The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1876-06-06
Selfrf Sto,g.
THE ACE OF HEARTS

Some years sgo the Mississippi River
was famous for its floating palaces, as
the large steamers plying. between New
Orleans and the ports above we're called
Now the railroads have driven nearly all
the fne boats off the river, and left the
field to the freight boats, whose accom-.
modations for passengers are by no
means palatial. The former class of
steamers we're in many respects delight
full, but they never ceased to be the OBJ.
jects OF dread to timid people, for if the
racing, which on that stream vas reduc-
ed to . system, did not result in the loss
OF the boat, there was sure to be one or
more encounters between the more law
less portion of the travellers, in which
pistol bullets would fly rather too thick
for the comfort Of steady.going people
The cause for such disturbance was gem
erally quarrel over the gaming-table
The regulations Of the boat usually re
qulred that all such amusements should
be conducted in q room provided for
that purpose in the officers cabin, situa
ted on the hurricane deck, but the sport
ing gentlemen were by no means careful
to observe this rule, and the gaming was
mostly carried on at the dining-table, in
the main saloon in the steamer, to the
annoyance OF two-thirds on board. Ma.
ny professions. gamblers used TO make
these boats their home, travelling back
and forth with them, feecing all who
we're foolish and verdant enough to fall
into their hands. So well, indeed, was
the system managed, that the various
members seemed to have their different
steamers marked ont for them by COM
lmon consent, 90 that no one would tres.
pass upon the domain of the other. OF
course, these men were warm friends Of
the officers Of the boat, who were either
too sincere in their friendship to put q
stop to the practice, or too much afraid
of the gamblers to care to provoke q
quarrel with them; for, in those days, it
was common affair for such men to re
sent any fancied insult witha pistol shot
| One Of the most remarkable men of this
class was Daniel Sturdivant, French.
man, the son OF broken down scion Of
nobility who bad settled in New Orleans
before the transfer Of Louisiana to the
United States. Sturdivant had been
raised agentleman" BY his aristocratie
father, but on coming Of age and finding
his fortunes very bad, had taken to cards
as means to better them. His success
in this field was so great that he was in
duced to continue it, until at the time ol
which ] write he was one Of the mos
notorious gamblers between St. Louis
aud New Orleans. He was man OF FIN.
personal appearance and of great physi
cal strength, and was also noted for BIZ
personal courage; and as gambler b.
was most expert aud successful. Their
were dark stories of deeds which he hat
committed while under the influence o
play aad liquor. and it was said by SOM
that he had killed half dozen men il
his lifetime. No one dared to speak o
these stories openly, for no one cared t
bring upon himself the anger of such
man. There were few who knew hin
that really cared to play against him, bu
! they learned that refusal to do go Nigh
involve them in quarrel with him, an
rarely declined an invitation. Abou
Twenty years ago, the time of which
write, he had attached himself to one q
the splendid steamers plying betwee
New Orleans and vicksburg, and ha
publicly announced his determination I
shoot any man who encroached upon hi
scene Of operations. or course this lei
: him in undisputed possession Of the felt
and he reaped q golden harvest durin
: the brief nine years he conducted hi
loperatians there.
1t was my lot at the time to be CON
lpelled to make frequent trips betwee
New Orleans and Vicksburg, and pr
ferred the steamer of which Sturdival
!. had taken possession. inasmuch as it va
|. not only the most comfortable, but ais
the swiftest, and time vas of the utmc'