The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1853-09-13
THE END OF FIFTY-sIx GAMBLERS.
A Ek~f .ai al OR
miniscence Of GanbliNg. in Baltimore, durin

miniscenes Of GsmhIiaug. Jaug. in Baltimore, during
i Sixteen years since. in the capacity of ;
gambler Of seven years standing, visited Bal
tmore, per agreement, with one of tho princi
pal gamblers of hat city. My acquaintance
with the citizens was quite limited; with tn,
gamblers general. lost no time in cultiva
ting such acquaintances as would prove most
valuable t. facilitate my movements, and give
me a true knowledge OF the manners and Gus.
toms Of the Baltimoreans.
Gambling at this time was countenanced by
a greal many citizens of high standing; many
looking upon it as an agreeable recreation
without apparent fear of its evil consequences
| and ot some of the largest and most fashionable
gambling houses might be seen nightly assem-
blcd, Judges, Prosecuting Attorneys, Sheriffs
| and every grade of officials, down TO tho night
watch; together with merchants. clerks, bank
officers, railroad contractors, exchange brokers
and men of all other respectable calIings, in.
cluding editors and publishers of some of the
leading public journals, equally engaged bet
ting at the game of faro or roulette, driakine
wine, and discussing politics. With these
classes formed no acquai tance outside the
gambling house. Many of the most success
ful Baltimore gamblers were looked upon as
men of dignity, and respectable standing in So
cicty. was Intimate with fifty-six of thi:
class. who were No. Is, and aside from gam
bling, could not be rcproached for dishonesty.
These were gamblers in the games of faro,
roulette, rolling faro, chuckerluck, cock, ring
dog fighting: horse and foot racing, thimble
playing, &c, Sc, combined with card manu-
facturers. who through their agents, at this
time a wei known firm of Exchang brokers,
were represen ed supplying the fraternity with
marked cards aud diseounting the notes of
gaming citizens. The principal firm of this
kind amasseG large iorinne out OF this class
of victims, aud retired from business worth o.
yer enc million If dollars. Those men were
stool pigeons for two of the largest gambling
houses in Calvcri-st., for ten years. Thel
were not addicted to play them elves, unless
in very small way, for the purpose of draw
ing in customers, and thus preventing suspic
ion from falling upon them. Many an unsus-
pccting youth was led by them TO these dens
of niquity, To witness the beauties of the Faro
Bank, Roulette Table, and enjoy tho sump-
trous supper served up at eleven o'clock at
night, composed of Terrapin, canvass back
Ducks, Champagne, and other rare delicacics,
prepared to suit the .cpcurean taste of the
most fasiid ous For their share they nov
er received less than one third of the win
nings, ard, where they discounted the paper
of thcir victims. they received one half This
soon filed their coffcrs to overfowing. They
retired, disclaming all acquaintance or asso-
Citations with their former companions in vii
lany. But these former associates, both vic
tins and gamblers, where are theyi This
question cannot be answered by them, nor
iiltirF!9ugh any other source than my pen, this
side of eternity. Some of them liave SnG.
since paid the last debt of nature. under the
gallows, or by suicide; others have died prem
ature deaths, occasionod by 'oathsome disease
50 common TO all dissolnte men: others are
dragging their polluted bodies about the city
on wooden legs; others cropping their way
through life, having lost their sight in fights a.
round the gaming table; others are in the
Marylend Peniteniary. or in somc prison of
sister State, for murder and other high crime
And these, with the exception of five. are the
only remnants of the fifty-six flouishing gam
blefs of Baltimore sixteen years ago. OF these
i've, one alone finds employment in his. own
profession, at his old stand in Cavert-st He,
co. has changed much,-ihe frosts Of over
sixty winters have whitened his locks. This, |
with forty years of the gamblers cnrse stamp /
I'd upon his brow, makes him truly marked l
man.
A few months since bo visited my hotel !
where ho met and recognized another gam
bier, apparently about the samo age. They
leryously grasped each others polluted hands.
whom the Baltimorean remarked, Twelve long
years have passed since last we mct-how
great, how sad the change. Many of our
friends have gone to their long home"
True" replied the other, tears starting to his
yes, ''you and /, likewise will soon follow
them." heard their conyersation for a few
minutes, they unconscious OF my presence
The Bultmorean then invited his friend to his
,ambng room in Calvert-st., where they
IN tff af tla
resent. felt sick at heart to behold these
NO old men If sin leaving for the gambling
Dom, as place OF comfort TO their depraved
atufes, as though some Joy was still left in
hat polluted den, which had not only Destroy ,
d the peace and happiness of ono OF them. .
ut thousands of others. They did not reflect
pon tho sad truth that JOY never yet entered ,
'thin the walls of gambling house.
The second of the remaining five is man
about the same age as the formcr-possess- n
lg more OF the animal than the intellectual :
nd is what even gamblers term low and vul- !
ar. He, ut one time in his life, commanded h
'me attention through the influence of large
roperty which he had accumulated by gam 4
ing. But his animal protcnsities and brutal
eatment of his family, together with his cx- '
onsivo mode of living, not only dispossessed
IN of great portion of his property, but has
'ttled him low down in that grade Of society r
hich is only esteemed by those of similar =
abi's of reckessness. He now consoles him
u, SO far as in his power, by gambling du- n
ng the session of the Legislature at Annnpo- .
!, and playing swindlng games of Faro at !.
atimore. This, with an occasional trip to
the South, fills up his time. q
The third, relative of tho last mentioned.
second 10 no other man so far as vuIgarty ~
"a low cunning villainy can be Connected q
} fact he is capable of doing anything known
the annals Of crimo, not trequiring deem sa- ..
city or courage. But il is only Justice TO l.
is fallen wretch that we should here credit :.
fall to No. 2. Though grclt the fall NAV