The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-08-26
AMERICAS BEAU BRUMMEL.
"Reminiscences of Col. Richard Hickman,
PRINCE of Bummera.

"Reminiscences of Col. Richard Hickman,
Prince of Bummers.
Washington's most famous character, if
selected by popular vote, would be decided
to be Col. Richard Hickman, known the
country over as Beau Hickman, the prince
of bummers, says the Indianapolis Journal.
Col. Hickman was born in Virginia, pre-
sumably, as he came from that state to this
city, arriving here in the year 1884, about 90
years old. From this date for about three
years may be included the Beau's joyful
period of existence, when the world was
seen only through rose-colored glasses, and
life was but a merry game of love and
%lasses, amours and petty "affairs." He
swung the old globe about as quickly as
possible, and was as gay and merry a high
roller as the city has ever seen.
In q short time his name was MS we'll
Brummel in London. He moved in exclu-
sive circles, had all the polish and grace of
an +. Il. V. and spent his patrimony with n
lavish hand. At the races he wasa valued
tipster, and knew more about horses and
their merits than a paddock full of jockeys.
and was as much at home behind as before
the scenes.
For the short three years of atfluence and
high-1yinR INDUCED in by Beau he was com-
PEELED to repay more than thirty years Of
what would have been to any other man a
Fiom the society %reveller he was re-
ducod to a 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
s%quandered fortunes, it became necessary for
him to adopt himself to his altered fortunes
IN the most expedient manner. There was
but one course left open for him, to become
a dependent upon charity. To his high
strung and sensitive nature this was an
achievement SO difficult of execution that he
at one time even admitted that the sums he
e1torted by his cumming methods could be
characterized as offerings of charity.
His fall from his high estate was not as
sudden as his financial wreckage. He did
not cease his swell existence when he found
that all his resources had become exhaust
ed. but kept on spending the money that he
had not as reck!essly rs he had spent the
money that he had formerly posse ssed.
Where no had before literally bestowed
gold and greenbacks he now distributed
notes md II. O.. US" trusting to the ,e-
calcitrant dame fortune to visit him again
at some time in the hope-ladcn future. He
at this time patronized the most exclusive
hotels, kept up his social connections and
was as great n beau as ever. His reputation
as such was the only thing that prevented
his creditors from swarming in uron him.
bcou iAS la o leWy years u pTOSJ)cElty
left but faint impress on the public mind.
1t is as the prince of bummers that he ia
best remembered. For years the principal
hotels knew him but to fear him, afterward
they looked upon him as a sort of sideBhow
feature to be pointed out to visitors to the
national capital as the famous Beau Hick-
man. Every new visitor WAS legitimate
prey and liable to assessment. Benu's home
seemed to be in the lobbios of the hotels.
de was often seen at the capitol md other
public resorts, but tho greater part of HIS
time was spent in the public hostelrieH.
Here was always an opportunity to pick out
his man, and as this meant often meals aud
n bed to him he naturally devoted Il con,
siderable portion of his time to selecting
his victims. The assessments mulctcd were
seldom more than a quarter or II half-dol-
lar, and these extorted with such n good
grace that the victims felt truly it WINS more
blessed to give than to receive. He also
had a regular list of patrons, mainly con-
Rressmen, upon whom he levied assess
ments at regular periods.