The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-04-15

King of Minstrsis--N Nesg Tribune Butld-
{pg, 90.
Correspondence of the Star.
NEW YORK, April II, 1875.
Yesterday death leyeled low another
genial gentleman, and one of the best
known characters in the professional
world, in the person Of fDanielW ,OBrien,
or as he is better known Dan Bryant,
the great negro minstrel performer, who
died at his residence, No. 20 East Six
tieth street, at A O'Clock, after an illness
of but few days. After performing on
the 3D. inst, and while going home, he
caught cold, which settled into pneu-
monia, disease from which but few re-
cover anywhere, and fewer still, If any,
in the climate of New York.
Mr.. Bryanps lite, in the path he chose,
has been a most successful one, and
strel stage who surpassed him as de-
lineator OF negro Characters; and no
man passing away has left behind a
larger circle OF sorroWing friends than
he. Most OF his time has been spent in
this city, though the whole country
knew him, at least in his professional
character; but it was here that he was
best appreciated, both as an actor and a
citizen. Although he has made money,
he has spent il In hundred charitable
ways; and there are living in this city
to-day many men of standing in society
who owe their positions to the liberality
of the departed minstrel.
His last hours were ones OF pain to
him and anguish to his friends, as he
was delirious for two. days before be
died, and when he did die he died with
out saying word of farewell to his
wife, his children or his friends, and 80,
as gentleman present remarked
"passed away the king OF the Min
strels.'p His opera-house in Twenty.
third street, near Sixth avenue, where
for years past he has amused thousands
of people, was closed last night and
craped in the habiliments of woe, anG
rumor has 1t, that When it reOpens it vii
be reopened for other purposes than the
merry making of negro minstrel per
formers.
THE TRIBUNE BUILDING.
1t is finished, or at least one-half OF it is
and the huge pepper-box stands at the
corner of Spruce street and Printing
House Square in all the majesty Of nine
stories, topped by tower which looms
up 280 feet above the ground. This new
Tribune Building, about which so muci
has been said and written, is beaStly
structure, and is in reality an eye-sort
to all who gaze upon it. 1n the hrs,
place 1t is tall and slim, and looks AZ
though the first stiff breeze that came
along would sweep it down.. Then every
imaginable color is blended in its con
struction. 1t has big and little windows
and big and little doors, standing side
by side in fearful contrast to each other.
Imagine man about eight feet tall
and as thick as lamp post, wearing one
shoe about twelve inches and the other
tWenty-four inches long, with red stock
ings, green knee breeches, blue coat, yell
low shirt, violet neckJie, black collar, car.
mine gloves and brown hat, with large
mouth, small nose, one eye big and the
other eye little, and you have the Tribune
building as 1t appears at present. It'll
the general opinion that the arohitec
who planned it ought TO be presented
with gold medal for having succeeded
in getting up the oldest thing ever seen
upon earth. It's odd, and that is al
that can be said in its favor.
BUSINESS AND THE WEATHER.
The weather, as everybody knows, is
an important factor i'll trade, especially
il city is blessed with such street.
cleaning department as New York pos.
sesses, as they are noted for The intense
regularity with which they expend the
moneys appropriated to their use in do.
ing nothing. We nave experienced here
the most severe winter known for twenty
years. Snow storm alter snow storm
came down upon the city, accumulating
in great drifts along all the great busi-
ness thorOughfares, and was allowed to
remain just where it fell, an impeachment
to trade and travel, and, as filth accumu-
lated with it. it eXhaleu sickness and
death.
Had few thousand dollars been eX-
pended in clearing it away, millions OF
dollars would have been added to the
wealth of the city, and therefore of the
nation, and many human lives would
have been saved. But no, it was allowed
TO remain until nature saw lit to perform
the work, and in the course Of the last
week she has done it. Warm days and
plenty of rain have somewhat cleaned
the streets, and to-day in walking
through them a person would hardly
know that there mad been severe
winter.
l presume that Police Commissioner
Disbecker, whose correct name is Dis
pecker, and who is at the head OF the
Street Cleaning Department, will ride
around the city to-day with some of his
friends, and in pointing out to them the
cleared and cleaned streets, will ex-
claim, "This is my workr" g.
With the clearing up of the weather
and the opening OF the thoroughfares
trade appears to have become endowed
with new lease OF life, and all traces OF
panicky times seem to have disap-
peared. ECRA.
soI L