Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-08-29
TIE ONCE LIVED HERE
AR. BROWN, THE YACHT HERMIT. A
FORMER RESIDENT OF RICHMOND.
His Friend, Think the story OF His Life
of Luxury and Eceeniricity IL
Rather Highly Colorcd.

Under tho caption OF Hermit On n
Yacht" the New York Sun OF Monday
treats sts readers TO a very entertaining
account OF the cccentricities OF nh Amcrl-
can gentleman named MeEvers Bayard
Brown whose magnificent yacht. the
Vailreyia, has for five years been tug
ging az her anchors in the harbor Of
Brshtlngsea, little English fishing
village.
Vntu the last few months the yacht
was fully manned. although the tres
under her boilers were never lighted and
h anchors were never raised; but now
tse sole complement OF the luxurious plea
sure craft consists OF the owner and ono
or two sailors.
According 70 the SUMS account Mr..
Er9Nn's most pronounced ecccn;ricity
took the form OF thfashing HIS officers
ard crew with stick or poker. and
dpckiac them with big sQuir,-gun This
lei 70 numerous fights and frequent
ctanecs. but he could always get men
70 serve him. owing to the fact that he
paid enormous wages.
HIS GENEROSITY.
"But." says the sun, "Bayard Brown
has one virtue or weakness which has
made him beloved OF all the people Of
Trehtlngsca-no tale of loss or distress
falls TO touch his heart and his purse.
H. bought seven acres Of delightful
ground near the centre Of the village.
and save II 10 the people for a park. lie
gave n Si.o0o set Of chimes 10 the village
church. HIS private charities are too
numerous TO mention. He has been shame
folly imposed upon times without number.
The loss Of mythical cows and horses has
been made good by Mr.. Brown 10 an eN-
tent sufficient 10 start a cattlc-ranch or
a. omnibus-cOmpany. lie Is also a sort OF
ire and life-nsurdnce company. with the
privilege ~ paying losses. ana exempt
from the corresponding annoyance OF re-
cciying premiums. The burial expenses Of
children that have never been born are
paid ly the muni1ccnt American. and a
srug check Is often sent TO the bercavcd
mother as "A consolation for the loss.
Losses 10y fires that never happened are
made good by him. and the homeless suf-
fcfcIs are allowed 10 draw upon his
bounty for support until the home is re-
stored: and every one knows how slowly
they build ia Bright!lngsea."
ENTERTAINED CORDIALLY.
Continuing. the sun says: "Yet he was
ut always cranky. Sometimes he would
entertain visitors. and with brilliant cor
olabty. he has q strong prejudice against
women. but occasionally. until within a
flw months. they were allowed 10 visit
and inspect the yacht. He would then
treat them with The greatest pOliteness
saI consideration. but the moment they
had lett tie ship ne would break out vio-
Saturday some months ago. his aunt. Mrs.
Schuyler. of New York visited the Val
Il feyn unexpectedly. Mr. Brown met her
as she stepped on board. took out his
watch. ami remarked that the next train
Il Ieft for London In half an hour. II was
with difficulty that he was persuaded to
II allow her 20 remain on board until Mon
Il day
NEW YORK CONNECTIONS.
McEycrs Bayard Brown Is son Of the
q late Alexander Spscrs Brown. OF this
city who was Scotchman. He IS a
grandson OF the late Robert Bayard. of
3 This city. lie vas educated as a lawyer,
8 never married. went abroad seven years
81 ago. ana has never revisited this country
"a although he corresponds regularly with
a his cousins, ". Eayarl Cutting, Of New
.zkYork. and r. Fulton Cutting. who is at
H eummcr. lie was not interested in yacht
s. ing here when ne went abroad, hut soon
haI a steam yacht huilt. Later he sold
4 this ~ the Grand Duke Michael OF RUS
STA. and then he bought the magnificent
/. craft ne owns now. which IS one OF the
finest on the other side Of the water. lie
VAS member Of several clubs IA lh4a
4 ciiy. aud stIl retains his membership IN
H.. Union club. the Riding club, ana the
huI,k,rhocker club.
HE LIVED ~ RICHMOND.
Mr. Brown is wen remembered here in
Richmond ~ his old phylnatcs as
"Kkor-" Brown. lie is a grandson or
tt- late James Brown. and his father was
brother O. the late Or. T. Wi!kie Brown,
Nr Thomas Brown, aud Mr.. George
pr.,7. The FIRST named ro-ided on the
north sle II Franklin street between
Third aal Fourth, and al his death left
a fund TO establish the Founding hospi-
ia. soon 10 Doe opened on Church Iiill
..r Thomas Brown occupied a little
wooden house on the south side OF Frank
lr. -:tlr' between Fourth and Fiith' ana
LET d. very secluded life. ana Mr.. George
l.,oNr Il,.d I'm the house on the east side
o. rh'r! siNet between Main ana Frank
l.. r.,. occupied by Dr. Moses II. Hoge,
YOUNG BROWN SENT HERE.
v,.y.rs Brown developed a consumptive
tendency when mere lad, and Just be-
l.,. the war was sent 10 Richmond by
Ill. parents ~ order that he might gct
t.. benefit Of the climate and be under
tt. treatment Of his uncle. Or. Brown.
Ii. U,,l with Dr. Brown ana remained
l.,. daring and until several years after
t.- war; Ills uncle paid particular at
l.ut.u % lis education, and he was
D.. ,.rzcd among his companions as
,9tcia-ly bright
PHI. Inherited money from the estates
a. lis grandfather and uncles, and a
!rc. fortune from his parents, and mas
BEEN "a l,r.at traveller Those who nave
i ,lr kent the run Of his movements
since be- LEFT Richmond look upon me
SUMS story as highly sensational pro-
clc+.on. Mr.. Brown is about y or ~ years
,f a.c. As boy he developed no tend
ca.y % cccentricity, but was fun Of HE
i.I fuu.
STPrFT AND SEWER MATTERS.