Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-31
HARRY HILLS BIG ROLL.
$4,000 IN BIILS FLASHED Up
BEFORE MERRY WICHTS.


and wore on his shirt front a big capital
SIS" embiazoned with diamonds. His
hands showed traces OF rheumatism, and
he walked as though suffering FROM
touch OF tneagout HIS eyes were steel
blue in color. and his face was rudy and
clean shaver. he had an expansive mouth.
filled with an exquisite set Of false teeth,
and he wore gold chain so massive that
it recalled the old-tme logging chains. He
took seat at a little round table. and in
vited those present to have drink. Joe
Shannon. Claire EytInge, Rogers himself,
George RaynoT, and other old-time New
Workers accepted tie invitation, and the
conversation gradually drifted into remit
niscences OF he past. 10 paying bis reck-
Ouing the blgh gentleman dropped roll
OF bills. Rogers picked il up, aud after
the lapse Of a few minutes placed 1t on the
table, twisted of rubber band, and be-
gan 10 unroll it, TIE first note displayed
vas one for $1,000. Note after note was
peeled from the roll until $4,000 lay on
tie table. most Of them 500 in denomina-
ton. The party looked on in astouished
merriment. Suddenly the gentleman with
the heavy watch chain became aware that
something was up. lie ran his knObbed
fingers into the pockets Of his trousers,
came intensified.
..'Od on there" he said in an English
accent "Dlast your two eyes! That's my
Doodle. I've just sold a steamboat, and
got paid for it,
There was a roar Of laughter amid
which the speaker ordered on a bOttle of
Comet. He was the renowned Harry Hill,
who always carries thousands Of dollars
IN his pockets, unless attending a prize
fight, when he hides bis money in mis-
shoes. + Orty years ago he came here
poor boy without dollar. For Two years
be took care Of a stable over on Long
Island. AFTER that be started livery
stable. but within twelve months opened
concert saloon and dance house on
Crosby and Houston streets. For years
be was extremely active in sporting CIR
cles. No man bad better dogs a1d game
fowls. He was the friend of ali pugilists.
wrestlers. club swinger and billiard
shafps. His first place OF business was "A
small frame building two stories hign.
The entrance 10 the ballroom WAS through
q y niteW ashed stone cellar, and 10 mar
row stairway. The dances were varied
BY a Tree and easy entertainment. the mu-
sic being furnished by blind female pi-
anist.
With the lapse of years the building
was remOdeied until IL has the look OF a
small opera house. A huge golden eagle,
with 0utstretcbed wings Is ever on guard
at night, over the main entrance. IL is
poised IN the glow Of nest % electric
lights. A well-appOinted stage occupies
the back OF the theatre, ana space is re-
served 10 the centre of the parquet for
.aancing. An orchestra that would dumb
found An inland city fills the air with mu-
sic. There is dress circle filled with
fair and frail girls, and an upper circle
reserved for visitors who prefer 10 retire
by a private entrance. The theatrical
entertainment is not eXcelled by those OF
the London and Harry Miners theatres
Indeed, some OF the best variety perform
ers OF the present day. both male and fe-
male, graduated from Harry HilPs stage.
Managers OF variety theatres here and
elsewhere frequently visit his place in
search Of new and novel attractions. One
OF MS stars Is Fatty Rush, once a noted
newsbOy. lie resembles the baby ele-
phart. His cast-oh trousers are eagerly
sought by variety performers Tor use in
their roles. Edward Harrigan used Fat
tvs garments in his deineatlOns IN the
MuillgaH Guard plays. TIE baggness OF
the tCeascrs produced an effect tnat inva-
riably brought down the house.
Next 10 the theatrical performances,
the auraciion al Harry HIPS is undoubt-
eddy tue EiIls. They are mgnnerly and
wpil-bebag1d and are dressed IN the height
oifasDlou. The girls are admitted free,
but al others are charged - cents. Dur
1ng the performances the tables IN the par-
queL ami on the balconies IRE surrounded
by men drinking wine and tOasting their
fair companions. A restaurant furnished
with prove nder raised on HIil's Long
Island iartas is ever at the service of the
guests, aud meals can be furnished in pri-
Nate rooms If desired. No man who comes
10 New York TO ''see the elephant ever
returns home without VISITING Harry
HING III IL "A for Or
Metropolitan opera House. In thirty-five
years 10 man has been robbed in the
house. Thieves give il wide berth, and
confidence mon prefer the street to its
hnspitalties. The performances are va
Iled 10y boxing matches WITHIN a twenty
foot ring. Many men who aaye won lame
in a prize ring have begun their career
here. The matches are always conduct
Cd with eourtly ceremony. and az times
attract distinguished audiences. / have
seen Cong ressmen, Judges, mem ers of
the legislature aud ciergymen ENJOYING
these eDtert ainnents. One night / was
surprised 10 observe the two sons Of "A
President OF the United States "a ated in
me gallery scraping acquaintancesh,p
with the pretty walter girls. Don Carlo 5
ana che Prince Of Wales each spent "A
night here while visiting this country.
Parties OF brokers on a lark are frequent
visitors, ana at times appear on the stage
dhti sing songs ana dance with the girls.
II larry M is worth about 81. 600 OOO
Not all OF this money was made IN bis va
riety theatre. He is a sbrewd real estate
epeculatOr and he owns TWO or three lines
NJ steamboats,. His country seat near
Flushing * well worth a visit. Men send
from far and near for his thoroughbred
Berkshire pigs lie has an immense Goa .
scryatory. hlled WITH rare planJs. but he
has as yet escaped the orchid craze. lie
raises the largest and finest mushrooms
on Long Island, and macy wealthy
Eourmand la the city IS indebted 90 him
Tor baskets OF thus hghly-prlzed edible.
Iiill's yard u filled with choice trees and
shru bbery. lie raises his own uork and
smokes his own hams. How well they
are smoked is shown by the demand Tor
them from bis acquaintance. Not day
passes without bis sending a chuiC4 ham
10 some prominent cttizen. D1.s of all
breeds and sizes welcome hlm when he
appears at hrs suburban residence. lie
visits IT twice week. on "Wednesday and
Sunday, driving out from the city bnhind
team OF spanking bays. His stable con.
tain maryel- OF h0rseflesh When a. his
country residence be has instant cOlnmu-
nicatiOn Win his theatre by telephone.
His friends are always welcome the q.
There he graufes his English tastes I'M
afsi "A nh. 90 J..