The Waynesburg Republican. [volume] (Waynesburg, Pa.) 1867-18??, 1868-04-29
Sslett &mdin9.
THE FATAL CARD.

Some years ago the Mississippi river
was famous for its floating palaces, as
the large steamers plying between
New Orleans and the port, 40 w
were called Now the railroads have
driven nearly all the fine boat, Oh the
river, and left the ieI,l to the freight
boats, whose accommo iation, for pas
sengcrs are by no means pliatial,
The former class OF steamers welc in
many respects delightful, hut they
never ceased to I've the objects of dread
to timid people, for if the the racing
which on that stream was rcIuced to Il
system, did not result in the iy-- yt tho
boat, there were surG 10 be uun og
more encounters between the mor
lawless portion Of thr passengers, IN
which the pisto, bulI,ts would fly
rather too thick for tar comfort OF
the steady going people. The cause
for such disturbance was generally Il
quarrel over gaming table. The
regulations of the boat usually rcquir-
ed that all such amuscments should be
conducted in saloon provided for
that purpose in the "Toxas officers
cabin" situated on the hurricane deck
but the sporting gentlemen were by nc
means careful to observe this rule, and
the gaming was most commonly car
lied on at the dining table, in the
main saloon on the steamer, to the
great annoyance of two-thirds Of those
ON board.
Many professional gamblers used tc
make these boats their home, travelling
back and forthwith them Acecingal!w who
were foolish enough to fall into their
hands. So well, indeed, was the sys-
tenn managed, that the various men,
hers seemed to have their different
steamers marked out for them by COM
mon consent, so that no one would
trespass on tie domain of the other.
Of course these men were warm friends
of the officers of the boat, who were
hitherto sincere in their friendship to
put a stop to the practice, or too
much afraid of the gamblers to care to
provoke a quarrel with them, for in
those. days it was common affair for
such men to resent any fancied insult
with pistol shot.
. One Of the most remarkable men Of
this class, was named Daniel Sturdi-
want, Frenchman, the son of brol-
en- down scion of nobility who had
settled in New Orleans before the
transfer of Louisiana to the United
States. Sturdivant had been raised
gentleman" by his aristocratic faith
er, but on coming of age, and finding
his fortunes very bad, had taken to
cards as means to better them. His
success was so great in this field that
he was induced to continue it until at
the time of which / write he was one
OF the most notorious gamblers be-
tween st. Louis and New Orleans.
He was man Of fine personal appear
ance, and of great physical strength.
He was also noted for his personal
courage. As gambler he was most
expert and successful. There were
dark stories of deeds which he had
committed while under the influence
OF play and liquor, and it was said
by some that he had killed half doz-
en- men in his life time. Yet no one
dared to speak of these stories openly
for no one cared to bring upon him
self the anger Of such a man. There
were few that knew him that really
cared to play against him, but they
learned that a refusal to do SO might in.
volve them in quarrel with him, and
rarely declined his invitation.