Gun, Robert (Bob Gun)

Robert Gun, or more commonly known as Bob Gun, was introduced to the Pfaffian scene in 1858. The Thomas Butler Gunn Diaries currently offer the most comprehensive account of Bob Gun’s life. Bob Gun was an early collaborator of Frank Henry Temple Bellew, a connection that introduced Bob Gun to Fitz-James O’Brien and Thomas Butler Gunn. Bob Gun and Bellew would soon become co-owners of the New York Picayune. However, Bob Gun would struggle with running the paper as his Bohemian social circle grew. He met Frank Cahill, Jesse Haney, and Henry Clapp Jr. through the Houston Street boarding house. Additional nights spent drinking at the House of Lords introduced Bob Gun to Frank Wood, A.F. Banks, George Arnold, Jack Arnold, Jack Sears, and Tracy. 

Bellew and Bob Gun struggled to keep the Picayune afloat due to numerous financial troubles - some of which stemmed from Bob Gun’s excessive drinking. Bob Gun hoped to hire Gunn as both a writer and illustrator for the paper, but it would take two tries before Gunn accepted the offer. Bob Gun later moved into Gunn’s Bleecker Street boarding house. George Boweryem, James Willard Morris, Charles Damoreau, Nathaniel Graham Shepherd, and Arthur Ledger soon became acquaintances and frequent visitors of Bob Gun’s. Ledger became a collaborator as well after employing Bob Gun on detective business. Gunn helped reconcile Bob Gun and Cahill’s friendship, which led to many late nights of inebriation for the latter two men. Bob Gun also alienated himself from Clapp, George Arnold, and Charles Gayler by publishing a satirical poem about Clapp. 

Bob Gun’s work took him to Cuba and England in 1860. He pursued detective business in the former and sought out Cahill in the latter. While in England, Bob Gun launched his American Agency and secured the collaboration of Bellew. Bob Gun also employed Boweryem at Gun and Co., a decision that cost Gun $200 and a loss of prestige due to Boweryem’s poor work ethic. Bob Gun remained in England for at least two years. He was last mentioned in the Gunn Diaries in 1862 while still sending letters to Gunn himself and Haney.