Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-11-10
NOV INDIANS GiNBIE.
The Various Implements Used by Them
in Games Of Chance.

In one of the tall cases in the Nation
a Museum are displayed various ini-
plements. some of very rude and prirn-
tive workmanship, Illustrating the
games of chance played among the
North American Indians. When the
comprehensive plan of the museum has
been fully carried out, the evolution of
gambling from its rudest forms 10 its
highest development IN the intricate
=. layout Of a modern black-leg will
be fully Illustrated by the exhib ton of
the implements used. Among the most
curious of the exhibits illustrating the
games OF the savages are packs of play
ing cards collected among the Apache
Indians. These cards are made of dried
skins or parchment, and are about the
size OF the ordinary playing cards in Use
in every whist-playing family. The de
vices upon them have been rudcly
drawn. The numbers Of the cards com
posing pack and the character of the
devices indicate that they are of
Spanish gin. Prof. OF I. Mason.
the curator of the section Of
ethnologv. recently received from
Mr.. Romero. Mexican Minister.
several packs of cards of the kind
known as Barcelona cards such A. have
been in use among the SpaniardS and
the Mexicans for many generations.
The Apache cards are rude limitations
of the Barcelona cards. There are four
suits. a. in our cards spades. clubs.
d Almonds and hearts The >pad,. is a
sword or esydd0H: the club is A yerita
bte club or bludgeon; the heart is
heart enclosed in an urn, and the dia
mOnd a gem or jewel represented a
set in the centre of disc or brooch of
some kind. The spot cards end with
the sevens; the eights. mines and tens
not being included in the pack. In the
Apache cards the queen is represented
by female figure. rudely drawn. like
the first effort of Youthful caricaturist
on a slate. The king is represented by
figure of man. and the jack OF
knight by man on horseback.
These cards We're found among the
Ind ans. sa d Professor Mason to
Star reporter. when our exploring
parties first went among them. TheI
undoubtedly got them first from the
SpaniardS. They play number OF
games with them, some Ike simple
games that are played with our cards
old maid. 'muggins snd the Ike, and
they had a game also like euchre. Now
they use cards such as We use. which
they have obtained from the settlers
and others"
Here is a curious game remarked
the professor pointing TO a little cube OF
bone having square hole through it>
centre. This is suspended by al
elastic sineH which keeps it bobbing NJ
and down" The game is to strike II
with Il ST OK. When a man hits it, in.
stead Of taking up something from the
pawns he deposits something on the
pile That gives the younger or less
expert PLAYER a chance. The man who
makes hit goes into his house. and
gets some article, like a coat, or some,
thing of that kind which he throws up.
on the heap composing the pawn OF
stakes. THIS goes on, until finally the
man who has made the most points
takes all
There is no game PLAYED by the
Indians in America. continued the
curator, in which the mind is brought
10 bear upon problem or has to study
out the moves as in chess or checkers.
There Is no game in which the PLAYER
Is expected to have mental skill All
the games are strictly games OF
chance"
This game is something like the
game of jack-straws. he continued,
pointing to a collection of two dozen or
more little round sticks, each having A
list nguished figure carved or scratched
Ipon it. These little sticks are
shaken up under mat or hat. ard
hen dropped to the ground. still con
'ealed by the hat or mat. Then the
nan who handles them. the dealer.
axes out one stick at time, handing
hem TO the different PLAYERS in turn.
When they have all been dealt out, the
nan who has the best hand wins. The
nan who has the chief takes the best
r most valuable article: the man who
as the next highest takes his choice
ext and SO on. ."-Washington Star.
In Louisville, few days ago, little girl Z