Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1892-01-08
SHEPHERDSTOWN w. VA, FRIDAY, JANUARY S. 1892
FLORENCE AND FUN.

|
ever men Of the world have gathered
during the past few days stories about
| W. J. Florence have been told and re-
told and laughed over and cried over
by men who were his friends and ad-
mirers in life. He had wide circle
| of friends and had mixed much with
men during a long and eventful life.
Since his death these "reminiscences
have been called up, and as his char
acter and nature have thus been it,
lustrated they were felt to be the
more sympathetic and admirable.
Billy" as all his friends lovingly
called him, was pre-eminently lover
of mirth and typical good fellow =
He had much in common with Bill
Travers and Larry Jerome, but his
jokes and jests exceeded it is believed
the best of theirs.
The Gramercy Park Hotel was The
scene Of the most memorable of Flor
ence's practical jokes, and at the time
of the occurrence il furnished Wall
street and the clubs with laughterand
discussion for many weeks. Philip
Lee was the victim, and he afterwards
laughed heartily over it, and spread
the story when he returned TO Eng
land. Lee was the first husband OF
Adelaide Nelson and u captain in the
British army. He came to this coun-
try with many of the ideas OF Ameri-
ca still common in England among the
ignorant persons. If he did not be-
lieve that buffaloes roamed and In
dians skulked about the environs of
New York, he was firmly convinced
that every American chewed tobacco,
carried a revolver and wore his pan
talooDs in his boots
They were dangerous people 10 have
anything to do with, thought Captain
Lee, and that though they were rich
they were on the verge of savagery.
II 10 was very careful about his move
ments during his first few days in New
York. He wanted To keep out of
shooting scrapes" and rough compa-
ny.
Florence happened to meet Captain
Lee and finally persuaded him that
he could safely walk Oh Fifth avenue
and down Broadway, and that even
in Central Park Indians were getting
to be scarce. The best society in New
York, he was assured, was quite civil
lied, and that the 400 OF that day
would be very glad to meet him.
Captain Lee then confessed that he
had great curiosity TO see and talk
with some of the great American mil
lionaires. and that it would give him
pleasure to study the best products OF
our republican society.
Il can fix that easily said Flor
ence. Leave it to me. I'll set up
little dinner and invite Mr.. Astor, MIR.
Vanderbilt and lot of the big men
The dinner was arranged to take
place at the Gramercy Park Hotel
1t was to be a dinner given by MIR.
Florence whereat Captain Lee was to
have his first introduction to Ameri-
can society. Among those who were
arranging the thing with Florence
were Edward Sothern, or Dun
dreary," Billy Travers, Larry jerome
and several others OF the band OF
choice spirits then famous in New
York.
When the evening of the dinner ar
rived the guests were introduced to
Captain Lee by Mr.. Florence.
ALLOW me TO present John Jacob
Astor," said he, and the genial Trav-
ers made a solemn bow to the English
captain.
"Mr. Vanderbilt" said Florence,
presenting Larry Jerome.
William Cullen Bryant" said he.
as Dan Bryant and the British soldier
shook hands. Then he said
"Thisis Governor Horatio Seymour,
as he presented Nelse Seymour, Bry-
ants partner in the negro minstrel
business. Henry w. Longfeilow was
also present in the person OF tall
member Of the Union Club.
1t was. according to the names, one
OF the most distinguished assembIages
that ever sat down 10 dinner in the
city. Captain Lee regarded the diners
with ill-concealed awe He had heard
their names on the other side OF the
Atlantic. and was now actually In
their presence. Everything went
along well as the dinner progressed,
but when the coffee was reached it
began TO be apparent that several OF
the distinguished gentlemen present
had had too much TO drink. Horatio
Seymour and William Cullen Bryant
got into a wordy warfare about poll
ties. Then John Jacob Astor and
William II. Vanderbilt began 10 brag
about their wealth.
Il tel Won / am the richest man
alive" said Mr. Astor. bringing his
fist down on the table in way TO rat
tie all the glasses.
Now. look here said William II.
Vanderbilt, getting red in the face,
his lip quivering. Il don't want anv
more OF your tall talk, and ! won't
have it, See!'
Instantly John Jacob Astor arose
and took big revolver from the back
pocket OF his dress coat. Poet Bryant
and Governor Seymour tried to hold
him back. but he fired at William II.
Vanderbilt. who also pulled pistol
and replied across the table. After