The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-07-07
"PEEsrDENT MONROE"

larry noted person OF the past, long since
gathered unto his fathers We refer to
"President MUNRoE," but as to how,
where or when he got this title is beyond
old Third Ward, but was we'll known
Throughout the city. The height OF his
ambition seemed to he 10 assist in carry
ing the big drum OF the American Band
in their street parades, which he was so
often allowed TO do that he considered
himself a member OF the band. Totally
unlike "BEH KIT" as we remember them
both, the President h ad pride in his per-
sonsl appearance, usually dressed neat,
an d wore a stove pipe hat, but very much
like BEN be was always ready to take
something, and when he had a sufficient
number of potations down he would
quote Shakespeare by the mile. Every
body knew tho President and also knew
his failings.
There lived in those days on the West
side a man named Tom s., promi-
nent stone mason, contractor, a noted
wag, and always ready for practical
joke. He pretended TO believe that he had
heard of remarks made by the President
that reflected upon his private character.
and although the President totally denied
the charge, s. insisted It wGs too
serious q matter to pass by unnoticed,
and the only way 1t could be settled was
by a duel. The President was therefore
challenged to meet in mortal combat,
end the Presidents friends compelled
him to accept or be branded as a coward,
he fully believing all to be sincere. The
place selected was in the stable yard OF
HoRo BILLINGS near Middle street. The
authorities did not interfere, and quite a
company assembled. Two ponderous
Queen Anne arms were obtained with
unusually long barrels and large bore.
Each piece was loaded carefully by the
seconds in presence OF tho crowd with
very heavy charges of powder, and the
one to be used by S. mad in addi-
tion to the powder the entire
barrel filed up with reddish,
limpid, clsyish mud. The deepest
solemnity prevailed, and the President
would have made his will, had he any
worldly goods to bestow. space was
cleared and the two met together, then
turning back to each other, marched off,
and at the command of the seconds halted
and faced each other. The President
then offered to admit all the charges and
to apologize, but =. said nothing but
blood could appease such an insult. At
the word both pieces were discharged,
knocked him entirely of his pins on to a
pile OF manure, and the discharge or Mr..
SIS piece filed the Presidents neck, ear
and hair with the reddish, limpid mud.
The President fully believed he was
wounded and the surgeon in attendance
promptly came forward, and sympathiz-
ing with the President, and hoping it
would not prove fatal, produced the in
struments necessary TO extricate the bali.
The President was almost ready to yield
the ghost, when something was said
about taking something, and the prospect
of this kind Of spirit thoroughly raised
his other spirits, and when he was
washed, to his Joy no wound could be
found.
This was In the palmy days OF the
volunteer fire department, and a hall on
North Main street, known as Cleveland
Hall, on the upper floor of the building
occupied by CLEVELAND Brothers as a
furniture salesroom, was leased for
number OF years BY HOWARD & Fox for
theatrical entertainments. This was the
same GEORGE Fox that afterward became
conspicuous rs "Humpty Dumpty." This
was also in the neighborhood Of ono of
the live fire companies composed of young
men, really active, and so truly wide
awake that the neighbors wondered II
they slept at all, 10 SO, when and where.
Some OF these young men became ac-
quainted with the iessees OF this hall,
and informing them OF the wonderful
qualifications OF President MUNRoE as a
tragedian, an engagement was at once
made, and huge posters in the largest
type announced that President MUNRoE
would appear at Cleveland hall as Rich
ard the Third. When the evening ar
rived the ball was packed, and these