The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1858-09-02
Gambling on the Mississippi.

We are told that gambling prevails TO fear
ful extent on board the STEAMBOATS, that pass up
and down the Mississippi River All sorts of
games are pr1ctced there, and among those who
travel are sune OF the most plausible and fin
ished rogues A sho time since party of
blacklcgs induced several returned Californians
to venture few bundled dollars upon the chan
ges o! the cards or the dice, and at the end of
the game the ClllIornans discovered that three
couuterlit bills for $50 each, had teen passed
of upon Il EN-. They Immediately demanded
good money in exchange. This was refused
for time, as the backlegs pretended that they
had none. They were then given to understand
that unless they rectifed the fraud Immediately,
they would be forced TO take their chance for
the night at the very next uninhabiteG island
that the boat should reach Finding the alter
native rather serious, they reluctantly made the
exchange demanded, and endeavored TO con-
cliate the Calilornans by inviting them to
drink The same knaves day or two before
contrvcd to win 81 800 from very young
merchant Of Louisiana, who was on his way
North to buy goods.
Gambling on the Mississippi is a profession
which is followed by hundreds, old as well as
young. All sorts Of combinations are formed
by these gentry They will come on board a
boat from different points, and as apparent
strangers, and after getting acquainted with the
various parties, two or three will set down at
the gaming table, with the object of merely kill
ing time. Gradually, however, they will tempt
the inexperienced, by drink and excitement,
and then proceed to cheat and plumber them, as
cooIly as if they were engaged in some credits
BILE employment. On one occasion a noted
countereiter was discovered to be on a boat,
when he was Immediately put ashore, and at a
point where the prejudice against countereiters
was SO great that they often hung them up with
ont Judge or Jury. Life on the Mississippi is
characterized by extraordinary scenes and Incl
dents.
II is stated that Oh O recent occasion cler-
gymnn was earnestly engaged in preaching TO a
considerable audience at one end of steamer,
while in ;he middle gambling was in busy pro-
gress, and at the other end of the saloon
were music aud dancing. Many of the boa S
are fitted mp In the most magnificent style, and
amount in fact, to floating palaces. 1t often
| occurs that they are occupied by 5000 souls
and upward The cost OF cabin passage from
New Orleans to st. Louis is about 800. That
of deck pa>sag- is, o course, much lower
! All the leading towns AMI cities are stopped at
and thus constant changes take place in the in
mates OF the boal. In some cases large prof
are realized. Thus few weeks since steam
er that sailed from New-Oreons to St. Louis
! had freight list that amounted to $40 600. in
addition to the receipts Of the passenger money
and the bars
The quantity Of wood that is consumed is
immense it ranges sometimes as high as 20C
cords day The scenes of wooding," espe-
caly at night, are full of excitement. 1t some
times happ MS that nearly every nation on the
face Of the globe has its preSentati tives on board
of one of these steamers. The travel up and
down the river amounts to tens of thousands
per anum, while the freight that passes inward
and outward may be estimated in value at mil
lions. friend from whom we gathered these
facts informs us that short time since he hat
occasion to travel from NewOreans to st
| Louis, and day or two after he was on boar(
the boat he became acquainted with modes
and unassuming young gentleman, whose man
ners were so mild and conversation so intellec
tual, that he supposed he was young lawyer,
physician, or perhaps student of divinity
The next day he discovered that he was one o
the most accomplished gamblers of his age ii
the Western country.--Chicago Journal.