New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-04
For 80 Years James He
bron Admitted Many He
Could Buy and Sell.
FRIEND BARNUM HAD
ONLY BRING CIRCUS
Upsets ShOWman's Philosophy
by Suing Son to Set Aside
Deed and Mortgage.

HIHfh~ J. bdIUuU "hN mPItlF NV
owner Of a three-ring circus. That was
tho view taken OF the famous Snowman
yesterday in the Supreme Court by
James Hebron. FOR about thirty years
dcorman at Dolmonico's Jimmie. a
tho regular patrons OF the restaurant
know him. accumulated fortune larg-
er than that Of many for whom he
obseouiously opened the door; in fact,
Hebron, whose wages for long time
amounted 10 81 a day, made fortune
Of 100000.
No. he did not save this out Of his
wages The foundation for the fortune
was built on his slender earnings and
his popularity with the Dclmonico pa
irons did the rest Some Of these, well
posted on the stock market, gave jim
mic tips They were the right sort Of
tips. and Hebron prospered. But he
did not give up his job as doorman.
Thus his activities were more widely
scattered than the three-ring circus
run by his FRIEND Mr.. Barnum, which
was the point Hebron wanted TO make
in referring to the Snowman. A. one
time hc owned three livery stables and
also had a real estate business.
Also Hebron was not one Of those
who subscribed 20 the philosophy o.
BarnUm that one is born every MIN
ute. Tha. was why he was in court
yesterday. for he brought suit 70 set
aside a deed and mortgage to property
which he alleged he was fradulentIy
/ induced 20 sign by his son, James
J Hebron. ir.. who was not rs successful
/ in stock speculation as his father. The
/ son lost about $4,000. according 70
/ Hebron. Senator O'GOrman, one OF the
former doorman's friends, appeared as
his counsel on the trial of the suit yes
tcrdav.
Hebron testified that for four years
beginning in May, 1907, he was III and
his mind was not quite IN Its normal
condition. II was when he recovered
he said. that nc learned he had signed
the deed and mortgage to piece OF
property in East Fifty-third Street He
never received any consideration foi
= this conveyance.
"My son James was speculatlng al
the time in Wall Street" said Hebron
Whatever money was paid must nave
been paid to him" The defendants n
the suit are several corporations and
individuals who have acquired Interest
in the property. They are the Law
yers' Mortgage Company, the Montana
Realty Company, the llS East flity
fourth Street Company, the Bankers
Trust Company. Caroline &. Reed, May
+. Bannon and Albert Reed.
"Barnum had only thrce-rlng CIR
Gus when I first knew him" said He
bron. at was not long before | haC
five very successful irons in the IRE
while still holding down my humbl'
lob as doorman at 'Dels.' Being col
lepe bred. was able to converse intel
Hgcntly with the prominent men tina
dined there. and without their TREND J
advice never could have made Sl,OOO'
GOO in Wall Street. started with only
500 With my profits ! gradually
branched out into other lines, until
had not only very successful rca
estate business, but also three LIVERY
stables. starting with one horse
bought from William +. Dodge
Mrs. Mary Hebron, wife OF th'
plaintif. corroborated the story OF he'
husband that he never received any
money for the property he transferred
Neither did she receive any, Mrs. tie
brou said. The son testified that No
induced his mother 20 persuade M
father TO make the transfer lie Salt
he considered the transaction for the
hest at the time. He also ADMITTED
b,ing heavy loser in the stock market
The trial will be continued to-day