Robert (Beau) Hickman (Range 88 Site 125)
Beau Hickman (d. 1 Sep 1873) boasted he never worked a day in his life.
Beau Hickman Site in 1913
1913 		Beau Hickman Site in 2001
2001
from John C. Proctor's Washington and Its Environs, p. 444:
Robert S. Hickman, which, by the way, was his right name, was born in Virginia in 1813, of respectable parentage--so it is said. Hickman was a gentleman loafer, who was never known to work, but who lived by his wits. He first came to Washington about 1833, when close to 20 years of age. He had some money when he first came here, but it took him but two years to spend it all. This he had little trouble in doing, since he loved to follow the races, where he could always be seen dressed in the most approved style, sporting a diamond pin, a gold watch and massive fob, a cane and a beaver, which afterward became so characteristic of the individual.

"As a gentleman of elegant leisure and fashion," it is said, "his tout ensemble was proverbial for neatness, elegance and simplicity."

He could relate a story with fine effect and became the life and entertainer of any company in which he might be thrown. He assumed the air of a polished Virginia gentleman, and was rated as a fine conversationalist-- but he would not work. While in his prime he mingled with many of the best people of the day, usually making his headquarters at the National or the Metropolitan Hotel.

Beau's end came at Providence Hospital on September 1, 1873. First his body was interred in Potter's field. On the following day after his burial in a pauper's grave several of his admirers and friends, who had not before learned of his death, contributed a sum sufficient to give his remains a respectable burial place. The removal of his body to Congressional Cemetery must have been an interesting event, judging by the following account written about the time of the occurrence:

"Hacks and carriages were furnished at the various hotels for the accommodation of all who wished to attend the second funeral, and thus give expression to their kindly remembrance of the famous celebrity who had so long contributed to their social enjoyment. Arrangements had been made for the disinterment of the remains, and when the grave had been opened the coffin was found broken open and the body most shamefully mutilated. The scalp had been removed from the cranium and the brains taken out, the heart removed, and other disgraceful mutilations to the body.

"The grave had evidently been robbed by some 'body-snatchers' and being frightened from their inhuman purpose, fled and abandoned the remains. The sight was sickening as it was revolting to decency, and the last rites were hastily performed and the new grave closed up forever over the mortal remains of a most remarkable man, possessed in life of a character strangely compounded of all the contre temps of an erratic genius. Notorious in life, he left behind a name and character that will live for years as the most eccentric Bohemian of his age, and prince of American bummers; and the sad catastrophe of his life will serve as a lesson of warning to the rising generations, that a life without some definite aim and worthy object must prove a sad and deplorable failure."