The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-09-18
A FATAL CARD.

Some years ago the Mississippi river was
noted for its floating palaces" as the large
steamers plying between New Orleans and
the ports above were called. Now the rail-
ways have driven nearly all the fine boats of
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 respects delight
full, but they never ceased to be objects oil
dread to timid people, for If the racing,
which was reduced to system, did not re-
suit in the loss of the boat, there was sure TO
be one or.more encounters between the law
less portion of the travellers, in which pistol
bullets would fly rather thick for the comfort
of steady. going people. The cause of such
disturbances was generally quarrel over the
gambling table. The regulations OF the boat
usually required that all such amusements
should be conducted In ? saloon provided for
that purpose in the Texas or officers
cabins" situated on the hurricane deck; but
the sporting gentry were by no means care
full to obey this rule, and the gaming was
most commonly carried on on the dining
tables of the main saloon of the steamer, to
the great annoyance of two-thirds of those
on 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 steam
ers marked out for them by common con-
ssnt so that no one would tresspass 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 friend
ship to put stop 10 the practice, or too much
afraid of the gamblers to care to provoke
quarrel with them for in those days it was
common affair for such men to resent any
fancied sffront with pistol shot
One of the most remarkable men OF their
class was named Daniel StuTdivant, French
man, the son of a broken down scion OF no
bility, who had settled in New Orleans before
the transfer Louisiana to the United States.
Sturdivant had been raised as gentleman"
by his aristocratic father, but upon coming
OF age and finding his fortunes very bad, had
taken to cards as means OF betterlng them.
His success in this field was so great that he
was induced to continue il until at the time
L write, and he was one of the most notori-
Gus gamblers between st. Louis and New Or
leans. He was 45 years old, but had kept
himself so well that he seemed much
younger. He was a man of fine personal ap-
pearance and of great physical strength. He
was also noted for his personal courage. AS
gambler he was most expert and success
full
There are dark stories of deeds which he
had committed while under the influence of
play and liquor, and il was said by some that
ne had killed half dozen men in his life
time. Yet no one cared to speak these stories
openly. for no one cared to bring upon him.
self the anger OF such a man. There were
few who knew him who really cared 10 play
against him. but they feared refusal to do
so might involve them in quarrel with
him, and rarely declined his invitations.
About fifteen years ago. the time of which
/ write. he had attached himself to one OF
he magnificent steamers plying between
New Orleans and Vicksburg, and had public
ly announced his determination to shootany
man who atte tempred to encroach upon his
scene OF operations OF course this left him
IN undisputed possession OF the field, and he
reaped a go den harvest from 1t during the
one brief year that he conducted his opera
ons there.
to make frequent trips between New Orleans
and Vicksburg, being heavily engaged IN
cotton speculations i preferred the steamer
of which Stnrdivant had taken possession,
inasmuch as IL wss not only the most COM
Portable, but also the swiftest, and time was
of importance to me. It was known that
carried large sums of money with me, and L
was always apprehensive lest Sturdivant
should ask me to play. had fully made up
my mind TO refuge him, and il be attempted
TO draw me into a quarrel to shoot him with
out mercy, As knew that the only chance
for my life lay in getting the advantage OF
him. Strange 70 say, he did not make any
such proposition to me, and gave him no
chance 10 do so.
One night we had started out from Vicks-
burg and were heading merrily down the
river. when Sturdivant came up to the group
which bad gathered around the stove. He
had been drinking. and was smoking fine
cigar as he approached. All made way for
him.
ssWell, gentlemen" !" he said, in an unsteady
tone. "you SEEN to be terribly dull. Who
wants 10 play for 500 anteT
There was no reply. All present seemed to
know the man, and no one cared to yolun-
teer TO place himself in his clutches.
"Umphl'' he exclaimed, with an express