St. Landry democrat., 1879-04-12
FREAKS OF FORTUNE.
How Money Me1ts Away From Men Who
Become Suddenly Rich.

account IN tie sun OF the drawers OF the
principal prizes in the late extraordinary
French lottery.
"Then you don't believe" queried the
friend, that lucky hits in lotteries are
of lasting benefit ?''
" / never knew them prove 80, and l
have known of many so-called lucky
strikes"
Scan you mention case in point 2"
eyes, half dozen. There was Noah
Taylor, of jersey City he drew $4,000
In lottery years ago. At first he four
ished. He built large hotel in Jersey
City. Then he laid in heavy stock OF
whisky before the war tax was imposed,
making heaps of money out of that.
Finally, however, his fortune dwindled
away, it is said, until he had lost all.
Then there was George Smith, of
Chicago. He came here about the time
the Crystal Palace opened. Within
month he won 500, 900 cash. The next
summer he had to borrow dollar to get
dinner.
Take John Morrissey Tor another
example. He made a hundred lucky
hits. Alter his death his estate amounted
to nothing.
"The most remarkable case, however,
is that of Mr.. Penistan, the Philadelphia
liquor dealer, who five years ago, drew
| the largest prize ever paid in America"
remember his case" broKe in the,
| friend "but have heard so many con-
ficting stories that [ don't know which
to believe"
The facts are these" continued the
sportsman, cas- I have them from Mr..
Penistan's associates: Mr.. Penistan was
doing comfortable business in Philaa
delphia, but was not making money
enough to indulge in his love for fast
horses. One day in the spring of 1873
he read an advertisement of an extra
drawing of the Royal Havana lottery,
which was to take place April 23d, in
which the first prize was announced as
100000. The idea struck him that he
might draw that prize, and show the
boys what he could do in the way of fast
horses. Acting on the idea, he wrote to
Matinee & Co., agents of the Spanish
lottery in this city, enclosing money for
the ticket. On receiving the letter, 8
clerk OF the agents took the top ticket
(1077) and sent it to Mr.. Penistan. In
few dsys dispatch came from Havana
to tie effect that ticket 1877 had drawn
the capital prize of 100000. MARTINEZ
& Go. telegraphed Mr.. Penistan that his
ticket had drawn the great prize. Mr..
Penistan jumped for j,y on hearing tie
great news. Slapring the brother Of his
father-in-law, Thomas B, Whitney, on his
shoulders, he exclaimed: off this is
true, old fellow, I'll give you half of it,
Then he insured his lite, and, in company
with the brother of his father-in>law,
came on to draw the money. They |
found that they would have to wait |
about week, until the Havana steamer
arrived with the official drawing, before |
the prize could be cashed.
"The party enjoyed themselves seeing
the sights of the metropolis until the
official drawings came. Mr.. Penistan,
who was then about forty five, tall, slen-
der and gentlemanly, bore his good
fortune with rare modesty, studiously
avoiding any display. AS soon as the
drawings came, Martinez & Co. paid over
$40, 900 in cash, the amount due after
deducting the difference between Ameri !,
can collars and Spanish money. This
was the largest prize ev>r csshed here.
Two years previously, ticket e444, draw |
ing $500 600, had been paid.
1.-THE tickle goddess who had smiled 80 |
blandly on Mr.. Penistan, now began her
capricious capers. The brother of his |
father-in law sued him for the alleged |
promised half of his suddenly acquired |
wealth, together with claim for adj
vances, or something of that nature. A
lawsuit doomed up, ard it is said that |
Mr.. Penistan, nervous aud worried, paid |
over $50, 0e0 for peace and quietness.
sThen wide-awake horsemen received |
him with open arms. Hewas what they
term an angel-one with plenty of money |
to expend on horseAesh. A few of his |
horses turned out we'll, and made
noise at the time. One great and |
respected horseman, who will never
gamble penny on horse, paid Mr.. |
Penistan $4,000 for splendid stallion. |
He bought Fellowcraft after his great |
achievement at Saratoga. In the main,
however, Mr.. Penistan's adventures
turned out poorly. The tickle jade sell
dom smiled she seemed to have forgot
ten her old favorite. MIR. Penistan. |
however, was hail fellow we'll met with |
lovers of the horse. He kept extensive
breeding farms, poured out money Law
ishly, while the best vintages moistened
the lips of his many guests. A man
fond of and willing to pay well for fast
horses, trots quickly into the affections
of the aristocratic old breeders, especially
in Kentucky. Here Mr.. Penistan ex-
pended 100000 on stock farm. He
had q theory that by blending the fast