The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-30
HE THREW AWAY FOUR QUEENS.

Poker Game at Bismarck.
New York sun.
One of the most famous games of poker ever
played in the Northwest was between the late
Stanley Huntley and Maj. A. W. Edwards the
editor and proprietor of the Fargo Argus. Mr..
Huntey had not been making much money out
of the Bismarck Tribune, and when he was taken
sick and was unable to attend to business for
several months his affairs became so tangled
that he determined to sell out his share of the
paper. AS the Tribune was the only paper IN
Bismarck at that time, and there was strong
political ring In the county, he had hopes or
disposing of his property the politicians, but,
fearing that he might fail to do so, he dropped
line to Major Edwards asking him to buy his
paper. Major Edwards had made fortune out of
his own paper, and, as he was ambitious to own
more papers, he promptly responded to the
letter by drawing $4,000 from the bank and
taking the first train for Bismarck When he
reached that city he found that the trade with
the politicians was made, and Huntley came out
of his difficulties with several hundred dollars in
cool cash. 1t was several hours before the re-
turn train left, and, having nothing else to do,
the major suggested that they play game of
poker at So ante
The Majors fame as poker-player was not
confined alone to Fargo. He was recognized
throughout the territory as the best player in
the Northwest and when it became nolseG about
the town that he and Huntley were about to
play for large stakes there saloon in the
place large enough to accommodate the crowd,
and the game was moved to the town hall over
the engine house.
The game began at noon and continued until
o'clock, with varying success Atlast there was
a jack pot containing 5000 on the table, and it
was Major Edwards deal When Mr.. Huntley
picked up his hand he saw that he held four
queens and an ace. He was surprised. Cards
had not been running we'll enough to justify
such luck. He saw the Major throw away one
card and hold four.
''How much do you open it for9' asked the
Major nonchalantly.
Huntey stopped moment to think, and then
replied calmly:
II don't open it,"
"Well | will" said the Major.
"For how much?' asked Huntley.
"For $780, replied the Majo
''All right" said Huntey, throwing away his
four queens and keeping his ace, "Ill come in.
Give me four cards."
With glance of increduity and pity, the
Majo dealt them, and took one himself.
'I bet $780, observed the Major.
'Raise you $780," said Huntey.
The Major scanned his hand carefully, looked
at his youthful adversary keen!y, and raised it
back for the same amount.
Raise it $l0O more" said Huntley.
This sort of thing continued until there were
81 400 on the table, and the crowd was breathesS
with excitement
I'm raise you $780," said the Major, 'if you
will trust me-
Rather have the cash. said Huntley.-
returned the Major as he pointed to magnif
cent solitaire diamond he wore, which cost him
$1,000 in Chicago.
Yes" said Huntey. as he saw the raise.
''Then I'll CALL said the Major.
Huntley laid down his hand. He had caught
the other three aces. The Major had only four
kings, just as Huntley had suspected. 1t cost
Huntley $500 to treat the crowd and when the
Major left for Fargo it was on borrowed money.
The fame of this game spread around the
Territory, and when Huntley returned from his
trip into the Northwest Territory after inter-
viewing Sitting Bull, he stopped at Fargo on his
way East and gave Major Edwards back his
ring. After dinner. as Huntley was about to
take the train for New York, the Major, accom-
panied by several of his friends went to the
station to see him off,
"By the way, Stanley" said he, ''since you
left Bismarck they have told some pretty tough
stories about that game of poker we played"
What are they2
''They say that l dealt myself four kings
from a cold deck. Now. l want you to tell these
gentlemen that played fair, square game"
THE Major is right" said Huntley, "He
played an honest game"
Thanks, Stanley" returned the Major ''Now
l want to ask you one question:
GAN right"
81 want to know how the devil you ever came
to discard those four queens | dealt you?"
''I'll answer that, Major" said Huntley, with
grim smile, ''if you will tell me how you knew I
had four queens