The morning call., 1894-07-29
CORNELIUS HERR.
He Who Figured in the
Panama Scandal.
A Sketch of the Versatile and
Unctuous Doctor-Eis Ways in
Chicago and This City.

In a recent issue of the Topeka State
journal appeared the following special
from Chicago: A recent cable message
from Paris announced that new organi-
Zation Of the Panama canal scheme was
imminent, the financial nucleus of the plan
being a sum of money amounting to 5,000,-
600 francs, disgorged or to be disgorged by
some of the vultures who pr0fted so richly
by wholesale robbery of the company
treasury at the expense of thousands of
honest stockholders throughout France.
Almost on the heels of this news
has come another statement that
the French Government means to force
the extradition of the great lobbyist and
plunderer, DR.. CorneliuS Herr, who has
skuiked so long in England as a man at
the point of death. 1t is not probable,
however, that this resourceful genius,
who has shown himself such past mas
ter in the fine art Of chicane that even
Wall street and the Board of Trade could
not furnish his match, will permit himself
TO be easily trapped. Chicago people are
interested In the versatile and unctuous
DR.. Herr, for in his younger years, before
he had attained his malCdorous fame, he
was a familiar figure in bohemian circles
in this city. Many of the older journal
lists and physicians will recall him without
difficulty. He was a unique personality
even in those callow days.
He came TO Chicago from New York in
1872 (his old father still resides in the lat
ter city, or did very recently, in extreme
poverty, supported by the aims of his
friends), and was then known as DR.. Hart.
He had recently graduated from New
York medical college, and had consider
able talent for his profession, which, how
ever was made worthless by inyeterate in
dOleDce and passion for pleasure. AS he
had but little practice. his only honest
means of livelihood were a small stipend
lie was said to receive from his New York
relations and trifing salary as inspector
Of the Board Of Health. But this meager
support the gifted doctor eked out by his
brilliant gifts as a tnancieT, nOta bic even
at that period. His success as a borrower
was phenomenal. His suavity, which
would never recognize an insult; his au-
oaclty. which was sword and shield; his
seductive cunning and plausibiIity, were
simply immense. He would beguile a
heart oil lint. To do him Justice, how
ever, he was as free in spending money as
ne was ingenious in obtaining if. He was
lavish to the last ''bawbee'' in his pocket
In renewing the wants OF those worse off
than himself
1 first met DR.. Herr (then Harf at
monthly dinner Of the International Club.
an association representing so-called ad.
Vanced thinkers and largely made mn of
socialists. Here the widest theories we're
discussed with enthusiasm, and in the
turmoil of dispute the doctors voice ,yas
always the loudest in Quixotic assertion
of the rights of man, the last to propose
the valedictory song Of lie Bonnet Cat
ton," which always ended these intellectual
and vinous revels in the wee, sma' hours,
His qualities of good companionship were
fascinating, and he could tell story or
very popular. So it need scarcely be said
that he was much liked by the jolly bohe-
mian crown in spite of certain financial
methods which his friends excused as