The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1909-03-25
"REMINISCENCES oFwAsHlNcToN,D.c

On recent visit to Washington the
writer saw, among the relics and curiosi-
ties in Hancock 81 on PENNSYLVANIA
avenue, Beau Hickman's cane and UNI
brella, and wondered how many in Wash
ington today recall this once noted char
acter, who lived for many years by his
wits. AS to his early history little is
known, but his immaculate dress of the
old-time Southern style won for him the
appelation of Beau When | first saw
him, in 1869, he was in his decadence,
and contributions of one dollar, or even of
Is cents, We're not despised. In his palmy
days an introduction to Beau Hickman
called for fee of SIS. In his last days
his dress was shabby and he was decrepit
Crippled with rheumatism he shuffled
along the streets with the aid of cane,
and at last faded from the public gaze.
This revival of memories of Beau Hick-
man recalls many others in different walks
of life once prominent figures at the Ma
tional Capital, but now numbered among
the dead. The Atlantic Monthly some
months ago published recollections of
Walt Whitman by Mrs. O'Conner, whose
husband, government employee and a
poet, was one of Whitman's most loyal
friends Whitman was often seen swing
ing down Pennsylvania avenue, clad in
grey, a soft grey Felt hat on the back of
his head, no vest, and his shirt open in
the neck He had profusion of grey
hair and was bearded like the bard -
A no less conspicuous figure was Albert
Pike of Arkansas, but long resident of
Washington. Of portly figure, with a
massive head crowned with profusior
Of grey hair, he was noble looking man.
He was rarely seen in the street without
his pipe. The bowl was the size of a
small tea cup and the stem long enough
to permit the bowl to rest in his hand
with the arm by his side. Masonry was
Mr.. Pixies hobby, and he was said to
possess the most extensive library on the
subject in this country, and had taken
the highest degrees.
In mentioning big" men A. G. Allen,
an 0ld-time journalist, should not be over
Looked He stood over feet and was
large in proportional splendid looking
man. with a Websterian head and a
countenance that indicated kindly and
genial nature He was long the Wash
ington correspondent of the Baltimore
Sun, writing over the signature of Aga,
q combination of his initials, and was
also an editorial writer on the National
Inteligencer, paper that for many
years was the national organ of the
Democratic party, but that finally went
INTO iecadence and oblivion.
The National Intelligencer was publish
ed at one time by Snow & Coyle, and had
then fallen from its high estate. The
junior member. John B. Coyle, was a
lobbyist, and was one of Tilden's agents
sent TO Florida in 1876 to secure the cleo
toral vote of that State. Later Coyle
went to New York and got some kind Of
d position under Tammany Snow &
Coyle were succeeded as proprietors of
--LbSlllSSiiStl ny ftltAdllueI 1GlildE,
a former chief of the bureau of Stats
ties in Washington, and what he did not
know about running a newspaper would
fll great many large volumes. The
daily died finally, but the name was re-
tanned as a subtitle Of the Washington
Sunday Herald, which long since went to
The newspaper graveyard.
Whitman, Pike and Allen all might be
called conspicuous figures on Washing
tons great thoroughfare, Pennsylvania
avenue. An inconspicuous figure was
President Grant Short of stature, with
nothing striking about him, he Stub
be0 along the street, cigar ever in his
mouth, looking neither to the left nor to
the light, attracting no attention from
those he met and evidently seeking none,
Hut responding Of course when saluted.
1t Was the same when he entered thea
are. This does rot mean that there was
aTy lack OF respect for the President, or
the nan, or any disposition to deny the
honor due him for his great service to
The country; but it was felt that he did
not invite adulation, and that it would be
IL,