Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-07-01
THE FATAL CARD.

ports above were called. Now the
railways have driven nearly all the
fine boats off the river, and left the
field to the freight-boats, whose
accommodations for passengers are
by no means palatial. The former
class Of steamers were in many re-
spects delightful. but they never
ceased to be objects of dread to
timid people, for il the racing, which
was reduced to a system, did not
result in the loss of the boat, there
was sure to be one or more encoun-
terS between the lawless portion of
the travellers, in which pistol bullets
would fly rather too thick for the
comfort of steady-going people.
The cause Of such disturbances was
generally a quarrel over the gam
bling-table. The regulations Of the
boat usually required that all such
amusements should be conducted
IN a saloon provided for that pur-
pose in the "texas, or officers cab
In" situated on the hurricane deck;
but the sporting gentry were by no
means careful to obey this rule, and
the gaming was most commonly
carried on on the dining-tables in
the main saloon of the steamer, to
the great annoyance of two-thirds
Of those Oh board.
Many professional gamblers used
to make these boats their home,
travelling back and forth with them,
and fleeing all who were verdant
or foolish enough to fall into their
clutches. So well, indeed, was this
system managed that the various
members Of the "craft" seemed to
have their different steamers mark
ed out for them by common con-
sent, so that no one would trespass
upon the domain of the others
Of course these men were
warm friends of the officers OF
the boat, who were either
too sincere in their friendship to
put stop to the practice, or toe
much afraid of the gamblers tC
care to provoke q quarrel with
them, for in those DAYS it was d
common affair for such men to re.
sent any fancied affront with q pis-
tol shot.
One of the most remarkable men
of their class was named Daniel
Sturdivant, a Frenchman, the son
of a broken-down scion of nobility,
who had settled in New Orleans be.
for the transfer Of Louisiana to the
United States. Sturdivant had
been raised as a gentleman" by
his aristocratic father, but upon
coming of age, and finding his for
tunes very bad, had taken to cards
as a means of bettering them. Hi:
success in this field was so great
that he was induced to continue in
it until at the time | write, and he
was one of the most notorious gam
blers between st. Louis and New
Orleans. He was forty-fve years
old, but had kept himself SO well
that be seemed much younger. He
was d man of fine personal appear
ance and Of greatphygical strength
He was also noted for his personaI
courage. Asa gambler he was most
expert and successful.
There were dark stories OF deeds
which he had committed while un.
der the influence Of play and liquor,
and it was said by some that be had
killed half a dozen men in his life.
time. Yet no one cared to speak
these stories openly, for no one
cared to bring upon himself the
anger Of such a man. There were
feW who knew him who really cared
to play against him, but they feared
a refusal to do so might involve
them in a quarrel with him, and
rarely declined his Invitations,
About fifteen years ago, the tins
Of which | write, he had attached
himself to one of the magnificent
steamers plying between New Or.
leans and Vicksburg, and had pub
licly announced his determination
to shoot any man who attempted
to encroach upon the scene of his
operations. OF course this loft him
in undisputed possession of tht
field, and he reaped golden har
vest from it during the brief yeal
that he conducted his operations
there.
1t was my lot at that time to b,
compelled to make frequent trips
between New Orleans and Vicks
burg, being heavily engaged in cot
ton speculatons. l preferred the
steamer Of which Sturdivant had
taken possession, inasmuch as il
was not only the most comfortable
but also the swiftest, and time wal
of importance to me. 1t was knowr
that | carried large sums Of money
with me, and | was always appre
J hensive lest Sturdiyant should ask
me 30 play | had fully made W
7 my mind to refuse him, and if hC
: attempted to draw meinto toaquarre