Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-01-17
Death of Robert Il. Teel.

Robert L. Teel, well known in former
years as The proprietor of the most noted
club house in the city, when such institu
tions formed distinct phase of Washing
ton life, died Gu Friday st his residence
from az attack of biliousness Mr.. Teel was
seventy-ons years of age, and to many 8
man who remembers Washington twenty
FIVE years ago his death will bring up re-
membranes of bis elegant establishment, at
which Senators and Representatives might
be found indulging in eumptuous dinners or
making heavy wGgers over roulette or faro.
Mr. Tee was Virginiau and came to
Washington about 1917 He started in busi-
pess aud was prosperiDg as merchant, but
the gay and fast life that seems to have been
characteristic OF Washington then lead him
fEora the quiet seclusio1 of business, and he
established what soon became one of the
most famous club houses in the South. It
was one Of the features of the Capital and
to strangers who were in the city bent on
sightseeing, visit to Bob Techs was con-
sidered as important as tour Of the Capt.
tol or an inspection of the White House IT,
self. Here, when the turmoil of the days
labor was Of an end, might be found half
the notables who then occupied seats in
Congress. Politicians, statesmen, orators
end public officials were all TO be found
there-some discussing some grave political
question which was then agitating the coun-
try, as they slipped their wine others al
lowing themselves relaxation from their
official duties, as they laughed and joked
over dinner while others were Danish
ing all business care and their dollars at
the same time, in feverish e6gerness in
the seductive occupation of "buckipg
the tiger" 1t was gay and luxurious
establishment, and what raised it in the
estimate of its patrons was the fact that it
was also exclusive. Very few citizens of the
District gained admission and the digniied
statesman could be sure that h5 vas safe
from the eyes OF the public, and that his as
sociates there were also his associates 10 pub
lie life.
i Mr.. Tee was the spirit of the place. The
quiet, eentlemanly and genial department
| that distinguished him as man, seemed TO
lend its iDdrence to the character Of the
house. His own knowledge and taste were
what produced the excellence of his enter
tanment, and his generous and bright ma
ture gave an air of cheerfuiness which would
otherwise have been lacking. He was prob.
ably better known among the members OF
oftheir number, and Bob Teel, as he was
familiarly called, was as much one of the
prominent men of the city as any of his
patrons.
Money flowed through his establishment
like water, but very little of it stayed with
Teel, who gave up his rich establishment
almost as poor man as be was when he
| started it. He had hosts of friends, how
ever, and for number of years he was still
a prominent figure, but, with his advancing
age, he gradually withdrew, more and more,
into the seclusion of his own household and
circle OF intimate friends, and finally drop
ped entirely from public view aud was for.
gotten by ail but his personal friends. The
numbeg of these, however, was quite large
and his death will be sincerely regretted.
As man he was generous to fault, and in
his most prosperous days his mouey was as
free to his friends as to himself. He leaves
wife and two daughters -WaSh. Post.