New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-12-29
A Gambling Debt-A Cincfnnatian sued
for Ten Thousand Dollars.

On the night of February 20 last at about
eleven o'clock, a well known Cincinnatian,
of large fortune, and occasionally Of very
large and liberal views Of matters and
things in general, seated himself among the
players at the faro table in John MOrrissey's
house, No. 5 West Twenty fourth street,
New York He was somewhat under the
influence of liquor, and of course owned the
world, and was in luck, Gin his mind He
started to do there what he has sometimes
done here, during the last ten years, in the
way of a big play. But he was not disposed
to change in any money: his word was
good for "clips"-to a limited amount
some of the people of the house, and
was accompanied by Mr.. Bolly Lewis.
So he played on bis credit, and lost, and
continued to lose until there were mark
ers" against him in the "chip rack" to the
amount of about $3O00 At this point Mr..
William II. Mead, one of the managers of
the house, stepped forward, tapped hip on
the shoulder and remarked that he had bet
ter quit as the house was not in the habit
of turning high into the thousands against
markers, particularly these Of comparative
strangers. This suggestion was made in
tone and manner calculated to be inotfen-
sive. The Cincinnatian was slightly nettled,
however, and insisted on playing, declaring
that he was good for a ten thousand dollar
losing at any time: his friend Lewis would
vouch for that. Mr.. Lewis did vouch for it;
he declared Mr.. - to be a man of honor
lat least he had always found him such)
worth half million, and as good as his
word in paying debt of honor.
Mead was reluctant to allow any further
credit, but at last consented that the i'll
debtedness should reach $4,000 or be wiped
out So the play proceeded, the Cincinnati
ian stacking up the reds and blues lavishly,
and always with bad luck. There was
nothing very sensational about the affair,
play OF that size being an ordinary thing in
New York gambling houses. In fact, our
tract half so much attention by his play as
by the exposure he made OF himself when
the five thousand dollar point was reached
and he again insisted ON further credit. The
manager OF the game again refused was
again met with the assurance of Mr.. Is
honor and ability, and finally, after rather
angry discussion, allowed him to proceed,
and at length to leave the house $4,000 IN
debt to it, on his word Of honor as gentle
man who owned "a bank in Cincinnati, and
was amply able to pay twenty-five times
that much.'
On the following day Mr.. Mead called at
the Clncinnatlans hotel and reminded him
of that Indebtedness: draft or a check
would be very clever way of canceling it.
He was met by reply that he ought not to
have allowed the play. To make a long
story short. the Cincinnatian positively
wasn't inclined to pay-,just then, at any
rate. His brother, who was in New York
at the time, was appealed to, but would not
move in the gamblers favor. and the loser
returned to this city, leaving his word for
$4,000 in the drawer of the bank, here it
remains to this hour. Then there was cor
respondence on the subject, Morrissey
threatening exposure if the ''debt Of honor"
was not paid. When the Hon. John passed
through this city on his way to New Orleans
last spring. he was strongly inclined to pub
lish his customer, but was dissuaded by
friends of the latter
At last things took shape, day before
yesterday. when William II. Mead, .of New
York. registered at the Burnet House, and
shortly after made his way to the office of
his friend. On his way out he met his man,
but not being positive as to his identity,
kept on to his Office, reaching which he was
that the object of his trip had
gone to the bank" Returning, he called
at the bank. beckoned his friend out from
the back room and made last demand for
good excuse for the on-payment, but could
get neither.
The agent then made up his mind to the
exposure. Morrissey had instructed him
to use all means to get settlement of some
kind, failing in which suit was to be
brought. He retained Forrest & Lindeman.
and yesterday they drew up the petition,
claiming ten thousand dollars for value re-
ceived.
The nature of the transaction does not
appear in the petition. 1t will be necessary
for the defendant to show that when he
pleads the gambling act, and, of course, the
Sult must necessarily 90 AGAINST the OIajNtitf