Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-12-22
THE 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 railways have driven nearly all
the fine boats off the river, and left the
field to the freight boats, whose accom-
modations for passengers are by no means
palatiai. The former class of steamers
We're in many respects delightful, but
they never ceased to be objects of dread to
timid people, for if the racing, which
was reduced to system, did not result
in the loss of the boat, there was sure to
be one or two more encounters between
the lawless portion of the travellers, in
which pistol bullets would fy rather
thick for the comfort of steady going
people. The cause of such disturbances
was generally quarrel over the gamb-
ling-table. The regulations of the boat
usually required that all such amuse.
ments should be conducted in saloon
provided for the purpose in the Texas
or officers cabin, situated on the hurri-
cane deck; but the sporting gentry were
by no means careful to obey this rule
and the gaming was most commonly car
ried on on the dining tables in the main
saloon of the steamer, to the great annoy
ance 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, in
deed, was this system managed that the
various members OF the 'scraft" seemed to
have their different steamers marked out
for them by common consent, so that no
one would trespass on 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 a 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 common affair for such men
to resent any fancied ahront with pistol
shot.
One of the most remarkable men of
their class was named Daniel Sturdivant,
@ Frenchman, the son of broken-down
scion OF nobility, who had settled in
New Orleans before the transfer of Louis
lana to the United States. Sturiivant
had been raised as gentleman" by his
aristccratic father, but upon coming of
age, and finding his fortunes very bad,
had taken to cards as q means Of better
ing them.
His success in this field was so great that
he was induced to continue it, until at the
time of which I write he was one of the
most notorious gamblers between ST.
Louis and New Orleans He was forty
five years old, but had kept himself 50
we'll that be looked much younger. He
was man of fine personal appearance
and of great physical strength. He was
also noted for his personal courage. As
a gambler he was most expert and sue
cessful.
There were dark stories of deeds which
he had committed while under the in
!auence Of play and iquor.and it was said
by some that he had killed half a dozen
men in his lifetime. Yet no one cared
to speak these stories openly, for no one
cared to bring upon himself the anger OF
such man. There were few who knew
him who really cared toplay against him,
but they feared q refusal to do so might
involve them in quarrel with him, and
rarely declined his invitations.
About fifteen years ago, the time of
which I write, he had attached himselt to
one Of the magnificent steamers plying
between New Orleans and Vicksburg, and
had publicly announced his determine
ton to shoot any man who attempted to
encroach upon his scene of operations.
OF course this left him in undisputed
possession of the field, and be reaped a
golden harvest from it during the one
brief year that be conducted his opera
tons there,
It was my lot ut that time to be
compelled to make frequent trips between
New Orleans and Vicksburg, being heav-
lily engaged in cotton speculations. / pre-
ferred the steamer of which Sturdivant
had taken possession, inasmuch as It was
not only the most comfor able, but also
the switest, and time was of Importance
to me. It was known that carried large
sums of money with nae, and I was always
lest Sturdivant should ask