1d thpra
was no better way to meet them than
by working in the Philadelphia club,
in Walnut street. So he applied to
Steward Carer for a place and OBJ
tanned it. He became immensely
popular.
When Mr. Boldt evolved the plan of
leasing the old mansion at Broad and
Walnut streets, converting it into a
hotel on the European plan, with a
restaurant that should become famous
all over the country for it's excellence,
he had no difficulty in Securing the
money needed.
AS prosperity grew, Mr. Boldt de-
cided to buy the Hotel Stratford,
which was just across narrow Walnut
street from the Bellevue, and he made
that pay until it was torn down to
make way for big Office building.
Plans were long ago drawn for a great
modern hotel to replace the Bellevue,
but the old red building still stands.
Mr.. Boldt had left Philadelphia for
New York.
1t is said that Mr.. Boldt was really
responsible for the Waldorf. 1t is true
that William Waldorf Astor had long
considered building the hotel-the
Astors have found that hotel properties
are highly profitable-but that he
couldn't make up his mind about it.
The story runs that on one occasion
Mr.. Aston visited Philadelphia with his
family and sought the Bellevue with
gage rooms in advance. The little hotel
was full, and he was so informed.
Mr. Astor desired to see the proprietor.
Mr.. Boldt appeared.
Mr.. Boldt regretted to inform Mr..
Astor that every room in the hotel was
occupied, but if Mr.. Astor would wait
ten minutes Mr.. Boldt would vacate
the apartments occupied by his family
and they would be at Mr.. Astor's dis
posal In the meantime Mr.. Astor
might order dinner.
1t was famously good dinner. Mr..
Aston was deeply impressed. He in
quired about Mr.. Boldt, and straight
way decided that he should build the
hotel at Thirty-third street and Fifth
avenue, and that Mr.. Boldt should run
it. In the course of time Mr.. Aston
summoned Mr.. Boldt to New York to
discuss the hotel proposition.
So the Waldorf was built, furnished,
and decorated with a lavishness that
made it known the civilized world over
before it was finished. The former
Broadway waiter became known as the
proprietor of what was then the finest
hotel in the world.