The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-06-25
HIS LAST HAND.
The Death of an Old River Gambler.
A Little of the Exciting History of John
Watts, Who Used to Travel on the
Mississippi River Steamboats,
in Ante Bellum Days, Play
ing Poker from New
Orleans to Lou
isviIIe.
philadelphia Times.l


Old John Watts was a gambler by nature.
He would bet on everything, and last Thurs
day, when he died in his little room on
Tenth street, the last words he uttered were:
81 bet you I get we'll" There were no
takers for his son, respected and able ply
stefan practicing in New Jersey, stood by
the bedside and watched over the dying
man only to alleviate the pains of death, not
with any hope of saving life. They carried
Watts out to Mount Moriah yesterday,
and the humble little funeral cortege that
paid the last tokens of respect to the gam
bler's memory passed out of the gate of the
cemetery as the long line Of mourners that
came to bury Major Mcguire filed in osten-
tatlous hundreds up the road from the rail
road station. Watts was not known much
in Philadelphia. but more than a score
of years ago his face was much seen on the
Western river steamboats,, and his name was
as we'll known as any mans in the Missis-
sippi valley. He was the. typical river
gam oler. Elegant of address. unexcitable,
calculating, skilled at cards and willing to
bet on anything in the world, he lacked
nothing that could distinguish him in his
calling
A RIVER GAMBLER.
He was one or the men vino travelled on
the lower Mississippi in ante-bellum days,
when the entire long cabins of steamers
were given up to card parties, poker their
game and the stakes thousands. 1t was in
those days that the pistol and bowie-knife
often came in as referee In discussions over
the game, but that occurred only when
somebody did a mean thing with an ace or
| filed a pair by stealing q card, or doing
some such little pleasantly in way SO
| shamefuily bold and unskilful that detection
could not help but ensue. Watts would not
do that, it is said He played fair and de-
manded fair play or fight. That these en-
counters were not of unfrequent occurrence
with him two bullets. holes in his cheek,
others in his body and knife wounds of
greater or less dimension all over him gave
testimony. For many years he travelled on
the New Orleans. st. Louis and Louisville
| line of boats. His peculiarly of travelling
was that he always made the full trip for
instance, if bound to st. Louis on one
steamer, If there was no play, or If luck
went against him he would not drop off at
| Memphis, Visksburg or Cairo and try a new
lay. He was always the best dressed man on
| the river.
CLOTHES FROM REGENT STREET.
! His jewelry was transformations and his
clothes of the latest fashion. He had his
measure at Bells, in London. and that Re
gent street artist supplied him. swell
tailor in New Orleans once solicited Watts
| for an order, and importuned him SO that
he finally gave it. Watts wore the clothes
for some time, and talked much and in
terms of high praise of them, but refused to
pay the bill when presented. ny this means
! he found himself defendant in suit of
law, but, setting up the plea that in conde-
scending to wear the clothes he rendered
the tailor full value by adding to the repu-
tation of the maker. He thus won his case.
Although Watts professed to be man of
Unconstitutional a gambler-he was by no
means of the very best morals, and he did
not object to take advantage of his fellow
man IN this way. For instance: With his
friend and accomplice he would board the
boat at Louisville, and, scanning the passen-
ger list, pick out out for his victims some
old card-plnyers of wealth with whom he
he would go very quietly, and say of his
own accomp lice: There Is man who
plays high, and we can beat him; you join
with me, and we'll do 1t" The victim
agrees, the party is made up, but Watts
always succeeded in regulating success the
wrong way for his victim, and thus the
would be bitter was often bitten.
5000 AND LIFE.
One time he was accused of swindling in
that way, the charge being made IN the heat
of play by a man from whom Watts accom-
plIce had inst won $4,000. rs that your
opinion?' He quietly asked, Eyes, sir;
that's what think" reared the loser; you
swindled me, sand stigmatize you as a
scoundrel." The hour was late and only
the Waterman and the party engaged in
playing heard the charge, but all of them
drew back and held their breath, for they
we're sure Jack would take life to wipe out
the insult. 1t is said that he has done that
thing 81 will give you S., 900 right here il
you will not make that opinion any further
public" said Watts, drawing forth hiE
pocket-book. "No, sir; / do not want the
money; you can not buy my silence with
way and held pistol IN one hand and the
money in the other, and said quietly, as be
fore: my friend for the upprs s5ion of you
opinion offered you 5000. You refused
Now l offer you that amount OF money anC
your life. Do you accept" The man looked
into Jacks cold, steel gray eye and what be
read there was convincing. He took tht
money and his life and kept silent.
POOR TOM BOWLING.
Many stories are told OF old Watts which
are not traceable to any good foundation like
this one, but here is one he delighted IL
telling, and for which he vouched for ths
truth: II was always an ardent race course
. better, and followed the Kentucky stables
for many season. My last racing was thu
season McGrath's great race horse Ton
Bowling broke down. l was breaking NJ
myself then. We were in SARATOGA, an(
Barron, the negro minstrel singer, came into
Morrissey's club house one night with
party, and somebody proposed that he Civ,
us a song. John Matthews, the actor, wa
with him and urged Barron to go ahead. H
acceded and sat down to the piano. Tn,
boys turned around from their game, ant
then Barron. striking few chords, withou
other prelude struck up:
Here a sheer hulk lies poor Tom Bowling,
The darling of our crew.
He sang 1t through with feeling and ex
preston, and I looked down on my cards
and, by Jove, there was q tear right on thu
, ace. Just then IN bursts McGrath. He
caught Barron by the hand and pressed i
fervently, trying to say thank you but h
| c,1Idpsf that he co1ld eiacu q III