The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-30
A NEW YORK CHARACTER.
Harry Hill, the Famous, or Infamous,
Millionaire of the Fancy "Dives."
Society Matters in New York-A Vegetable
and Flower Ball-Nym Crinkle Finds
New and Beautiful Actress.


Written for the indianapolis Journal.
A Man Who Has Grown Up with the Town.
While was testing the cheese in Billy Rogers's
famous Broadway saloon recently, chunk of
humanity arrayed in pilot jacket entered. He
carried an expensive silk umbrella, and wore on
his shirt front big capital ''G" emblazoned
with diamonds. His hands showed traces of
rheumatism, and he walked as though suffering
from touch of the govt His eyes were steel
blue in' color, and his face was rudy and clean
shaven. He had an expansive mouth. filed with
an exquisite set of false teeth, and he wore a
gold chain so massive that it recalled the old
time logging chains. He took a seat
at a little round table, and invited
those present to have drink Joe
Shannon, Claire Eytinge. Rogers himself,
George Raynor and other od-time New Workers
accepted the invitation, and the conversation
gradually drifted into "reminiscences of the past.
In paying his reckoning the bluff gentleman
dropped roll of bills. Rogers picked it up, and,
after the lapse of a few minutes placed it on the
table, twisted off rubber band and began to I'M
roll it. The first note displayed was one for
$1,000. Note after note was peeled from the
roll, until 500. 900 lay the table, most of them
$500 in denomination. The party looked on in
astonished merriment. Suddenly the gentleman
with the heavy watch chain became aware tina t
something was up He ran his knobbed fingers
into the pockets of his trousers. and the interest
depicted in his face became intensified.
cold on there" he said in an English accent
Blast your two eyes, that's my Doodle. I've
i,cf - Co.
There was roar of laughter, amid which the
speaker ordered on bottle OF Gouet He was
the renowned Harry Hill, who always carries
thousands of do liars in his pockets unless at
tending prize-f ght when he hides his money
in his shoes. Forty years ago he came here q
poor DO y, without dollar. For two years he
took care of stable over on Long Island. After
that ne started livery stable, but within
twelve months opened a concert saloon and
dance-house on Crosby and Houston streets
For years he was extremely active in sporting
circles. No man had better dogs and game
fowls He was the friend of all pugilists wrest-
lers. club-swingers and billiard sharps. His first
place of business was small frame building,
two stories high. The entrance TO the bali room
was through whitewashed stone CO liar and up
a narrow stairway. The dances were varied by
a free and easy entertainment the music being
furnished by blind female pianist.
With the lapse of years the building was re-
modelled until it has the look of small opera
house. A huge golden eagle. with outs tretched
wings is ever on guard at night. over the main
entrance. 1t is poised in the glow Of a nest of
electric lights. well-appointed stage occupies
the back of the theater. and space is reserved
in the center Of the parquet for dancing. An
orchestra that would dulnbfound an inland city
fills the air with music. There is a dress circle
filled with fair and frail girls, and an upper circle
reserved for visitors who prefer to retire by a
private entrance. The theatrical entertainment
is not exceled by those of the London and Harry
Miners Theaters Indeed, some of the best
variety performers of the present day both male
and female, graduated from Harry Hills stage
Managers of variety theatsrs here and elsewhere
frequently visit his place in search of new and
Eovel attractions One of his stars is Fatty
Rush, once noted newsboy. He resembles the
baby elephant. His cast-off trousers are eagerly
sought by variety performers for use in their
roles. Edward Harrigan used Fatty's garments
in his delineations in the Mulligan Guard plays
The baggineSs of the trousers produced an effect
that invariably brought down the house
Next to the theatrical performances the at.
traction at Harry Hills is undoubtedly the girls.
They are manneriy and we'll behaved, and are
dressed in the height of fashion The girls are
cents. During the performances the tables in the
parqnet and on the balconies are surrounded by
men drinking wine and toasting their fair COM
panions. Arestaurant furnished with provender
raised on Hills Long Island farms is ever at the
service of the guests, and meals can be fur
nished in private rooms, if desired No man
who comes to New York to ''see the elepha act"
ever returns home without visiting Harry
Hills. 1t is as safe for strangers as the
Metropolitan Opera house. In thirty Eve years
ON hoe baap rohhad in Tho
give it wide berth, and confidence men prefer
the street to its Inequalities. The perform
ances varied by boxing matches within a
twenty-foo ring Many men who have won
fame in a prize ring have begun their caree r
here. The matches are always conducted with
courtly ceremonies, and at times attract distin-
guished audiences. l have seen congressman
judges, members of the Legisla and clergy
laen enjoying these entertainments. One night
was surprised TO observe the two sons of
President of the United States seated in the gal
lery scraping acquaintanceship with the pretty
waiter girls. Don Carlos and the Prince of
Wales each spent a night here while visiting
this country. Parties OF brokers on a lark are
frequent visitors, and at times appear on the
stage and sing songs and dance with the girls.
Harry Hill is worth about 81, 100000. Not all
OF this money was made in his variety theater.
He is shrewd real estate speculator, and he
owns TWO or three lines OF steamboats,. His
country seat, near Flushing is we'll worth
visit Men send from far and near for his thor
oughbred Berkshire pigs. He has an immense
conservatory, filed with rare plants. but he has
as yet escaped the orchid craze. He raises the
largest and finest mushrooms on Long Island,
and many q wealthy gourmand in the city
is indebted to him for baskets of this
highly priced edible. Hills yard is filled
with choice trees and shrubbery. He raises his
own pork and smokes his own hams, How we'll
they are smoked is shown by the demand for
them from his acquaintance. Not day passes
without his sending choice ham to some prom
inent citizen Dogs of all breeds and sizes well
come him when he appears at his suburban resi-
dence He visits it twice week, on Wednes-
days and Sundays, driving out from the city
behind team Of spanking bays His stables
contain marvels of horse1esh. When at his
country residence he has instant communication
with his theater by telephone. His friends are
always welcome there. There he gratfes his En-
elish tastes unhampered. Juicy steaks and chops