Good Cheer Dinner in Honor of James H. Barry's Associates of the Star Press, San Francisco Dec. 23, 1911

San Francisco: Bergez-Frank's Old Poodle Dog Restaurant,1911. 2 pp. on card stock. 4.75 x 3.5 inches.Embossed cover with 7 course menu.James Henry Barry (1855-1927) was born on February 15, 1855 (another source cites 1856) in New York City to Mary Ann Harris Barry and William Barry. In 1859, his parents came to California via the Isthmus of Panama, but his mother died in 1862, leaving five young children. His father then married his sister-in-law, Mrs. Fischer, and together they had two more children before his death in 1870. (The second Mrs. Barry raised the children, and lived until 1910.)James H. Barry attended San Francisco grammer school until obliged to join the work force at age 12, although he attended night school and studied privately. He worked in the composing room of a general book and job printing office. After 10 years he became a master printer, and embarked on his own business without any capital.In September 1881, James H. Barry of Barry & Baird, Printers, ran for "Regular Democratic Nominee" for supervisor of the Fourth Ward.In 1884, Barry founded the Star, a weekly journal published by him until its suspension in 1921. The paper was conceived for and consecrated to the fight against corruption in government, extremely rampant at the time of its inauguration, especially in the judiciary. Every effort was made to crush Barry's paper, and his life was threatened more than once. Barry had some libel suits to defend in unfriendly courts, which brought financial problems, but he always won, successfully backing up his accusations and swaying public opinion so that no judge or jury would convict him.Barry was active in civic and social life in San Francisco. His "Good Cheer Dinners," which took place just before New Year's Eve, were festive affairs with speeches and humorous songs. The guest lists show the presence of prominent San Franciscans in addition to friends and family. Barry was often a speaker for organizations such as the Sailor's Union of the Pacific. He was in close touch with Mayor Rolph, and was a member of the Commonwealth Club and other social and political organizations.In 1908, the owners of the Poodle Dog, the Old Poodle Dog, John Bergez Restaurant and Frank's Rotisserie merged their businesses, opening Bush Street and Claude Lane under Lalanne with partners Jean B. Pon, Jean Bergez, Louis Coutard and Camille Mailhebeau. The restaurant now boasted five floors; the top floor offered a ballroom. A side door mimicked the earlier establishment with a birdcage elevator that took the men and their "companions" upstairs. They brought the elegance of the Nineties back to San Francisco as the Bergez-Franks Old Poodle Dog. The cuisine reflected the skills of some of the finest French chefs in the city but also included innovations unique to San Francisco. The original Louis Dressing originated in the Bergez-Franks Old Poodle Dog circa 1908; a product of the skills of Louis Coutard.