While Beau Hickman is best known for his life as a “bummer,” he was – as mentioned last week – originally a wealthy young man, with all the interests that such people have. This included, of course, the opposite sex, and there was a time when it looked as if he might actually become permanently allied to a member of this group. It did not work out.
Apparently, Hickman was infatuated with a young lady, and spent a fair amount of time pitching woo. It did not end well:
That on one of these occasions, whilst strolling in the vicinity of the residence of “ye fair ladie” he discovered her at her boudoir window, no doubt admiring the fascinating person of the gallant young exquisite: and just as he had struck the pose and the poise, and was pantomiming this most exquisite bow by bending his person in the form of a crescent, a huge billy-goat, that had become the terror of the neighborhood on account of his bellicose disposition, made a dart from the rear and struck poor Beau in his profundity with such force that he was sent bounding to the front in the most comical gyrations, and finally landed in the acrobatic pose of standing upon his head in his superb white beaver hat. This situation was too ludicrous for the host of street arabs that crowded around the poor unfortunate, who added mortifications and insult to the injuries received by the hideous uproar of their merriment.
This episode, it is said, caused Hickman to forswear the company of all members of the opposite sex from there on out. It also, it is said, caused others to make fun of him, including none other than Henry Clay. (pictured)
Hickman would have his revenge against the great compromiser later, however. While the story exists in multiple versions, the gist is that Clay, too was, assaulted by a goat – in some tellings, the same one as had attacked Hickman, in others just some random animal at large on Capitol Hill. Clay managed to stop the angry animal by seizing its horns, but was left with the dilemma of what to do next – releasing the goat would simple reinitiate the attack. One of the young boys who hung out on any available street corner suggested that he drop the goat and run, which did nothing to cease the attack, and – again, according to one version – Clay ended up having to pay one of the layabouts to hold the animal while he made his escape.
Hickman soon heard of this episode, and, when he met Clay the next time, told the story in great detail. Clay was therefore forced to pay Hickman extra in order to keep the bummer from spreading the story far and wide.
It does seem to have worked, to some extent. While the tale appears in the Hickman book, it was later published in the Omaha Bee with the indication that this was the first time the anecdote had ever been published.