Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-07-17
UNION AND AMERICAN.
DANCER.
The Oldest and LucIKIest Gambler I'm
New York; Man who Carries a
Fortune In His watch Fob.
New York Sun, July II

New York Sun, July II.
Mr. Matthias Ii. Dancer, whose house
at 80 West Eleventh street was sub
jecJed 70 q thorough ransacking, and
whose venerable wife was bound, gag
ged and blndfolded, on Monday, by
seven desperad0es, is possibly the old
est and most fortunate gambler In New
York. He has almost invariably been
connected with square gambling
houses. Reared IN a smithy, he enter
ed the lists with professional gamesters
as a dealer Of IS laps" He won mon
ey rapidly, and no 4Tded It. After he
had accumulated a sufficient amount he
moved from the BoweTy, bis starting
place, into Broadway, and in the course
Of the last twenty-five years has been
connected. at various times, with sew
eral of the gambling houses in that
thorOughfare. A large part Of his win
nings IN that period was acquired IL a
faro bank, which, by reason Of its d.
minutive size, was known as the coon
box" foro bank. The most noted of
gamesters' resorts kept by him was at
SO Broadway.
He Is one Of the chief stockholders IN
the faro bank at 5 Barclay street. This
bank is reported to have taken in ST.
100000 during the war His cromes
say that he Is worth between $500, 000
and 100000. He has frequently car.
Tied on his person between $4,000 and
100000, and on Monday morning be
started out with 50, $50 IN his watch
fob. Occasionally, when thus valnably
freighted, he has beclouded bis mind
with liquor, but has generally escaped
the spoilers hands. On a wintry
morning four years ago, however
1000 was taken from the change,
pocket of his overcoat by q boot black
a detective TO whom Mr.. Dancer pro
missed 10 give 0ne-half Of the amount
recovered soon handed $3.50 to him
and iuf5rn ed him that the boy was IL
the Tombs a1aitirE Mr.. Dancers &c
ton. Mr, Dancer, however, refused L
prosecute the child, and even went be
fore the Grand Jury to ask mercy fol-
him.
Mr.. Dancers reputation as a back
CANNON player Is uuequalled II The
United States, and In backgammon
matches where skill alone Is brought
to bear, he Is commonly the victor. A
few years ago DR.. Brown, tricky pro
fessional, having arranged the box s.
that be could control the dice, Chal
lenged Mr.. Dancer TO q rratch. Afte
Nr. Dancer had lost 800 he was warn
ed by a friend. He then Withdrew
from the game. This is perhaps tn
only known instance IN which he la
been overreached. Gamblers say tina
while playing cards OF backgammon b
shows as much anxiety to win twenty
five cents as he would If the stake
were S25, 900; and that he is as mucl
elated over the winning Of an op
Uouent's last cent as he would be wer
his prize a fortune.
Among Mr.. Dancers treasures Is
note signed By VIM. Tweed, given /
1867. IN addition to all the Jewels thel
possessed by Mr.. Tweed, as securlt,
for loan Of $1,000 Mr.. Tweed wa
not singular IN those days N borrow
Ing money from Mr.. Dancer, the lat
ter frequently supplying the sInews {
political warfare.
Mr. Dancer told Sergeant Picket
and Detective. Slevins yesterday, tina
$50 900 in old, and Sd 600 IN ne'
bonds Of the State Of Virginia, and
gold watch were taken from his HON
on Monday. The market value Of I'll
bonds is S30340. They VIII be WORT
less 10 the thieves, their number b.
ing in the bond register Of the Cit
zen's Bank. Mrs. Dancer is easier
body and mind, though still requirin
"A physicians attention. She behev,
that she could identify one OF the rol
hers