Evening star., 1933-04-18
BY WALTER TRUMBULL.

(Copyright 1888 by the North American
Newspaper Alliance. 1nc.)
n YEW YORK. April 18.-Wilson
n Miner, who died recently in
~ California, was known from
,, / Guatemala, where his father
was stationed in the American
consular service, to Alaska, where he
mingled with such men as Jack Lon
don, Rex Beach and Tex Rickard; and
from the Broadway, where he lived SO
long, to Hollywood, where he died. Few
persons ever splashed as much color over
a span of So years. Prospector, medi-
cine man, gambler, author, actor play
wright, scenario writer. real estate op-
orator and adventurer, he was, like Will
ton Lackaye, a member OF diStin-
guished family and one of the great wits
Of his generation.
But there the resemblance ceased.
Lackaye's wit was rapier-like, piercing
and polished. Miner stabbed his VIC
tins with a file. His humor was reck-
less, bitter, brutal and often too Ra-
bealsian to bear repetition. Tall, gaunt,
one of the first to wear overcoats belted
in the back and invariably carrying a
cane, he was striking figure.
At the height of his New York career
he lived at the Dazian Hotel. next to
the Lambs Club, spent many Of his days
in the original Charles Rectors and his
nights at Jacks. One of his companions
was T. A. Dorgan TAD, famous as a
cartoonist and originator Of Broadway
slang. Much of it he got from Miner.
In one of Tad's well known cartoons
he credits the Californian with the pre-
cept: Boost booster. knock a knocker
and use your own judgment with a
sucker"
|. Miner always was fascinated by
tough guys" and crooks. He studied
them and much of his knowledge of
them went into such plays as The
Greyhound" gamblers parlance for an
ocean card sharp, and The Deep Pur-
ple," plays he wrote with Paul Arm
, strong Mizner furnished the ideas and
much Of the dialogue and Armstrong.
with his knowledge of construction and
technique, did the writing. Word came
to -MiZner that Armstrong was making
light Of Miners share in the collabora-
ton and claiming all the credit. Miz-
ner's resentment was fiery. a bitter
quarrel followed and for years the men
didn't speak. Armstrong; death left
Miner unsoftened. But he was per-
suaded to attend the funeral. During
the services chapter from the Bible
was read.
That" said Miner audibly, "is the
only manuscript ever near him that he
didn't claim he wrote"
Once, when discussing funerals, Miz-
ner asserted, Il don't care what sort
of a coffin they drape me in, just so
it fits well around the neck" Much of
his humor was grim.
At one time he managed Stanley
Ketchel, kown as the Michigan As
| sassin" For his, Miner had a real ad-
miration and affection. Steve" as all
the camp force called him, was truly
great fighter. Opponents might put him
on the floor, but few ever kept him
there When a farmer blew his back
out with shotgun, Miner was in Chi
cago One of Ketchel's sparring part
ners telephoned.
ITS about Steve" he said. bad
news"
GO on" commanded Miner
Hes shot-killed." There was an in
stant's silence.
start counting" said Miner. Hell
get up."
Grim humor, yet from one who
scorned to show feeling, close to a per-
feet tribute and an epitaph.
A man sued Wilson Miner over a
Florida land sale, charging misrepre-
sentation and swindle.
HE told me-" testified the buyer con-
cerning the land in question, that l
could grow nuts on it."
He misunderstood me-" said Miz-
ner. Il told him he could 60 nuts on
it,
In the days when Martin Beck was
ruler of vaudeville, to land an act in
the Palace Theater, New York, was the
acme Of ambition. One Of the favorite
places for tryouts was Union Hill, N. j.,
known to the profession as Onion Hill. Z"
There Beck's booking representative saw