The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-06-06
Dan Rice,
How He Tells the Story of His Game of Poker
With Napoleon III

How He Tells the Story of His Game of Poker
With Napoleon III.
Dan Rice. the famous clown, relates
the following story of his game of poker
with Napoleon ILL.,:
In 1885 | was n rsce-rider off Long
Island. n. Y, for John G.. Stevens.
Isaac Vanlecr was the trainer. After
exercising Dosoras;a 4-year old, and Civ
ing him a big sweat, he showed lane-
ness. He was entered for post stake,
single dash of two miles. Vanleer
sent me on horseback to New York with
a letter to Mr.. Stevens, giving him full
particulars OF the laineness, advising his
Withdrawal from the race. / arrived in
New York, dismoHnted in front of the
Hotel de Paris. located, think. at the
corner of Broadway and Leonard street,
inquired for and was shown up to Mr..
Stevens private parlor. where / found a
party of the most distinguished gentle
men in New York, sitting around atable
and PLAYING game of draw" First
was the celebrated Duff Green, of New
York, a great turfman; Moceasin Jack
son. of New York, the owner of Buck
tail, the first great trotter ever taken to
England; Harry Severn, said TO be the
handsomest man in New York, and
owner of Oneida Chief, the fastest pac-
ing horse in the world of that day, or
since-I myseE riding him a mile on
Long Island track in two minutes and
eight seconds; of course | was light
weight. He was a beautiful chestnut
sorrel, sixteen and one-half hands high,
blaze face, four white legs This was a
trial race against time; his owner could
get no matches in this country, and sent
him TO England with "Bucktail," where
he was sold to Lord Elkton for a large
sum. Then came Billy Semon, of Staten
Island, owner OF Dustyfoot, a running
horse whom / afterward rode through
the Western country, which gave me the
nickname Dan Dustyfoot," by which
was known in sporting circles. Next was
Col. Elliott, tie owner of the running
mare, Betsy Ransom gentleman
who ut that day became somewhat no
torious because of q wager of $1,000
made that he would marry the celebrated
premiere d;tnseuse, Mime. Celeste, with
in twentv-four hours after being intro
duced to her She made her first APP
pearance in America ut the Bowery
Theater, creating All extraordinary furDre
as the Queen OF Teipsiehore. On her
third appearance Elliott was introduced
and won his bet. she had a child by
him, daughter, subsequently,. trav-
eled a short distance with them West /
remember well several times of having
the little darling on my lap while the
mother was on the stage. Elliott and
she lived unhappily together because OF
his dissipated habits. / say that noble
mother for the last time at Wheeling,
w. Va / learned that the daughter,
after being thoroughly schoo!ed and cul-
tured, married most estiiaal1le gentle
man in Baltimore. Md. Mfr. Stevens
rose from the table when / handed him
a letter, and said. ssGeFtlemen, excuse
me for o short time. llalea matter OF
much Importance to attend To, and in
q pleasant manner refnarked, MY boy,
here. will play my hand in my Absence -
he knowing well that allraee-horse boys.
could play cards. L was about to take
his chair. when he said. ALLOW me to
introduce YOU TO my leading rider. : each
gentleman shaking hands. ineisi'i'ng an
odd-looking and Il, me al eccentric look
iney indiyidlfal whom they called s.Gount
Louis who WIS guest Of Mr.. Stevens
The play went on, ! wontl'ree straight