Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1907-05-23

SssssSSSNSttet
ped near Plainfield, in New Jersey.
more than a year ago. was of the
episcopal faith, like those who have
been making the borough of the
Bronx their home this year. The
funeral services over her remains
read by Rev. E. Wears Stevenson
an episcopal rector. A thoughtless
outsider who commented unfeelinely
on uhe fact that the mourners wore
their ordinary gay-colored clothes al
the funeral was rebuked by one of
The tribe who overheard the sur.
we mourn in our hearts, not with
our clothes said the Romany woman.
with dignity.
The Connecticut gypsy prince, >
Thomas Williams, was possibly the
most picturesque of his blood who has
ever been in this country. He roamed
the United States the better part Of
"A years, with his headquarters IL
Connecticut first at New Haven and
later near East Hartford. where he
mad house like other folks" which
ne occupied sometimes for months to-
gether. and he died in his bed, when
ne came to die, as most of us do.
But Thomas Williams lived the gyp-
sy life, just the same Every spring
ne started out, not to leave the road
till late in the fall, and some wears he
went far South remaining out all win
ter He was probably the richest
gypsy that has ever lived in the
United States His savings bank ac-
counts, well distributed over New
England, are said to have footed up
more than 100000, and his caravan.
OF which his own truly palatial wagon
was the great attraction, was las
gorgeous as circus parade, as old
timers among the Connecticut farm
ers win still tell you,
This wagon was really a marvel. t
was In truth, nothing less than tri-
umphal chariot. His parade was genu-
lnely imposing, with that great chro-
matte and golden van in the lead,
himself sometimes proudly perchcd
aloft on the drivers seat, sometimes
lolling comfortably within. Six sleek
and handsome horses, trapped out in
gaudy, costly harness, hauled the
chariot, and behind it followed always
train Of vans adorned more COR
geously than any but the most splen-
did circus wagons ever built. Behind
the vans always followed train of
horses. not wind-broken, knock-kneed,
spawned brutes. but well-fed, high
spirited nags, sound in wind and
limb, such as would be a credit to
any first-class horse dealer in the
land.
Prince Williams word is as good
as his bond" is the way the Con-
necticut farmer used to express their
opinion Of this gypsy monarch's hon
esty during his life, and he was per-
sonally very popular. The prince $
splendor madness was full af methos.
He knew full well the value of cara
van SO gorgeous as to make the vii
layers and farmers break out in spen-
taneous "Gees!' and "Gollys.' and
Wal, ! swannys." when they passed.
Nothing, he was completely persuaded,
would bring business to him so fast
as first-class show for eyes that rare.
ly saw any splendor which he didn't
provide to feast upon. And nothing.
he understood quite as well, could
hold his trade so that he could camp
at the same crossroads year after
year, and always be welcome to
come, expect the deserved reputation
of a fair trader. He had it all right,
and there were many besides his gypsy
followers who mourned his death
when it came. Prince Williams
camps were different from most gypsy
communities, inasmuch as they were
ruled by men. Almost universally
among the Roinany folk the supreme
personality Is woman, and she is
known as queen"
At the camp in the Bronx the other
day the men refused at first to be
photographed. but when the women
appeared they listened more fayorabiy
to the appeal and granted 1t. In
Hungary where, whatever may be
the gypsies' origin, they have come
nearer settling down than elsewhere,
they play most wonderful music,
music SO wonderful that List was
elitranced. and appreciably influenced
by It. Here, as in England, music
seems to be a decadent art among
them; in fact. the gypsies are musical
only where the people as a whole are
musical
The gypsies to whom New York
city is the center of attraction travel
north and south from northern Can
ada to Mexico. following the coast
more or less closely. but they do little
drossrcountry wandering They are
nearly ELI of English origin, though,
no doubt. of more or less pure genu-
ME Romany extraction Their family
names are Evans. Stanley.
Lowell, Riley-the queen, who died
last year in New Jersey was Riley.