Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1858-12-16
Correspondence Of the Boston Post.
Death Of . Gambling House Keeper
at Washington.
WASHINGTON. Oct, z.

One OF the most celeDfateo ana success
ful sportsmen in this or any other country
was buried in this city on Sunday week.
The occasion Of his death affords me an
opportunity Of giving your readers sketch
Of the man and description VI his gam
ing house. Let it serve ~ . warning, not
as an example.
He had been resident Of Washington
some Is or 20 years, during which period
he amassed great wealth by gambling; or,
TO use the mild and honest language Of
the Avenue, che realized an ample fortune
out of the successful operations of his
house!" His "house" being the most ele
CANT, and his "bank" the most weighty
and substantial in the country, it has been
for years the fashionable and fascinating
resort Of wealthy planters, fast Congress-
men, aspiring diplomats, and ambitious
sportsmen from every part Of the globe.
For many years past he has lived in most
luxuriant style, having. like certain 9TH
er rich man, been "clothed in purple and
fine linen and faring sumptuously every
day In person he was above the medi-
um size, fat and sleek, of pleasing address
and generous disposition exhibiting in
his general department to strangers the
characteristics Of well fed good natured
clergyman, rather than those of heart
less. unrelenting gambler.
His reputation for generosity was wide
ly established ! If a college was to be en-
dowed, church built, or private charities
TO be dispensed, his was sure to be among
the most munificent Of the donations
His wife, now widow, was of good pa
rentage a woman of rare beauty and &C
copplishments, possessing social quail.
| ties, which. combined with dazzling allure
ments of wealth, insured her troops of ad
mirers and courtezans. Rolling along the
avenue, in her magnificent equibage,
which far exceeds in richness and style
that Of the President of the United States
or that of any gentleman in Washington
she looked very qneen-being quite un.
disturbed by any thohght ,ba, her pres
enca sent dagger to scores Of hearts,
whose ratrimouy. unlawfnlly obtained
had contributed to her enjoyment, in the
same proportion that its loss had added to
the woes and wretchedness Of the behold
er.
His establishment was upon Pennsvl
vania avenue. between the National Hotel
and the Capitol. Let us approach and
look in
You enter door of stained glass, which,
by gas light, reflects all the colors of the
rainbow. Ascending flight of stairs you
reach door. pull the bell, and instantly
small aperture opens and you are greet
ed with pair Of red eyes and a double
row of ivory, set in black, which nomi.
nall belong to Sambo. but which. in fact.
are the property Of the proprietor. A
glance sufces. You have filled Sambo's S
eye and are deemed passable. The door
is at once opened and you are issued into
the ante room-the vestibule of hell
This room is not large, but elegantly
appointed-the chief attraction being the
sideboard. which is of solid marble. and
white as Diana's breast Here are arraug
ed, in long aud glittering columns, decan.
'ers of Gu. glass. sparkling like brlliants,
filled with the choicest nectar, and blush
ing to the very neck with the glowing
vintage Of olden time. If YOU pass this
rubicon without tasting its sparkling, but
dangerous waters, it is rot from any dearth
Of hospitality on the part of your persua.
sive host.
The spacious sporting hall is now Wis
ible. The floor is covered with carpe,inc
from the Orient. of immense cost and
marvellous beauty. The walls ere adorn
ed with superb paintings of the old mas
ters and the new, while pendant from the
windows hang curtains OF embroidered
lace, covered with god tapestry of Orien
tai magniticence with mirrors Of nam
moth size rejecting your form and iea-
lures from score Of cleaning embra-
sures. Along the hall. a, convenient dis.
tanees, are ranged circular tables of pol
ished rosewood, around which are seated
numbers OF thoughtful. anxious dark Wis
aged men, who heed you not--their eyes
having another and stronger attraction.
One would naturally suppose this to be a
theater for jests, drollery and song, or
bacchanaian revelings, or pug,lstic en-
counters. Far from it. On the contrary
it is hushed, silent and sepulchral.
tNo real voice sound
Within these cherries walls are found"
You are oppressed with the fearful still.
ness and awful silence which pervades the
place. A laugh, joke, or even curse
would be a sensible relief But you hear
nothing of this, An occasional long
breath or half subdued sigh is all that tells
the ear that these mad deyotees are pos.
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