New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-05
ASTOR HOUSE HUSHED AS
LAST LOOKS ARE TAKEN
Scores of Visitors Gently Tread
Its Corridors and Servants
Go About in Gloom.
SAD DAY FOR employees
Eddie" Mike" "AP and
Captain Jim" Carson, Fix
lures to Patrons, Shake
Their Heads in Silence.

The black and white marble tiled corri-
doris OF the Astor House vibrated softly
beneath the tread of scores OF visitors,
who came to take a farewell look yester-
day. The announcement made Saturday
that the doors. closed only once during
the seventy-seven years Of the hotels
existence as a public house. would be
barred permanently after May %. attract
ed many for whom the place had sem
timental interest.
The wonted calm of the Astor House
seemed yesterday to have deepened Into
gloom Servants and employees went about
their duties with little animation; visitors
tptoed along the halls speaking in whis-
pers as they peered into the dining halls
and sitting rooms, where three genera
tions had sought refreshment and rest.
There was a probability, ii was Said. OF
prolonged negotiations between the Astor
estate and the Public Service Commission
before satisfactory arrangements for run
ming the subway under the southeast cor
ner Of the structure were made.
The doors Of the building were thrown
open TO the public June /, 1886. They Will
be shut forever just two days less than
seventy-seven years from that date.
Probably none OF the thousands of pa
irons OF the famous lunch counters In the
rotunda feel regret at its passing as keen
ly as the men who have waited on them
for years Hardly one of these employees
| A. no ri or a a
OF service, and to many they are fixtures
as permanent as the old iron stalrcases'
II will be sad day for Eddie Nike
| al" and Captain Jim Carson wheh
they hang up their aprons for the last
time.
The Oldest of the Astor House servitors
is Albert c. Kaufman. IL Will be just
forty-four years in November since he
came 10 the Astor House, a raw German
youth. His knowledge of waiting on
| tables had been acquired during short
term OF employment at Bang restaurant.
in Broadway, opposite the postofiice lie
has been the head walter for as many
years as the Oldest habitue OF the Astor
House can recall
AL" as he is usually called. was In
disposed 10 talk yesterday. Like the
other employees, he shook his head when
the closing OF the famous old house was
! mentioned ITS a shame ne SAID.
Il was not long ago. though, that Al
told OF the many famous men 10 whose
gastronomic wants he had ministered.
| General Grant" he said on tnat &C.
casion. always ate simple food, such as
meat and potatoes. and finished his meal
|
| He also knew the favorite dishes OF
Chester A. Arthur. Benjamin harrison
and Grover Cleveland. In fact, many OF
his regular patrons merely SAID "heh nc
approached their table: Bring me some
thing to eat
BESIDES bankers and hosts of other
leaders in the business world who lunched
daily at the Aston House. "Al has served
almost every Mayor Of the CIT! lot TUG
last forty years.
sixty years ago the rotunda was an
open garden, laid out with flower Dor
dered walks which surrounded toui-
tain. but had the area not been rooieu
over the Astor House might not nave
obtained the fame which II enjoys too"!
beneath its arched roof were SCI NeN
neals which attracted from far and near
Those DESTROYS OF good food. The cigars
wh,ch might be purchased at the desk
-, oouallv renowned. The highest
nriced OF these cigars were tagged at 'i'
each ,,, ,,,s,
"Do YOU ever sell any Of themY' Visi-
tor once asked. pointing to the thir'y-
Inch Havanas reposing in individuai ceua'
cases. -,
"No, many since Tod Sloan went
ohroad " no was told. when he did not
srroLe them he used them for Walking
sticks"
/ rho scene surrounding the Aston House
uhen the dismantllng Is begun VIII dliter
vastly from the picture presented "heh
the hotel was opened. Where the wow
worth Building now towers a TO" oi
mitchell roof. three story buildings stood
With shops lining the sidewalk. city Han
PARK extended to the point OF Park Row
La broadway. now encountered by the
Federal Building, an iron picket fence
Iinclosing grove of trees.
At the junction OF Ann street. PARK fow
and broadway, on the site OF the present
Colonial Trust Company Building, was
parnum's American Museum. four huge
nOSfPrA
within. covering the Broadway face OF
tho structure. Stages with their destina-
,ons labelled conspicuously on their sides
plied the routes now covered by the
broadway and Third avenue surface cars.
There is still one possible view of the
surroundings which time has not altered
BY standing In front OF the Park ROW
building. closing one eye and placing
hand across the other so that the range
OF vision between two fingers takes III
only the southeast corner OF the Astor
House and st. Paul's Church. one may
Imagine he is looking upon the old hotel
at the beginning OF It's career. The trees
In the churchyard have been thinned out
in the last three-quarters OF century
hut a little imagination will produce the
effect.