The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-01-24
GRAVE OF OLD
BEAU" HICKMAN.
Marked by Little Moscow
cred Tombstone.
CAREER OF FAMOUS LOBBYIST. -
Died Nearly Three Decades Ago. Bat
Left Name and Character Tint
VIII Live for Years.

BIesslonal Cemetery. at the head OF which
stands a gnarled. stout oak tree. whose
enormous branches extend far over the
little moss-covered tombstone. lies the
body OF a remarkable mana man who in
life possessed a character strangely com
pounded of all the peculiarities Of an err
ratio individual
The body is that Of old Beau" Hick-
man, the famous raconteur. story-teIIer,
and gentleman tramp, but who was known
20 ali Virginians as Robert S Hickman.
the offspring Of an old and respected fam
fly Of the Old Dominion State.
An Eccentric bohemian
Beau" as he was called by the thou
sands Of public men who were acquainted
with him in the days following the close
Of the war Of the rebellion. died in Wash
ingtOn in September, 1873. leaving behind
him name and character that will live
for years as that Of the most eccentric
bohemian Of his age.
Heving no funds the remains OF '.Bsau''
were first inferred in potters' field but
his friends decided that the lobbyist"
rs he was known TO them, deserved a
more fitting resting place.
His Remains DisInterred
Accordingly the remains. after consid-
cradle difficulty. were disinterred and with
proper ceremonies installed in their final
resting place in Congressional Cemetery.
1t had been AT first planned by those
having charge Of the funeral arrange
ments TO open the coffin containing the
remains and give all who desired a chance
70 take their last gaze upon the fast dis
appearing body of Beau" The coffin top
was opened, as had been planned and 10
the horror Of the bystanders IL was dis
covered that the body had been horribly
mutilated by grave robbers" who were
at their work night and day in those
days
Body Horribly INITIATED.
The heart had been cut from the body.
the brains removed from the head and the
lower part Of the body horribly mutt
lated The sight was such a sickenine
one that the top was hastily replaced and
quick run was made for Congressional
Cemetery, where, with brief religious ex-
ereises, all that remained Of poor Beau"
was placed IL the new made grave and
sealed from view forever.
30 many years have passed since Beau"
died that his name has almost faded from
the minds OF those living in the National
Capital, except now and then when an old
residenter or an aged legislator chance TO
meet in any Of the many old-time saloons
and the subject drifts back to what are
termed as the 'palmy days
He Died without Enemies.
Beau Hickman had no friends. but he
died without enemies such was the no.
tice given by one Of the local daiIies at
the time Of the unfortunate mans death
IN Providence Hospital
THE Anglo-American Brummen." as
he was commonly termed by all Wash
ingtonians when at the height Of his
career, was born in Virginia in 1913 OF
respectable parentage While attending
school he soon became popular because
OF his courteous department But IN
fortunately for Beau he became in
Yolveo IN scandal in his native state
and left his home hUrriedly with cOnsid-
cradle money.
He made his first appearance in Wash
ington in 1889 OF 1884 at that time being
but twenty-one OF twenty two years Of
age He Immediately plunged into the
social vortex where he would most likely
Re associated with the representative and
sporting classes and openly announced
himself 10 be sporting character
Dressed in Latest style.
His money readily secured for him en-
trance into the select set" and he was
soon mingliDg with the wealthiest and
most powerful families Of the National
Capital AT that time Beau" il is said,
always dressed in the latest style. wear
ing most OF the time a shining beaver
diamond pin IN his cravat a gold watch
with q massive fob. and carried d large
cane
He was a fine converse ionaIist. and was
frequently invited 10 attend evening soci-
abies patrOnized largely by the most noted
men Of that era In all life 10 Beau
Hickman was only round OF pleasure.
known Hs the "Frince OF Tramps.U
Many are the stories told by old friends
OF Beau who are alive today. The
Prince Of Tramps as he was soon
called after his money had gone. hated
liar. Lie to him once and he would no
longer speak or associate with you He
was as proud and naughty even in his
days Of poverty as the monarch Of q
mighty land.
One OF his friends who had known
Beau" from the time he came from the
Old Dominion 10 the National Capital, at
the time OF his untimely ending 10 Provi-
dence Hospital, wrote a book ia which he.
detailed many jokes played by Beau"
Hickman upon prominent statesmen.
II he ever had joke on statesman
that individual would have 10 pay Beau
9 double assessment before the latter
could be persuaded not 10 tell 10 on his
rounds through the Hobbies OF the various
hotels in this city.
His Experience With "a Goat.
One Of the Jokes told on Beau" Hick-
man b. himself was when he was in love
with rich woman in the SWEETEST sec
tion OF the city. Beau" was walking
along the front pavement when a goat
esDied him. just as the proud Beau
was about TO pass in review before his
ladys window the goat launched forth
and struck Beau" a stunning bIo-g
knocking him into a heap on the pave
menf
The affair was witnessed, IT is said. by
Henry Clay. who made all manner OF fun
OF Beau" But the lobbyist" Son 60
cured revenge. for one day the brilliant
statesman from Kentucky was perambI-
lating down the same thor0ughfare when
unfortunately for him. the same goat es-
pied his red bandenna handkerchief blow
ing in the breeze, and within few min
Utes was using the great scholar from the
Bluegrass State for a football, much 10
his chagrin.
A great crowd Of citizens assembled to
witness the fraCas. and Clay h said 10
have only escaped after having promised
an unusually high price to a street urchin
who would hold the goat for him by the
DR.PiERCES
NE NE ~