New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-23

A grand duke OF Russia was daiIy
visitor at Delmonicos 26th street place
during his visit TO this country, when no
travelled under the name OF Lieutenant
Cross. He was pleasant TO all the en-
ployes some Of whom still remember him.
He gave us all the impression said
Mr. Neis a few days ago, 'of being man
of very kindly nature"
He was a good Upper. He usually was
accompanied by half a dozen men, ana
arrived at his luncheon hour, which was
O'Clock
Russians always are generous" added
Mr. Neis.
Innumerable dinners of a notable sort
were given there In the twenty-one years
that Delmonico remained at that corner
There was a dinner to The Titans," all
over six feet tall and all men who were
otherwise prominent in the life Of the town.
The Peanut Club held it's dinners at Del
monico's. One Of the rules Of the Peanus
Club was that a member was under oonga-
ton to have his peanut-a gold trinket
shaped after the we'll known fruit-wfth
him AT all times no matter where he'mlghe
he. The penalty for disobedence to this
ruIe was a dinner at Delmonicos TO the
club. to be paid for by the careless one.
Prominent New York men about town De-
longed 70 this organization.
one day at Brighton Beach man spied
club member in swimming Immediately
he hired a swimming outfit. put his peanut
in his mouth and dove in after the other
fellow. who was idly floating on his back
ar the time with very little certainly not
peanuts, on his mind.
The dinner cost the loser so plate for
thirty members. Our old friend skipper
Weinberg was the winner OF this contest
The loser wore his peanut around his neck
after this. night and day.
on the occasion Of one OF the police cap
tains' dinners there was man living in
the 18th street house who was well known
to every ma of the place. He belonged
! to several of the clubs, but was not much
/ OF a rounder.
The walters got so they could tell to the
second when ne would appear for his meals
! and the other guests used 20 bet that his
! steps between two points would not vary
I'm number during the entire week. his
weakness was poker, hut even that irregu-
lar game was subject TO his passion FOR
punctiliousness. so that all VINO playeu
with him in his rooms knew that at IL
O'Clock sharp win or lose, the game would
be shut down.
This man was William Petit who was
a well known wholesale druggist
Mr.. PETIT SETS EN- UP.
on the occasion Of the police captains
dinner a number Of his friends. among
whom were the late John Hoey president OF
the Adams Express Company. and the late
Michael j. O'Brien. president Of the South
ern Express Company. and few other
choice spirits. enlisted the services OF Po-
lice Captain Williams and tody guard to
go IN to Mr. Pettit's room. rap on the
door and announce that the game was
pulled.
The Joke worked. The players tried to
escape through the windows. When they
had tried to escape long enough 10 satisfy
the conyulsed friends of Mr.. Petit, who
were hidden behind the curtains, the affair
was explained. and that night the druggist
did not turn in on schedule time He was
busy signing tickets. having requested
every one present to use his name freely In
urging drinks.
Mr.. Petit used 10 put his hat on CHAIR
beside his table. He always wore SILK
hat. William Travers, uncle or william
Travers Jerome, came up 10 Mr.. Petuts
able one day and started conversation In
the course Of which he became interested
or pretended to he interested. the truth
never having been learned TO this day. and
sat on the hat. crushing it completely.
ITO make matters worse. instead OF
apoloCizing. Mr. Travers, who was slut
terer, simply said:
"Fx-N-X-c-cuse m m me; tn th'-
thought it w-w-w-w-as a c-c-c-crush hat"
Mr.. Petit afterward made a demand
on Mr. Travers for the price Of the hat,
and even threatened to sue him when the
demand was rejected History doesn't
state how the matter was settled but
their manner was ccldly gay after tho
incident.
Charlie" Demonico was at the head of
affairs connected with the 18th street house
for many years While not being at all
a dandy. he was enthusiastically alert TO
see that his personal appearance was Ale
ways flawless His linen and clothes were
Of the very finest.
He was a bald headed man. He wore
very little iewelry, except one ring, which
was a priced possession. In it's brown
stone setting was cut the figure Of a prize
fighter Charlie" had been a member Of
the Volunteer Fire Department and the
ring had been won by him in an amateur
boxing contest
lie was acquainted with every one In
Continued on fourth page.