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OldWaldorf Bar Days
"THERE 1s
Ho
PE!"
A long-time figure was Dr. James M. Munyon, man–
ufacturer and purveyor of a widely publicized line of
household remedies. Dr. Munyon was a short, slender
man, who usually affected a flat-topped white derby,
with a black band. His favorite costume was a gray
cutaway suit. His bushy hair, prominent features and
upraised hand, his lips in the act of vocalizing "There
is hope!" were familiarized by a tremendous lot of
advertising.
Dr. Munyon was not a great drinker. He spent most
of his time, when in the Bar, chatting
wit~
acquaint–
ances. He did like a milk punch, however, and fre–
quently thus refreshed himself alone. He had a well de–
veloped sense of humor; one used to think that he had
gone to the same school earlier attended by P. T.
Barnum.
One day, Johnnie Solon had just compounded for him
his favorite personal prescription, and Munyon stood
drinking slowly, meanwhile chatting with the barman.
Finally, after some observation of the latter, Munyon
said, shaking his finger, "Johnnie, you are just as big
a faker as I am."
An almost daily custo.rner for a .long time was Dr.
William H. Brocklemeyer, a nose and throat specialist,
who, at a fixed hour in the afternoon, would come in
to be joined by his friend, Henry. E. Dixey, the actor,
for a few rounds of appetizers. Many other actors made
port there, or had a cocktail made for them on after–
noons that were no-t matinee days. For example, Her–
bert Kelcey, a stage idol of the romantic young ladies
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