Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-24

tempted to gain a fo6thofd In Europe He
was thoroughly American, although he also
from the nature of his operations, was
obliged to sustain close personal relations
with the influential people of the foreign
nations, ana with royalty. He is credited
IN connection with Henry f., Abbey with
establishing grand opera as a permanent
institution in New York city. Because of
TINS connection with this work he was on
the most intimate terms with ali the ia
mouse opera singers and with all the great
actors or the age. Jenny Lind, Mary An
derson, and many others. We're numbered
among fIs warm personal friends
Mr.. Gillig is the only American who ever
entertained in state the lord mayor of Lon
don At the banquets given by Mr. GilIig.
as the mediary between the statesmen of
America and the statesmen and royalty
OF Europe, some of the most famous men
OF the last century, both in England and
America, have been entertained. He man
aged the tours abroad of the late James G.
Blaine, and the late President Grant and
many other noted Americans.
Celebrated July Fourth in London.
One of the most daring and surprising
innovations introduced by Mr.. Giilig, &C.
Cured almost a quarter of a century ago.
when he conducted the first celebration of
the Fourth of July in London. The occa-
sion was marked by banquet in the West
minister Palace Hotel At this celebration
were americans of nearly all stations in
NE and besides many members of royal
households of Europe The project was
characterized by the London press as a
most daring and audacious piece of bust
ness, put the celebration of Independence
Day after that became Dermanent fly
ture of American life abroad and wben
later he hoisted the Stars and Stripes over
ms building in London 1t was hailed with
hearty applause
Among the things Mr. Gillg ACCOMPLISHED
may be noted that ha he
lialh from Liverpool to London connecting
urectIy with transatlantic liner This is
regarded as somewhat of a commonplace
matter now, but 1t was deemed a vision
airy dream when he first started to prove
It's feasibility. Then he made turn on the
switchboard and swung European travel 10
emma, Japan and the orient so that il
came to the United States by Way of the
Pacific coast. instead of, going around the
Cape of Good Hope or through the Mediter-
ranean.
OF course. a man of such wide and varied
experiences as Mr.. Gillg could fill MANY a
book with interesting "Reminiscences He
relates one incident connected with his
hrst interview with the late Prince Bis
marck; When Minister A. A. Sargent
from the United States was recalled AT the
request of Bismarck, said Mr.. Gillig. II
rendered Mr.. Sargent a banquet as he
passed through London. At that banquet
made some remarks which had a tabaseo
laYor. with reference to Bismarck
When He Met Bismarck.
when several years later + met Bis
marck at FREDERICKSBURG, the Man of Iron
said: Ah, yes, remember the impairment
speech your father made in London when
Herr Sargent was going home
Well, prince L replied. 4 am what
Americans call self-made man. but | did
10. before know that I was my own father
although L am the father of the American
exchange
Bismarck frowned smile and therea fter
We became good friends"
In 1886 Mr.. Gillig gave banquet in
honor of the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher.
IL addition to several members of parlia-
ment. ministers and diplomats there were
also present at the banquet Sir Henry Try
ing. Charles Dickens, the Rev joseph
Parker and many other prominent and ga
nous men.
Mr.. Gillig has i'm his possession a most
interesting collection of souvenirs and au-
tosraph letters from nearly all the famous
people of both Europe and America of the
last half century. The contents of these
letters testify to the high esteem in which
he was held by the writer's
Mr. Giliig will remain in Washington until
the latter part of the week when he will
depart for California in company with the
German wine producers In the meantime
he Is visiting number of old friends in the
city, among whom are numbered members
o. the diplomatic corps and statesmen and
legislators and capitalists of this country
now in the. city.