The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-03-10

The following history of Pinchback's
! life, from a Washington correspondent OF
the New York Sun, will be read with in
terest by the people Of this vicinity who
think they know something about him:
His father was an old Georgian named
Holmes, who won some distinction as an
officer in the Creek war. He had favor
ite quadroon slave girl who bore HIM one
child. The old Major was a man of let
ters, as well as follower of Mars. His
iavorite poet was Shelley, and in spoIt t.
i've mood he dubbed his ilIegiuimate slave
son Percy Bysche Shelley Pinchback.
Holmes moved to Mississippi in 1913,
and became a very successful planter.
He had, however, one ruling passion,
which finally impoverished him. He was
an inveterate gambler, and his favorite
pastime was travelling up and down the
Mississippi on steamboat.
In those days there was always high
gaming on Mississippi steamers. They
were the iavorite resort OF all the great
gamblers in the country. One day Major
Holmes took trip on the Magnolia, and
became engaged in an unlimited game OF
draw poker with the commander, St..
Clair Thommasson. Holmes had an un-
usually bad streak of luck. He under
took to ''bluh" the captain OIL two PAIR of
skies. Thommasson was famous for his
nerve, and he soon 'raised" Holmes out
of cash. In fit of desperation, the old
man "put up" little Pinch, as he always
called his boy. A show of hands re-
vealed three deuees in Thommasson's,
and of course Holmes two pair Of skies
were nowhere. With perhaps a slight
sigh OF regret the old man bid little Pinch
good by, and went hack to his plantation
a poorer but not wiser man.
L. IL h.<a. 80
Capt. Tnommasson, and made himself
lie was quick and bright. and had
learned to read and write while with his
father. When the city of New Orleans
was taken by the Federal forces, Pinch
back, having saved considerable money
which he had picked up in various ways
during his river life, invested it in res
taurant. He was a good caterer, tasty
and neat. and ambitious OF being the
first in, the business. In very short
time his restaurant became famous, and
was largely patroniZed by the specula-
tors who flocked thither, as well as by
the officers OF the Federal army.
To accommodate all the tastes of his
lavish patrons, Pinchback opened faro
bank in the second story, and private
can-can in the third story. His intimate
of the river, and his extern
sive acquaintance with the negroes, gave
him exceptionally good facilities for OBJ
tanning cOntraband news. Cotton spec
ulators, blockade runners agents, Con-
federate spies, and all other classes who
had any interest in sending or receiving
messages through the lines always found
Pinchback ready to do them good turn
for consideration. OF course he pros
pered.
Indeed he made piles OF money, and
having good business qualifications he
invested judiciousiy in real estate. He
got into trouble, however, just before
Ben Butler was relieved of the command
of the Department of the Gulf. The
Generals brother wanted to monopoIize
tue contraband trade as well as the cot
ton permits. In some way or another
Pine hback interfered, and Butler had
him arrested on a charge of keeping
disorderly house. He was tried, con-
yicted, and sentenced TO the penirentiary
for term Of years, but was released
only after few months confinement.
He was now q rich man and eourted
the daughter of a rich mulatto, who.
prior to the war, had been large slave.
holder. There was quite futter in
colored circles over this |
event. Pinchback was not of the creme |
de la creme. lie was a contraband-a
low Niger who had become rich through
very questionable means. His bride was |