The Vault at Pfaff'sJesse Haney (1829-1901) was a famed publisher and comic proprietor in New York. He was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania, and apprenticed under James Parton (Collins, 54). Haney arrived in New York in 1853 (“Death of Jesse Haney”). Parton, a biographer and educator, was well connected within the Pfaffian circle; Haney’s introduction to the New York literary scene may have been through Parton (Collins, 56).
Haney was first introduced in the Thomas Butler Gunn Diaries in 1855. He had many Bohemian acquaintances from the beginning; A.F. Banks, Thomas Butler Gunn, Solomon Eytinge, Walt Whitman, and Charles Damoreau were notable inclusions. Haney’s editorship of the Picayune further elevated his name in Pfaffian circles. Gunn and Haney were close friends early on, and they often visited the Edwards family - relatives of Parton - together. Haney soon tapped Gunn as an early contributor for the launch of Nick-Nax, or Nick Nax for All Creation, in 1856. The comic paper was a joint endeavor by Haney and William Levison (HarpWeek). Gunn attributed much success to the first published issue.
Haney was pulled into the somewhat notorious relationship between Allie Vernon (Margaret Eytinge) and Solomon Eytinge after introducing the pair. Haney previously rejected Vernon’s advances himself, all of which would lead to Sol Eytinge’s eventual resentment of and paranoia toward Haney. However, the two would reconcile with time. Haney was present for the tragic and untimely passing of Levison, his business partner. He subsequently worked with Frank Cahill, Mortimer Thomson, and Frank Henry Temple Bellew to keep the Picayune afloat. Haney formed a plan with the latter two to buy the paper from Mary Levison, Levison’s widow, but she initially declined. Haney’s focus subsequently oscillated between Nick-Nax and the Picayune in 1857.
George Arnold, Fitz-James O’Brien, Bob Gun, James Willard Morris, George Boweryem, Nathaniel Graham Shepherd, and Henry Clapp Jr. became additional acquaintances of Haney’s through Bohemian social and literary events. Haney and Sol Eytinge’s relationship was decidedly tumultuous during this time, as Eytinge blamed Haney for the hardships that came with Allie Vernon’s reputation. Haney’s friendship with Cahill also waned as Cahill became more dependent on Bob Gun. Nevertheless, Haney increasingly invested in supporting both Gunn and Mort Thomson through difficult times. By 1859, Gunn noted that “Haney’s Nic[k]-[N]ax, full of Bellew’s pretty, kindly, funny, exquisitely humorous drawings meets with very, very limited success” (vol. 10, p. 76). Haney turned his attention to other work prospects, including the New York Courier, around the same time that Mary Levison bought him out of Nick-Nax. Haney took up a new office in the same building and launched his next project, Comic Monthly, in 1859 (HarpWeek).
Thomas Nast became a mentee of Haney’s after the two connected at the Edwards’ Broadway residence. However, this arrangement would not last long before Haney’s resentment for Nast bubbled over; both men were interested in Sally Edwards, and she chose Nast. Haney and Gunn’s relationship was subsequently strained over Haney’s suspicions that Gunn had feelings for Sally as well. Haney stepped back from any social events held at the Edwards for some time, serving as a patron of boarding house festivities instead. He was also a member of the Clover Hill party, a social group consisting of Bellew, O’Brien, Charles Gayler, Frank Wood, and Jack Sears. Gunn and Haney eventually reconciled, as did Haney and Cahill after Cahill’s embezzlement of Nick-Nax. Gunn, Haney, and Bellew became a close trio in the wake of Nast and Edwards’s marriage, Bellew’s marital troubles, and Haney’s falling out with Mort Thomson.
Haney’s career post-Pfaff’s was nothing short of prolific. He published numerous “how-to” softcover titles throughout the 1860s and 1870s under his “Nassau Street business” Jesse Haney & Co.: Haney's Guide to Authorship: A Practical Guide to All Who Desire To Engage in Any Kind of Literary Pursuit for Pleasure or Profit (1867); Haney's phonographic hand-book: being an introduction to Munson's Complete phonographer (1867); Haney's Steward & Barkeeper's Manual: A Complete and Practical Guide for Preparing All Kinds of Plain and Fancy Mixed Drinks and Popular Beverages (1869); Art of Training Animals: A Practical Guide for Amateur Or Professional Trainers [...] (1869); The Causes, Prevention and Treatment of Stammering and Stuttering (1870); and more (Collins, 57-58).