Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1874-05-31
MONTE SIIARPS IN
COlRT.

Down at Winnemucca they have had
a three days trial, growing out of a
case of robbery perpetrated by couple
of three-card monte thieves. The
Register of the 29th gives the follow
ing synopsis Of the testimony:
Some portions of the testimony
given before the Justice of the Peace in
prosecuting the three-card monte
sharps, is decidedly interesting, as
showing the manner in which the
"trick" is played. In answer to a
question the witness said: My name
is j. Nj. Smalley, residence Vermont,
Occupation Deputy U. $. Marshal for
the district of Vermont. The first ac-
quantance had with defendant, Peck,
was at the Winnemucca passenger de-
pot; Peck asked me if | ever drank; l
told him l did sometimes. He then
asked me to take a drink with him; l
replied that l had my wife and chill
dren on board the train, and l was
afraid there was not time. He replied,
there is plenty of time. l then fol-
lowed him across the street to the Sa-
loon. Peck said to the bar-keeper,
make me a gin cocktail" and then
asked NE what would take, and re-
| piled whisky straight. Peck then
threw down a ten dollar piece. At this
moment Mcclellan stepped up to the
bar and called for drink, and threw
down IA twenty. The bar-kceper said
he could not change both pieces, bu;
could change either one or the other.
Peck then said, "take Il drink with
me- Mcclellan said, "no, take a
drink with me, | have plenty OF
Il money" Peck said, tive will throw
the dice to see who pays for the
drinks" Mcclellan asked what game.
Peck replied, "the old California guess
game, top and BOTTOM" Peck then
threw the dice three dice) and called
the count twenty-One, and asked me to
count them, which l did, and found
/ twenty-one. Before the dice were
| turned another young looking fellow
4 appeared. Peck SAYS to Mcclellan,
"VOu are beat" While we were drink
ing Mcclellan went out of the back
door, and while he (McClellan) was
4 out, Peck and the young gentleman
4 demonstrated to me that three dice,
i top and bottom, would always count
twenty one. Mcclellan returned
through the back door, and Peck said
Il to him, 81 can name the count every
time" Mcclellan says, "I'll bet You
money YOU can't" Peck said, &c will
bet YOU a box of cigars l cam" Me-
Clellan asked the barkeeper
what his cigars were worth.
The barkeeper replied. 81 have
them from 81 80 to 500 box
Mcclellan said, I" l will throw for so
box" Peck said, "You throw the
dice and l will name the count, top
and bottom." Mcclellan threw, and
Peek called twenty-one. l was again
called upon to count, which did, and
found twenty-one. Mcclellan then
said, d" will bet you hundred dol
lars YOU can't name the count again,
and let me throw the Dice" Peck re-
piled, 81 haven't as much money as
that; but if YOU will wait moment
will 90 over to the train and get it, lie
started, and got as far as the door, and
then turned and said, " Lend me some
money till we get on the train; ! nave
cousin there who has my funds l
told him had little or no money With
me. lie asked me if l hadn't any
aboard the train that | could reach al
once. Itold him / had been long
time on the Journey and my ready
funds were used up. lie then sad.
"Let me have what you have got l
gave him 81 50 piece; all l had.
At this moment the young man
before mentioned, took of his watch
and chain and handed it to Peek.
Peck then turned to me and sad,
"Loan me your watch for few mo-
ments, l will redeem it if l lose, as
am going down on the train." TOOK
OFT my watch and gave 1t TO nun.
Peek walked back to the game. Nc,
Uellan looked at the watch and SAID
he would put up hundred against it.
They Mcclellan and Peck) made the
bet, and Mcclellan threw the dice.
before. lbN
request again counted the dice. This
TIME it was only nineteen, and Nc
Cle!lan took the watch and what money
there was, but l do not know now
much it was. There was consideraoe
talk about another hundred dollar bet.
Peck said he would 60 oVerto the Tran,
and pet some more money, md started
ont of the saloon and l followed nm:
told him my watch was a present
from my father and l wanted an op-
Iortunity to regain possess on OF ~ II.