The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-07-20
Harry Lehr Never Entertained
In Honor OF Monkey.
OTHER REPORTS UNTRUE
Is One of the Most Popular
Men at Newport

<SoAo IL JN1~--p-
He complained 10 q World correspond
eat the other day that he IS being per
secuted bx false. absurd ard malicious
newspaper reports" He denied that he
recently organized dinner party in hon
or Of Joseph Letters pet monkey. at
which number OF well-kn0wn society
folk were said TO have been present
de also denied that he had arranged
a lawn fete at which the star attrac-
ltions were the pet dogs of number Of
well-known men ard women residing in
Newport
Mr.. Lehr and his friends are very in
dignant II what they declare TO be at
tempts 70 hold him ~ u ridicule through
the publication OF untrue stories concern
ing him They even go so far as TO
assert that there Is a newspaper con
spiracy' against him.
Mr- Lehr himself in discussing with
a World correspondent the many stories
circulated about him said with manifest
earnestness that would appeal to the
owners Of Eew York newspapers TO pro-
feet him from the attacks.
And If The newspapers stn persist. -"
I shan be compelled 10 leave America
and reside abroad forever"
ar. Lehr's anger AZ the stories with
which his name has been associated was
inspired be the recently widely discussed
report that he had arranged dinner
in honor OF AIr. Joseph Letters pet mon
key
According 10 the published reports this
function occurred at Arieigh, the villa
occupied by Mrs. Lehr. in eBllevue ave
nue.. on June g The dinner to the mon
key was aid to have been the joint in
SEPARATION OF An. Lehr and Mrs. Stuyve-
SAINT Fish. both Of whom have been cred
tied with many moved forms Of entertain
nent for the diversion Of the polite set
at the Rhode Island resort.
The monkey. il Was said, had been
taken TO Newport tailor and fitted
with a cardinal. colored cloth suit. trim
med with black braid and brass button
skillfuly constructed To conform to the
eccenticities Of monkey anatomy.
The dinner was said TO have occurred
at o'clock in the evening, and the mon
key to have conducted himself with be-
coming decorum.
The story Of the alleged dinner was
telegraphed unfavorably, as indicating
the exravagances Of Newport folk in
providing entertainment for their guest.
NIr. Lehr. who was credited with hav-
Ing arranged the details OF the function
and with having successfully carried
Il out. was highly indis nant when the
newspaper stories of il were called TO
his attention by the Newport correspond
ent. he made direct and emphatic
denial Of hte story.
4 am, said Mr.. Lehr "a plain. ordin-
AIRY citizen. / have a happy home and
am welcome at an the cottages Of my
friends. I am not Ioofing for newspaper
sensations. Mrs ~ O. Wilson. daugh-
ter OF Mrs William Astor. and Mrs
Stuyvesant Fish were my guests on the
night the malicious reports say / gave
dinner TO Mr.. Letters monkey. These
reports are intended to iajure my stand
ing.
II g young man with q future before
M. have been Inundated by newspaper
accounts OF my doings at Newport.
Please state that am a gentleman
and have no intention Of ever giving
dinners 10 dogs or monkeys Can YOU
assure me that my dictated statement
win be prinuted2 ! fear not. The World
viii not think that I am in earnest.
The World correspondent assured him
that his denial would be duly printed
Dir. Lebr. continuing. said say to
The World that I have never had any
fancy stockings with rnonocrams and
that 1 have never worn bangles. I am
here 10 spend the summer with my wife.
I don't propose TO be made the butt Of
the newspapers.
I am gentleman and expect TO be
fairly treated hy the press. brS the story
Of the monkey humiaates ne and my
honored wife
Il am young man and I cannot af-
ford 20 have my friends think that I
am fool. You newspaper men are maxi
ing a mistake by holding me up 10 ridi-
cule. I have no redress. because the
newspaper stories are not Hbelous. Come
and see me when again when you want
news.
on the strength Of which The world.
which desires 70 see fair play extended
70 all persons, sent staG correspond
ent % Newport 20 see Nj. Ishr
Mr. Lehr had Just returned lrem driv-
inE his autorehile along Bellevue ave-
nue. He came 20 The door Of his resi-
6ence. Arleigh. 81 response 10 q card
and stood in the doorway on the third
step o C-he three steps leading from the
drive.
II was o'clock in the afternoon. and
Mr. Lohr was attired IN i6ose-atrtins.
chocolate-coIored suit ~ clothes with
thin pin-posnt white stripes. He wore
g high white turl-down collar. under
vhioh was kaotted chocolate-coiored
four-in-hand st-lng tie From the folds
OF the tie cleaned an emerald pin sur
rounded with Diamonds. Dir. Lehrs th.ck
yeilowish Aalr was parted in the centre
and brushed straight back from the
peak divided By the part. lie stood on
the top STEP. his broad shoulders and
face. worktng with excitement al times
outlined against 8 fiery tapestry that
hung on the rear wall Of the hallway
When the representative OF the world
explained thar he wished 10 give Mr
Lehr an opportunity 80 deny catecor.cai-
" the various stories printed about him
6urinG the last year or So which he has
had declared 20 be absurd and malicious
Mr.. Lehr exclaimed with intense ard
slnost dramatic earaestness:
ION why. on. WHY WI The papers not
let me aionc for the ariefest rar1 q
an instant WHY should Isa pe-aocutes
IN this way by SLY stories CT Be called