Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-08-16

was another prominent gambler. lie Gained.
perhaps with reason, 10 be by birth and eduoa-
| tion gentleman. He was man Of Goo a1,
dress, and of undoubted literary ability. Fora
long time he wrote letters f,r The Spirit cf the
Times, over the signature Of 'Llrkin." BE
coming fascinated with play, Cassday gambled
heavily and continuously. But he was never
cheat or c blackguard. Ilo died in poverty,
leaving family. reared in luxury, dependent
upon relation for the nccessaries Of lie.
Recent years have brought forward a herd of
low and brutal thieves who, wheu arrested,
seek to disguise their real character by saying
that they arc sporting men" Johu Morrissey,
although perhaps not intending to curse New
York city with gang of Williams, has been the
direct cause of the emigration Of band Of men
of the worst character from Troy to New IOik
Hiher they all came after MorIissey's success
full prize fight with Yankee Sullivan. Among
the most odious Of these, and best known to
the police, were BLACKSMITH Dan" Edgar Nc
Cormick, big Mike" Murray, lat whose
house the unfortunate Murphy shot hiul5e III or
Friday, a State s-prson mau, Charles vosbu:g.
and "Way' Patrick. D1oFriSsey and his part!
ners, Reed and Spencer, arc the only gamblers,
however, who openly defy The law, and whe
carry on in broad daylight pool selling, faro
banks roulette. aud all otter games that allure
and dclraud Tue unwary. After all The wealth
that Mcrrisscy has at different times possessed,
should his creditors lorcc!osc the mortgages Oh
his properly in Saratoga il is doubtful il ho
would have $4,000. But Spc1cer is rich.
He is a man Of some education, and quiet aud
unobtrusive manners. lie wl never die poor,
if his reputation among fellow gamblers ss q
saving, a7aricious-nan is founded on fact.
Reed, if brought to the auctlou block, would
be ruined. Yet he owns several race horses.
His adventures have been many and varied.
Because he cannot trust himself he does 10.
drink. Reed is The mau who killed Mccullough
10 New Orleans L lew years ago. lie was san.
tenocd 10 death, but tho commanding general
pardoned him because Of the lntercesslon OF
the !ato Andrew j. Butler. 4 fellow. gambler.
and the father Of George II. Butler.
Charles Ransom is now poor, and gains
precariouS living by carrying on skin game
n West Twenty fifth street. Ransom was once
partner of John Harrison. lis londness for
fast horses and his diSsipated tastes wasted his
once largo fortune.
Charles Abel is of Nov England stock. lie
keeps gambling -h0uso with ono Stokes IN Ann
street, and has a branch q! Newport. AL the
branch house woodcock suppers attract tho
"angels' (as inexperienced young men with
money are called by the gsmbiors.) who, after
q debsuch, lose largo sums to tho bank. For his
Newport property Aboll paid much m oro than
It was worth, hoping, il is said, to attract ono
rich young man in particular. His SUCCESS il
not yet known. James Thomas is also native
of New England. He is supposed TO havosom'
properly now, although no has lost largely in
stock speculstons. John PeLre, from Patterson.
Now Jersey, firm friend of Senator Morrissey,
accumulated $lC0 C00 during tho Wat, but ho has
recently been forced to part with a liao farm in
tho Ramspo Valley, Now Jersey,
John +. Chamberlain canlo to this city from
the West in company with "Prco' Nice
He formed an allisnce with John Morrlssey,
who was thon carrying on q gambling house NJ
success which attended this combination SO in.
fatusted Chamberlain that he set up for himsolt
at No. in the samo street. lie kepta French
cook, and served almost unequslled dinners and
suppers TO entrap the epicuro and the politician.
Richard Schell, j. Fisk, jr., "Gunny' Bedford.
William NJ. Tweed, Superintendent keso, VIM.
Hennessey Cook, and other well.known mon
were claimed as his friends. 1t WAS through
their influence that he was enabled to carry on
the gambling business for ton years unmolested
by the police. 1t is supposed that 'Chamberlsln
has won, altogether one million dollars, but no
bought stud of horses, thinking this would
bring him in contact with persons whose social
recognition he coveted.
The scheme did not succeed, and he then
bought q farm near Long Branch, in Monmouth
county Now Jersey. lll-luck soon began to
attend Chamberlain. In spite of tho ''snsppcr'
roulette and many mechanical devices for cheal'
ing, he has failed utterly, unless. as Is sup
posed by somo, his brother holds his property
10 defraud the creditors.
Most OF tho "banco-men," match -stullers.
pocket book droppers, and petty, high 'Waymen
are brOken-doWn gamblers, who during the war.
promensded Broadway in fine sttiro, and dined
sumptuously every day.-Ncw York 7rt1't1c.