Louisiana capitolian., 1879-07-05
ellis Last Hand.
DEATH OF A MISSISSIPPI RIVER
GAMBLER.
+ Philadelphia Times.

GAMBLER.
philadelphia Times.
Old John Watts was gambler by
nature. He would bet on everything,
and last Thursday, when he died in his
little room on Tenth street, the last
words he uttered we're: II bet you l
get we'll" There were no takers, for
his son, respected and able physician
in New jersey, stood by his bedside and
watched ovsr 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 cortage
that paid the last tokens of respect to
the gamblers memory past out of the
gate Of the cemetery as the long line of
mourners that came to bury Major Ma
cuire filed in ostentatious hundreds
down the road to the railroad station.
Watts was not known much in Philadel-
phia, but more than score of years
AGO his face was much seen on the West
ern river steamboats,, and his name was
as we'll known as any mans in the Mis-
sissippi river valley. He was the typical
river gambler. Elegant Of address, un-
excitable, calculating, skilled at cards
and willing to bet anything in the
world, he lacked nothing that could
distinguish him in his calling.
He was one of the men who travelled
on the lower Mississippi in the ante
bellum days, when the entire long cab
ins of the steamers were given up to
card parties, poker their game, and the
stakes thousands. 1t was in these days
that the pistol and the bowie knife often
came in as referee in discussions over
the game, but that occurred only when
somebody did mean thing with an ace
or filed pair by stealing a card, or
doing some such little pleasantly in a
way SO shamefully bold and unskillful
that detection could not help but ensue.
Watts would not do that, it is said. He
played fair and demanded fair play or
fight. That these encounters were not
Of unfrequent recurrence with him two
bullet holes in his cheek, others in his
body and knife wounds Of greater OF
less dimensions all over him gave evi-
dence. For many years he travelled on
the New Orleans, St. Lonis and Louis.
vile line of boats. His popularity Of
travelling was that he always made the
full trip; for instance, if bound to St.
Louis Oh one steamer, if there was no
play or if luck went against him he
would not drop off at Memphis, Vicks'
burg OF Cairo and try new lay. HI
was always the best dressed man to be
found on the river.
His jewelry was transformations ant
his clothes of the latest fashion. HI
had his measure at Bells in London
and the Regent street artist supplied
him. A swell tailor in New Orleans
once solicited Watts for an order 81
that he finally gave it. Watts wore TIN
clothes for some time and talked il
terms of much praise Of them, bnt re
fused to pay the bill when presented
BY this means he found himself defen
dant in q suit of law, but, setting N
the plea that in condescending to wea
the clothes he rendered the tailor full
value in adding to the reputation of tn
maker, he thus won his case. Although
Watts professed to be man of honor
although gambler-he was by II
means the best Of mortals, and he di
not object to taking advantage of hi
fellow man in this way. For instance
With his friend and accomplice h
would board the boat at Louisville and
scanning the passenger list, pick out fo
his victim some old card-players {
wealth with whom he was PERSONAL
acquainted. To these people he woul
90 very quietly and say of his own az
complice, "There is a man who play
high, and we can beat him; you joi
me and we will do it," The victil
agrees, the party is made up, but Watt
always succeeded in regulating succe'
the wrong way for his victim, and thr
the would-be bitter is often bitten.
One time he was accused Of swindlin
in that way, the charge being made
the heat of the game by man fro
whom Watts accomplice had just VIC
$4,000.
'Is that your opinion'" he quiet
asked.
eyes, sir; that's what l think, :" roar'
the loser; "you swindled me, and
stigmatize you as scoundrel."
The hour waslate, and only the watc
man and the party engaged in playil
heard the charge, but all Of them DIRE
back and held their breath, for th,
were sure Jack would take life
wipe out the insult. 1t is said he h
done that thing.
81 will give you five thousand dolla
right here if you will not make tn
opinion any further public" said Watt
drawing forth his pocket-book.
"No, sir, l do not want the none
o,, oorunf hpv NV ailpuca with mr