Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-07-22
a MISISTIlR,S LUCK.
A south Wash -ngtGn Divine Buys n
Lottery Tt'.ket aud Wins the Hig
Prize.


EDwAID r. MAYS METHOD OF BUILDING A
CHURCa-HB TRIED AND FAILED, AND THEN
WON I5.Ga0-AN INTERESTING CHAPTER OF
PiETY AND FORTUNE.
In the last drawing Of the Kentucky State
Lottery, which occurred on July 18th, the Cap
ital prize of $4,000 was drawn by ticket No
ISIS, held by a Washingtonian. Edward H.
May is the lucky man, and resides at 522 18th
street southwest. He Is over fifty years of age,
and with his wife occupies a small house near
the river. Mr.. May has passed through many
vicisstudes. A native of Virginia, he is a men,
Der OF the senior branch of the well-known
May family, lately made conspicuous by the
Bennett duelling affair." At the beginning of
the war Mr.. May was appointed a chaplain in
the confederate army. and subsequently came
TO Washington, where he was compelled to seek
a livelihood by working at his trade of carpen-
tering. With varying success he struggled on,
winning the esteem and good wishes of all his
neighbors, but at no time doing more than
making both ends meet. Recollect1ons OF the
secular office he held in the army often forced
themselves upon him, aud finally hts soul be-
coming fully awakened to the spirit OF reltg-
ious inclination, he determined to again re-enter
the ministry. CaptiouS friends called him
religious monomaniac; but unmindful OF their
criticisms, he pursued the even tenor of his
way in the service Of the Episcopal church.
Small as was his house and despite It's poor
; surroundings, Mr.. May, when work was scarce,
turned his workshop, which was in the base
ment of his dwelling, into a chapel and erected
an altar, from which he preached the Gospel
regularly to those who by this time had made
leader a q
quested to be made a minister, aud the bishop
Of this diocese granted the wish to the extent
Of putting him On probation for one year. From
the very start his only aim was to be ord aimed
an Episcopal clergyman, and to build church
upon his own responsibility, which he could
cOnsecrate to the salvation Of sinners. There
was nothing to prevent his ordination. To
build church of his own expense, however.
baliled the ingenuity of the impoverished
preacher. But 1t happened that he read the
advertisement OF the Kentucky State Lottery.
At once the light OF new hope dawned upon
him. He determined to invest one dollar In a
tune. He did so.
FIRST EXPERIMENTS IN THE LOTTERY
The first investment brought him nothing
nor did the second, third, nor many others. Still
his preSentment that he would be able to build
church only by this way became so strong
that he continued month after month to buy
tickets and to pray for good luck. Finally for
tune began to smile upon him. He drew a IS
prize, but this only increased his conviction that
he was fated to win, and instead of taking the
money On his prize he went one dollar better
requesting MeSsrS. Williamson d Co., the New
York agents OF the lottery, to send on six
tickets for the next drawing.
DRAWS THE CAPITAL PRIZE.
The drawing took place On last Tuesday. and
the announcement was flashed over the wire,
that ticket No. ISIS had drawn the capital
prize Of $4,000. Immediately Messrs William
son Co. telegraphed to Mr.. Edwin H. May that
his was the winning ticket.
Mr.. May was dumbfounded at this marvellous
intelligence. He read and re-read the dispatch
until his eyes grew tired, but somehow could
not persuade himself to believe that his fondest
hope had at last been realized. He thought
that some friend familiar with his weakness
was attempting to perpetrate joke upon him.
Full Of perplexity and doubt, he concluded that
his only course was to proceed to New York
and demand the money Of those from whom he
had purchased the ticket. He took the train
for New York last Thursday night, and on Fri
day morning bright and early he presented
himself at the Office OF Williamson & Co., 500
Broadway, and inquired for the manager. The
latter soon made his appearance, and upon Mr.
May making himself known, cordially con
graduated him upon his remarkable good luck
"YeS, sir, you have won the capital prize
Mr.. May, and If you have the ticket with you
shall be happy to pay 70" the money"
Mr.. May, trembling with emotion, drew an
envelope from his inside coat pocket. He opened
1t and produced therefrom the lucky number,
Sis. The Manager examined it carefully, IT,
ascertain its genuineness, and then said:
st Is all right, Mr.. May. And now, sir. how
will you have your money. Will you take it In
cash. or do you prefer a certified check on our
bank? AS you are going back to Washington.
should think that certified check might be
more desirable 1t Is not safe to carry such a
large sum of money as 900 about ones per-
son."
Mr.. May concurred in this view, and request
ed a certified check. This was handed HIN, as
soon as the banks certification could be OBJ
tanned. and MIR. May returned to Washi ngton,
bringing with him certified check for fifteen
dollars on the First National Bank OF
jersey City, payable to his order. He present
ed this at the Citizens Bank of this city, yes
terday, and promptly obtained the cash.
For three nights this lucky man had not slept
and now that the excitement was over he re-
traced his steps homeward, certain that it was
not dream, and blessing the Kentucky State
lottery for the good it would enable him to do.
His wife stood ready to receive him. AS he en-
IcIcu uc Sduk cAuduSUcu luUO u CQalT, WnlIe
from his hands fell a bundle containing O silk
dress, the present to his wife, bought with the
first money OF the new fortune.
WHAT MR.. MAY SAYS.
Mr. May was called upon by reporter this
morning to ascertain II the rumor that he had
drawn this prize was really true.
Eyes; 1t Is true" he replied. az have drawn
the big prize; and see no harm in it, either. ]
feel as though have been moved by the Divine
spirit and If thought there was any wrony
about the matter, or that my action would offend
Jehovah, would not take cent OF the money
On the contrary, there is nothing wrong about
buying lottery ticket. man simply pays
dollar for the chance Of lettering his condition
and If he loses, that Is the end OF it, and If he
wins there is no dishonesty. 1t is not as bad a.
Tor coal merchants or Wall street brokers to
buy coal or stocks at low figures and hold them
back for rise In the market. Lottery business
Is not gambling, and it might do great deal o.
good. l don't know what my church friend,
Will say, but can't help 1t. mean to rely upon
the spirit OF the Lord, and II they refuse to
Ordaln me because have won lottery prize
very well; can go on doing as l have done
before, and preach the gospel on my own hook"
MIR. May has already selected the site for the
church he intends to build. 1t will be situated
diagonally opposite his house, near the river
dat.