The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1884-06-28
A SPORTS CAREER.

For several days psst James Cor
nell, one Of the best-known charac-
tiers in the city, has been lying al
the point of death a5 his home on
Green street, near Eleventh. HIS
career was a remarkable one Ia
many respects, and for years be was
one of the foremost sporting men III
the State. He was born and ralseo
| in this city, and some years before
the war went into business for MIN
self, His first venture was a very
popular one and eminently success
full. He purchased a building on
the northeast corner of / ourth anu
Green streets, opposite the oiG
Louisville Opera House. and openeu
the Pearl saloon. 1t soon became
the resort of the besteknown men
in the city, and Cornell made friends
rapidly. His house was noted
for its fine whiskey, and the harvest
he Ieaped was golden one. Inc
money he accumulated did not last
him long, however, as his gener'
osity went even beyond his means,
and he was ever ready to divide ms
last cent with a friend. Many
stories are told of the men who CON-
gregsted at his esta blisment and
the scenes md debauche that oc-
CURED there. When the war broke
out the Pearl became the favorlte
resort Of the officers OF the army,
and Cornell's business became go
great that he was compelled to take
a partner in with him, and selected
Dick Watts to assist him. At this
time Keno was first introduced in
some Of the other cities and In the
army, and he determined to open
house here. He fitted up the rooms
over his saloon, and soon had game
in full blast. 1t was the first house
of the kind ever started in Ken
lucky, and the catds were pegged
at 81 apiece.
This proved gold mine, as the
game was largely patrOnlZed, but a
fatality seemed to attend the riches
he accumulated, and some years
after the close OF the rebellion he
found himself broken in health as
well as purse without scarcely know
ing how to account for it. His
friends assisted him in many ways
and he worked At various Occnpa~
ions, being employed for time in
the gambling houses. Eight years
ago he first entered politics, and at
the solicitation of his friends became
a candidate for marshal OF the city
court. He had scarcely dollar to
make the race with and then. as
now, it took money to win. His
friends again came to the rescue and
advanced him all the money he
ne 4ded and he was victorious in the
fight. With an honesty rarely
found in politicians he kept an ac-
count of the money thus advanced
lin, and paid it back doIlsr for dol
lar OUT of tue proceeds Of his office.
Stint his term expired he5kas been
drifting around aimlesfys but OF
late years has been employed as
caller in Watts & 8nghesfS keno
room, near the Croekfofd. He
seemed to have sFsnge fascina~
ton for this gams which was
brought here by bm, and he was
one of the best callers in the city.
Some time ago he was stricken
down. aud bis illness, which at first
seemed trivial, grew to be serious,
and his friendssaw that his lease on
life was nearly run. He grew worse
daily and hismind began tc wander.
He imagined himself once more at
his old employ ment, aud hour after
hour he would lie in bed and call off
the NUMBERS OF the keno cards, and
ask if they had been pegsed. Last
night be appeared much worse, and
it waI thought that she could not
live until daylight. He has a IA
mily consisting of several sons and
daughters, whe are highly spoken
of b} all who know them, AM his
family connections are among the
best Louisville Courier J Journal.