The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1874-09-17
7he yor, collins Gag Twenty-avc Years Old

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Fhe Tom Collins Gag Twenty-Five Years Old.
Ercrvbody has, by this time, had a
word from "rom Collins, and that
mach abused gentleman needs some air
inc. Hes a fraud. Like all great names
OF The dav, that of Thomas was first Gle
waited to its position OF prominence by
certain "Bowerv boys" Of New York
Civ. Ii was bufeltcd about from
mouth TO mouth, and finally found DIS
way 10 the variety stage where 1T De
came The foundation OF numerous Jokes.
Gus Williams, with the qulck-wlttcd
tense in his profession, seized upon 1t,
aad ia his inlmitably drol fashion, gave
Thomas good boost towards the
pinnacle of Same.
Then thc-ftinerant drummers caught
the infection, and when they went out
On their spring drumming excursions,
they carried it with ther:. Travellers
caught it and gave it to hotel clerks, and
those mode specimens Of cleverness
transmitted it with designing intent 10
unwary guests, AMI SO the disease spread
until "Tom Collins" was sought after IN
every town in the Union. lie has been
found in several places, but has pro ca
a different kind of Thomas. The real
Thomas has never been found.
As we said before, Tom Collins is 4
fraud. The gag is nothing more MOI
less than the revival Of an old one, that
had it's origin twenty years ago, and
WAS successfully practiced IN New DIRK
City. If this falls under the eye OF any
New Yorker Of that period, he will re
member the story, especially if lie ever
sought man having a letter from .
friend in California.
Ali chroniccrs in the "buffcr" fraterni-
~ will recolect the fight between Tom
lIyer and Yankee Sullivan, which occur
red about twenty-five years ago.
They will likewise remember thai
Tom Hyer "got away" with Sullivan,
rs the "boys" term it. good deal OF
money changed hands on the result
cfthiS fight, aad Tom Flyers admirers
were so cla;ed at his success,
that they started him in "a saloon at No.
~, son the Bowcry" 1t was about the
time of the opening of this establishment
that liver endea. ored 10 assist an old
friend named Frank Mclaughlin, once
recognized leader of that class Of pro
tcssionaI gentlemen known as gam
b.crs.
One day Mclaughlin was in conversa-
ton with llyer in front of the lattcrs
saloon, and when they parted company,
some one stepped up and warned liver
against bis recent companion, setting
him down IS prohigate character. HyeF
denied the charge against his friend :
reputation, and remarked that IN less
than twcnty.four hours Mclaughlin 5
name would resoand in every street in
New York. Turning irto his saloon,
he then instructed his barkcepcr TO tell
any one who might inquire for Frank
Mclaughlin that he has Just stepped
out and also that he had letter from
California for the person making the
inquiry.
This was about the time the California
gold fever WAS at its height, and there
very few persons who hadn't some re-
lation or acquaintance seeking fortune
in the Far West. Naturally, therefore,
such an assertion WAS calculated to
throw a person into sudden fever of
excitement to hear the latest news from
the Western Eldorado. The gag work
ed admirably every one liver met was
sent TO his saloon to inquire for the
man who had letter tor MIN, and in a
very short time, Frank Mclaughlin was
sought after with 4 diligence that spread
his fame everywhere. Tom Collins
never enjoyed shadow of McLaughlin's
prominent position before tho public
Everybody dropped work to find him,
and many ''bUst" WAS INDUCED in over
oXpcctast golden news.
The gentleman we get this
story from was at the time a
printer in New York City. One day
an associate cali?e "a breathless with ex-
element, and with dialing eyes and
flushed countenance, exclaimed Gust
saw Bob Morris, and he told me Frank
Mclaughlin wants to SEQ me. He's got
letter TOR me. know it's got money
in il, because my left hand itches, and
saw the new moon over nay lett shout
der last myth"
All this was ratified out like shot from
Calling gun. Forthwith the expectant
her of good fortune donned his street
clothes and sailed forth. Late that
night he was found in highly iquidat-
cd state IA a saloon. lie hadn't found
Mclaughlin, but expected him every
Cincinnati Times.