The terrible fight in the very midst of the “fashionable” quarter of the metropolis the other night, between “Larry” O’Brien and Truman, shows that the sportin’ and brawlin’ centre of the town has been transferred from the site of old Stanwix Hall, near the Metropolitan Hotel, and Florence’s saloon, near Houston street to the up-town hotels. This change in location is not a bit more marked than the change that has taken place of late years in the O’Brien brotherhood. Time was when the O’Briens flourished around old Jersey street, now an almost unknown locality, runnin’ out of Crosby street, and when they figured largely in election rows around the Old Bull’s Head tavern in the Bowery. But for some years past all the O’Brien brothers have altogether changed and materially improved their habits, and have become quiet, gentlemanly and rather “high-toned.”
In fact, Larry O’Brien himself is but one of many examples that could be cited of the mistaken notions that most people have of a “sportin’” life. It is taken for granted, for instance, that every sportin’ man drinks heavily, whereas Isaiah Rynders, a “sport” all his life; “Jim” Kerrigan, and all the O’Brien boys have been strictly “temperate” men, as has been Truman himself. To be a leading “sport” a man really needs a clear head and must lead “regular” habits. John Chamberlain says that in twenty years he never varied twenty minutes in his hours of meals or sleep. Not one “business” or “professional” man in twenty is as “regular” as this.
And the common idea, too, that “sports” are “roughs” is altogether erroneous. There are not two more “gentlemanly” men in looks, attire and demeanor in New York city than Larry O’Brien and his foe, Truman.
In these points Larry O’Brien closely resembled George Hill, the celebrated Saratoga club-house man, who was the quietest and most gentlemanlike man in Saratoga, and yet the only man John Morrissey feared in the whole place. “Still waters run deep.” And it was Larry O’Brien’s gentlemanly but quiet manner that could “smile but kill” that made John Morrissey always civil to, and rather afraid of, Larry O’Brien.
One interestin’ point in Larry’s varied career was his rivalry with Ed Shandley. The latter got up his “Legion,” which was very popular. O’Brien determined to come out ahead, got up his “O’Brien Battalion,” which was about one hundred men larger, and was almost as popular in its day as Isaiah Rynders’ Empire Club.
John McGowan, afterward police court clerk, was the commander of his Battalion, Thomas Lynch was lieutenant-colonel, Edward Gilmore was drum major, and among the leadin’ members were “Dutch” Heinrichs, Dan Noble, Reddy the Blacksmith; Haggerty, who was afterward engaged in a fight with Reddy; “Patsey” Egan, “Shang” Draper and other well-known sports. This battalion at one time numbered nearly five hundred men, and its expenses were mainly born by Larry himself. The battalion was pretty well drilled and made on its parades quite a credible show. The rivalry between it and the Shandley Legion was very hot and bitter.
A characteristic story is recited of “Larry” in connection with his battalion. A grand parade had been announced and the route had been published in papers. But at the last minute Larry, whose orders were supreme, changed the route, and the object of this change was to be to afford a young lady who resided near the “Jackson Club” house–and in whose good graces Larry stood high–a chance to see the parade from the vantage ground of her own window.
As for O’Brien’s antagonist, Truman, public feelin’ seems to be against him, but he has his warm friends, nevertheless.
Among them is Hillman, the old sport, who says that Truman, in money matters, is a man whose word is sacred. If he has promised to pay a certain sum by a certain time, that sum at that time is paid. He cites a case in point. He loaned Truman $500, in New York here, once, to be paid in three months, and shortly after makin’ the loan heard that Truman had gone to Texas. He made up his mind he had lost the money. But two weeks before the three months were up he received a letter from Galveston, from Truman, tellin’ him that that week he would send him on to the Bower House a draft for $500. And sure enough that draft came and was honored at the bank here the day before the $500 was due.
None are all evil, and it may be that there is some good stuff in both of the principals in this Broadway battle.
[Editor’s notes: The street brawl between O’Brien and the notorious card sharp, Truman, was a serious affair. The May 15, 1885 edition of the New York Times reported:
