Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-11-02
HOUSE FOR NAPOLEON.
Wilder Mansion in Bolton, Mass
Was to Have Sheltered Him.

from the Boston herald
OF the great country estates Of Masss-
chusetts there is none more famed In his
torIcal connection than the Wilder man
sion on Wattoquottoc hill. In the township
of Bolton. 1t was here that Napoleon WAS
to have sought refuge had he decided TO
attempt to escape to this country; 1t WAS
In the mansion house OF this estate that
Lafayette at time made his head
quarters, and years later the spot was
selected as the future residence of Presi-
dent Mckinley. but never so occupied. 1t
has been the abode OF several millionaires
and the scene OF innumerable festivities Of
varied natures.
Another new chapter in the long history
of the old place is soon to be opened. with
the entrance of new occupants Of wealth
and position. 1t is admitted that within
the last few days the estate has been
placed in the hands of prominent Boston
bankers for disposal. and 1t is understood
that several prominent bidders have APP
peared in contest for the title to the prop
erty.
A little moro than ten years ago the
Wilder mansion became in day the most
talked of residence in New England. II
was reported, with many facts to substan-
tate the tale, that President Mckinley
would become a resident OF Bolton and
that he would occupy the Wilder man
sion. At the time negotiations Va
completed to the extent OF transferring
the property to the name of J. Wyman
Jones, a brother-in-law of the late Marcus
| A. Hanna Mr.. Jones admitted that he
was acting in the interest of President
| Mckinley. AS In the earlier history of
| the famous estate, there was subsequently,
! a change of plans, which robbed Massa-
| chusetts of the chance TO acquire another
| World-famouS resident.
| The Wilder mansion is a quaint old
structure. built over one hundred years
ago. and several times remodeled. 1t
stands on the west side OF the hill road
| leading from Lancaster old common to
Bolton center, almost at the crown Of
the highest rise, although this road does
not scale Wattoquottoc'S extreme height.
Sampson Vryling Stoddard Wilder, the
founder of the Wilder mansion, was
born in Lancaster, May 20, 1850 and his
family tree sprang from the Puritan
stock which settled the place. The Wild
ers emigrated from England and came to
Boston in 1899 About the year 1900 Mr..
Wilder. having met Talleyrand in Boston,
and being sent to France to look after
certain business interests, obtained
through his friendship special privileges
from the French government. He made
the acquaintance of many prominent men
of the day, and preserved among his me
mentos are many personal letters which
were written by them 10 him He rep
resented the United States on the occa-
sion of the marriage of Emperor Napo-
leon then in the height OF his glory. to
the Archduchess Marie Louise.
In 1923 Mr.. Wilder returned to Bolton
to settle down. The following year WAS
made memorable by the coming of La
fayette to America. and the reception
given the latter by Mr.. Wilder at lie Boil
ton mansion was the event Of the CEN
tury for that community. The program
was arranged by the host and the then
Mayor of Bolton, the Hon. Josiah Quincy,
the elder.
1t Is a welI-esta blished tradition that
the Wilder mansion selected as an
asylum for Napoleon after his defeat at
Waterloo. Napoleon delayed in taking ad-
vantage Of the offer until too late. Pas
sage had been engaged for him on
vessel that was to bring him TO America.
but he waited in a desire to provide Tor
his faithful friends until he was com
PEELED to give himself up as prisoner or
war