Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1859-03-03
Our Marble COlum ..


popular one among the youths of all nations.
Much might be said regarding the scientific
char acter of the game but we are compel
led for the wan. o. space to refrain. Or the
origin Of the game nothing certain is known.
1t is supposed by some to have originated
in Egyp, and lengthy and able work has
been written by learned antiquarian to
sustain thi. position. He bases his argu-
rnert upon the fact that large ring OF chalk
similar to that now used in playing the
game, was discovered by him in excavating
among the ruins Of one of the cities Of the
Nile. I. is true that the ring was not dis
covered Immediately after the fiat stone,
upon which it was formed. had been ex-
bumed, nor until the next day. 1t is also
true that two boys, his sons, we're engaged
in playing marbles upon the spot where the
ring was first observed, but he is Of the
opinion that the ring not apparent at fret.
by the action Of the light was brought ont.
and that the boys finding it there had mere
ly availed themselves of the opportunity to
play a game Others claim that it origi-
mated before the flood, but cannot hx the
precise date. A very large number, how
ever agree that Shem and Ham, while the
Ark was in process Of construction, were
accustomed to play the game upon the half
finished floor. Some even 90 so far "a to
relate an instance, in which both the boys
were chAsti.ed by Noah, their father, for
spending their time in that manner, instead
Of keeping the pigs out Of the front yard as
he had directed. From careful inv estiga,
tion of a very large number Of authorities
upon the subject. we are, however, inclined
to disagree with al these positions. Our
opinion is, for reason too lergthy to mention
here, that the celebrated John Smith is
entitled to the credit OF the invention. Below
we present the
GREAT MATCH CAM
Between Pat O'Rourk and John Shmidt
Played in the city of Davenport, Tuesday.
March lst, 1859.
TRIANGULAR GAME-BOsToN OPENING
The parties on the ground.
After some preliminaries IN surveying the
ground, etc. Q selection was made of side
walk on the corner of Brady and Third
streets Mr. O'Rourk was evidently the
favorite, and certain air Of confidence and
nonchalance with which he prepared him
self for the conflict. when the world wide
reputation of his opponent was taken into
consideration, seemed to indicate that he
would not disappoint the expectations Of
his friends. But We would not by any
means draw inviduous comparisons between
the two parties, IS Mr.. Schmidt's friends
seemed quite as sanguirs as did those of
O'Rourk. But without further remarks We
give the game as We, together with large
party of professional players and amateurs,
witnessed it.
In the first shot Mr.. ORourk pumped"
at the triangle, scattaring the Commas
but not winning any. Mr.. Schmidt then
clay up to- the triangle preparatory to
going in" This Mr.. OR. did not like and
declared that Mr. 5. was not playing accor-
ding to the rules laid down in any work on
marbles which he had ever perused. Mr.
S replied that Mr. 0. OR could "sneak
up" and place himself in the same position
that he was This Mr. CIR. with much
indignation refused to do. The umpires
were called in who decided that Mr.
Schmidt's position was correct, and Mr..
OR with his asua.ly gentlemanly bearing,
acquiesed. 1t then being Mr. O'R's shot,
he "knuckled down" and "lay up" to the
triangle Mr. 5. then pumped" but did
not win. Mr.. OR. 'plumped" knocking
out two Commas from the ring and won
the next shot. This shot was q miss, caus-
ed by the alley coming in contact with
peanut shell which materially altered its
course and sent it spinning into the soft
mud in the street This was the only occa-
sion during the game that Mr. OR seemed
.oy an instant to loose his usual good tenn
per and pleasant department, but a. he rails
ed his ball from its lodgment he was heard
to make remark, suppose to be an appeal
to some heather deity. But the cloud pass
Sc from his brow in a moment and he
was again the genial Mr. O'Rourk. Mr. S.
was 50 unfortunate as to miss his shot and
Mr.. OR. would undoubtedly have finished
the game with his next shot had it not
been for the cry of "fend dubs' from Mr.. s,
which gave him an opening Tor retrieving a
portion of his loss es. At this time Mr.. S.
had an oppor of executing one Of those
brilliant "lieks" SO peculiar to his own
style of playing; but this he did dot do.
and it might be proper here to state that
bis friends attribute his failure to the fact
that the was laboring under . severe indie
position brought on by too close applica-
cation to his business, which is that of q
molassses candy merchant. At this inter.
esting period of the game, dog fight
commenced around the corner, which caus
ed the players. audience and reporters to
leave en-mass Arrangements have been
made, however, to finish the game, and we
shall give our readers due notice of the
time and place. By the next steamer We
expect communication from our European
marble correspondent, which will be of
great interest to those who are fond of the
game
TFor the State DeHocrat.1
MRssRs. EDIroRs The idea of
holding District Fair at some eligible point
within the counties of Muscatine, Johnston,
Cedar. Scott and Clinton, and ell Others