The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-15
From the St. Louis Post-Dispatcb

IVY HEN Fausts restaurant closed
 NA/ it's doors the other night and
 W went out of business, Broadway yielded another trench to the invading forces which are carrying the commercial and amusement features of St. Louis westward with an irresistible drive
 A generation ago the famous place known as Irony Fausts,' at Broadway and Elm streets, was in the very center of the city's bright light district. Adjoin- ing it on the north and east was the posite side of Broadway, were the Olym- pie theatre and the St. James hotel.
 The Southern was closed about three years ago. The St. James closed a few days ago, and it is generally believed that the Olympic theatre will not be reopened next season.
 The famous Faust corner, for three while the night life of the city was lux irritating in new and attractive white way in the far western portion of the city.
 After the death of the original Tony Faust, about 10 years ago, the restaurant for time was managed by his son, An ton E.. Faust, Jr. Later it was purchased by the St. Louis Catering company, which made an unsuccessful attempt to operate all of the high class restaurants in St. Louis About year ago it was sold to Henry c. Dietz, who for many years had been Faust's chef.
 Faust's glory began to fade when other high class restaurants were established in buster sections of the downtown dis trict. Though the high standard of serv- ice was maintained the place was run at loss.
 When the night life of the city was cen tered about Broadway and Walnut street the Olympic theatre gave it's full quota to the patronage of Fausts. There were gay and elaborate after theatre suppers, at which great actors and actresses often were guests of honor.
 Tony Faust himself was a pattern of geniality and good cheer and for many years his personal contact with his guests in the character of Mine Host was one of the attractions of the place. He knew his regular customers and gave them personal greeting. In those days Faust s closest friend was Adolphus Busch, the multimillionaire brewer. Busch, who was fond of the good things of the table, was a daily visitor to Faust's until his health began to fail and he always spent money Iavishly there.
 In the southeast corner of the restau- rant, and on the ground floor, was a large table where Busch and his cronies would meet each afternoon.
 When with a party whose money was fairly clamoring to be spent, Busch would offer to bet $1Oo, sometimes more. that he could identify any brand of wine by the taste.
 After the stake was put up he would order that glasses be filled from the bot ties of each kind of wine in the house. The glasses were then placed in row on the big table and Busch would take a sip from each glass, naming the brand o1 wine after doing so. He rarely made a mistake, and whether he won or lost he paid for all the bottles which had been opened.
 Many amusing stories were told about
  with Busch as their host. One had to do with a wealthy but close St. Louisan, who often 'sat in" at the Busch table about the time the steins were going around. He always offered to pay for the drinks, knowing that his offer would not be &C., cepted by Busch. who always insisted on being host.
 One night Busch tipped off the others that the 'tightwad' would be permitted to buy. When he ordered, everyone at the table said he would take "a little of the same" The waiter had been coached. When the steins came to the table they were filled with an expensive brand of champagne. The close millionaire, who had expected to pay about $1 for the round of drinks received bill closer to $50. He never again appeared at the Busch table,
 Sometimes the diversion at Faust's took the form of Lucullian feasts, which really amounted to eating contests. l There is story still current that a prominent St. Louisian, now dead, ate 256 oysters from the half shell at one sit ting to win wager and after pocketine the money ordered porterhouse steak potatoes au gratin and a stein of beer. | Tony Faust's humor and quaint ways were source of much delight. He him 1 self often acted as host to large parties of friends in a private room adjoining the restaurant on the second floor. Al the famous New Years Eve celebrations at Fausts. the proprietor. his wife ant