Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-04-20
THE LATE sELEUcUs eARFIsLDE.
Ex.Cengretsman and Professiona
Gambler-A Cbeckered career.

Ex.Capgressman and Professional
- Gambier-A Cbeckered career.
WASHINGTON, April 19.-Ten years ago
seleHcus Garfelde left Congress and be.
came professional gambler. Last Hisht
be died in little room oyer cigar shop.
The story OF Garfelde's life is that OF man
who surrendered absolutely to the tempta-
tions of Washington. He was born sixty
one years ago in Vermont, went to Ken
lucky when he was a boy, was GRADUATED
from Augusta College in that State, and
began his active life as lawyer. When
he was thirty years old he was member
of the Kentucky Legislature, and year
later he was commissioned to codify the
laws Of the State. In 1860 he was receiver
of public moneys for Washington Terri.
tory, and in 1869, after serving three years
as Surveyor General, he came to Congress
as Delegate. He was here four years, and
when his Congressional career was over ne
was moral wreck. He had
Lost His Ambition.
and was as dissolute q gambler as lived
in,-.Ie District Of Columbia. Cards had
come 10 be the passion OF his life.
1t is said that he left Kentucky and wan
dered off into Washington Territory, be-:
cause he saw his doom il he remained
among the genial poker players OF his
adopted State. He fought against what he
thought would be his ruling passion, even
to the extent of giving up what promised
to be an exceptionally bright future, out MS
surroundings in Washington finally over
came him completely. His fellow Con-
pr.ssmen ruined him, and he lived for the
rest of his days on the vices OF public men.
No life in Washington was lower than his.
The men and women who were his COM
panions were of the very lowest stratum
For wears the man who had once promised
10 be one of the cleverest public men oil
Kentucky had not single intimate asso-
sociate who did not belong to the danger
Gus element of society. He was always,
however, leader among the people Win
whom he lived.
A few weeks ago little all'night oyster
saloon on the border of the worst quarter OF
Washington was full of loudly dressed
men. Most of these were drinking and
talking freely. They were gamblers out OF
employment. The police had raded all the
| establishments of the city few evenings
| before, and there was nothing for these
men 10 do but to drink all night. Garhelde
was with them. but he did not drink much,
| and he talked less. The presence OF
| Two Detectives
| did not keep him silent, for there seemed
| to be perfect amity between the officers and
the gam blers. His companions treated him
| with respectful Difference, because, as one
of them put it, he bad the call on the
boys in learning and he had been actually
a member of Congress. Moreover, he va,
| s,ill LAWYER, and he was looked TO for ad
| vice in the troubles with the police.
This conversation was overheard by be-
lated man who had stopped in Tor some
oysters:
A little man in green 0yercoat and
Derby hat said: .
What's this duffer West mean"
Garfielde pulled his long black beard, and
answered: He probably wants money"
why don't he have it, then" was the
next question, put with the injured air o
a man whose interests had been trited
with. Didn't the boys whack up 1905
for Commissioner Morgan when he had the
poliCe?"
"Yes, and Morgan wouldn't take the tin, v
said another gambler, who had very point
ed shoes and who smoked cigarettes.
We'll, gentlemen" said Gartielde, draw
ing himself up to his full six feet OF height
and starting to go, "nothing's been neglect
ed to keep the police off, and this raid won
hurt much in the end If West gets the Po
lice Department under at last"
When he had gone, middle.aged gam
bier, who had not said anything before
growled out through the smoke:
What are you fellows givin' the old
man? You let him work his racket with
the pearlice alone, will yez? He's go
sense, he has, and he'll turn trumps yet.
The rejected offer OF 81, 900 to MAJOR
Edmunds and Lydecker declined to give
Mr.. West authority over the police.
Garfelde died alone, except that the
woman whom he married q year and {
half ago stayed with him till the end; lie
had no friends, and he left behind hin
only the record Of man whom vice haC
dragged from a good public position dowr
10 be a gambler and an outlaw.