The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1880-09-08

A Leadville dispatch TO the Re
ppblioaa gives the following account
of Rev. T. De Witt Talmage's mid
night tour of the gambling helis and
dance saloons of that city: at had
been rumored about the camp that
Talmagc had more OF an object in
coming to Leadville than that of de-
livering lecture. His real inten-
ton was the gathering of material
for new lecture to be delivered in
New York concerning the wicked
WAYS of the West, and for edification
of Eastern bloods. Knowing his
propensity for thus hunting out and
showing up the gilded abodes of sin,
shame and crime, and remembering
the sensation created in New York
bv his famous exposure of the cele-
braid Buckingham Palace, and its
Fascinating wickedness, as discover
ed by him in a personal visit, re-
porter shadowd him after the lee
ture was over and discovered that
the above report was true. The
celebrated divine had made the ac-
auaintancc of certain man about
town, who was to act as guide and
give him points upon the various
places to be visited. As soon as the
crowd had dispersed from the steps
of the Opera House, Talmage, heyi-
lv clicked and wearing a big slouch
hat, came out accompanied by his
companion, and started down to-
ward State street. The reporter,
from his station in an alleyway,
watched them down for some dis
tancc, and then followed slowly be-
hind, carefully avoiding suspicion.
The two strolled leisurely down
State street, entering all the princi-
pal dance houses and gambling dens.
staving but few moments in any
one place and apparently taking no
interest in any thing that was going
on. At last the pair turned into
Harrison avanue, and entering
gambling hell there, remained in
so long that the reporter followed
them Talmage was standing at the
roulette-table rs he entered, deeply
absorbed IN the progress of the game
4 young man was losing heavily and
the divine intensely studying his
face. Just at this moment the door
again opened, and a well-known
blood walked in. He started at the
sight of Talmage, whom he recog-
nized at once; but, recovering him=
self strolled up to the bar. As he
ordered a drink he leaned across
and whispered to the barkeeper
The latter fixed his eyes upon the
cloaked figure at the roulette table,
but made no further sign. The
news then rapidly spread, and, be-
fore the divine was aware that he
had been noticed, he was the centre
of all eyes. Hastily gathering his
cloak about him he touced his COM
panion's arm, and together thoy
walked quickly out, The shadow
ING was getting interesting now, for
the next place they entered was the
Odeon dance-houso After a few
moments among the high-kiekers of
that place the two emerged, and next
entered the Red Light bagnio. Here
they found n irisky crowd, for, as
they entered the door. one of the
/ girls ran up to Talmage, and smooth
ing down his whiskers, asked him to
lead the set with her. He visibly
Redeemed as he declined. Then all
the beautiful blondes crowded around
him. and he had literally to tear
himself away from them. He heav-
cd sigh Of relief as they again
stuck the street, and as they paused
before the dGGr. His companion
told him that was where bid;
Dillon was shot a couple Of nights
before, whercupon he declined to
enter. They then walked swiftly, on
To tho hotel, From 4 few words
dropped unintentinnally by Tai
mage il is known that he leaves
Leadyillc with the idea that il is a
very hard town.