Coram Dick
South Side Signal
July 18th, 1874
In the old and
perhaps better days of Long island’s history, there was no one man
known better than Richard W. Smith familiarly called “Coram Dick”
There was one incident in Richard’s life he was particularly fond of
relating. It occurred at the time when Swartwout was Collector of
the Port of New York and Billy Price was District Attorney. That was
the palmy era when a man’s standing in Congress was determined by
the amount of liquor which he could drink and still keep a level
head. Coram Dick’s fame as an evaporator of liquids had reached the
capital and a neat little plan, of which Swartwout and Price were
the instigators, was concocted to get him drunk.
Accordingly, upon
Dick’s arrival a party was made up, a room in the hotel secured, and
work commenced. The amount of liquor disposed of by that party was
something to be marveled at. But while the remaining gentlemen
called in turn for “cocktails” and “sours” and “straights” Dick
stuck persistently to brandy unadorned. The evening wore on, the
small hours dawned and still the party kept up and still Dick held
fast to his brandy. Finally it was agreed to end the bout by
repairing to an oyster saloon and partaking in supper. There Dick’s
companions ate the bivalves and Dick contented himself with brandy.
The hands of the clock pointed at 3. The end drew nigh. Swartwout
was the first to throw up his hands. One by one the others followed
suit – all but Dick. He picked up his nine companions, tenderly laid
them upon the settees, covered them over with tablecloths, and
placed oyster shells on their eyes. Then he sat down with the
bartender and drank brandy. Presently that individual rolled over,
and conqueror of all Richard returned to his hotel. They never tried
to lay him out after that.