The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1876-02-03
THE FATAL CARD.
A Tragic Story Of Early Times on the
Mississippi.


Mississippi.
Some years ago the Mississippi rive
was famous for its floating palaces, ms tn
large steamers plying between new Or
leans and the ports above were called
Now the railroads have driven nearly al
the fine boats off the river, and left The
field to the freight boats, whose accom-
mdtati0ns for passengers are by no mean
palatial. The former class of steamer
were in many respects delightful, buI
they never ceased To be the objects o
dread to timid people, for if the racing
which on that stream was reduced to q
system, did not result in the loss Of tho
boat, there WA sure to be one or more
encounters between the more lawIcs
portion Of the travellers, in which pist0
bullets would ny rather too thick for the
comfort Of steady going people, The
cause for such disturbances was gcncr
ally a quarrel over the gambling table
The regulations Of the boats usually re
quircd that all such amlsemcnts should
he conducted in n saloon provided tOl
that purpose in the officers cabin, stu
atcd on the hurricane deck, but the sport,
ing gentlemen were by no means careful
Ia observe this rule, and the gaming was
mostly carried on at the dining table, in
the main saloon on the steamer, to the
annoyance Of twO-thirds on board. Many
professional gamblers used TO make these
boats their home, travelling back and
forth with them, Fleeing all who were
foolish and verdant enough to fall into
their hands. So well, indeed, was the
system managed, that the various mem
hers seemed TO have their different
steamers marked out for them by com.
mon consent, 80 that no n 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 thci Friendship to put stop
TO the practice, or too much afraid OF the
gamblers to care to provoke n quarrel
with them, for in those days it was COM
mon affair for such men To resent any
Gmcicd insult with n pistol shot. One
of the most remarkable men Of this class
was named Daniel Sturdivant, a French
man, the son Of n broken down scion of
nobility, who had settled III New Or
leans before the transfer Of Louisiana TO
the United States. Sturdivant'had been
raised a "gcntIcman by his aristocratic
father, but on coming Of age, and finding
his fortunes ycry,bad, had taken tocards AS
a''means TO better them. His success IN
this field was 80 great that he was in
duced to continue it, until at the time Of
which | write he was one of the most no
tOrious gamblers between st. Louis and
New Orleans. lie was n man Of fine per-
sonal appearance, and Of great physical
strength aud was also noted for his per
sonal courage and as II gambler he was
most expert and successful. There were
dark stories of deeds which he had com
mitted while under the influence Of play
and liquor, and it was said by some that
he had killed half Il dozen men in his life.
time. No one dared to speak Of these
stories openly, for no n cared to bring
upon himself the anger of such a man,
There were few who knew him that really
cared to play against him, but they |
learned that II refusal to do 80 might in
volve them in a quarrel with him, and
rarely declined an invitation. About
twenty years ago, the time Of which |
write, he had attached himself to one of
the magnificent steamers plying between
New Orleans and Vicksburg, and had
publicly announced his determination
to shoot any man who cncroached upon
his scene Of operation. OF course, this
left him, in undisputed possession Of the
field, and he reaped a golden harvest
during the brief nine years he conducted
his operations there.
1t was my lot at that time to be COM
PEELED to make frequent trips between
New Orleans and Vicksburg, and | pre-
tcrrcd the steamer of which Sturdivant
had taken possession, inasmuch rs it was
not only the most comfortable, but also
the swiftest, and time was of the utmost
Importance to me. 1t was known that
at times | carried large sums of money, |
and was always apprchensive lest Stur-
divant shonld ask me to play. | had
made up my mind to refuse him, and i'll
he attempted to draw me into a quarrel, |
to shoot him without mercy, as | knew
that the only chance Of my life lay in
getting the advantage of him. Strange |
to say, he did not make any such propo-
sition to me, and | gave him no chance
10 do 80. One night we had started out
from Vicksburg, and were heading mer-
rily down the river, when Sturdivant
came to the group which had gathered
around the stove, He had been drinking,
and was smoking II fine cigar rs he APP
preached. All made way for him. well,
gentlemen" he said in an unsteady tone,
"you seem to be terribly dull, who wants
to play for.twenty dollars ante ?" There
was NJ reply; all present seemed to know
the man, and no one volunteered to place
himself in his clutches. "Umph, !" he
exclaimed with an expression of con
tempt, "afraid to try your luck with
Daniel S%turdivant, Ell? Or NAV he YOU
want n little coaxing some of you must
play with me; ! cant stand such treat
ment. Come, let's see who it shall be-"
lie glanced around the crowd rs if to
select his victim, and for the first time I
noticed the gaze Of one Of the group fixed
stea Oily upon him. He was a stranger
tn ~eand was dressed in plain homespun,
ana his face was partially concealed by Il
broa d brimmed sOmbrero which was
draw n down o%vcrit. He was Il small but
powerfully made man, and in the decided
expression Of his well shaped head ] read
an unusual iirmnesS and intensity al
purpose.
"Are -ou Daniel Sturdivant, the gam.
bier? re asked in q cain tone, without
rising. Stuniiyant flushed darkly, and
gave the stranger a dark glance. iSome
pcr-ons call M ~ behind my hack" he
said i%nsolently, but 40 one would care
10 apply that term 10 me before my face.
Nevertheless, said the stranger quietly
% want an'answer-yes or no. "WelI, |
then, | am" said the gambler. a%nurily; |
what Of III" Simply this" replied
the stranger, 81 have heard it said that