Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-08-26
HE'S AN IMP0STER.
Tie Tom Collins Gag Twenty-Five Years


Tie Tom Collins Gag Twenty-Five Years
Cid.
Everybody has, by this time, had
word from ''Tom Collins" and that
much abused gentleman needs some
airing. He's a fraud. Like all great
names of the day, that of Thomas was
first elevated to it's position of promi-
hence by certain ''Bowery boys" of
New York city. It has bufeted about
from mouth to mouth, and finally
found it's way to the variety stage,
where it became the foundation Of nu-
merous jokes. Gus Williams, with
quick-witted sense in his profession,
seized upon it, and in his inimitably
drol fashion, gave Thomas a good
boost toward the pinnacle of fame.
Then itinerant drummers caught the
infection, and when they went out on
their spring drumming excursions they
carried 1t with them. Travellers caught
it and gave it to hotel clerks, and those
model specimens Of cleverness trans
mitted it with designing intent to I'M
wary guests, and SO the disease spread
until "Tom Collins" was sought after
in every town in the union. He has
been found IN several places, but he
has proved different kind of Thomas.
The real Thomas has never been found.
As we said before. Tom Collins is
fraud. The gag is nothing more or less
than the revival of an old one that had
its origin about twenty-five years ago,
and was successfully practiced in New
York City. If this falls under the eve
OF any New Yorker of that period, he
will remember the story, especially if
he even sought a man having a letter
from a friend in California.
All croniclers in the ''buffer' fraterni-
ty will reccollect the fight between Tom
Hyer and Yankee Sullivan, which oc-
CURED about twenty-five years ago.
They will likewise remember that Tom
Heyer "got away with Sullivan, as
the :" boys term it. A good deal of
money changed hands on the result of
this fight, and Tom Hyer's admirers
were SO elated at his success that they
started him in a saloon at No. 40 con
the Bowery." It was about the time Of
the opening Of this establishment that
Hyer endeavored to assist an old friend
named Frank Mclaughlin, once a rec
ognized leader among that class Of
professional gentlemen known as gam
blers
One day Mclaughlin was in CONVEX.
sation with Hyer in front of the latter's
saloon, and when they parted company
some one stepped up and warned liver
against his recent companion, setting
him down as profigate character.
Hyer denied the charge against his
friends reputation, and remarked that
in less than twenty four hours Ne
Laughlin's name would resound in
every street In New York city. Turn
ing into his saloon, he then instructed
his barkeeper to tell any one who might
inquire for Frank Mclaughlin that he
had just stepped out, and also that he
had a letter from California for the per
son making the inquiry.
This was about the time the Califor-
MA gold fever was at it's height, and
there were very few persons who hadn' t
some relation or acquaintance seeking a
fortune N the Far West. Naturally.
therefore, such an assertion was calcu-
lated TO throw person into sudden
fever Of excitement to hear the latest
news from the Western Eldorado. The
gag worked admirably; every one Hyer
met was sent to his saloon to inquire
for the man who had a letter for him.
and IN very short time Frank Nc
Laughlin was sought after with dill
gence that spread his fame everywhere.
Tom Collins never enjoyed shadow Of
McLaughlin's prominent position be-
fore the public. Everybody dropped
work to find him, and many a bust :"
was INDUCED III over expectant golden
news
The gentleman we get this story
from was at the time printer in New
York City. One day an associate came
in breathless with excitement, and.
with dilating eyes and flushed counte-
nance, exclaimed, "Just saw Bob Nor
ris, and he told me Frank Mclaughlin
wants to see me. He's got n letter for
me. know it's got money in it, be-
cause my left hand itches and I saw the
new moon over my left shoulder last
night.
All this was ratified out like shot
from Gatling gun. Forthwith the ex-
pectant heir Of good fortune donned
his street clothes and sailed forth.
Late that night he was found in high
ly liquifed state in saloon. He hadn't
found Mclaughlin, but expected him
every moment. Cincinnati Times,
Political Coinage.