Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-20
sron1rs OF A cAMRLEn.
The Gambler who Was r Friend of
Henry CLAY.


hotel whose name Was famous years age
as one Of the most expert gamblers that
worked the Ohio and Mississippi river
steamers. He reformed and turned his
attention 20 horse-breedinc just at the
close OF the war and has not touched a
card since, only in a social way. He was
fun of stories Of the olden time, however,
and told me several as we leaned over the
bar.
Il sec,r he began. ''that poor Fred
Rhoman, Of Louisville, shot himseH a
few weeks ago at the Anchorage asylum,
and did il, too. while his mind was ENJOY
znQ a lucid interval ! was in Jack u or
TOMS place when Fred shot him dead.
Jack wac one Of the most popular sport
ing men in the South and known from
Warrington 10 New Orleans. He ran a
MAGNIFICENT house in Louisville, where
games Of the very biggest sort were
11layed. 3LOnan was one OF his best
customers. and lost aud won large sums
In his place. One night when FRED mad
been drinking n great deal OF wine be APP
preached Morton, who was loungln9 about
the poker room, and slapped him IA
military Oh the shoulder.
SHOT THE MAN WHO WON.
"tJack, old boy ne said. 4 struck your
,
fee like giving you satisfaction. Let as
have some poker
''MortOn, who was nervous, Wiry iel-
low. with piercing black eye, saw Fred's
condition aud nodded his head atfrma-
lively. They seated themselves at a table
and cards and chips were brought TO them
By an attendant. The game was without
limit ana both men oct high from the
start. Morton WAS cool, collected and
ts,fr rod
cited and careless. In less than
two hours he rose from the table
a ruined man. HIS face was as
white as snow, and when he walked TO
the sideboard and poured out drink Of
Bourbon his hand trembled. He stood
for a few minutes staring moodily at the
floor, and then walked into Morton's
private Office. and beckoned for the latter
10 follow him. The door closed behind
them, and in less than half minute after
il was shut we heard p shot. The crowd
rushed in q body 20 the little room, and
when we pushed open the door there lay
Morton on the floor, with bullet through
his brain. and Fred RhOman standing
over him with a smoking pistol in his
hand. He claimed that the shooting was
done in self-defense, but Jury convicted
him OF manslaughter, and he was ZEN
fenced TO two years in the penitentiary.
Hg HAD GONE CRAZY.
"He was very quiet and well-behaved
while in prison, but when he was released
he began living fast and went TO every
excess. He was continually prey to
the most poignant remoree and would
never pass by the building where be killed
Morton. Dissipation and the tOrtuTes of
conscience eventually unbalanced bis
mind and one night early this spring he
was found wandering through the streets
OF Louisville, hatless and in a state Of ner-
VOus frenzy. He seemed to be fleeing
from some unknown foe and from time to
time would reel and cry madly:
Take him awayl For Gods sake,
take him away He wants to kill mev
His mind was hopelessly shattered,
and although his friends removed him to
the asylum he persisted there mIserably
by his own hand. still pursued BY that
haunting shape that, like Banquo's ghost
would not down.
Morton continued my friend 'was
one Of the old-time sporting men, and
although he always played to win he was
never accused Of dishonesty. He and
Mai. John ThrockmortOn were great
friends before the war. Mai. TbrOckmorton
came OF a good family. His father was
at one time proprietor of the Gait house
IN Louisville, and previous to that kept
hotel here in Lexington. The old gentle
" =
aud the Great Commoner had q sincere
regard for Throckmortou. The latter
used to tell a story about Clay that will
bear repeating. When the Senator used
TO come home from Washington he would
leave the river at MRysville and make the
journey to Lexington By stage.
THE FRIEND OF HENRY CLAY.
''On this particular occasion Throck-
morton was on the levee to receive his
distinguished friend, and bad a carriage
in waiting. They proceeded to the old
Hill house first and had dinner. Then Mr..
Clay expressed desire to personally in
spect some land in which he was inter
ested THAI lay in the adjoining county OF
Lewis, about 10 miles distant from MAYS
VILE. The carriage was called aud Mr..
Clay and ThTockmorton were driven
away. They had some difficulty in hunt.
ing up the land and darkness Overtook
them. A high wind arose and the rain
began to fall. They stopped in front oil
the first cabin, n rude habitati0p. anC
Throokmort0n asked if they could be
sheltered for the night.
"Sartin, gentlemen" answered the wo
man OF the house. typical Amazon
Light on. I'll send out one NV Their boys
20 fodder yer boss"
''rhe great Senator and his FRIEND
alighted and entered the cabin. Mr.. Clay
AtAUNNA HIS nttAs dnAAs buWAnk III INA
cOurtly manner for which he was distin
Ruished, greeted the woman in deep sonO
rOus topes. She was busy over the fire
but turned. bowed. and, cycling the Sena
tor sharply. asked:
"What might be your name strangerY
'ClAy, madame. answered the Senator
with another stately bow. "Henry Clay
"CiayYf responded the woman, still
cycling; "Clayg Be you any kin 70 Bill
CLAY, up the creek, who was sent 10 "a,
penitentiary last year for boss stealm'! 2
For moment Mr.. Clay was speeohless
and then turning 70 ThrockmOrton
he drew himself ap to has full height aud
shifting HE chest with his cienched hand
cried:
"My God, Throckmortcn, this 10 fame!'
THEOoKMoRToS's GHOST.
"Joaa TbrockmortOn. the old hotel
Keepers son. received a liberal educa tiol
and wher his father took ;hs Gait house
made iriende among the young sports o
the town. One day IL was noticed thai
whenever he went a woman in shabby
black and closely yelled followed him
The next day when she reapPearod at his
heele the whole city began 10 talk about
~ and n less than q week even the street
boys could tell you the history o.
JbrockmortOn'e ghost. / have often seer
the pair on the streets Of Louisville
be IN advance, erect, with an expression
half defiance, halt shame on his face, sht
sinking along close at his heels win
Hatynnuef EnaA aud vafIaH fnaa d l..