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A FAMOUS JOKIST.

By the death of Lawrence Roscoe Jerome, t'ae uncle of L'idy Randolph Churchill, at the age of 01', New York has lost one of its most prominent and characteristic figures. Mr. Jerome was nearly as well-known in London as in New York. He was, writes a correspondent, one of the few honest aldermen under the old Tweed reign of corruption, when, if Mr. Jerome had been a dishonest man, he could have made at that time many millions. He died leaving but a moderate fortune. He was an enthusiastie patron of the turf, and was one of the most noted athletes of the day. His last illness was brought on by over-exertion in the Adirondack Mountains, where ho went on a hunting expedition with the Duke of Marlborough during his lordship's visit. He was the founder of the Jerome Park Racecourse, and was noted far and wide for his lavish hospitality and generous disposition. Ho was one of the last of this type of character, rapidly passing away in this country. He was strong, courageous, but ■with an apparent lack ot dignity hard for anyono not familiar with the ways of the United States to understand. Mr. Jerome was a practical joker, as celebrated for his fun in the United States as is Mr. Toole in London. Even up to the last days of his life he was as full of innocent and boyish pranks as a child. He was a great friend of the veteran comedian Florence, and it was only quite recently that Jerome, in ■ disguise, visited a theatre where Florence was playing for the purpose of perpetrating one of his practical jokes. He disguised himself as an old man from the provinces, and, taking a seat in the front row, ho osI tentatiously fell asleep, and made such 1 distressing sounds in his slumber as to call for remonstrance from the theatrical manager and police intervention ; and yet this man, who was capable of such undignified escapades, was most influential in polities and in local affairs, and had everywhere the respect and regard of the best people of New York.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH18881013.2.42.23

Bibliographic details

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9184, 13 October 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

Word Count
356

A FAMOUS JOKIST. New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9184, 13 October 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

A FAMOUS JOKIST. New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9184, 13 October 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)