Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-11-04

contemporaries OF the upper part Of
the town save in the fact that they have
different names. They have similar
tastes, similar characteristics, and simi-
lar oddities yet the interiors OF their
clubs have M appearance that is peculiar
TO them alone. They have the stamp OF
individuality and originality.
THE MERCANTILE CLUB.
The best appointed OF the downtown
clubs is the Mercantile.
Its situation and surroundings are de-
lightful. II stands in wide, ample
plat Of ground on tho north side of Mar
shall street between Eighth and Ninth,
in one of the residence sections OF the
city. The house was once the residence
of the Hanewinckels. IL is large and
roomy plain in exterior, but elegant IN Its
interior appointments, and is as suitable
for the purposes TO which it is devoted as
If it had been built for such use.
The membership of the Mercantile
Club is composed chiefly of Jewish citi-
zens, many OF the most prominent men
OF that race in this city being Identified
with it. It's membership is not limited
to men OF Semitic descent, however, and
many prominent citizens of other races
and faiths are upon its roster.
FROM is TO 1890.
This club, like nearly all others. had
an humble beginning. 1t was organized
about seventeen years ago, aud first oc-
cupied rooms over store on Broad
street. 1t grew rapidly from its very be-
ginning, and has had a steady increase
up to the present time. The member
ship is now over one hundred.
The president of the Mercantile Club
is Emanuel Raab, Esq, member OF the
wealthy firm OF Strause & Rabb, tobacco
brokers, and the yice-president is Mr..
Philip Whitlock. Mr.. Moses May Is
secretary and Mr.. Louis Stein IS
treasurer.
The Office OF president has been held
by some of tho most influential OF onr
Jewish citizens, among whom arc
Messrs. d. Mitteldorfer, Philip Whit.
lock, Myer Heller, Fred. ). Myers, and
William Lovcnstein.
| The club il managed by Board OF
Governors, consisting of the four Off
GERS, e< otfcfo, and seven other mem
bers These last at the present time arc
Messrs. Fred. $. Myers, Harry NJ. Moses,
Joseph Wallerstein, Samuel Benheim,
Charles We'll, William Heller, and lsa-
dore ]. Straus
HIaH PRIvSTEs.
Some Of the mon who are 10 be seen
about the building ia the afternoon OF
evening are MCssTs. William Loyen-
stein, Julius Straus, Joseph Wallerstein,
Preston Belyin, II. 81. Smith, Jr., Louis
Rawlings, |. Stern. II. Whitlock. Sol.
Haas, T.. Milhiser, A. II. and w. ID.
Myer, Sam and Isaac Cohen, M. B.
Bosenbaum, II. j. Myers, Julius and
Simon Sycle, Isaac aud Moses Thai
himer, A. Greentree, w. W. Brauer,
Herman Wallerstein, II. Rosenheim,
Myer Heller, William II. Keck, ). j.
Binswanger, Jacob May, and DR.. >.
Galeski.
HOW THE EVENINGS ARE SPENT.
After 7 o'clock in the evening the club
house is ablaze with light, and the va
rious games that are in vogue there are
in full blast. Billiards is here, as every
where else. the fayorite game. and fifteen
ball pool is much played. But cards are
not neglected, and upstairs IN the third
story two or three quiet games are al
ways going on. The favorite game with
the Mercantile men is Hearts, y which
may be best described as the very oppo-
site of whist, because the cards most
prized are those which are lowest in the
suit. Another game much played here
is "Solo," an old German game, which IL
probably not b. be seen IN It's best phase
in any other clubhouse.
The Mercantile Club is notably gal
liant towards the ladies, and many cour-
tesies are extended 10 them during the
winter season. Hustcdfcs are frequent
ly given. on which occasions the parlors
Of the club are thrown open and open
houseis Is kept. Mr.. Moses May is gene
rally the life Of these musical evenings,
and 1t is but rarely that bis sweet tenor
voice is not demanded to complete the
pleasure Of the club and its guests.
FHE PowBATAy CLUB.
Just around the corner from the Mer-
camille is the Tsmmany Of Richmond--
the Powhatan Club.
At present ii Is occupying very modest
quarters in q srall one-stofy building on
north Eighth strest between Broad and
Marshall, which was at one time the
school-room OF st. Johns German
Lutheran church. But It's house N all
too small for its membership, for there
are five hundred brave warriors who
march under the totem OF Big Chief
Belvin, and a half hundred more are
knocking at the entrance of the wigwaln.
on TIE wAR-PATH TO-DAY.
The brave warriors OF the Powhatan
tribe have on their war paint and feathers
to-day, for i, is the Great Sun Day OF
the tribe election. day. They viii go
out TO all parts OF the city and scalp the
enemy wherever they may find him, and
after the set OF sun they will return to
the wigwan and hold grand pow-wow.
The head men OF the tribe will be out
in the dark and bloody ground to-day
that part of the city which is called after
the great father Jackson. Big Chief
Preston Belvin will be in command OF q
scouting party at the first blazed tree
Keeper OF the Wampum Henry +.
Phillips will be ct the second tree, and
the Hieroglyphite Of the Talking Leaf,
Z. Buford Grymes, will be at the fourth
tree. The Medicine Man Of the tribe,
Thomas b. Hicks, viii DO in the part oi
the city named after the great father
Monroe.
But the braves are only terrible wher
the supremacy Of the white race and the
sanctity OF the ballot are at stake On
other occasions they bury tho tomahawk
OF political warfare and calmly smoke
the pipe Of peace. In time Of war they
are unterrified Democrats who believe
that "to the victor belongs the spoils -
in time Of peace they are jovhi. merry
hearted fellows who attend 70 their Own
business end lst other peoples alone
rHE coaClERcAL cLun
Further down town is the Commercial
Club. 1t is situated on the north aide Of
Main street, about the centre of ths
square betweer Ninth and Tenth streets
| Thix il, a. its name indicates. an oz9a
uixation OF businessmen. Some OF tht
h.,sk- known merchants Of this Clfy are oE