Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1892-03-05
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Washington's most famous character.
II selected by popular vote, would be do
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
10 this city, arriving here In the year
1884, about twenty-five years old. From
this date for about three years may be
included the beans joyful period of ex-
istence, when the world was seen only
through rose colored glasses. and life was
but J. merry game OF love and lssses,
amours and petty ''affaires." Heswung
the old globe about as quickly rs possible,
and was as gay and 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-
clusive circles, had all the polish and
graces and spent his patrimony with q
lavish hand. At the races he was
valued tipster and knew more about
horses and their merits than paddock
full Of jockeys He was a frequenter.
too. of the theaters, and was as much at
home behind ss before the scenes.
For the short three years OF affiuence
and high flying indulged in by the beau he
was compelled to repay more than thirty
years Of what would have been TO any
other "a most humiliating and wretched
existence. From the society reveler he
was reduced 10 a state Of pitiable penury.
He never learned the state Of his finances
until he had none. and then, il being too
late to retrieve his squandered fortunes.
Ii became necessary for him 10 adapt
himself 10 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 aud sensitive nature this was an
achievement sd difficult Of execution
that he ut 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 moi
as sudden as his financial wreckage. HI
did not cease his swell existence wheE
he found that all his resources had be
, come exhausted, hut kept on spending
the money that he had not ~ recklessl,
} rs he had spent the money that he hat
> formerly possessed. Where he had be
I fore liberally bestowed gold and green
: backs he now distributed notes and II
!: .. U.s." trusting TO the recalcitran
: Dame Fortune TO visit him again at som
: time in the hopeladen future. He q
' this time patronized the most exclusiv
o hotels, kept up hiasocial connections an
}, was as great bean as ever. His reputi
q .ion as such was the only thing that PR
;, vented his creditors from swarming
a upon him.
r Bean Hickmans few years of pro
:, perity left but faint impress on the pul
r lie mind. IL is as the prince Of hummer
r that he Is best remembered. For yeal
% the principal hotels knew him bat
q fear him, afterward they looked upo
h him as sideshow feature to be pointe
10 out to visitors to the national capital
> the famous Beau Hickman. Every ne
visitor was legitimate prey and liable
le assessment. Beatfs home seemed to
A. in the Hobbies of the hotels. He WI
Z, often seen at the capitol and other pul
,e lie hostelries.
Here was always an opportunity
pick out his man. aud as this mear
"a often meals and bed to him he natnrall
: devoted a considerable portion Of b
= time 10 selecting his victims. The asses
!. ments muicted were seldom more than
= quarter or q half dollar. and these e,
!. torted with such good grace that Il
). victims felt truly il was more blessed
!. give than 10 receive. He also had
. regular list Of patrons, mainly congres
!, men, ON whom he levied assessments
!. regular periods. indianapolis Journa