Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-03-29
STORIES OF WI. r. TnAvERs.

STORIES OF VI. II. TRAVERS.
Some Of The Sayings That Have Made
Him Famous-One of the Most Pop
ular Men milne MetrOpOlis-Wit That
StiDgs and HumOr That is Kindly.
Nelo York Times.
Perhaps the most popular man in the
city among Wall street bankers and
brokers. uptown club men, patrons and
followers OF the turf, and members OF the
New YUrs Athletic Club and the Racquet
Club Is William X. TraYers. Although
a thorough and " ell-iniOTmed man of
business, and able finAnc Ter and cap
italist, be Is known best through his
geniality, his kindly feeling toward
young men, and HIS witty and humorous
remarks. Tall and erect, be carries his
seventy years as bTiskly as a man of
forty. BOrn in Baltimore, he was con-
sideTahly past the age of those known
nowadays as young men when he came
L. NeG YORK with MS wife, daughter OF
Reverdy Johnson. Taking Keep inter-
est in the development of horses, he be-
cams intimately associated with the gen
tlemen who have elevated the sport Of
bOTse-FacIug in the East, and as President
81 tae New York Athletic Club he has
ust seen the members take possession OF
probably the most magnificent clubhouse
Of the Kind in the world. AS President Of
the Racquet Club be has seen still an
other building devoted to an athletic
sport. He does not neglect any of tue
clubs with which he is connected, ana for
that alone, If for no other reason, he
would be we'll liked. Always an interes-
ting talker, be is surrounded by admirers
and friends wherever he gOes-tO the
Racquet Club for an hour, to the Athletic
Club for an evening, to the Windsor
Hotel for a chat with brokers', to political
fa4Na mr. hoy Trrfr ton
Madison Square Garden.
la puUhU PAGES Mr. TTavers is inclined
TO 5e reserved, ami giimpses of his humOr
have depended on his intimate acquaint-
ances for circulation. His wit never
screens malice, but It frequently stings,
being at times near the truth. But above
and through all is an obstruction Of
speech that IN many cases has added TO
the humOr Of his sayings, and SO many
Ofthem have passed current of late years
that 1t seems appropriate to gather TO-
gether the best OF tuOse that have ap-
Pedred in print at various times. Some
OF his best sayings were years ago, when
John hoTrissey was in the height OF his
glory. MOrrlssey th. ught be knew u
good race horse when he saw if, but the
colts that he tried to run at Saratoga
were costly animals for him. While he
was patting one OF his colts on the track
one Udf NJ LEdACLS Ndlhtu NY
what have you g-gOt there, JOHNNY he
asked, stopping near the animal.
"a race-hOrse," MOrrissey replied, with
ar air OF satisfaction.
"a r-race-hOTse!" Travers exclaimed.
Yes, sir, a Tace-hOTse. Are you going
20 bet on hImI'
yes, I'll b-het on him." Travers re-
pliet decidedly.
"HowT' MorrIssey asked, somewhat in
dou,t.
I'm cooper him."
A former acquaintance in Baltimore
met him in Broadway, and, turning aside,
began to chat with him.
You stammer more since you have
lived in New York" The friend remarked
in the course OF the talk, ''than You did
in Baltimore"
"B-b-bigger place" Travers replied.
At the call Of the list in the stock EX-
change a dispute arose over a bid for a
stock. MT. III. G.. SJebhius is credited
with being the gentleman Ia opposition
10 Mr.. TTayCrs. Stebbins asserted that he
named tue price.
1T may be that Mr.. StStebbins g-got
through b-hefOre ! did, b-but I'll b-be
hangee If didn't b-begin b-oetOre he did,"
TraveTs replied.
The stock was awarded to him.
4 story told about him in Brooklyn re-
lates to a visit there to attend the wedding
Of the daughter Of friend ThO lived in
Montague street. 1t was his first visit in
the neighbOrhOOd, and afte he had as
cended the stairs halfway up the hill
from the ferry he went astray in Montague
terrace, and was at length compelled to
ask for directions.
u desire TO reach M-MOntague street."
he said To "A passer-by, evil you b-be
k-ki~d enough TO p-pOint the w-way?'
you are g-gOing the wT-Wr0ng w-way,"
was the suffering reply. "Taat is NJ
Montague street"
sIAre you m-makiDg fun of mime,
m-mimlcking m-mep Travers asked
steruly.
mono, I assure you, sir" the other re-
piled, with all due b ste ID repair an ap-
parent lack Of good manners. ''l-I am
D-badly al-flict-1icted with an Ob-struc-
structIOn Of speech"
why DIDN'T you g-get c-cuTedP
Trayers asked, with mischief in his eyes,
ego to DR.. - and you'll g-get c-cured.
D-dOn't you see how well l talk? He
c-cured me-"
Men with gigantic schem es have sought
MIN time and again. Once he was APP
pealed TO By a gentleman who wanted to
sell mine. He showed all the reports,
and SAID he had taken 100000 out Of the
mine. He was willing 10 sell the property
for a sum considerably less than the
amount produced.
III YOU ha-hadn't ta-taken anyth-thing
out think l would ta-take the m-mine,"
Travers responded.
He had his adventures at the Demo-
cratic Convention which nominated Gen.
Hancock for President. The day after
the nomination Mr.. TraveTs, while walk
ing up a street, was accOsted by a strang-
er who was carrying more liquor than
was good for him, and had box OF cigars
under his arm,
''Sayl Are you Hancock man?" was
the greeting.
''Yes, I'm H-Hancock man." Travers
replied.
''Well it's darned lucky for you. Take
q cigar; they're irst-rate. I'm working
for ny candidate, l am, an working both
ways, too
Accepting the cigar without ofTense,
TTayers walked on, but, hearing a row
behind, turned and looked back. He saw
the Hancock man pounding two citizens
who did not happen TO be for his candi-
date.
.Fhen," Travers said after ward, in de-
scri5ing the incident, II b-5egau to
understand b-OOth ways Of w-work-
iug."
Two raps for Henry Clews, the banker,
are recorded. 1t has been frequent boast
of MIR. Clews that be is a self-made man.
Trevers beard him on one occasion, and
Immediately dropped into g sort Ofreverie,
with Lis eyes fixed ON Mr.. Clew's bald
e.
.sWeU. what's the after, Traverse ?"
.CIesvs asked. somewhat impa tiently.
aH-Henry," Trayers inquired, sd
didn't you s-s-say you were a self-made
.sCertainIv: made myfelf," Clews re-
phi ed, warmly. :.