Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-05-07
COLLECTOR ERHARDT,
Two Stories About His Promptness and
Goodness.

Gath IN Cincinnati Enquirer.
Said Ex-Judge Russell, Of the supreme court |:
do you know Joel Erhardt our new collector
Of the port9'
NO"
Il can tell you two right good stories about
him, II you want to use them. Just about
twenty years ago came to New York city for
the first time, from 0gdensburg on the ST.
Lawrence river, where I was a young lawyer.
Not having much cquIintance here, and hav-
lug finished my business in q few days, which
was TO establish a law connection in this city
and remove here, went into the Winter Gar
den theater to see the performance. When the
act Was over l did not go out, like good many
Others. 20 take the air or some beverage but
Rep; my seat, which was upon the aisle. Right
opposite nae sat solid-looking man, and to
MN entered IN that recess a chunky person,
who. sitting down directly behind him, re-
marked in a gruf. angry voice: Il have got you
ROW, d you and with that the newcomer
struck the other man right behind the head
Persons arose who saw the act and heard the
voice. The man who was struck also arose and
turned around with face a little surprised
HE WASN'T EXCUSED.
Il have made . mistake said the first man
4 thought il was another person. Excuse me.
This is not the time nor the place for man to
be excused said the person who had been
injured. His countenance. however was with
out the least anger. He raised his hand. struck
the bully right in the middle Of the face aud
Knocked him as if an OF had kicked him out o.
the seat and up the aisle. He then turned and
took his seat with the utmost quietness and
with hardly flush on his face. Such of the
spectators as had seen the occurrence quickly
comprehended its moral, and there were loud
cries OF Put the bully OUT He was pointed
out TO the ushers, and they seized him and ran
him out Of the Iheater. As was q stranger in
New York this scene made q great impression
on me. aud the countenancs of the man who SO
properly and quietly and effectively resented
the attack Of a street-fghter was impressed on
my mind In the course OF time was intro
duced BY Elihu Root, now . long-headed law
yer of this city, to Col. Joel Erhsrdt. Some
time had elapsed, and / said to him: Surely,
have seen you before, Col. Erhardt. Let me
see, did YOU ever strike a man who had strucl
you first a; the Winter Garden TheaterT Why
yes said Erhardt; did you see thatP Indeed
did. and never have forgotten it Well
know, / never mentioned that matter to any
body for fear il would get into the news
papers,"
The TIAe DIDN'T CONF DOWN.
Vow" said Judge Russell, shat anecdote
which was o personal observation Of mine
TALES with one was told by the officers Of the
Shoe and Leather bank, at Broadway anC
Chambers street, opposite the corner Of the
CITY Hall park. II seems that Erhardt was the
provost-marshal at the time OF the draft riot
OF 1868, and his office was over the Shoe 'ant
Leather bank, in the building possessed by
that corporation. and he had Gag flying from
a stan on the roof with its inscription, showing
mat there the draft officer was to be found a
home. The riot suddenly broke out and ragged
up and down the streets. and the officers of ths
bank became alarmed They went up to see Col
Erhardt. and told HIM that they apprehended
an attack upon their property, and that they
must request him, as his landlords, to take
down his obnoxious Tag. Erhardt heard them
through with good nature, and replied: Well
gentlemen, lam sorry you ars put to this in
convenience, especially as shall be unable &c
take down that flag. The only emergency in
which that flag will come down Is when thi.
building comes down After the riots were
over they appreciated the firm spirit which moi
only saved the bank but the city"