The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-07-31
WICHITA, KAN
AMERICAS BEAU BRUMMEL.
"reminiscences of Colonel Richard Hick
man, a Famous Character.

man, a Famous Character.
Washington's most famous character,
! if selected by popular vote, would be de-
cided to be Colonel Hickman, known the
| country over as Beau Hickman, the
Prince of Bummers.
Colonel Hickman was born in Virginia,
presumably, as he came from that state
to this city, arriving here in the year
1884, about twenty-five years old. From
this date for about three years may be
included the beaus joyful period of ex-
istence, when the world was seen only
through rose colored glasses, and life W.
but a merry game Of love and lass
amours and petty "affaires." Heswuu.
the old globe about as quickly as possible
and was as gay aud merry high roller
as the city has ever seen.
In short while his name was as well
known in Washington as that Of Beau
Brummel in London. He moved in ex-
elusive circles, had all the polish and
graces and spent his patrimony with a
lavish hand At the races he was a
valued tipster and knew more about
horses and their merits than paddock
full of jockeys. He was frequenter,
too, of the theaters, and was as much at
home behind as before the scenes.
For the short three years of affluence
and high flying INDUCED in by the beau ne
was compelled to repay more than thirty
years of what would have been to any
other a most humiIiating and wretched
existence. From the society reveler he
was reduced to state of pitiable penury.
He never learned the state Of his finances
until he had none, and then, it being too
late to retrieve his squandered fortunes,
it became necessary for him to adapt
himself to his altered fortunes in the
most expedient manner. There was but
one course left open to him, to become q
dependent upon charity. To his high
strung and sensitive nature this was an
achievement go difficult of execution
that he at one time even admitted that
the sums he extorted by his bumming
methods could be characterized as offer
ings of charity.
His fall from his high estate was not
IS sudden as lis financial wreckage. He
did not cease his swell existence when
he found that all his resources had be-
come exhausted, but kept on spending
the money that he had not as recklessly
as he had spent the money that he had
formerly possessed. Where he had be
fore literally bestowed gold and green
backs he now distributed notes and Il
0. US" trusting to the recalcitrant
Dame Fortune to visit him again at some
time in the hopeladen future. He at
this time patronized the most exclusive
hotels, kept up hissocial connections and
was as great a beau as ever. His repura-
ton as such was the only thing that pre-
vented his creditors from swarming III
upon him.
Beau Hickman's few years Of pros
perity left but faint impress on the pub
lie mind. 1t is as the prince of bummers
that he is best remembered. For years
the principal hotels knew him but to
fear him, afterward they looked upon
him as a sideshow feature to be pointed
out 10 visitors to the national capital a.
the famous Beau Hickman. Every new
visitor was legitimate prey and liable to
assessment. Beau's home seemed to be
in the lobbies of the hotels. He was
often seen at the capitol and other pub
lie hostelries.
Here was always an opportunity %
pick out his man, and as this meant
often meals and bed to him he naturally
devoted a considerable portion Of his
time to selecting his victims. The assess
ments mulcted were seldom more than a
quarter or half dollar, and these ex-
torUed with such a good grace that the
victims felt truly it was more blessed II
give than TO receive. de also had
regular last Of patrons, mainly congress
men, On whom ne levied assessments AZ