The evening times., 1896-10-21
BROWNIE, KING OF BUNS
Alcoholism Kills a Noted In
dividual in Chicago.
HE DISSIPATED A FORTUNE
Helped Editor Stead in Collect ting Ma
terial for His Book, and Kept Sober
While So Observation-Disclosures Con
siderable Political Influence In the
Lodging House District.

Chicago, Oct 21.-Edmund e. Browne
King OF the Buns" and collaborateur .
Editor Stead in his book, ''If Christ Cam,
10 chicago, died Sunday evening at Mer
cy Hospital. He had been taken there Sat
urday night, suffering from alcoholism
MS OH enemy, ana he also had Il siignt
touch oil pneumonia. His friends, however
say that his death was due 10 niuotin,
poisoning.
Brownie, the King of the Buns, as he
was known in the First ward, was Of sooL
family. lie was born in IA small town neal
Montreal, Canada, about forty years ago
He was given a college education. anC
after being graduated his father put him
in the st. Lawrence Hotel AT Montreal to
| learn the business. In short time hC
| arose to the position OF chief clerk. Upon
the death of his father, who was Il grain
dealer, he inherited between $50 900 and
S25 900.
| With this money he went To W1tertOwn,
y. Y, and purchased haliintcrest in the
| Woodruff House. To use his own words,
ne was fiat broke" in three years. But he
ran the best hotel in the State, outside
! New York city.
! CLERK IN \ LODGING HOUSE.
| Fifteen years ago Browne came TO Chi
cago and got employment as u night clerk
/ in Iodeing-iIouse kept by James Walsh,
| at 32G Clark street. His superior education
| and afrabiiiCy Of manner soon Won Tim the
favor of tie men who patrOnized Walsh's
| lod dging house Brownies name spread
! through the street, and there wasn't a
man who lived in "A cheap clearinghouse
I q
| Some one gave lin the sobriquet Of King
OF the Buns and 1t was by that title he
was known ever since.
! Both of the great political parties rct1g-
nizcd Browne as Il power in First ward
politics. He was always Democrat, and
| to his influence among the lodging-ioHse
| voters many aldermen from the First ward
can lay their victory. Wha- Browne. the
| King OF Buns" said was Jaw And
| the candidate VINO had Brownies support
W as usually elected.
Wien Mr. Snead came from London TO
write his book, III Christ Came tO Chi
cago,' he was introduced tc Browne as a
man who might assist him in getting i'll
formation They met in Henry Norih's
saloon Browne was "halfseas over at
the time. When in his cups he was witty
and entertaining, and Mr.. Snead remarked
TO Proprietor North, Il have found Jewel
in that man Browne
Mr. Browne said the London editor,
Il am going To make you proposition"
SENT TO THE KELLY CURE.
''Goin' to try remarked Browne.
The editor laughed AT " hal he considered
au American witticism and continued: No.
am not gong TO try, as You call 1t in
this country, but I'm going to offer you i
position. i need such man as you to
assist me in collecting informatio for my
coming book, and IL you " Ill take the gold
cure l VIII pay all expenses. When you
are in shape To help me i viii pay you
We'll Tor your work.
IN go you" said Brow ne, rising from
the small drinking table at which he sat,
aud stretching his hand out to Mr.. Stead.
The London editor and the king of the
Buns claSped nds. while a motley crowd
looked on In wonderment.
The next day Browne vas sent 10 an in
stIuutiUn where he was cured OF the liquor
habit. When he graduated he reported
to Mr.. Stead at the Auditorium Annex,
and was OF great assistance in the writing
Of ''If Christ Came to Chicago. The nine
reenth precinct Of the First ward, a map
of hich is in Mr.. Stead's book, was made
by Brow ne After Mr.. Stead returned to
London he wrote several letters to Browne
and ALWAYS inquired as to his welfare.
Browne went back to his old habits after
Mr. Stead lett Chicago, but he would
straighten up at times and keep sober for
several weeks. He started his last spree
on Chicago day. and when he staggered
into Michael Kenna's saloon, Clark and
Van buren, streets. Saturday night he was
in a pitiable condition. A carriage was
called and Kenna took him TO the Mercy
Hospital. Helived just twenty-four hours.
HIS DEATH ANNOUNCED.
Deputy Coroner McNally announced
Brownies death at a meeting of the First
Ward Democratic Club, 269 Clark street,
in these words:
Friends and Feliow-citizens OF the First
Ward: 1t is my sad duty TO announce the
death of our old friend. Brownie, the
King of the Buns l presume he had a
Christian name, but l never heard him
called anything but King OF the Buns.
In he death of Rex Brownie we have all
lost good friend and the Democratic
party VIII miss him in this ward. a better
hearted fellow than poor Brownie never
lived. Like many another unfortunate be-
ing he was his own worst enemy. But no
one could ever say that Brownie was dis
honest. He was great fighter in an alder
manic election, and he was never known
to betray friend
Gentlemen. it is with sorrow that an
nounce his sudden death at Mercy Hospi-
tai an hour or two ago, and want you all
To turn out and attend his funeral. if pos
sibe. How many of you have been helped
out of trouble by Brownie? He was always
doing favors for others, and il is no more
than right that We attend his funeral"
Mr.. McNallys little tribute TO ''Brownie''
brought tears to the eyes of many of
those present. 1.-The King of the Buns
was known to every man in the room, and
nothing but good was said of him.
The news of Brownies death spread
through the lodging house district, and
there were many inquiries at the Harrison
street police station if the report were
rue Browne had been the Democratic ]
,lerk of election in the Nineteenth precinct !
Of the First ward for many years. He was |
20 have served in that position at the com