Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-04-11
Gamester Of the Old Time

is somewhat rare book, published at Rich l.
moDd in 1923, and sold to subscribers from the
hand OF its author.
Bailey was the greatest gambler OF his period
and was in the height of his fame during the
administrations Of Washington. jefferson and
Madison. He was son Of an Irshman and his
mother Quaker. Born In Chester valley, Pa,
his father wasted O considerable fortune OF
Mrs. Bailey's by going security for men al
large. Then entering the patriot army, the
elder Bailey became q major and was killed Al
the battle of Cowpens. The impoverished
widow loaded her goods upon q cart, and with
her brood of children followed after on foot to
ern, and afterwards q school, and finally mar
ried again. The second husband undertook to
chastise young Bailey, but received q dreadful
qusrries, in Maryland. Afterwards young
Bailey married q tavern keepers widow,
and showed considerable genius for trading in
noIses, LIQUORS. negroes and merchsndize.
without education he had still powerful will
and violent temper, and his proves made hi N
auoacious and feared. In those days the Vir-
ginia springs were full of faro dealers, AMI
Bailey was the principal gambler at the Sweet
Springs, afterwards keeping the hotel there.
In the height of his fame he had a large board
ing house at Berkeley Springs, and city hotel
Elk of Daniel Carrolls houses. At this time. as
Tor fourteen years, he was the dupe of Win
chester widow, named Ann Turnbull, and
although his relations were notorious and omen
with this creature, the Chief Justice and TIE
Supreme Bench boarded with him, aud even adj
yanced him hundreds OF dollars at times, on ac-
count OF board. Again he had a magnificent
establishment at Georgetown, and aunted the
Union hotel, He was twice put in prison as
debtor, and each time escaped, once advertising
reward for the marshal Of the District, Ring.
gold, who had placarded him. On another &C.
casion he visited President Jefferson in the
white House, at the request of Com
nodore Barney and Congressman Daw.
sent An usher to tell him that he must retire, he
waylaid the marshal in the street and gave him
q Dreadful logging. for which, after q tedious
He kept some of the fastest horses in the conn
try, and ran at Annapolis, Richmond, Peters
burg, Winchester. Lexington, LynchburR, Port
Tobacco, and other places. He drove either
riderr, and men in livery, and his own hair WAS
superbly powdered, while he carried Q gold
headed cane. On such tours he stopped ct the
that his earnings amounted to half a million
dollsrs, in gross. On one occasion, when the
ladies at the Sweet Springs refused to dance
stopped the music In the height Of the season. SOM
he went abroad to dispose Of some mountain
iana, and. becoming short Of funds, rang in
and he bet f5O 900. Losing, he threw himself
on tneir generosity, and they raised him q
purse. again, In France, magnificent luck
S Svaowea him, and he returned to the United
states rich. He then loaded a ship with mer-
chandise and went into business at New Or
leans, where Q disagreement with his doxy
made him iow-spirited. and he lost his luck.
In the latter part OF Bailey's life when he
was struggling most earnestly TO amend hi. aviI
courses ana thrive by Legitimate business. he
fell into the hands of bailiffs, and was hunted
from jail to jail for trivial debts until he last
the use Of his limbs by wearing manacIss snS
by rheumatism. Then, vretched, pursued AMI
despairing, he went into meeting-house NJ the
town Of Bath, where he had once been 4 oreat
favorite, and endeayored to address his Ignorant
soul to the contemplation of heaven. The con.
stables suddenly rushed In upon his meditstions.
and he was dragged again 10 jail. FINALLY. "a,
sion OF the celebrated Ohio Williams, he had