The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-02-21
DEATH TAKES
EX-OWNER OF
FAMOUS BAR
Henry Stegemeier, 65, Is
ParaIytic Stroke Vic
tim at Home.
KNOWN NATION OVER
Restaurant and Saloon Was
After Theater Haven, Home
of Sporting Fraternity.
KNOWN NATION OVER
BY ARCH sTEINEL

henry 81 gemeier, 90, is deaG.
AT / this morning the man who
was confidante Of statesmen and
poets, server Of drinks to politicians
and ex-Presidents in the pre-Vol-
steadian days, died from the eff
fects Of a paralytic stroke at his
home, II North Dearborn street.
A short illness resulted in the
decease Of the man who, with his
brother, Richard Stegemeier, made
famous the nation over "Stegemeier
Brothers cage and buffet 1913
North Illinois street"
Henry and Dick" or the
"Stegemeiers" we're synonymous in
the citys night life Of a Damon
and Pythias" business partnership
that sold good, thick steaks and
high-class liquors.
In Semi Coma for Two Days
Their restaurant and saloon was
the meeting place after the theater
the atbles in the buffet sealed
many a business deal over a glass
Of lager. and a blackboard on the
Bullets wall carried the Il betchas'
Of the citys sporting fraternity on
ball games.
Henry" was in charge Of the bar,
Dick" in charge of the restaurant.
And at the time Henry" was
or rfyffI, Iry1ie L a0..
verSing with his brother and friends
on old times.
He had lain down to rest and
was recalling the days before In
diana went dry when the fatal at
tack came.
He had been in a semi-coma for
two days.
Came to u. S. From Germany
Mr.. Stegemeier came to the
United States from Hanover, Ger
many, in 1888. His first job was
that of a "roustabout' in the Old
Henry Smith bar where Kinks
Cloak house stands today.
Later he became q bartender and
then in 1895 he leased the Kingston
bar of Billy Iron where the Apollo
theater now stands and that lease
was the natal day of city'S land
mark of conviviality, "Stegemeiers."
Five bartenders dried foam on its
bar and made Tom and Jerrys, but
always supervising all, always
drawing one" for a customer, was
Henry Stegenleier.
Dick" Stegemeir, now owner OF a
restaurant at 210 West Maryland
street, joined his brother in the
business in 1891.
Wife Died Year Ago
If the brothers were close to each
other in business they were also
closely related in marriage. Dick"
married the niece of his brothers
wife.
Death of Mr.. Stegerneier's wife
a year ago caused his health to fail.
Prohibition also had its effect.
They tell how, wheE Indiana
went dry the rumor became pre-
vslent that the saloons would be
permitted to sell their stock before
closing shop,
Was Ready for Prohibition
Henry Stegemeier was ready. He
bought several Kentucky distil-
leries' output and stored it in In
dianapolis.
why he had more whisky than
all the citys retailers when the city
went dry" one crony said.
But the rumor proved false and
given ten days in which to get his
liquor out OF the state Henry"
established the Speedway Bar in
West Hammond, H. He remained
there until the passage of the eight
zenith amendment.
With nationwide prohibition 8
fact he returned to Indianapolis
and the brothers joined in remod-
cling the old "Stegemeier's" bar into
the Apollo theater, In April, 1927,
he theater was leased to a chain
organization and Henry retired
from active business.
Three Sisters Abroad
He was owner, with his brother,
of the Apollo theater structure, in
addition to several other pieces of
property. The real estate was con-
trolled by the two brothers in a
corporation known as the Siege
meier Realty Company.
Survivors besides the brother are
three sisters in Hanover, Germany
three nephews, Richard j., Karl ano
Henry G.. Stegemeier. and two
nieces, Miss Marie Stegemeier and
Mrs. Russell Stubs, all of Indian
apolis.
Funeral arrangements have not
been made.
HOG MARKET MOVES