Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-13
BEAU" BEAT BONIFACE
RECoLLECTIoNs OF ONCE NOTED
LOCAL CHARACTER.
How Hickman Got Suit Of Clothes
From Polish officer-Died !.
in Poverty.

'In the earlier days" said the late Col.
LIE Grande Smith of Bedford, Va. on a
visit to Washington shortly before his
death. telling Of his recoliections of men
and events at the national capital half a
century ago 't..ere was an interesting
character about the capital by the name of
Beau Hickman. He was delineator, a
good story teller and a sponger. Repre-
sentatives in Congress and senators always
spoke to him and looked upon him as a
sort of'king's jester public buffoOn. He
was a fauifless dresser. from which he re-
ceived the soubriquet Beau
AT one time Hickman borrowed q suit
OF clothes from a Polish officer who was
visiting the capital. Although cheeky
thing to ask for the officer was informed
Of Hickman's peculiarities. and when the
clothes were returned he said to Hick-
man, You have worn the suit and I will
now present 1t to YOU Hickman was won-
derfuliy- pleased with the gift and he fire.
quentiy strutted the streets of Washington
clad in the uniform.
Hickman had about $40 600 left him from
a relative, and the most OF this he spent
at Shockoe N. c., q watering place, in try
ing to vanquish an English dandy, who
thought he was Brun1mell himself. Hfck-
man appeared in a dozen different suits q
day and was the pride of the place. He
himself gracefully.
beau went to Baltimore, where he was
We'll known, and put up at the Fountain
Inn, which was run by Dick & Fogg. and
was one OF the prominent cafes of the city.
He was induced to try and get a supper
out Of the preprietors and he was success
full. Approaching Dick and calling him by
name, said, Can have a supper for my
money!
Certainly Dick replied
so he ordered q supper for twenty. 1t
was an elaborate AFFAIR with the usual num-
Der of courses. It was noised about that
Beau Hickman was to give supper on an
extensive scale to his friends. and q large
concourse assembled to catch glimpse OF
the man There was no one present but
Hickman himself.
HE sat at the head Of the table and con-
versed with imaginary guests. He called
On them to respond to sentiments which he
lmprovised. and every thing was carried on
just as II there had been twenty real human
beings at the table. After the supper
cigars were ordered and then Hickman
went out to Dick and asked him how
much hds bill was. It was a great num-
Der OF dollars. Hickman went into his
pocket and brought forth a large sdIken
purse. After fumbhng about few min
piece.
Didn't you say you would let me have
a supper for twenty for my money? Hick-
man asked.
Well. there's my money Hickman re-
piled.
Took It Good Naturally.
"Dick was inclined to treat the affair
good-naturedly and he told Hickman that
he would call it square If he would go over
to the City Hotel and play the same joke on
Barney Mclaughlin, the proprietor who,
although a competitor. was dear friend.
Hickman did so successfully and McLough-
lin was so pleased that he said.
II you will play that on Dick & Fogg
I'll never say a word
why. I have played 1t on them,' said
Hickman with q smile.
'To show how Hickman was appreciated
In Washington by senators. members of
Congress and other dignitaries, not as q
say anything to them and to accost them
at all times and places He would tell
story and then exclaim. You know that all
work and no play makes Jack dull boy
His listeners always knew what that meant
and they would go into their pockets while
he made the rounds with his hat. Webster
Clay and all the big men Of half a century
ago knew Beau Hickman. In later years
became crippled with rheuma tism.
I think it was about 1866 when l saw him
last. He was standing in front of Browns,
now the Metropolitan Hotel
?" It's matter of age with me now he
said. I am not running ON my shape or
talent A sum was raised to bury him
when he died.