The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1886-01-03
Gambler whose Word Was "a Good as His Rond

After life singulerly uneveniful for so famoss
man, Charley Ransom, the prince of New York
ses RausO ons o Inc
word WoSld pals iof ideocc Win Any gambler inthe
Eir, snowy musacne, blue eyes. Kindly eieaturer,
and very graceful, modest bearing Long associa-
ton with cultured gentlemen had given him quiet
years ago Ransom chme TO this city from New
Haven. From boyhood up he had been passlonately
msp had a game in full blast al No. il
Ann street. Those were the days when Mofrlsscy
and Eytinge were the shining lights. Ransom WAS
formed. lie won the patronage OF the most promI-
nent men In the city. Then he moved his game to
most MOI sumpiuous se establIshmenis in New YORK. He
ran as big limit as any man In the country and soon
became noted for his veracity and falf dealing.
Il which he died WAS at sa'
time the most elegantly furnished place Of its kind
On aaa hs side q ne oa Atlantic a ., Here - was that Ben
Ransom frequently had games running up to 100000
In his house, and he was a most heroic player him.
single card no man could have told from his manner
afterwards whether he had lost or won. OF late
years he had given up cards ana the green cloth
himself, and almost the only form OF gaming he In.
dulged in was betting upon horses. He owned
several very fast horses and was well known among
Ransom was particularly fond Of stock operations
on Wall street, where he was popular. Most Of his
stock operations were conducted through Frant
Work. Men like Charles j. Osborn and william X
lravers were his warm friends. II s said that the
Rev. John 7. Newman, known principally as Gen
Grants pastor, was an intimate friend of the gentle
hammered gambler. A late President OF the United
States was once patron Of his establishment, and
members OF Congress darkened his doorway con
stantly.
Many stories Illustrative Of Ransom's good-heart
edness are told. It is said that on one occasion
young man lost s3,f 90 at faro In the Twenty
street house. The victim went In tears 10 Ransom
who was sitting In O back room with some friends
"Mr. RANSOM" he cried, "I've lost money that did
not belong to me. have been weak enough to yielt
to temptation and my whole life will be ruined BY
It," "iInw old are your" said Ransom cuttly. "fn
twenty.three." The gambler went to a table ant
wrote pledge ahjuriDg gambling Of all kinds fo
lie. Then he held the handle Of the pen towar'
the victim "Sign II and you shall have every cen
OF your money back" he said. The young maj
eagerly signed the pledge and had his money re
| stored to him.
On another occasion clergyman's son claimed 4
have lost 900 at Ransom's place. There was
| row over tho affair, and Ransom gave 5000 to III
young man, although he declared that only $500 ha
been originally lost.
For several years Ransom kept n magnincen
gambling-h house at Long Branch. 1t was known a
| the Ocean Club House, and was patrOn'zed by yer
| wealthy men. Ransom's fortune is about $25s, ,O0t
| He leaves widow, who lives In the Twenty nfth
| street house. His brother Is o well-known livery
| stable keeper In New Havcn-Neto YORK World
Dec. 20.