In the heart of New York’s bustling Fifth Avenue Hotel, a legendary enclave known as the “Amen Corner” stood as a unique testament to the city’s social tapestry. A nook at the end of a corridor, adorned with four sofas, became the clandestine meeting place for a peculiar coterie of New Yorkers. Political titans and financial magnates converged in this hallowed space, where whispers of power and influence echoed against the opulent backdrop of the hotel.
The October 10 edition brings forth a narrative that unveils the life of the enigmatic patriarch of the Amen Corner, General Furlong. The article paints a vivid picture of this revered figure, a resident of the Fifth Avenue Hotel for nearly four decades. Furlong’s magnetic presence drew a circle of friends around him, considering him a sage and personal adviser. He stood as a fixture in the hotel’s corridor, becoming acquainted with noteworthy figures who passed through its doors, earning him the moniker “The Father of Amen Corner.”
General Furlong’s life was shrouded in mystery, with whispers of his Ulysses-like adventures across the globe. His status as a bachelor, coupled with a substantial income, afforded him summers spent on world-wide excursions. However, the unveiling of Furlong’s will after his passing raises more questions than answers, as the true extent of his personal life remained a closely guarded secret.
The article sheds light on the £30,000 estate left behind by General Furlong, a fortune that bore testament to a life well-lived. Astonishingly, Furlong’s closest associates were unaware of his familial connections, as diligent inquiries failed to uncover any trace of a wife, heirs, or next of kin. The will, however, revealed a network of beneficiaries stretching from the Crimea to county Limerick, embodying the global scope of Furlong’s connections.
The intricacies of General Furlong’s bequests unveil a philanthropic spirit. From the hotel barber to the chambermaids, each figure that touched Furlong’s life received a substantial remembrance. The generosity extended to a Swedish waitress, Estelle Erdeman, who once served him hot cakes and maple syrup, and whose legacy of £1,000 awaited her, should she be found living in Skenninge, Sweden, or elsewhere.
The Civil War found a place in Furlong’s past, as an old comrade from that tumultuous era received a thoughtful legacy. Legacies to Elizabeth Furlong and her sons, Joseph and Alexander, residing in county Limerick, Ireland, hinted at Furlong’s potential Irish birth, with rumors suggesting a connection to the Lord Mayor of Dublin as his father.
The bulk of General Furlong’s estate found its way into the hands of New York charities, a testament to his commitment to the city’s benevolent institutions. His altruistic legacy encompassed a wide array of charitable causes, leaving an indelible mark on the philanthropic landscape of New York.
As the narrative unfolds, General Furlong’s life emerges as a captivating tale of mystery, adventure, and benevolence. The “Amen Corner” may fade into history, but the legacy of its father, General Furlong, lives on in the stories of those who shared in his enigmatic world.
Pall Mall Gazette – Friday 18 October 1907
