The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-10-19
A Noted Gamblers Career.


Walking slowly up Lsrimer street
yesterday morning, leaning on the
arm of his friend, was Dick Har-
graves, u gambler whose name and
reputation has been well known to
the citizens of Chicago, Cincinnati
and st. Louis for some years-a tall,
finely formed, elegantly dressed
man, with light blue eyes and pale,
grave face, on which may still be
seen the remnants of strongly
marked individuality. Late hours
and dissipation have evidently
brought the once elegant Dick down
down TO a mere wreck of his former
self, and it was plainly to be seen by
the passers by that his ancient vigor
has departed, and despite the
invigorating atmosphere of Colo
RADIO his life is nearly
ended. lie was accompanied
by his friend "Red Jack" who is a
person OF similar ilk, but of a more
common kind, who supported him
with all the tenderness of a woman.
Hargraves is an Englishman, about
torIy-tive years old, and came to this
country when only sixteen years of
age, landing at New Orleans. He
began life as a barkeeper. and fol-
lowed the Mississippi river for a
number of years. He soon became
skilllul at cards and was accounted
the best short card player that ever
sat down to table. His first big
winning was from Louisiana
planter named Dupuy. $4,000 COM
ing into mis- possession by that trans
action, and ever after that luck SEEM
ed to come his way. Everything he
touched turned to gold, and at one
time he was reported worth over
two millions. He lived high, sport
ed diamonds, was the favorite of
women, bat his word was as good as
his bond, and he was liked by every
body A little Spanish woman, the
wife of an old New Orleans banker
named Arroyes, became fascinated
with handsome Dick, and the up
shot of the matter was that the old
man challenged Dick 10 fight duel,
aud was killed for his pains.
Bill Vedal, brother of Mrs. Ar
royes, then sent Dick word that he
would kill him on sight. They met
at Natchez under the hill, and Bill
fell MORALLY wounded. This last
occurrence seemed to cure Mrs. Ar
royes of her mad intatuation for
Hargraves, for she idolIzed her
brother, and when she next met him
she plunged dagger into his breast,
and, thinking she had killed him,
fO,E a dAoa of nnionn aud in;uaI
her husband ana brother. Dick re-
covered in time, and during fire
one night at Mobile, Alabama, at the
risk OF his own life rescued little
girl from the flames aud afterward
married her. She was of good fam
lily, and has done great deal to So
Der Dick down, but his is a restless
spirit that chafes at restraint, aud
nothing will still him but death.
When the Cubans revolted against
Spain Dick was one of the first TO
espouse the cause of 'the gem of the
Antilles" and for two years he
fought for Cuban supremacy. He
was captured and confined in Castle
Moro and sentenced to be shot. The
night before the day set for his exc
cution he, In company with three
Americans and two Cubans,
escaped from their dungeon by
picking the lead from around
the end OF bar of iron that
formed one of the grstings of their
cell. The only thing the men had to
work with was the tine of a steel
fork, which was found in the cell.
After their escape they went to
Hayti, and from Port-au-P Prince went
to St Augustine, Florida, in an open
boat. Making their way to New
Orleans, they found friends, and
Dick was soon on his feet again. He,
shortly after his return from Cuba,
married the Mobile young lady
whom he had saved from the fire
when she was little girl, he having
kept track of her all the time. and
after his marriage removed to Gin
cinnati. where he has since lived,
taking occasional trips to other