The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1876-02-03
THE FATAL CARD.
4 Tragic Story Of Early Times on the
Mississippi.


the fine boats off the river, and left the
held to the freight boats, whose accom-
nodations for passengers are by no means
palatial. The former class of steamers
were in many respects delightful, but
they never ceased to be the objects of
dread to timid people, for if the racing,
which on that stream was reduced to
system, did not result In the loss of the
boat, there was sure to be one or more
encounters between the more lawIess
portion Of the travellers, In which pistol
bullets would fly rather too thick for the
comfort of steady going people. The
cause for such disturbances was gener-
ally quarrel over the gambling table.
The regulations of the boats usually re
quired that all such amusements should
be conducted in a saloon provided for
that purpose IN the officers cabin, stu
ated on the hurricane deck, but the sport
ing gentlemen were by no means careful
20 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 Yerdant enough to fall into
1hNit AtdbiANlSs ADU Ntti3 iHuC6u, WAS Inc
system managed, that the various mem
bers seemed Co have their different
steamers marked out for them by com
mon consent, so 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 thei Friendship to put stop
to the practice, or too much afraid of the
gamblers TO care to provoke a quarrel
with them, for in those days it was a com
mon affair for such men TO resent any
iancied insult with a pistol shot. One
of the most remarkable men of this class
was named Daniel Sturdivant, French
man, the son of a broken down scion of
nobility, who had settled in New Or
leans before the transfer of Louisiana to
the United States. Sturdivant had been
raised a gentleman by his aristocratic
father, but on coming of age, and finding
his fortunes very,bad, had taken to cards as
a.means to better them. His success in
this field was so 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 a man of fine per-
sOnal appearance, and of great physical
strength and was also noted for his per-
senal courage I; and as a 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 dozen men in his life
time. No one dared to speak of these
stories openly, for no one cared to bring
upon himself the anger of such man.
There were few who knew him that really
cared to play against him, but they
learned that a refusal to do 50 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 encroached 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.
It was my lot at that time to be COM
PEELED to make frequent trips between
New Orleans and Vicksburg, and / pre-
fcrred the steamer of which Sturdivant
had taken possession, inasmuch as it was
not only the most comfortable, but also
Tile SWIbSbb3 anu Ilillo was VI IlAC ulitOSt
importance to me. 1t was known that
at times carried large sums of money,
and | was always apprehensive lest Stur-
divant should ask me to play. l had
made up my mind to refuse him, and if
he attempted to draw me into 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
to do So One night we had started out
from Vicksburg, and were heading mer-
riIv down the river, when Sturdivant
came to the group which had gathered
around the stove. He had been drinking,
and was smoking fine cigar as 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 no 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 Sturdivant, Ell? Or may be you
want a little coaxing; some of you must
play with me; / can't stand such treat
ment. Come, let's see who it shall be. "
He glanced around the crowd as if to
select his victim, and for the first time
noticed the gaze of one of the group fixed
stea div upon him. He was a stranger
TO y and was dressed in plain hOmespun
an 4 his face was partially concealed by q
broa d brimmed sombrero which was
draw II down over it. He was 81 small but
powerfully made man, and in the decided
EXPRESSION of his well shaped head / read
an unusual firmness and intensity OF
purpose.
i" Are Sou Daniel Sturdivant, the gam
blerY ne asked in a calm tone, without
rising. Sturdivant flushed darkly, and
gave the stranger dark glance. "SOme
persons call nue. 80 behind my back" he
said insoiently, "buJ 40 one would care
IN applv that term to me before my face.
g Nevertheless, said the stranger quietly
81 want an'answer-yes or no. We'll,
then. / am, said the gambler, angrily;
sswhat Of it?" Simply this" replied
the stranger, Il have heard it said that
Won claim to be the best card player in
ne Southwest, and / have come two hun
Jred miles to prove you liar"
SSturdivant strobe forward a step or
-, o,,d thrust his hand into his breast
rs Il to grasp weapon.
ID s = . said the stranger; " if you
- me- YOU viii simply prove yourself
a' r;J ~ me. Take your seat at the Ia
Sa5La1,d viii make my words good"
be 5,, anu was something in the calm, stern
IheIe ~ the stranger that seemed to
manner ,S H. gambler powerless. He hest
render 'i' moment, and then said bully
tate9d "a never lever play with man whose
nee i cannoC see. e.. d, said the s+rap-
- 9 Never mind my i'oe' S'1 'i'e 80 =