Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-06-10
HIS FORTUNE SOON GONE.
initiating sSCoal Oil johnny in a Small
Way.

Initiating ssCoal OIL johnny I'm q Small
Way.
YOUNG Mr.. RANIHAN's observation-disclosures
NoUNCING HIS WEDDING WITHOUT SECURING
BRIDE.
From the New York Times
Some people eat strawberry shortcake with O
fork, Others prefer a spoon. John Ranihan
paralyzed 200 people in the AstOr House res
taurant n few days ago by returning to first
principles and using his fingers. Herman Fox,
a lawyer, of No. $50 Broadway, and Maurice
j. Joyce, who were eating lunch with Mr.. RAM
han, tried to look unconscious of the stares
and glares 1eveled in their direction, and failed
ANONYMOUSLY. Mr.. Ranihan didn't try to do
anything of the kind, and succeeded bsauti-
fully. Having hoisted the last strawberry into
his rather cavernous mouth Mr.. Ranihan,
who has, rather once had, more
money than he knew what to do with. wiped
his hands on the tablecloth. and rose with the
knows when to stop. Mr.. Ranihan lives at No.
431 Pleasant avenue. The object OF his dreams,
is the handsomest girl in the seventh ward, and
has been told so often enough to feel secure of
her position Mr.. Ranihans father died year
ago last August. He was a cartman. He went
one better than the man who made hay while
the sun shone and made it while it didn't shine.
AS natural consequence he owned No. 20
Henry street and No 1O2 Madison street, when
he died. His only son, John, fell heir to the
houses and lived in clover on the rents. He
a
and cart simply because it never occurred to
him to labor while he was ted and clothed in
idleneSs.
The elder Ranihan had some relatives but
never recognized them. excepting q nephew,
James Ranihan, of No. 80 Madison street. The
tention to John Ranihan while his father lived,
but cultivated his attention soon it was
worth while. About three months ago Ranihan
emerged from obscurity and electrified those
who knew him by renting an office from the
Marvin Safe company, 1t was well known that
aS m anfi tl6a finrh mos hnr
has for ladder climbing. He quickly demon
strated this by ordering a safe from the Marvin
also paid years rent in advance. Egged on by
boon companions who had attached them selves
to him, he mortgaged his Henry street house for
$4,000 to the Emgrant Savings bank. and his
Madison street house for $1,000 to the Farmers
Loan and Trust company. He opened an ae-
count with the Nassau bank. He became adj
dicted to driving a dog cart and persevered in
spite of being pitched over the dashboard
and tailboard on two separate occasions
Two months ago he called upon Thomas
Joyce u Son, carpenters and contractors. of Nos.
SO and Al Henry street, and who lived at No.
hans father had been lifelong friends. and when
Ranihan's houses needed repairs Thomas Joyce
made them. Ranihan said he desired to i'm
altered to Fifth avenue style. His orders were
so lavish. not to say idiotic, that Joyce & Son
refused to fill them. They made the necessary
repairs and then left the premises Ranihan
spent s 600 on the house before Maurice Joyce
induced him to stop. soon after he presented
Maurice Joyce with u diamond ring. Three
days after Ranihan modestly requested that
the ring should be turned over to Miss Joyce.
She examined the ring and returned it to her
brother. She didn't want Mr.. Ranihans ring,
she said, or Mr.. Ranihan either
a few days later Ranihan brought diamond
shawl pin to the carpenters shop. This was
quickly followed by a gold watch and chain. O
gold necklace which cost 81 80 and diamond
cross which cost $3.50 In all he bought about
81 900 worth of jewelry. 1t was put In the safe
of Joyce Son, and so was a big wedding ring,
the last purchase of Mr.. Ranihan The Joyce
f.rl n -l,.ff
number OF carriages drove up to the door on Fri
day night. They had been hired by Mr.
Ranihan, who told the drivers that he was to
be married to Miss Joyce. He bought a suit of
clothes to be married in. and went quietly home
when told by Maurice Joyce not to be makinga
fool of himself He went home and yesterday
morning he appeared at the office of Herman
Fox, No. $50 Broadway. He was accompanied
by Michael Hannah, who lived with him, and
by James Shea, who Is married to Humans
daughter, and who lives with Ranihan also. Mr..
Fox is the attorney of Joyce & Son, and has
also acted for Ranihan. The latter took q chair
Lawyer Fox did so. He asked Ranihan if he
had come fora settlement. Ranhan meekly
said yes. 1t then appeared that Ranhan had
sold his Madison-street house for $4,000, less
the mortgage, and his Henry-street house for
$4,000, inclusive of the mortgage. He had
given Shea $4,000 to put into Il ''cobbling ma
chine" about which Shea was very reticent. He
had also given Shea 81 1000 to open shoe
No 521 East Tooth and Goth street from r
Henry Drugo He had paid $4,000 down and
agreed 10 take Title ana pay 100000 more on
June 18th. The price of the house a double one
was to be $4,000 He had rented house on
2oth street from MIR. L. Crasto IL Son. and
given them check on the Nassau bank for
$3.50. AS he had no money at the bank
when the check was presented Mr.. Crasto
brought him to task. Ranihan gave up
the house and 5000 to settle the diff Guilty He
gave note for 5000 to an aunt and told u legal
friend to attend to ii. The note was allowed to
go to protest. Suit was brought, and in default
Judgment was rendered against Ranihan. He
gave Lawrence McDonal, of No. 154 Maiden
lane, $500 and took his note. payable in fifteen
years, for it. He gave Maurice Joyce SD 700
to take care OF, and of all his money this is all
spent or given away at the dictation of people
who have seldom of late allowed him out of
their sight.
Mr.. Joyce had the money intrusted to him
ready to hand over but on the advice of LAWYER
Fox he decided to withhold it until Mr. Han
nan and Mr.. Shea, who managed Ranihan's
case, while he said nothing, had brought a state
ment of what was owing Kanihan, as they did
not seem satisfied with Mr.. JOyce's account
though Ranihau said it was "all right" Ran
ihan was asked if Miss Joyce had promised to
marry him. He promptly said No." Had she
given him any reason TO think that she would
ever marry him? No. Had she ever accepted
a present from him? No. Where had his
money gone? He didn't know. He promised
to call at Mr.. FoXs office on Monday If his
friends Shea and Hannah had his statement
ready. He seemed utterly unable to Think for
himself, and several people who have known
him for years say that il Il stranger were to ask
him for 81 900 ne would give it without hest
tation IL he had it. Lawyer Fox thinks of APP
plying to court for the appointment Of a guar