The cross hares public house & tavern

In 1877 James “Seamus” Morrissey joined the British Army, some say it was to avoid debtor’s prison others that he was trying to mend a broken heart.  Either way his gift of blarney and questionable character had him moving from regiment to regiment in a most unusual manner. So when duty called and the Queen’s Army was sent to fight the Zulus, Mr. Morrissey was assigned to Lord Chelmsford, whom he convinced to have the regiment camp at Isandlwana and that it would be best to keep the ammunition crates screwed down tight to avoid the elements.  Well after that disastrous encounter Mr. Morrissey was sent back to England having been sworn to secrecy by Lord Chelmsford. As an agreement was made between the two gentlemen to never disclose that the Lord has taken advice from him. In recognition of his service Lord Chelmsford granted Mr. Morrissey a small gift in untraceable bills. With the condition that he leave the Army for the good of all.

Being of an adventurous spirit Mr. Morrissey decided that he needed to open his own business and proceeded to look for a piece of land to open his own Public House.  In late 1879 he acquired a small patch of land and started construction of his dream.  During construction a pair of Hares made it clear that this was their land and that they were not interested in being uprooted.  Time and time again the Hares were chased off only to return angrier than ever.  They would borough under the flooring causing the floor to be unstable.   After several attempts to poison them and an unfortunate incident with a shotgun, it was determined to leave a space for the cross hares to live on the property.   Harold and Harriet O’Hare became the unofficial if not unwanted mascots of the pub which is now known as The Cross Hares.

The Cross Hares became quite an attraction with important people of the time.  It was frequented by such guests as the Board of Directors for the White Star Line.  They shared with him the design for their new ship the RMS Titanic. Upon hearing of how the ship was unsinkable Mr. Morrissey suggested that the Titanic would look much nicer with fewer lifeboats.  In gratitude for his suggestion the Pub was given a beautiful scale model of the famous ship.   After the unfortunate sinking in 1912 members of the board were not seen at the pub again.

Political and international figures frequented the pub as well, with notables such as Arch Duke Ferdinand. Who loved Mr. Morrissey’s idea of visiting Sarajevo in an open car.  Mr. Morrissey arranged for the builders of the Hindenburg to get a good supply of hydrogen.  He also met with Neville Chamberlin and suggested that he go to Germany and meet with Hare Hitler to secure peace in our time.

With peace secured, in 1939 having made a small fortune Mr. Morrissey decided to invest. Some suggested it might have been poor timing to invest in a chain of Jewish delicatessens in Poland but he would not be deterred.  

In 1940 Britain was at war with Germany, the Blitz was on and bombs fell on London.  No bombs hit The Cross Hares but his neighbors on both sides were destroyed.  Unfortunately while surveying the damage Mr. Morrissey lit his pipe causing a gas main that had been damaged to ignite destroying his beloved pub.

 

In 2016 a distant relative, Michael William Morrissey III decided to bring his family’s heritage to Las Vegas Nevada by reopening The Cross Hares. It might seem like folly to some to open a Pub in his private house. Only open to friends and family.  Not charging for the food or drink seems like a poor business plan, but he says he will make up for it in volume.  What the heck, he has never been quite right in the head. A bit daft you might say.