Daily Republican., 1883-07-09
PHILADELPHIA LETTER.
THE TORRlD HEAT-SECRETS OF
THE RlvER-GAMBLlN
PLACES, ETC., ETC.
10 espondence Of the REPUBLICAN.

i
until o'clock in the afternoon, after
which it declined trihe, but not
enough to be felt by the oyerheated
thousands who had toiled through the
baleful heat of the day, and returned a
night to their homes, many of which
are in contracted alleys and courts, that
a breath Of fresh air never reaches.
The night was a cOrker," and
thousands of persons, wretched with the
blood boiling through their veins, left
their overheated sweetering dwellings
that resembied furnaces and sought re-
tuge in the streets, where they stretched
their weary limbs on steps or sidewalks,
while in other instances roofs were uti-
lizel for the purpose of snatching a
few hours of much needed rest. The
effects OF the torrid temperature of the
pas six days upon man and beast has
been terrible, and the car drivers and
horses nave been among the worst sut-
ferers. 1t was no uncommon thing to
see the poor sick brutes, many of which
were utterly unfit for work, fall in their
tracks, overcome with the cruel heat.
Many OF the drivers also were prostrat-
ed, ana had, after heroic struggle to
keep to their posts, to be carried home
lltt'r rly overcome.
rive ueathS We're reported from sun
stroke yesterday, and eight persons tax
en to the hospitals. The Coroner and
hls deputies held inqnests on the bodies
of twelve persons who died from sun
btroxe on Friday, These figures repre-
Eent but portion Of those who sue
cum TED to the heal, las many were taken to
heir homes where they were attended by
their friends, and no report was made
Ihere Is, however, some consolation in
the dispatch that was received from the
Eignal office at Washington last nigh !,
that a cool wave is coming from the
northwest that will cause the mercury
70 drop to 10 Even now as l write the
advance Of il seems to have reached
here and a cool refreshing breeze is
blowing. 1t will he welcomed by swell
ferlng humanity wherever it may reach.
The season AZ the watering places Is
now at Its height, and the Railroads run
ming to Cape May and Atlantic City are
taxed to their utmost to accommodate
the crowds that are fleeing from the
heated bricks and mortar. Thousands
went down yes terday TO spend the day
by the sea, who will return tonight, or
earl enough on Monday morning to at
tend to their business. There was not
less than fifty thousand persons in
Paramount Park to day, many Of them
being, amily parties who had brought
Iaeir lunch basket along, and enjoyed
is contents with a zest that they could
pot have hoped to experience at home.
If Philadelphia keeps on, the Della
ware river will ere long become as mys-
eriOus as the North or East rivers of
New York. There is every reason to
believe that an organized gang of thieves
niest Front and Wafer streets, who do
not hesitate TO take man > life, espe-
;ially If he is stranger, for few dol
arS, and then consign his body to the
fiv"r. A case in confirmation has just
happened. In the early part of last
week, a schooner arrived here from
New Jersey, having on hoard u young
ieTnan named Frantz kast, who was
pn his way to Washing on. He had
Bon'r 80 or S4O in money, of which he
bpent IA small amount for some neces-
barry articles.
On Wednesday evening he was ashore,
hnd some time in the night the captain
Df the EeSsr. was awakened by shuttle
pn deck, ana Immediately after heard a
plunge n the water. He called his
nen and hlrrie! on deck, but all they
conld see was Two men rapidly run
pin:, up III" warl They strained their
Fyes over tn" dark waters, but nothing
co'lld be seen, aud they came to the con
elHSlnn tlat the men whom they had
een li"elng in the darkness had knock
h Il log OF wood overheard. As Kast
ll" no, make his appearance in the
mnrling search was mad and with the
lld oi Il graphing hook HIS body was
brought to III" surface. 4 search
howrd that al his money was gone,
md the natura. inference is, that the
loor fellow was robbed and then con.
igned TO the river.
''inre there have been 50 MANY raids |
N the gamblers in New York, many of
hrin have tl".hed to this city, and
'pelrd IA nnnh"r of new places. No
RS than four Of these gilded palaces,
sh"Ir IN" lirH!e goddess holds her
l-hty courts, are in full blast within
"o squares 'i The Continental Hotel
''he OF 'lles' places, on Ninth street
PeIo" CHESTNUT, il fitted up in mlagniti-
e'I, style, aIId at eleven O'Clock each
pis'lt the players are furnished with
''hPtuoue sdpler, served on fine china
|'o gas, with Il prOt'usion Of silver
h'V's, lolk and spoons. These night
Ppcrs consist Of the best the market
'iiordN, and HE guests are waited upon
Well-'rainrd Colored servants. Every
lIlg Is free, except the games, and the
'S't"fs generally pay enough for them
~ -,
Shmenls in.
No one is admitted to this place with
W an invitation, and although thou
ai'hs OF dollars change hands nightly
Ile most decorons silence prevails and
gus are unknown. The rooms are
''ed up IN the most expensive man +
ct, ana the greater number of the vsi-
Ors are wealthy business men, or sales
zen and clerks who command large
llaries. Two doors below this place is
he Kept by man named BrOthertOn,
men IS not AS exclusive, and almost
ny orderly person can obtain admis-
.on. Poker is the tavorite game, and
lsitorS ass general thing leave the
olse with heavier hearts and lighter
ocktes after spending an evening in
u!cklns the tiger. The police made
a.a . on the place last Friday night, and
apt,'red the proprietor and a number
o1iiers, all of whom were required to
'rnish bail for court.
gambling is, in fact, carried on open
On some of the streets, especially J
long the river front, and only yester-
ay afternoon a colored man from Vir-
una, VINO was making his way down
an Ericsson Line steamer to 60 home
as s"lndlrd out Of $50 by a three-card
monte sharp. II
MAYOR Pbipps,of almshouse notoriety,
no was recently sentenced to ali i'm
C'iSohiheht of five years, will appeal to
1e supreme Court, and the exceptions
"'t' VIII he presented are now ready,
NJ: NJ cover 100 page, of legal cap paper.
nn' document vii! he submitted to
"se Allison, and even if it should {
~ l. l..