The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-04-21
AN ALLEGHENY GAME OF POKER
ny JOHN OF YORK.

Meeting nn old acquaintance from Elk
county, Pa, during the week, and convers-
ing about persons and matters ia that wild
region, brought to my mind circumstance
that is worth the printing, # ! succeed in
telling it properly.
E'k, Clcariicld, Mexican, Warren and
Jefferson counties lie upon the head waters
of the Susquchanna aud Allegheny rivers,
and the principal product of the entire re
pon is lumber, in one shape or another.
Hundreds Of miles send the result Of their
rattling and chatting, and tearing down the
hundred smaller arms Of the great river to
certain ports, whe~s <s'. -Sussst JONI
cd and made into large ones, and then foat
majestically down the broad river to the very
levees Of New Orleans. In Oldcn times the
river, when .'up' would be literally covered
with RATS and fiat boats, but the steamboats,
have run oil the "Broadhorns, though they
do not as yet interfere with the lumbcrmcn.
To one who is fond Of startling incidents,
endless variety, and just enough Of real dan,
ger to season excitement, TRIP down either
Of the rivers have named is something TO
be remembered with plcasurcabe emotions
for a lifetime. | was once "portion" OF
the staying Of raft in attempting to 60
through q schutc with twelve foot Golfer
dam at its head, that ! wouldn't sAap oil
now for another Cherubusco Every plat
form parted company with its ncighbor, and
every man and boy Chat was me- mounted
his platform, save one, neat little gentle
man, weighing about three hundred and
twenty pounds lie had hold Of the tail oi
the stern oar, and was thrown out Of the
f..t -, ,hn ar nI Ian lul nm.
on the edge Of the big dam, where he didn't
remain long, if ! know Myself intimately,
for there was ,athcr strong body OF water
rolling over :here. When the rest Of had
got our bodies in safe positions upon our Sc
veIal platiorns-and they were as eccentric
as any Of the political platforms of the day
we began to look about for each other. All
were in sight except old D., and we had
little difficulty in making up our minds that
he had gone in" But he hadn't-not bit
Of it, Some Of the party went down to All
island, twelve miles d stant, the next day
to look for scattering lumber, and the first
object they met there was old D., in fine
state Of preservation.
But must not get away from my story in
this way In the fall Of the year '4j hap.
pcncd 10 be sort Of delegate to represent,
in part, a considerable portion Of the com.
mcrcial community Of Pittsburgh, known as
the Board of Trade, in railroad convention
to be held in Elk county. There was fall
"fresh," and lumber was coming down the
river in vast fleets. There was little, old,
rickcty tub Of a steamer plying between
Pittsburgh and Waterson's, a place some
where on the Allegheny river, about the
head Of navigation-for the rafting season
only.
At the time passed up the river it was
doing perfect "Iand office" business, taking
on all the freight and passengers that could
be raised. found myself among the last to
get on board, and Of course without n
berth. How was the night to be put in !!
That question was running around the small
rooms in the garret Of my "gourd, when an
old acquaintance turned up, in the person Of
Mr.. Sias Billings, one Of the pioneers Of
Allegheny rafting, and, withal, about as
well educated for that sort Of travel as any
have ever met with. had been at his house
in MKcan county, fshed, hunted, and
fought "punkics" Of nights, often in years
gone along
"Goin' up to our bunk ?" he inquired, af.
ter the usual salutations had passed.
told him my errand, and as he lived up.
on the line Of road the convention was in.
tended to promote (the Sunbury and Eric,)
he entered into the subject with much inte-
rest, and we remained leaning on the guard
until we had fairly talked out the daylight
All around the deck, wherever a goods
box or bale Of any sort Of fabrics could be
well arranged, parties were busily engaged
playing the popular game Of "poker," the
ventures being generally low, running from
q copper "anty" to picayunc. Most Of
them engaged in this sort Of pastimc were
raftsmen, who were risking the little they
Ind made by their hard labor on the trip
down, with the hope ofaddng to it. But it
was easy Cor one who had seen the animal 10
discover that scattered around among the
men, were few "Rivcr Rats
who follow the boats for tho purpose Of
picking the verlant, and relieving them of
their loose change. Old "Si"--ior that is
the only name he goes by athome--was not
m inattcntve spectator Of these amuse.
mcnts. lf tradition speaks truly, he had
frequently been known to return to Cincin.
natl with deal more money than his lum.
Der amounted to. Then there was quietly
whispered yarns Of his smartness in the
of cards, and his having an unac.
way oil knowing to dot exactly
what his opponent held in his hand. Of
course these whispcrings were considered
with good deal Of allowance by most peo.
pie, though everybody yielded to old 81 tho
palm Of being the keencst card player in tho
wild cat destrict.
uniJ you noficc them tyn fa,,rYs In sfora