The Washington times., 1895-02-14
But There hre No Rags and Tai
ferS About His Private Gar.
HI HENRY'S ROLLING PALACE
The Veteran Minstrel Manager Goes from
City to City in Piece Of Railroad
Architecture That Cost Him $4,000
How the Gar Is Arranged-The Library
an Important Feature Il Cosy Kitchen.
A wandering minstrel, Iii,
A. thing o. rags and tatters?
Well. hardly.

The above paraphrase from the "MiEado"
could not be quoted correctly after one bad Wis
tied the travelling minstrel home of Hi Henry,
the oldest minstrel manager inthe country.
Although this iG his first visit to Washing
ton thousands OF people %ho have come here
from the West know Hi Henry with what
they deem almost personal acquaintance.
The wheels of his minstrel car have isay-
eled over nearly every railroad line in tho
West. and very few cities and large towns in
the Western and Central States and in tho
South have not been visited';y Hi Henry dur
Ing his thirty years experience as minstrel
manager.
The veteran entertainers private car is To-
Gated on the Pennsylvania tracks, near the
Fish Commission building during The stay of
the company in Washington. Thither The
TIMES man went yesterday.
HI Henry's front door IS a little different
from those on Connecticut avenue, but the
greeting one gets on the threshold is as cor
dial as is given by any host in this broad
land First there is little vestieule lined
with asbestos, because the heater stands
nearby; then handsome pair OF portieres di-
vide to let one into the private office and
library of Mr. Henry.
THE HAUNT OF A LITERARY MAN.
This library is unique in itself. There is a
separate mahogany compartment for each
reference book, and when one comes to
know that these reference books include
complete sets OF Appleton, Century Die
tionary. Encyclopedia Britannica, Stoddard's s
Literature, and seemingly everything else
that was ever published in this line. it will
be readily seen that considerable mahogany
is utilized.
From this room, which, by the way, con-
tains an artistic desk with typewriter
| nearby, through pair OF portieres, IN rich
| brown plush, leads the way TO Mr.. Henry S
| stateroom.
| Here is a bath, with hot and cold water,
medicine chest that would make pharmacist
| think he was using too much space Tor his
| stock, plush velvet lounge, and all the fur
| niture Of a weli-ordered bachelors household
Those of Mr.. Henry's minstreis who are
! fortunate enough TO travel with him IN his
/ car fare nearly as we'll as the unique charac-
| ter whose, genius evolved and whose in
| genuity contriyed the rolling palace.
| There are separate rooms Tor them, well
| furnished. with lockers. hot and cold water,
and everything that contributes to the neces-
| sites of life on the road"
| s'MULTUM IN PARvo."
In the kitchen, at the further end, is an
/
Every utensil necessary to the best develop
ment of the culinary art is provided, and
| two chefs are in charge
| The ventilation of the whole car is Mr..
Henry's own contrivance. 1t is patented
and now being manufactured, and the royal
ties from which pay the inventor handsome
| amounts.
Mr.. Henry is the sole owner of everything
his company carries-their instruments, COS
| tunes, paraphernalia. etc.
II say" he said, with no desire TO dis
parage anyone else. that 1 have more than
twice as much invested as any other minstrel
manager in America. I have spent $50, ,000
right here in this ear and have fully $50, o,00e
more invested in uniforms, Instruments
1 stage settings, etc.
But, said Mr.. Henry, in parting, "don't
expect to make money in this business unless
you are prepared to lose steadily for four OF
five years and give good. clean high-class
entertainment during the whole period
After while people begin TO know you.
'sThis Is my first visitto Washington. and
don't care If lose S1G0 a day. am going tc
come here again and aga1I, for have the
utmost confidence in the character OF m.
ninsJels.