1931 Old Waldorf Bar Days by Albert Stevens Crockett

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 [54]