The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1907-11-20
HISTORIC OLD HOUSE
WILDER MANSION At eoLToN,
MASS.
Quaint Old Structure, More Than
Century Old, Was 70 Have Shell
tered the First Napoleon
After His Downfall.

OF the great country estates Of Mas
sachusetts there Is none more famed
In historical connection than the Wild.
Or mansion 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 wassi in the
}n1vrEfon house of this estate that
lafayette at one time made his head
quarters, and years later the 91et was
selected as the future residence of
President Mckinley, but never so oc-
cupied. It has been the abode of sew
eral millionaires and the scene of in
Vulnerable festivities of varied ma.
lures.
A little more than ten years ago,
says the Boston Herald, the Wilder
mansion became the most talked of
residence in New England. 1t was re-
ported with many facts to substanti-
ate the tale that President Mckinley
would become resident of Bolton,
and that he would occupy the Wilder
mansion. At the time negotiations
were completed to the extent of trans
ferring the property to the name of J
Wyman Jones, a brother-in-law of the
late Marcus A. Hanna. Mr.. Jones ad.
mitted that he was acting in the in
terest of President Mckinley. AS in
the earlier history of the famous es
tate, there was subsequently change
Of plan, which robbed Massachusetts
Of the chance to acquire another world
famous resident. - Nn
The Wilder mansion is quaint old
structure, built over 100 years age
and several times remodeled. 1t stands
on the west side of the hill road lead
ing from Lancaster "old common" tC
Bolton Centre, almost at the crown
of the highest rise, although this road
does not scale Wattoquottoc's height
Sampson vryling Stoddard Wilder
the founder of the Wilder mansion
was born in Lancaster, May 20, 1880
and hfs family tree sprang from the
Puritan stock which settled the place
The Wilders emigrated from England
and came to Boston in 1889. About the
year 1900 Mr. Wilder, having met Tai
leyrand in Boston, and being sent tC
France to look after certain business
! interests, obtained through his friend
ship special privileges from the
French government. He made the &C
Quaintance of many prominent men o.
the day, and preserved among his
memeutos are many personal letter.
which were written by them to him
He represented the United States OF
the occasion of the marriage of En-
peror Napoleon. then in the heigh
Of his glory. to the Archduchess Marie
Louise
In 1928 Mr.. Wilder returned to Boil
ton to settle down. The following yea
was made memorable by the comini
of Lafayette TO America and the re
ception given the latter by Mr.. Wilder
at the Bolton mansion was the even
of the century for that community
The program was arranged by thu
host and the then mayor Of Boston
the Hon. Josiah Quincy. the elder.
It is a well established tradition
that the Wilder mansion was selected
as an asylum for Napoleon after hi
defeat at Waterloo. Napoleon delayed
in taking advantage OF the offer unit
too late. Passage had been engaged 70
him on vessel that was to bring hin
to America. but he waited in deslr,
to provide for his faithful friends unit
he was compelled to give himself III
as prisoner of war.