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THE ilOuK ISLAND ARGUS, FRIDAY", JANUARY 1G, 1914. I 1 J'! 8 IB Brick" Munro, "Good Samaritan" of Davenport Underworld, is Bankrupt ,rrom PP"rt rninrrat. hack line and various other ventures -Brick" Monro, the Good Samaritan At that time it Is estimated that be . psTenport's underworld, mho la the j was easily worth $150,000. tit daja of ,he open t0ia Tbe PvlUon was one of the brlght- .ortk I150.P0. ' tola' broke. est spots i.n the middle west. Before Aft" f1T'P .v several fortunes. , Iowa legislators became busy, tbe tu rn" mba OT tne reputation of ) place operated 24 hours a day t0rrT taming a deaf ear to the pleas ; and the employes and attaches work; atbt needy. s about to go into bank- i ed in shifts. Munro employed from r-otcy. The golden days are past, his eight to ten bartenders, from 10 to 20 y friends who fraternized with i ers and tb like and about Zi waiters. at bis heyday, have vanished, j Biil -King- Brady, the greatest rag ackmptcy psrrs bave been filed in . time piano player in the country, tlck tS district court. led tbe ivories In tbe old Rock Island .. m the rrODrtetor of tbe big street Dlare. charllo K-ha .n - . ,jen. dance ball and pavliijon, for- another disciple of syncopation who located at the comer of Second delighted the gay dancers. Rock Island streets, which proved J Tables lined the walls of the pwvil igold mine until the 12-hour law and t lion and these were always filled with vice cruade c!oed up tbe old j care free men and fashionably dressed freot street district snd la turn put j women. It was no unusual thing foT m oat 01 business. a wealthy spendthrift to buy from Ti place, which was known as j $300 to $400 worth of wine during an .gfxl' Pavii'.ion." w-as famous from evening. coMt to coast, and was the render-; Of late tbe cabaret has become a net of the sporting fraternt y from f craze throughout the United States frrry part of the United States. Trav-.and la balled as an innovation. Eight en would make Jumps of from j years ago Brick Munro's garden to 3") mis Just to spend Sunday j boasted a cabaret entertainment tt Brick's. Tbe place was patronized which for quality and magnitude has yr neo from every walk of life and . not been surpassed to this day. tfter was a steady stream of gold into j High salaried performers from the ut-IL -iegu- took a Bing at entertaining " , , , " " , " - w-h Munro was on the crest of the midnight crowds in the dance halL I B,r'c.k reacKbed for hlB cneclt b?k an "Brick" was a silent witness to the entire affair and s epplng up to the man. said: -How about it, partner, are you pretty hungry?" "You bet I am." was the reply. "Well, come on down and Join us.'' and linking his arm in that of the seedy one's. Brick led the way to the table. Tbe midnight feed was a tori of family affair. The entertainers, wait- ers and the rest would all sit in the i circle. The food w as plain, but there was lots or it. The menu usually con sisted of fried potatoes, scrambled eggs, steaks, coffee and the like Just good, wholesome fare. There were cf times fromi 15 to 20 invited guests. recruited mostly from the ranks of the down and outers. Brick was a great friend of the kids. In those Cs the People's Union Mis sion was in operation on Second street between Iowa and Rock Island. Ned Lee. who was at the head of the. in stitution, was anxious to raise funds for a gymnasium, but w-as unable to make much headway. One day Munro heard about it, and he Immediately sent for Lee. "How much would it take to fit up a gym for the kids?" he asked. Lee told him and without a word sroterity, be scattered money w Ita a j looking upon it as a sort of diversion. Uriah hand. Today his aeu are They welcomed it aa a relief from the ira:tcal!y all. His big heart proved j steady grind behind the footlights. I undoing. There was something doing every Brkk's hitory reads Hke a work minute. A big orchestra crashed out C Action and a few words as to his I ragtime strains for the dancers and w'ller career w ill .serve to accentu-I during the intermissions tbe cabaret Ct his rapid rise to affluence aa well l performers took tbe floor, u bis more precipita'e decline. j The patrons were many and they James A. Munro got his start In spent without stint. It was the ex ntrecport as a hack driver. He de ception, rather than the rule, when a tided to go into business for himself day's receipts dia not pass the $300 tsd borrowed enough money to buy I mark. Waiters would clean up from i korte and carriage. He saved his ' 110 to $25 a night In tips, and would ocey, paid for his outfit and bor- j have refused to quit had their salaries roved again, each time adding to bis I been entirely cut off. equipment. I In those days of prosperity, "Brick" At this tlm. Munro had a chance gave to the down and outers, the poor filled In the proper amount. "There, that ought to fill the bill.'' he said with his genial smile. Every Christmas Munro sent a check of at least $100 to the mipsion. "to buy some trinkets for the kids," he explained it. When a picnic or outing was plan ned at the mission. Brick always do nated several crates of oranges, lem ons and other good things. Citizens who donated 50 cents or a dollar to the cause, always were anxious to see their names in tbe paper. Not so with Brick o7'. -s :. I Financial Statement ( State, Auditor' s Call.) BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF BUSINESS January 14, 1914. RESOURCES: Loans and discounts Overdrafts . Bonds Banking house Cash and due from banks Total $2,538,252.93 128.69 74,850.00 93,671.81' 509,859.87 $3,216,763.30 LIABILITIES: $ 200,000.00 100,000.00 133,142.42 Capital stock . Surplus Undivided profits Deposits ....... 2,770,884.84 Reserved for interest and - 12,596.04 'Dividends unpaid 140.00 Corner 18th Street and 3rd Avenus. OFFICERS H. S. CABLE, President A. J. LINDSTROM, Cashier H. P. HULL. Vice President W. G. JOHNSTON, Ass't Cashier P. GREENAWALT, Vice President I. J. GREEN, Asst. Cash. Total $3,216,763.30 H. S. CABLE, W. H. DART, P. GREENAWALT, DIRECTORS: FRANZ HAPP, H. P. HULL. E. W. HURST, PHIL MITCHELL; M. O'CONNOR, JOHN VOLK. Rock Island Savings Bank Organized 1890. Savings, Commercial and Trust Departments. SAFE" DEPOSIT VAULTS Hon in a veritable torrent, but Munro parted with it in almost the same manner. He never turned down any one seeking a loan and in most in stances practically gave the money away, never expecting it back. Rlcht now. he nas an interesting He preferred to perform his collection of unpaid notes and I. O. to buy tbe saloon which was destined ts pisy such an Important part in his areer. The place had been misman ,rd and was badly run down. The roprietor was disgusted with tbe vkole layout and was willing to sell j a, . m.HAi ' From that tirre on Munro seemed possess the golden touch of a Midas. Tie saloon was enlarged and the dance ka!I vas built. He acquired consider able real estate, bought the Family '.fteatre in Davenport, w hicn was then a vaudeville house, had an interest in a Clinton play house, took over tbe Family 'heatre in Rock Island, bad an la;rest In a shoe store In the Wind Mr hotel block on Perry, bad a big aery on Third street between Rock !!and and Iowa, in addition to his and the unfortunate with a lavish band. His heart was as big as a steamer trunk. In the building was a dining room and kitchen for himself, his family and his employes. There, was never a meal served there but what a number of unfor tunates were invited to place their feet under the festive board and eat their fill. One night a forlorn looking bum with a week's growth of beard and tattered clothes stood In the bar room apart from the crowd. He looked as though he had not bad a square meal in weeks. When the call for midnight lunch was sounded, the hobo started forward hopefully, then walked dis consolately back to his position against the bar. charitable acts quietly, He never received credit for fitting out a gymnasium for the street ur chins and his name was never seen in the newspapers when be sent a fat check for good things. "That wotild never do, for the money was tainted," cried public opinion. Munro was a second Tim Sullivan in Bucktown. He controlled the big percentage, or votes and anyone ex pecting become" a candidate usually consulted the proprietor of the Pavil- lion. Oftimes the ravages of disease would grip the unfortunate people of the district and a popular subscrip tion would be necessary to secure for them proper care, medicines and food. Invariably, the name of "Brick" Mun ro would head the list with a substan tial sum opposite. In time of sorrow and death "Brick's" helping hand was always - ' outstretched. When the homeless and Report of the Condition of The Peoples National Bank Rock Island, HI. at the close of business January 13, 1914. RESOURCES Loans and Discounts $460,946.00 U. S. and other bonds 189,497.36 Banking: House ' 125,500.52 Furniture and Fixtures 25,375.34 Cash and due from banks 156,196.63 Total $957,515.85 LIABILITIES Capital Stock $100,000.00 Surplus 25,000.00 Undivided Profits 7,961.77 Circulation 30,000.00 Deposits 794,554.08 Total $957,515.85 U.'s, many of them signed by promi nent Davenporters who have since been smiled upon by the fickle goddess of fortune. Should one-half of these debtors make good their obligations, "Brick" would not be seeking relief in bankruptcy. Those who have had dealings with Munro in past years are unanimous J in stating that no was ever tbe soul of honor and that his word w-as as good as gold. He always made good his obligations when he was able. "Why don't you go after some of these well-fed guys that have signed notes and have not made good" asked a friend the other day as Munro was going over the imposing pile of al most outlawed assets. "Oh, it goes against my nature," said Brick with the same old smile. "I don't like to do that kind of thing. "They'd do It to you in a minute If they had a chance." I know, but that isn't my way of friendless passed over the great di-! going business," he replied. vide. It was "Brick thai provided a decent burial. Whenever a death was reported in "Bucktown," and it be came known . that there were no rela tives to claim, their own, Davenport's Tim Sullivan would arrange for the funeral and foot the bill. It is no ex aggeration to ay that be buried no less than 25 or 30 such people when there were no others willing to as sume the burden. As an example of his big-hearted-ne&s. the following instance is given by one of bis old employes: A railroad man, without any too much wealth, spent a night in Front A tenant in one of Munro's houses was behind in his rent nearly two years. Each month the collector would come back with the same bid story. "Nothing doing he hasn't got the dough." "Why don't you put him out" asked the collector. "Oh, I don't like to do that," replied Munro. "He's having a bunch of hard luck. Let him stay." And Christmas day he sent him a turkey. Tho beginning of .the end was sight ed when the 10 o'clock closing law went into effect. The patronage fell was settled In some manner, but tbe public was still on the trail. Finally, a lawyer, C. W. Neal, got out a second injunction against Munro. Under the old Iowa law, the man who filed such papers was entitled to half the amount of the fine. Neal is said to have cleaned up in the neighborhood of $8,000 by the deal. Finally sentiment became so strong that he decided to leave Daven port. On tbe day of his departure, a brass band accompanied bim to the depot, playing a doleful funeral dirge. From that time on Brick's decline was rapid. The vaudeville theatres slipped away as did the rest of bis property and today Munro is himself an employe his headquarters being the Iowa Taxi Cab company. On the former site of the famous dance pavillion now stands a modern warehouse and office building, four stories In height, occupied by thie John F. Kelly wholesale grocery firm. The only visible reminder of the past is an old elm tree just west of the structure. Its branches formerly shad owed the all night hot tamale wagon so freely patronised by the owls who "made the line." Now it stands alone and forlorn against the background of brick and steel. Many have condemned the man for the business with which he was iden tified. The finger of public scorn has ofttlmes been directed at him. But after all is said and done, how many are there who have done as much to aid suffering humanity and that without thought of reward as has Brick Munro, the Good Samaritan of the underworld. II ANDALUSIA II street saloons, and awakened the next efr and tne doors of the dance hall Report of the Condition of German Trust & Savings Bank Rock Island, 111. at the close of business January. 13, 1914. RESOURCES Loans and Discounts..... Municipal and other bonds Fixtures Cash and due from banks $462,148.13 199,176.05 583.75 57,250.78 Total $719,158.71 LIABILITIES Capital Stock Surplus , Undivided Profits Individual Deposits Total $200,000.00 50,000.00 4,722.13 464,436.58 $719,158.71 morn in e minus his meager roll. Tbe thieves had "cleaned" him for fair and even his shoes were gone. The victim was ruefully taking an inventory in tho Munro saloon, when the proprietor walked up. "Kind of got you, didn't they, part ner?" he abked. "They sure did." Then stooping down. Munro took off a brand new pair of sbocs which he had only purchased the day be fore. Handing them to the victim, he said. "Guess they'll do until you, can get something better." The man was profuse in his thanks, but Brick wouldn't listen to it. II dismissed the- subject by asking one of bis men to get the pair of shoes which he bad but recently discarded. "Brick' was loved by his employes, which is the real test of character. Men that worked shoulder to shoul der with him for years, had nothing but good words for bim. And not without reason. An idea of the man ner in which be cared for those about tbe place may be gleaned from the following: A young roan named John Gadient was employed in a minor capacity about the place. One day be went down in the basement to look after the tapping of a beer keg and In some manner he touched a live wire. He was electrocuted instantly. Gadient was tbe 'sole support of a widowed mother, and the death was a particularly sad one. Munro paid the funeral expenses, closed his place for an entire day which meant a big loss and presented the mother with a check for several hundred dollar's. Munro gave away hundreds of dol lars in meal tickets to unfortunates. Stranded theatrical people always sought "Brick" when on their uppers. Many a time he got a homesick girl's trunk out of "hock" after she had wearied of the theatrical world, paid her board bill, and staked her to enough money to n' t home. At the time of the San Francisco earthquake, Munro turned over his place to the performers then in Dav enport who bad relatives on the coast Kach one did a turn, .a song, a dance or monologue of some sort. A big col lection was taken and several hundred dollars were raised for sufferers. Needless to say, Munro was one of the most liberal subscribers tb tbe cause. Tbe money poured luto the pavll-, were closed just at the time when things should have been warming up. Then a reformer got out an injunc tion restraining Brick from operating at his place of business. The matter POSLASi READY TO HEAL YOUR AILING SXIN It in wonderful to see how creatly a small auautity of Hoflam. andj few an ulu ations.' will Went tit any diseased, eruptioual skin. Often after brief treat ment tlie improvement Is startling. Poslam uuirklv controls and eradi cates eczema, acne and stubborn, it ch ine skin troubles. Itching stops. Pim ples go. Dandruff, scalp scale, chafing fet. eharoed I'Ps and bands, inflamed complexions, all are benefited st once by its soolhine. healm influence. AH dniKcists sell Poslam. For free sample, write to Emenrencv Iaborar tories. 32 West Twenty-fifth street. New 1 ork. .... . . Posiam Sosd will Improve and beau- tifv your sum anu wu it in uwnui condition. t Aflv. l Mr. and Mrs. John son. HaiDii. went 10 SEVENTH YEAR HERE. RUPTURE CURED No knife, no paraffin, no Injection, or detention from business. 1 have aurceaerully made a specialty of rupture 1w down agd liard to hula, ruplurm fo-llowtna; operations, navel rupture, falllna; of the womb, ami all had ruse in mm. women and children, and have tnv ;r-atet kiicmm with pa tient who have failed to et a cure eluewher. If you prefer to wear a truss and oily knrw whai comfort THE WUNDERTRUSS (The Truaa That Never Falls) brlnca to you. you wouldn't he without one a t.lnnle day. It hold, ruptures eauler tha-t other triiaaea and after all other" fail. Sixty day' trial. Worn and endorsed by thoueanda. No leg atrapa. elaatlc bands or eteel sprlnit. I KB 3 31 Teara Eperlepe 114 If you cannot call, write for future date. DR. Me H. BROWN, M.D. Spickler and Rock Island Wednesday to attend the wedding of their son, Fred Spickler, and Miss Stella Williams of Rock Island. The meetings at the Baptist church will continue next wefllf. Rev. Mr. Hurley, pastor of the Moline Baptist church, will assist through the week. and those who had the pleasure of hearing Mr. Hurley when he was here last fall know his ability to hold an audience. Rev. G. W. James of Galesburg spoke at tbe Baptist church here Sun day evening on the subject of tem perance to a large and appreciative audience. Mr. James is a very able speaker. He received a nice sum of money to help the cause he Is advo cating. A committee was appointed to help the cause here, the following being the officers: President, Joseph Hurgoyne; vice president, Mrs. Charles Huntley; secretary. Mrs. B. C. Heinse; treasurer, Mrs. John Spickler. The Baptist social society gave a dinner at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Huntley Thursday. Miss Gertrude McKillup of Musca tine is visiting Miss Ada Kaae this week. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hays returned home Wednesday after a short visit in Rock Island. Mrs. Ernest Dun'iap returned home Tuesday after making a short visit in Rock Island. BANK STATEMENTS. (OFFICIAL, PrBMCATIOX) Report of the condition of State Bank Rock Island, III. Located at Rock Island, State of Illinois,, before the commencement ol business on the 14th day of January, 1914. as made to the Auditor of Publio Accounts of the State of Illinois, pursuant to law. RESOURCES. LOANS: ' -Loans on real estate 430,256.87 - ..Loans on collateral security 116,872.02 Other loans and discounts 474,968.64 $ 1,021,897.53 OVERDRAFTS: 1,686.43 INVESTMENTS: . ;' Public service corporation bonds..,......, -242,826.75 . - Other bonds and securities 101,352.50 344,179.25 MISCELLANEOUS RESOURCES: . . Banking house ......................... 157,753.37 ... 157,753.37 DUE FROM BANKS: State i . 4,510.40 National 228.277.39- 232,787.79 CASH ON HAND: Currency ..'...... 62.858.00 Gold coin 24,360.00 - - .. Silver coin 1,968.50 Minor coin 183.75 89,370.25 OTHER CASH RESOURCES. . ' Checks and other cash items 3,790.47 Collections in transit v.V. 1,511.40 5,301.87 . Total resources ..... . 11,852,976.49 LIABILITIES. CAPITAL STOCK PAID IN $ 200,000.00 SURPLUS FUND 100.000.00 UNDIVIDED PROFITS: Less current interest, expenses and ' taxes paid $ 34,469.22 34,469.22 DEPOSITS: Time certificates 48,713.82 " ; Savings, subject to notice t.. 947,682.26 , Demand, subject to check 466,453.04 Demand certificates 30,044.09 Cashier's 'checks 6.715.61 1,499,608.82 DUE TO BANKS, including certificates of deposit: State : x. 7.033.36 National 6,802.93 1 Private and foreign 2,162.16 15,998.45 MISCELLANEOUS LIABILITIES: . Reserved for taxes and interest 2,900.00 2,900.00 'Total liabilities 1,852,976.49 I, K. T. Anderson, cashier of the State Bank of Rock Island, do solemnly swear that the above statement is true to the best of my knowledge and belief. K. T. ANDERSON, Cashier. State of Illinois, County of Rock Island, ss.: Subscribed and sworn to before me this 16th day of January, 1914. " ' (SEAL) Signed, C. R. CHAMBERLIX, Notary Public neM, of neYt Sec. 26-16-4W.; $8,000. Charles Akers and wife to Frederick W. Beck, 8 40 ft. of n 80 ft. of w 160 ft. out lot' 1 R. A. Smith's sub division out lot "B" Smith & White's addition. Moline Heights addition, Moline; $550. Andrew S. Pauley to Gertrude L. Hance, lot 22 block 1 Beecher & Welsh addition. Rock Island; $1. ' Hia Ffeot m is. "Well," said the hostess, bidding her guest good night, "you bave a long drive borne. iut It's a lovely evening." "Yes, isn't it a fine sight?" answered tbe guest addressed. "So you'll have a nice drive and won't wish you badn't come to see me." "On tbe contrary. I assure you, I al ways think that the drive home Is tbe very best part of affairs like this." Another one of tbe things that might have been put differently If one had had time to think It over. Cleveland Plain Dealer. 15S XV eat 341 a St., Xew Yerk. Neat visit to Rorlc Island. Harper house. Paturdav. Jan. IT, a a. m. to 4 p. m. idv.J REALTY CHANGES II William E. Batley ana wiie to Jo seph G. Woodbury, lot 32 Bailey's Wood law n addition. South Rock Is land; $500. George At wood Williams to Vincent Jesse Bond, part lot 6, block 2. At kinson's sub division out lot 20; $1. Cale W. McClean and wife to Cash M. Bull. ae4 of Sec. 23 and nVi of ii i n 1 1 n n; ii niM ii ii 1 1 nun inn i ii ii iltliiltill;! iiinini M urn 3d The Income Tax of tbe government directly affects only those whose annnal income is $3,000 or more, but there are self improsed taxes which affect almost everybody. If you have been taxing; yourself by wasting money on useless luxuries or otherwise, why not cut it out with the new year and put the money fyou save into the German Trust & Savings bank to earn interest for you? It always will be available when you really need to spend it. German Trust St Savings Bank ROCK ISLAND. ILLINOIS 1 1 .i "tAiij ii im m i ' iMi ii 1 1 mi :i i ii umi : n m 1 1! i ti t; i iti i ini n j 1 1 J i iiMiuuM ii n ; fTT j ,t. t;, : ?m ;j. V: I; ! : I - A - h