The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1874-08-21
HES an EMPo~TOR.
The Tom Collins Gag t xenty-five Years
Old.

Every body has, by this time, has
: a word from "rom Collins" apC
that much abused gentleman need
some airing. He's fraud. I,ik,
all great names of the day, that o
Thomas was first elevated to its DO
sition of prominence by certain
"BOwery Boys" of New York City
1t has butfeted about from mouth tc
mouth, and finally found its way to
the variety stage, where If became
the foundation of numerous Jokes
Gus Williams, with quick witted
| sense in his professions, seized upon
II, and in his inimitably droll fash
ion, gave Thomas a good boost to-
ward the pinnacle OF fame.
Then the itineraat drummers
caught the Infection, aud when they
went out on their spring drumming
excursion they carried it with them.
Travellers caught it and gave it to
hotel clerks, and those model speci-
mems of cleverness transmitted it
with designing intent TO unwary
guests, and so the disease spread
until TON Collins" was sought af.
ter in every town in the Union. He
has been found in several places,
but has proved different kind of
Thomas. The real Thomas has new
er been found.
AS we said before, Tom Collins is
a fraud. The gag is nothing moro
nor less than the revival of an old
one that had its origin about TWEEN
ty-fiye years ago, and was suc1e So
fully practieed in New York City.
II this falls under the eye of any
New Yorker of that period, he will
remember the story, especially if he
ever sought man having a letter
from friend in California.
All chronicles III the ''buffer"
fraternity will recoliect the fight be-
tween Tom Hyer and Yankee Sulli-
van, which occurred about twenty
FIVE years ago. They will likewise |
rember that Tom Hyer "got away"
with Sullivan, as the "boys" term it.
A good deal of money changed |
hands on the result of this fight,
and Tom Flyers admirers were so
elated at his success that they start
ed him in saloon at No. 40, fon
the Bowery." 1t was abolt the time
of the opening of this establishment
that Hyer endeayored to assist an
old friend named Frank McLaugh-
lin, once a recognized leader among
that class of professional gentlemen
known as gamblers.
One day Mclaughlin was in con-
with Hyer in front of the
atter's saloon, and when they par
and warned Hyer against his recent
setting him down as a
orotligate character. Hyer denied
he charge against his friends repu-
alton, and remarked that in less
han twenty-four hours McLaugh-
ms name would resound in every
street in New York. Turning into
lis saloon, he then instructed his
Iarkeeper to tell any one who
night inquire for Frank McLaugh-
in that he had just stepped out,
md also that he had a letter from
California for the person making ,
he inquiry.
This was about the time the
California gold fever was at it's
leight, and there were very few ,
PERSONS who hadn't some relation ,
'r acquaintance seeking a fortune
n the Far West. Naturally, there
ore, such an assertion was calcu-
ated to throw a person into a
udden fever of excitement to hear
he latest news from the Western
Colorado. The gag worked admit I
ably; every one Hyer met was
ent to his saloon to inquire for
he man who had a letter for him,
md in very short time Frank
was sought after with {
diligence that spread his fame
Tom Collins never
njoyed shadow of McLaughlin's
position before the pub
ic. Everybody dropped work to
ind him. and many a "bust" was s
ndulged in over expectant golden
Jews.
The gentleman we get this story
rom was at the time q printer in
gew York City. One day an as
ociate came in breathless with ex-
element, and with dilating eyes {
nd flushed countenance, excIaim- {
ID, 'Just saw Bob Morris, and he {
old me Frank Mclaughlin wants {
o see me. He's got q letter for
ne. / know it's got money in it,
because my left hand itches and l
aw the new moon over my left
boulder last night"
All this was ratified out like shot ,
rom Calling gun. Forthwith the
xpectant heir of good fortune dom ,
led his street clothes and sailed
orth. Late that night he was
ound in q highly liquidated state
n a saloon. He haden't found
but expected him ev- ;
ry moment.-Cincinn0t6 Times.