Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-02
JAMES H. BREgLIN's DEATH.
He Was One Of the Foremost Boni-
faces Of New York.

James H Bresin, one of the foremost
hotelkeepers of New York whose death
was reported in The Star Saturday, had
suffered for more than year from Bright's
disease. and for several months had not
been able to leave his room.
Mr.. Breslin gave up active work q year
ago and went to Hot Springs, Ark, for
three weeks rest. Later he made short
trips out of town, but for more than two
months he had been able only few times
to leave the hotel for short drives
Mr.. Breslin was seventy-two years old
He opened the Gilsey House as Joint pro-
prietor in the firm of Bresln. Gardner &
Gilsey, on April H. 1871 and continued in
active control until May, 1900. He became
proprietor of the Hotel Walcott and opened
the house on March i, 1904. He was also
president OF the Breslin Hotel Company,
conducting the Hotel Breslin, Broadway
and 18th street, which was opened Novem-
Der ~, 1904.
He for many years one of the pro
prietors of the Auditorium Hotel In Chi
cago.
Like many successful men in his calling,
Mr.. Breslin began at the bottom of the
ladder. He was born in Lansinburg n Y.
and when youth went to Saratoga, where
he first bellboy at the United States
Hotel. By his ability. as well as by his
genial personality. he was rapidly adj
vanced.
Saratoga In the war time and later was
In the height of its prosperity and vogue
as summer resort, and many prominent
men went there. Mr.. Breslin came TO this
city in 1869. and was a clerk at the Fifth
Avenue Hotel, where he drew a salary of
S. coo year. When the Gilsey House was
erected, in 1871. he became its lessee. hay
ing the backing of William H Vanderbilt
who had stopped a hotels with which Mr..
Breslin was connected in Saratoga
In 1878 James H. Breslin and H. r. Cook
bollpht the Willard Hotel in thiS oft
auction from T. r. Caque. Completely re-
furnishing the hotel they conducted ii in
partnership for three years. Mr. Bresln
acting as manager In 1881 Mr.. Cook
bought out Mr.. Breslin share in the bust
ness, the latter leaving the city to accept
the position of manager of the leading ho-
tel of st. Louis. Mr.. Breslin was a close
friend OF Mr.. Staples, the present manager
OF the Riggs House, who was at that time
employed at the Willard. under Mr. Bres-
lin.
He had wide range of interests outside
the hotel business, and among other things
was concerned in the Brooklyn Heights
Realty Company of which he was dfrec-
tor: the knickerbocker Trust Company and
the Garfield National Bank
Mr.. Breslin leaves three daughters-Mrs
Charles Bates Dana. Mrs Grant Shepard
and Miss Evelyn Bresiin
Some of Mr.. Breslins sayings are often
repeated by hotel men Here are q few
rules he laid down for the guidance of men
In his line of business:
Work.
Don't grow old.
Keep good natured
Don't forget names and faces,
Stick TO honest dealing
Remember that cleanliness Is next TO god
liness,
Keep pace with the times If you can't
keep little ahead of them.
Keep your old employees around you, so
that when old friends enter your door they
win feel as though they We're getting back
home.
Mr.. Bresiin was for many years the presi-
dent of the Hotel Mems Association of
New York and his addresses at the annual
banquets were distinguished for piguancy
and wit. Flags were at half-mast over
every hosiery in the city yesterday.
The burial will take place at Saratoga to-
morrow. \.