Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-08-18
From Poker to Preaching.

Mn frequent passer on the south side
l'terson. between Fourth and Fifth
Of .'.ts if he is ut all o%bservant, has
'iF soei a man who is usually standing
=! not tront of the Gospel Mission Rooms.
u 1 n,nrc is nothing remarkable either in
~ anpearance or the mere fact of his
H. nso. . q in that locality. He is tall,
lM;n and with a form that is just begin
l Iia% to stoop under the weight of the
nl ~ which have thinned his hair and
.s ',;r l]ed in it a few threads of silver.
nomplexion is sallow, his eyes dark
,l,,o and an intellectual-looking fore
,aa,J imparts character to a face which.
u,;thout being unusual in either con
E,ur or expression, has yet something
.,h;ch. when once seen, a man is not
b;,,4lr to forget. That man is Steven
11alcomb, the sometime noted gambler
'rl now the jealous city missionary.
Almost everybody either knows or has
heard something of the man or his
,;storv. At one time he was one Of .he
coolest and most daring gamblers in
he South, over which he travelled for
Dc,rly q score of years, losing and
winning with the varying fortunes of
|,s calling. He became, perhaps, the
most noted and successful poker-player
M dozen States, and scores of anec-
Hates are retailed of the wonderful luck
Mich attended his playing. No stake
Vas too high. no game too daring to
deter him. The '.luck'' of which men
f his calling speak and believe in so
FIRMLY, always attended his playing, and
With anything of economy he might
,ayc become u millionaire. He was
reserved for something better, however,
and a slight business transaction with a
minister led to his attending the %lattcr's
church and becoming converted. He
Eays:
Il was well-to-do when l was con-
Eetcd and quit gambling. 1t came
pbout in a singular way, too. Rev.
Bruce Alexander, now living at Middle
own. came to me one day and wanted
10 rent a house [ owned in Shipping
port. Learning that he was q preacher,
remarked that there wasn't much diff
erence between us, as I was q gambler.
He put his hand on my shoulder at that
md remarked that he hoped the meet
ng would be profitable to us in more
lenses than one. His words impressed
NE, and l went to hear him preach,
Pnl from that day I was a changed
nan. gave up my interest in the two
games | was running and sent word to
ny partners that / intended quitting the
business for life. What gambling imple-
ments | owned l would not sell, but
gave away to a friend. 1 had q hard
ime after that. l went into several
Inherent kinds of business, but,
although l had quit allof my bad habits,
by luck was changed, and / lost every
hing l touched. The little money [
bad was o exhausted in this way
md in charity, for from the time l was
Fonyerted l did everything [ could to
|eclaim my former companions. / got
Pown to my last dollar, and after failing
obtain employment, Brother Alexan-
Ter, who had always stood by me, drew
ut sixty-one dollars he had in bank,
Ind with it L went to Silver Cliff, Colo,
got there penniless, and while stand
20 around the gambling saloon of an
ii friend l heard that a waiter was
Fanted at q hotel. 1 got the place and
lasncd dishes for a beggarly pittance,
lough | could have got an interest in
big game that was going on there at
he time. Then was cook in q mining
amp, and at last saved up money
nough to buy IN outfit and 70 pros
ecting. l failed ut that, too, and
fter tramping over the mountains /
anne back and went to cooking in a
rick-yard. AS soon as | could l got
ack home, but when l reached here l
Eas again without a cent. Well, sir,
,yas hard as l could, L couldn't got o
hing to do here, though l knew so
pany people and was willing to work
anything. At that time ! was living
18th my family in q room, and they
Fcre suffering-but I won't say any
hing OF that. About that time Maj
|ughes was elected Chief of the Fire
lepartlnent, and as he had always been
friend of mine, l thought I'd ask him
Ia job. He never hesitated a minute,
ut gave me 4 place as soon as l asked
staid in the department for two
ears, reading and studying to make
? Tor my neglected education. At the
nd of that time, which was two years
20, 1 was approached by Brother
lorris, who said the church would
lpport me if | would come and take
barge of the mission. 1t was just
hat wanted, and I came at once
nd am now trying my best to do some
poo. am poor and haven't q dollar
the world. but l am contented at
st; and mean to accomplish what L
N in the remainder of my life.
NO, can't say anything about the
lcks Of gamblers, for l believe it
ould do no good. l am working hard
plong the gamblers, who have conf
Fhce in me-, and it won't do to abuse
en- 1t wouldn't do any good either,
every young man would think HIM
Al 1orewarned rs soon as he knew the
PcKs and would be more anxious to
ay than ever. Gambling can't be
oPPed by such a way as that, but if it
uid | wouldn't hesitate a moment.
1--WE have preaching here in the mis-
IN once u week, and q sewing school
alch IS supported by some good ladies.
me down some Wednesday night
IL listen to us.''--Louasvilc- Courier
PAnnal.
On the Brink Of Niagara.