The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-09-28
From the Kansas City Times.
Female Gamblers in the West.

ONE OF THE INSTITUTIONS OF KANSAS CITY
The existence of "a female gambling-house
in this city has been suspected by some and
known to a few favored ones for some time
past-in fact, ever since the opening OF the
institution. At first it bloomed and flourish
ed during the winter months as the reception
apartment of Miss Mary Landon and Nine.
Burgoine on Maine Street, near the Junction.
These two feminines passed for mother and
daughter, and by their industry and modest
department won their way into the family
acquaintance of some of the best families in
the citv. How or where they obtained capt.
tai sufficient to fit up and open their present
magnificent establishment is one of those
things the ordinary news-gather fails to find
out But that the Madame and her quondam
daughter have made their money, and lots OF
it, too, since they left their rooms near the
Junction, it is plainly evident to those who
visit their snug and sylvan retreat. The po-
lice made the first complaint about these
women early last spring or late in the win
ter, but as they soon afterwards removed
from the building complained Of, no one
cared to inquire where they went.
1t was left to an occasional contributor of
the Times to discover the retreat of these
now notable females and give an idea OF the
way in which fast girls and boys pass the
nights, rs some OF them say, 'sout of town on
business"
The secret leaked out through colored
girl, who was'recently discharged for some IT,
regularity, and impaired by her to another do
nestle, and by her to the one who visited the
retreat They call it the ''rctreat" be-
cause of its charming privacy and apparent
obscurity. 1t is on Main street, not far from
the court house. The front OF the building
would appear to the ordinary observer as
building unoccupied. The windows are
darkened above, and were it but for the side
door, but which is seldom used, no one would
suppose the upper part of the building occu-
pied. But it now discovered to be the popu-
lar place of resort for various classes of peo-
pie who nightly assemble to play with and
provoke Dame Fortune asrepresented by her
most fascinating votaries. But let the last
victim tell his own story:
s'We were shown first into small but very
neatly furnished ante-room, lighted only by
the light which penetrated from the next
room, which, in the darkness appeared bril-
liantly lighted. Our party was admitted
Immediately on the presentation of cards
previously furnished at the gaming house we
had just left, and gayly-dressed colore d
girl admitted us to the parlor adjoining, where
the madam greeted us and engaged us in
conversation fora few minutes, and then led
the way to the place We had come to see
''the retreat"
1T was strange sight--one that fairly as
| founded one at first glance. Here in room
gaudily but not richly decorated and brilliant
ly lighted, were assembled at least thirty
men and women, three-fourths of whom
were engaged in the fascinating games OF
chance. At one table sat the quondam seam
stress, Miss Landon, attired in loose, white
lace wrapper, her fingers bristling with pearls.
She was dealing faro for the amusement of a
young merchant OF this city and two women,
who were both strangers to me. Four or
five persons sat by the table looking lazily
on smoking and slipping refreshments. At
an adjoining table sat two men and two
women WHO were engaged in game in
which bright new half dollars passed for
checks, and occasionally gold pieces current.
One of the women, a girl Of the period,
smoked her cigar with the nonchalance OF
an adept, while her neighbor ON the right, a
middle-aged woman of means, kept record
of the game on paper. They appeared to be
playing whist At two small tables in the
far corner OF the room six or seven women
with one or two men were interested in game
of chance, apparently poker or euclre, and
money appeared to be passing freely but
rather silently. Taking down a billiard cue
we accepted the challenge of Nine. Burgolne
and engaged with our friend and a girl who
had just prepared to start for home, in
friendly game of billiards. These are few
observations made during short visit to thu
retreat whose existence is unknown to ever
the business men in its vicinity. You can ust
the notes as you please"
The above statement was handed in about
four days ago by an occasional contribute
to these columns. But the denouenaent wa
so strange no mention was made of the re
ported existence of the female gambling
house until a reporter had been sent to in
vestigate for himself 1t was found NOR
difficult to obtain entrance to the place, a
newspaper men, are tabooed the precincts
OF this pagoGa of mischief. A deputy, how
ever, obtained admittance and more thar
confirmed the observations Of the writer O
last Tuesdays communication. A female
gambling house does exist in this city, t.
which women moving in respectable societ
resort to spend the evenings. No liquors Q
any kind other than light wines are used
Women of all shades of virtue come and &c
and the destinations of the game are sue
that dozens of men nightly assembly t
squander their money with women old an
young, who deal the cards like adopts, an
who bet their stakes with the telnerity
old 'ssports." 1t is a strange but Ger trll
[ tale, as matty man and woman in this cit
know to their cost.