PHELPS' LEGATION A LAUGHING STOCK
America's Representatives at Berlin Have Made Themselves Disliked.
JERSEY GIRL'S MARRIAGE
Even Bankrupt Nobles Drew the Line -- Mr. Coleman and the Ballet -- Gossip
BERLIN, Aug. 6. -- "Mit Gott fur Konig und Vaterland," is a national cry the echo of which is as strong in Germany today as when uttered under Frederick the Great at Rossbach.
Many changes have taken place in the political fortunes of Germany since I first began to know it some fifteen years ago. It is a constitutional country now, with liberty of the press and liberty of speech. It is also more liberal than Russia by far, yet not so liberal as England, but it bids fair to drift in the latter's direction under the present vigorous and really smart emperor. William II has outstripped his predecessors at the same age. He bits fair to become a giant in German history. There is no fatigue for him, nor any venture beyond his ambition. He tackled Bismarck and kicked him clean out of Berlin with all his kit and baggage. He mopped the floor (to invade the poetic realm) with his English relatives, and the lead the last almost obstreperous parliament into submission -- they had to pass a military bill agreeable to the emperor.
Wants to Be Called "Billy,"
"Billy,"as he delights to be called by his cronies, is a many-sided man. At home he is now one of the most consistent of husbands. (There was a time when he used to come home late at night, and certain wags hint that he couldn't find the keyhole.) He loves to play with children, and his wife, by the way most amiable lady and it truly good woman. It is the picture of Croesus' fortune to see him in the evening surrounded by his six boys, with the baby (the only girl) on his knee, beaming with delight.
If Frederick the Great, the woman hater, could only look down on his worthy grandson what a transformation might take place in that old cynic and Voltaire's partner. But William is also a war lord. He is a soldier above all, and notwithstanding his partial lameness in one hand sits on his horse like an Arab, and is ever first in the parade.
Officially the emperor is very punctual and exact. He observes order and exacts the same from others. All the foreign representatives accredited to his court must conform to the etiquette of Berlin, and as every country selects none but the most accomplished men as ministers there is a galaxy of talented and refinement in Berlin just now.
Snobs Represent America
Our country has not always been fortunate in the selections of ministers accredited to the Berlin court. Mr. Phelps, our recent minister to Berlin, made several breaks, and on one occasion really put his foot in it. Mr. Phelps has not been a persona grata in Berlin diplomatic circles, owing to his cynical temperament and -- indigestion. His avowed partiality for Bismarck naturally set the court against him. By the way, Phelps-Bismarck partnership was all one-sided -- on the side of Phelps. When the latter first came to Berlin he immediately set to work introducing his daughter to Berlin society. His eye fell on Herbert Bismarck as a likely marriageable candidate. The latter was invited to dinners at the legation, to Mr. Phelps' box at the opera, but all in vain; Herbert would have none of it. Mr. Phelps dropped the Pommeranian squire's son and caught on to young Verdy du Vernois, son of the ex-minister of war of Germany. Young Vernois is a very handsome chap, about 25 years of age, officer of the guards, and very rich. He looked Miss Phelps over and found the Jersey maiden not agreeable to his taste. It ended in a fizzle.
At last Mr. Phelps realized that there were but few stars in the Berlin matrimonial market at his disposal. Miss Phelps had tried, played, and lost. But one more ship hove in sight. It is true it was a small coaster, but then it had a rudder, and that was enough. It was Dr. Rottenberg, now privy councilor in the ministry of the interior, with a small salary, but a steady job. Mr. Rottenberg is a native of Danzig, on the North Sea, whose parents were plain, modest, but very respectable folks.
Very Ordinary Young Man.
The young man visited the higher schools, graduated as Dr. Phil, and served one year as volunteer. After a long service in the ministry of the interior he received a title of privy councilor, of which there are 700 degrees. Dr. Rottenberg is now 43, a widower with two children, and recently married Miss Phelps. The latter, albeit very wealthy, is neither young nor pretty, but her father's cash has scared away all Jersey mosquitoes and furnished her with elegant surroundings in Berlin.
Unfortunately the American legation under Mr. Phelps was not a hospitable place for the American colony. [My thanks to Bob Griffin for providing this article of which only the first page is available; ]
Chicago Mail, Chicago, IL, August 19, 1893
WILLIAM WALTER PHELPS, JUDGE.
Gov. Werts of New Jersey Startles The Politicians.
TRENTON, N.J., Jan. 30 -- Gov. Werts gave the politicians a great shaking up this evening and everybody is wondering what it all means. The term of Judge Whittaker on the bench of the Court of Errors and Appeals is to expire between this and the 1st of April. He voted to release the ballot-box stuffers and conceived that he was sure to be reappointed until this evening, when Gov. Werts sent in the name of William Walter Phelps, now United States Minister to Germany, to succeed him.
That all hands fell to asking whether Mr. Phelps would consent to become known as one of the "wooden heads" of the New Jersey Judiciary, and presently a rumor spread through the lobbies that, so far from being unwilling, he had actually asked for the appointment, and that the Governor, who is Mr. Phelps's old-time friend, had kindly consented to accommodate him.
"It's a high-class appointment," Gen Bird W. Spencer observed, "and Mr. Phelps is not a partisan. He is a Republican, it is true, but a very independent one, indeed. He and Gov. Werts are old friends, and I presume the Governor wanted to pay him a personal compliment."
"Did Mr. Phelps asked for the appointment?" asked a reporter of Gov. Werts.
"Well," the Governor replied, "I know he will accept the position." . . .
New York Times, New York, NY, January 31, 1893, page 1
MR. PHELPS FOR LAY JUDGE.
THE MINISTER TO GERMANY NOMINATED BY GOVERNOR WERTS.
To Succeed Judge Whittaker in The New Jersey Court of Errors and Appeals -- Proceedings at Trenton
BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
TRENTON, Jan. 30. -- Governor Werts created a mild but pleasant sensation tonight by sending to the Senate the nomination of William Walter Phelps, at present United States Minister to Germany, to be a Lay Judge of the Court of Errors and Appeals in place of Judge Jonathan S. Whittaker, whose term is about to expire. This nomination was entirely unlooked for, and on account of its first-class character elicited much praise. Governor Werts informed a reporter that he had word from Mr. Phelps signifying his willingness to accept the nomination. . . .
New York Tribune, Jan. 31, 1893, page 2
ABOUT TO QUIT HIS PARTY
STARTLING RUMOR ABOUT WILLIAM WALTER PHELPS
Offered to Account for His Nomination for a New Jersey Judgeship -- Opposition to His Confirmation Not Formidable -- Hudson Ringsters Scheming Again.
TRENTON, N.J., Jan. 31 -- The interesting question at Trenton today has been as to the motives that prompted William Walter Phelps to seek the appointment of Lay Judge of the Court of Errors as he is known to have done. Some of Gen. Sewell's friend conceive that through his Judgeship Mr. Phelps hopes to renew his activity among jurymen and to put himself in a position to struggle with the Camden chieftain for the honor of leadership. But a close friend of Mr. Phelps gives The New York Time's correspondent a more startling explanation of the move.
"Mr. Phelps," this gentleman says, "has changed his views concerning the tariff, and his seeking an appointment at the hands of a Democratic Governor is token of his abandonment of the Republican Party. I think Mr. Phelps has always been somewhat sorry that he had not trained with the Democratic Party. He is a man of liberal views on political questions, and some of the comparatively young men of the Nation will remember a time in her history when he was pretty nearly in line with the Democratic Party on an important and exciting political issue.
"The fact that Mr. Phelps is named, not to succeed a Republican, but to supplant the Democrat, in the highest court of the State, gives color to the theory he decided to sever his relations the Republican Party, and that really Gov. Werts has replaced one Democratic member of the court with another Democrat."
Vary many of Mr. Phelps's personal friends and supporters in New Jersey say that they have reason to believe that this theory is the Correct one.
The Senate in executive session this morning broke the seal of the envelope marked "Nominations," which Gov. Werts sent in last night. The names within it were those published in this morning's New York Times. Curiosity was piqued as to the disposition that would be made Mr. Phelps's nomination.
When the list of nominations had been read, Senator Barrett moved that, as Charles H. Winfield, renominated as Prosecutor of Hudson County, and Robert S. Woods, nominated for the full term of five years as Judge of the Hudson County Court of Common Pleas, had both been members of the Senate, their nominations be confirmed without reference. That is a courtesy never denied to ex-Senators and Mr. Barrett's motion was agreed to.
There was a disposition among the Republican Senators to secure similar compliment for Mr. Phelps, but Senator Adrain told them that it could not be done without a suspension of the rules, and that he believed in adhering to the rules. So the name of the distinguished Ambassador was referred to the Judiciary Committee. The Senate will not sit again this week, and no further action can be taken till next Monday night.
Two or three of the Democratic members of the Senate are making violent opposition to the confirmation of the nomination. Old Judge Whittaker, who Mr. Phelps is to succeed, had so endeared himself to the Hudson ring by his vote for the release of the ballot-box stuffers that Mr. Daly, the Hudson Senator, felt especially outraged that his place should not only be taken from him but given to a Republican. Alan McDermott's partisan animosities have also been stirred up from the bottommost depths, and he and Mr. Daly are trying to create a sentiment adverse to confirmation. But the majority of the Senators look kindly upon the nomination, and there is little doubt anywhere that the Senate will consent to allow Mr. Phelps to take his seat upon the bench. . . . .
New York Times, New York, NY, Feb. 1, 1893, page 1
THE QUESTION OF THE DAY
JERSEYMEN ON THE REPORT OF MR. PHELPS'S CHANGE OF PARTY
Plenty Who Believe It To Be True -- Hints That He's Been A Weak Republican For Some Time -- His Friends Divided In Their Views -- There Are Scoffers.
TRENTON, Feb. 1 -- "Is William Walter Phelps, United States Minister to Germany, preparing to change his political coat?" has been made by the special dispatch sent from here to The New York Times yesterday, in connection with the announcement of his nomination by Gov. Werts to a Lay Judgeship of the Court of Errors and Appeals, the question of the day in New Jersey political circles.
A friend of Mr. Phelps, who has had unusual opportunities for knowing all the finer shades of his political opinions, was the correspondent's authority for saying that his selection to the Judgeship by the Democratic Governor of New Jersey was regarded by some of Mr. Phelps's friends as the visible token of his abandonment of the Republican Party. Some of Mr. Phelps's party friends vehemently deny the story, but many of his intimate acquaintances have no hesitation in saying that they think it is quite likely that the story is true.
A dispatch sent to one of the evening papers from New York represents Mr. W. E. Bond of 2 Wall Street, who is Mr. Phelps's representative in this country, as declaring that the rumor is absolutely without foundation.
"Mr. Phelps," Mr. Bond says," is now in Africa, and I do not know how The New York Times can have been in communication with him. I would naturally assume if there was any truth to the story, that his friends here would have known something of his intentions."
Another evening papers says that Mr. Phelps is a high protectionist in principle, and was always in sympathy with Mr. Blaine, the great apostle of high protection, and that he is an always has been a strong partisan.
On the contrary, Jerseymen and every man in the Nation familiar with current events of the day remember an occasion years ago with Mr. Phelps was at variance with his party on a great national issue and so close to the line of Democracy that he had sent been regarded by Jerseymen as everything but a strong partisan.
It is interesting history that in Mr. Phelps's first movements toward political honors he courted and expected the aid of the Democratic Party.
"His leanings," said Assemblyman Dupuy of Bergen County, a neighbor of Mr. Phelps, yesterday, "have from the start been toward the Democracy. When he first became ambitious for political honors, twenty years or more ago, he went to the Democratic managers of Bergen County and asked them to aid him in securing a Democratic nomination for seat in Congress.
"Old Garry Ackerson thought he was too much of a dandy to be 'a go' among the great unwashed, and he laughed at him for his presumption.
"The Republican Party has always had a soft side for rich men, and when the Republicans of Bergen saw this young millionaire floating around trying to reach a public station they took him into camp, fitted him out with a nomination, and let him out on the career which he has since made so notable. The Democrats of Bergen have a tradition that the spurning of William Walter Phelps in his adolescence was a mistake on the part of their managers.
"You know, too, that E. Y. Bell was, before Mr. Phelps went to Germany, his closest friend and his right-hand man in politics. Is there no significance in the fact that in the last Presidential campaign Mr. Bell was one of the choicest of the Orators at the service of the Democratic State Committee?"
It is known that Mr. Phelps has not looked kindly on the high protection policy of his party for some years. One of the best-known Republicans in the State -- a Jersey City man -- says that he was all out of sorts when the Republican national platform 1888 became known to him.
"Have you read the tariff plank of the Chicago Convention?" this Republican asked of him.
"Yes," answered Mr. Phelps. "And were will you and I go now?"
"Take to the woods, I suppose," was the response, with which Mr. Phelps more than half agreed.
The fact that he was more than dissatisfied with the attitude of his party o the tariff question seems to have been no secret among his friends.
"You have heard the rumors around the Capitol about Mr. Phelps's getting ready to come back and be a Democrat?" ex-Judge William T. Hoffmann -- who is a close acquaintance of the Teaneck statesman -- was asked last night.
"Yes," he responded, "and I shouldn't be a bit surprised."
"Why, what makes you think it?"
"Well, Phelps has always been disposed to free-trade."
A dozen others of those who enjoy Mr. Phelps's confidence were ready to believe that he was to return to his State and his people as a Democrat because of what they had known of his dissatisfaction with the attitude of his party on that and some other questions.
"I scarcely expect to see Mr. Phelps join the ranks of the party as an active Democrat." Senator Winton of Bergen said today, "but I think his acceptance of this Judgeship at Gov. Werts's hand is the sign of his retirement from politics. He is surfeited with honors. His health is not good by any means. He wants to live the life of a gentleman, and yet to keep in touch somewhat with the movement of public affairs. To be known among his friends and neighbors as a Judge of the highest court in the State is the mild distinction with which he is content to retire from the glare of active political life."
The Republicans who refuse to believe that Mr. Phelps contemplates an abandonment of his party are of a dozen minds as to the meaning of his readiness to accept this State position.
Some think that Gen. Sewell paved the way to the Judgeship to get him out of his Senatorial path in the event of there ever again being a Republican joint meeting.
Others urge that it is his movement against Gen Sewell, and that in nominating him Gov. Werts has done a good thing for his party.
A number of Gen. Sewell's partisans sneer at his readiness to except the berth as a "big come-down for a Minister Plenipotentiary."
"But he needn't be ashamed to be a Judge of the court of last resort in the State, even if it is only a lay Judge," Chairman Alan McDermott of the Democratic State Committee commented. "It is a high position for any man -- even for Mr. Phelps to command. Some of the ablest opinions ever rendered in the Court of Errors have been written by the lay members, and one of them, in times past, even distinguished himself writing poetry."
Gov. Werts himself says nothing as to the circumstances in which he came to send the nomination to the Senate, except that he thinks Mr. Phelps is a good man and knows he will accept.
New York Times, New York NY, February 2, 1893, page 8
THE DEMAND FOR MR. PHELPS
PLACES OF HONOR HE HAS REJECTED IN THE PAST
He Won His First Case By Being "Good Natured" -- Almost Four Doorkeepers To A Door In The New Jersey House -- The State's Display At Chicago.
TRENTON, Feb. 4. -- William Walter Phelps, Minister to Germany, who was nominated to be a Lay Judge of the Court by Gov. George T. Werts, did not begin the study of law until after his marriage with the daughter of Joseph E. Sheffield, the founder of the Sheffield Scientific School. He spent a year and a half then in Germany in the way of a wedding trip, and when he returned he entered Columbia College Law School and was graduated in the class of '63 with the valedictory. He began the practice of law before his twenty-fifth year, and had a large and successful practice and employed a large number of assistants.
His first case was rather a novel one, his client being a pretty young woman of common surroundings, who claimed that the landlord of the house which she lodged had called after her as she entered her room called "There goes a thief." The landlord denied the accusation and witness after witness was produced, till the court refused to listen to another, all testifying positively that they had heard everything, and nothing of the kind was said.
As the case progressed it became plainly evident that the evidence was against the young lawyer's client. The opposing attorney was getting sharp in his cross-examinations, sometimes overstepping the bounds of common decency. He was frequently interrupted by Mr. Phelps, who had several times to call upon the court to protect his client, but the Judge, with conventional indifference, refused to do so, and the defendant's attorney was allowed to continue until the young woman burst into tears and Mr. Phelps's indignation grew speechless. The case closed and the jurymen retired. When they came in they read a verdict in favor of the woman for the sum of $50. Later Mr. Phelps met the foreman of the jury, who volunteered the information:
"We did not believe that he called her a thief, and we did not did believe that you expected damages, but you were so good-natured that we thought we would give you damages enough to make the cost."
This was his first jury trial, and after that he never failed to get a verdict from a jury in any case that he ever tried. He subsequently became counsel for Moses Taylor, George Bliss, Amos R. Eno, Marshall O. Roberts, and many of the corporations of which he would afterward became the manager. He was also connected with the cases which grew out of the failure of Morris Ketchum & Co., great Government bankers in the early part of the war. This case brought him into considerable prominence, and although he was a very young man at that time, Gov. Fenton offered him a place on the bench, which he declined, preferring active practice of the profession. He continue to be a successful lawyer until the death of his father, when he was obliged to relinquish the practice of his profession and devote himself entirely to the care of the estates left by his father and certain private trusts which he had assumed. Mr. Phelps then lived in New York, but some of his estates were in New Jersey.
The man who "discovered" Mr. Phelps and made him a New Jersey politician was ex-Judge Martin Ryerson of Newton, Sussex County, an old and shrewd politician. He hunted Mr. Phelps out in New York with the letter of introduction. He used every argument available to induce the young lawyer to migrate to New Jersey and start out to make himself known. At that time he was also importuned to give his services to the Democratic Party, and several times since then schemes have been laid to get him into that party. When he first ran for Congress the Democrats tried to defeat him because he maintained a residence in New York, and it was claimed that he was more of a New Yorker than a Jersey man.
Judge Woodruff, who was his competitor for Congressional honors, in making his campaign speeches invariably carried with him ten New York Directories, and he would amuse his hearers by reading from each one of the Directories the line:
"Phelps, W. W., house 197 Madison Avenue."
While it was a fact that Mr. Phelps owned this house, he seldom occupied it as a residence. It is also remembered that when he made one of his particular speeches in Congress his friend James G. Blaine was in the Speaker's chair. He knew that Mr. Phelps was going to make a speech that afternoon and he was keeping his eye constantly on him, but at the same time he had made up his mind to "spring" a joke on the young statesman from New Jersey. When he saw Mr. Phelps endeavoring to get the floor Mr. Blaine rapped down all the noise, and when he had secured silence Mr. Phelps arose and Mr. Blaine said with considerable distinctness: "The gentleman from New York." There was a titter and then wild laughter, but on the sounding of the gavel from the Speaker's desk there was silence, and the Speaker said almost in the same breath, "and from New Jersey."
It is not generally known that Mr. Phelps was offered by President Grant the post of Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, and upon his refusal to accept his honor some of his warmest friends, such as George W. Childs, Moses Taylor, John J. Cisco, and others, at General Grant's request, urged Mr. Phelps to consider the probability of his being called to succeed Secretary Richardson; but Congressmen Phelps refused to listen to any argument which threatened to withdraw him from a career which suited his taste.
The fact that Mr. Phelps has had so many important posts offered to him has added zest to the discussion over this last appointment made by Gov. Werts, because it is an office that pays only per diem, amounting only in the total to about $1,000 a year. As a Lay Judge, of course, he becomes a member of the Court of Pardons, and it is reasonable to expect that, should get into that important body, matters will not be transacted with so much looseness as has characterized them during the past three years. His appointment to this bench is the first one of its kind, and will necessarily remove the general appellation given to the minor branch designated as Lay Judges. The State Constitution provides that the Court of Errors shall consist of the Chancellor, the Justices of the Supreme Court, and six judges, or a major part of them. Each Judge is to be appointed for six years; therefore he becomes an Associate Judge of the Court of Errors. . . .
New York Times, New York, NY, Feb. 5, 1893, page 7
DINNER TO JUDGE PHELPS
Englewood Neighbors Honor Him and He Explains Why He Is Out of Politics
ENGLEWOOD, N.J., July 13 -- One hundred and five guests attended the dinner tendered to Judge William Walter Phelps by his friends and neighbors at the new Englewood Hotel this evening. The affair was a thoroughly enjoyable one, Mr. Phelps being in his happiest mood.
His address in acknowledgment of the compliment paid him by his friends was mainly devoted to local references, but the following extracts from his remarks are of general interest:
"Perhaps I can divert the stream of reporters from Teaneck, who come like flies, notebook in hand, to know what this going out of politics means, if I tell you, who did so much toward keeping me in, that it means that after thirty years of active practical political life, and that includes attending caucuses, suggesting some candidates, suppressing others, attending primaries, stumping all Octobers, attending conventions, peddling tickets at the polls, etc., I think I have done my duty and am entitled to a rest. And were I not thus discharged by completion of a pretty good round term of political service I should feel that I was debarred from partisanship, offensive or otherwise, when I became a Judge.
"I entertain an old-fashioned idea on the subject of the judiciary, and think that a Judge ought to so conduct himself as to inspire his fellow-citizens with such an idea of impartiality that Republican or Democratic suitor would have no fear of bias against himself in any political question that might be brought before this court.
"Somewhat similar was the feeling I had, that, when I was a foreign Minister and representing the American people as a whole, I ought not to give my time and my efforts to advancing the interests of a part of them, however much my political sympathies were with that part. It was different when I was a Representative in Congress; I was sent there to advocate a certain class of political opinions.
"The voters in the district at the polls decided that these were the opinions they wanted, and unless the man who was elected by them represented these opinions there could be no Government by a majority and consequently no government by the people."
New York Times, New York, NY, July 14, 1893, page 4
THE MAIL AND EXPRESS SOLD
MR. WILLIAM WALTER PHELPS ITS NEW OWNER
Negotiations Have Been in Progress Some Time -- The Purchase Price Not Known -- Mr. Phelps's Son a Present Employe of the Paper -- The Ex-Minister to Germany Will Be Gladly Welcomed t the Ranks of Newspaper Publishers.
The purchase of The Mail and Express by Mr. William Walter Phelps is reported. His negotiations for the paper have been going on for some time, but so quietly that no whisper of the matter has reached the public ear. It is understood that the conditions of the sale have not been agreed upon between Mr. Phelps and the executors of the estate of the late Elliott F. Shepard and that the transfer will take place on Jan. 1.
Col. Shepard died from the effects of inhaling ether as he was about to undergo a grave surgical operation. His sudden death left The Mail and Express to be managed by his executors and its staff of employes. It was then foreseen that a sale of the property was probable, if the estate could find a purchaser.
There have been rumors about several would-be purchasers, but Mr. Phelps is the first who has carried the matter beyond the stage of inquiry and investigation. It is generally understood that Col. Shepard, after his purchase of the paper from Cyrus W. Field, was not long in putting it upon a paying basis. Col Shepard paid Mr. Field about $350,000 for the paper. The price to be paid by Mr. Phelps is not known.
Although his residence is in Englewood, N. J., Mr. William Walter Phelps may almost be reckoned a citizen of New York, where he is well known in social and business circles. Wherever he is known he has hosts of friends. His is esteemed and admired in his own State, in this city, in Washington, and across the sea. He served several terms in Congress, previous to his appointment as Minister to Berlin by President Harrison.
Mr. Phelps was appointed by Gov. Werts of New Jersey in January last a lay member of the Court of Errors and Appeals, an office which gives him a salary of about $1,000 a year. As the lay member of the Court of Errors he also became a member of the Court of Pardons. The appointment of Mr. Phelps, who was at that time Minister to Berlin, by a Democratic Governor, started a vigorous discussion as to the probability that he would change his political belief. His friends, however, emphatically denied that he had undergone any change of heart.
In his will Col. Shepard provided as follows concerning the several properties in which he held the controlling interest:
I hereby request my said trustees and their survivors and successors that in case they or it shall sell or dispose of the interest or shares I may hold in any of said corporations at the time of my death, it shall be on the condition that the purchase shall not operate such corporation or corporations nor permit such corporation or corporations to be operated on the Sabbath day for the publication of a newspaper or the traffic of transportation.
The corporations referred to were The Mail and Express Publishing Company, the New York Express Company, and the Fifth Avenue Transportation Company.
It is not expected that Mr. Phelps will personally devote himself to the arduous and confining duties of newspaper editorship.
A son of Mr. Phelps, a young man of ability and promise, is at present a member of the staff of The Mail and Express, and the surmise that the paper will ultimately come under his direction is probably correct. However that may be, Mr. William Walter Phelps will be a welcome accession to the ranks of New York newspaper proprietors. Mr. Phelps is a very rich man and a Republican of rather liberal and independent inclinations.
One of the interesting events in the social life of Mr. Phelps, as Minister from the United States to Berlin, was the marriage of his daughter, Marion, to Dr. Franz von Rottenburg of that city. The event took place at he [sic] Berlin residence of Mr. Phelps Jan. 1, 1893, in the presence of many of the dignitaries of the court. It was attended with much ceremony. Herr von Boetticher, the superior in rank of the groom, and Ambassador Runyon, signing the marriage certificates for the contracting parties. Among the wedding gifts were valuable articles from Whitelaw Reid, Mrs. James G. Blaine, ex-Speaker Reed, and many well-known New Yorkers.
When a young man, Mr. Phelps made his home in New York, his residence being at 197 Madison Avenue. He still has an office at 2 Wall Street.
New York Times, New York, NY, Nov. 30, 1893, page 1
[Reporters of the period ranged far to fill column space. I fail to see the relevance of another account of Marion's marriage in an article about the purchase of newspaper publishing business.]
"THE MAIL AND EXPRESS" NOT SOLD
W. W. Phelps Denies That He Has Bought it -- His Son Sheffield Might Buy it If it Were Offered to Him.
Ever since Elliott Shepard died there has been considerable speculation about the future of "The Mail and Express," and from time to time there have been reports that it would pass from the control of the Shepard estate. Yesterday it was reported that William Walter Phelps, ex-Minister to Germany, had bought the paper and that it would pass into his hands on January 1. This report was denied yesterday, but there still seems some probability that a sale of the paper has been thought of, and that the most likely buyer will be Mr. Phelps's son, Sheffield Phelps, who is now on the staff of "The Mail and Express."
Ex-Minister Phelps was seen yesterday afternoon at his home at Teaneck, near Englewood, N. J., by a Tribune reporter. He said that there was no truth in the report that he had bought "The Mail and Express." "The report probably comes, " he said, "from the fact that there has been some talk of a sale of the paper, and that in case the executors of Colonel Shepard's estate should decide to sell the paper they would offer it first to my son, who is on the staff. If such an offer were made he might buy it. I have not yet heard that an offer has been made, and I can state definitely that I have not made any negotiations for the paper. I saw my son this morning, and if such an offer had been made to him he would have informed me of it."
New York Tribune, New York, NY, Dec. 1, 1893, page 7