davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-09
A Big Poker Game,
From the Neo York Graphic.

From the NeU York Graphic.
For years gambling on the Mississippi
has been a theme written upon and read
with interest. How the ideal planter got
through with his patrimony; how sixty or
seventy bales of cotton or fifteen colored
people changed hands in few hours; but
the gambler is always portrayed as slen-
der, 1.-the and well formed youth, with
black hair, dark eyes, high boots and a
dirk-dashing cavalier sort of fellow that
would brook no insult. The bluff, good
natured, goeasy man of about IS
that did the winning has been ignored
Gambling was heavy, and all the large
cotton and passenger packets had forward
of the cabin room about ~ by 25 feet,
called the social hall. The hall was fitted
up in the most luxurious style, with a bar,
day and night the planters, river merchants
and officers were wont to tempt fortune.
The favorate game was draw poker; but in
those times the gentlemen would bet on
anything, from what kind of a fish a mau
would catch on his line to steamboat race.
and the more a man lost the bigger lion he
was. Even now gambling is carried on t.
a great extent on all rivers, especially on
the Red aud Illinois rivers.
The most successful gamblers in ante-
bellum days were George Brooks and
"Bullet-neck" Green, SO called from a bullet
that was lodged in his neck. The latter
gentleman played at and won the biggest
game ever played on the Mis- isSippi 1t
was game Of draw poker between himself
and three other planters, Green had about
$40, 900 ON board the boat but the other fell
lows had diversified his plle, and the game
was 800 ante, with no limit Green held a
remarkable hand and had staked his last
dollar, but no one would ''calln him. So. mo
tioning the captain of the vessel TO him. he
asked for IA loan, as he did not want TO be
run out of the game. To this the cap
tain assented, knowing Green TO be n very
wealthy man, and he told the clerk to let
him have any amount When these prelim-
inaries were settled the players went on
raising the stakes until $500, 900 was on tho
board, when one of tho players called, aud
Green deliberately laid his cards face down
on tho table and said: Boys, if win tho
pot will never turn another card" then
showed up four aces and kng-a hand
that can't be beat-aS a matter of course,
winning. 1t is estimated that this man
won over $3.50, 900 az cards.
hThe gambler in the days of slavery seldom
cheated, and when he did and was discov-
cred at It he could be found n few minutes
after with bowieknife or bullet in him
more likely the former, for then il was a
favorite weapon used with great dexterity,
being thrown by experts twenty feet and
driven through a mark on a twoinch
plank. 1t was seldom a game was played
without every participant having his re-
volver or bowie on the table, but now the
players are on the bunco order aud the ones
they swindle less nervy.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-09
DECOY LETTERS.
The Points Made by Justice Harlan
in His Speech.

The Points Made by Justice Harlan
in HIS Speech.
WASHINGTON, Aug S-The case recently
decided by Justice Harlan, at Baltimore,
arising under the postal laws, is exciting
much interest, and to-day the decision,
which was an oral one, was written out by
the justice. Its main points are as follows:
Certain inspectors caused postal officer to
put decoy letter, containing money,
and which they addressed to an
actual resident OF Baltimore, to be
put with the letters usually put on the
dumping table in the postoffice in that city
They had previously arranged with the
postmaster that the letter if it passed the
backing and cancelling table and reached
the carriers room or division should not be
delivered to the carriers for delivery to the
person addressed but to the inspectors.
DISAPPEARANCE OF THE LETTER.
This letter never reached the carriers
division, and it was charged to have been
taken by the accused while working at the
backing table. He was indicted under the
first clause of section 5467 for
ing TINS decoy letter, which it
was alleged was intended to be conveyed by
mail. He was also indicted under the
second clause of the same section for steal
ing money out of the letter. On tho last
Indictment he was acquitted and was
convicted on the first. Justice
Harlan, while saying that decoy letters
could be legally and properly used to detect
postal thieves, held that a letter which the
inspectors and postmaster deliberately con-
trived should not be delivered to
carrier or to the person adj
dressed, OF to the latter's agent,
was not within the meaning of the statute
a letter intended to be- conveyed by mail"
He said the question was a close one, but his
best Judgment favored the construction
just stated. as more likely to give effect to
the purpose OF congress. The instructions
at the trial in the district court being
regarded as inconsistent with this view, the
judgment was reversed and a new trial
Ordered
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-09
HEREDITY IN CRIME.
A Remarkable Family of Counterfeit
ers by the Name of Johnson.
From the New York Herald.


From the Nep York Herald.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 5.-The secret serv-
ice officials are watching with considerable
interest the progress of the trial of Charles
johnson at Sarnia, Ontario on the charge
of counterfeiting, Johnson is a member of
a family which has been notorious as coun-
terfeiters for quarter of a century. His
grandfather was famous counterfeiter in
his day. His father and mother are well
known to the police, while his six brothers
and sisters enjoy the distinction of being
among the most audacious and clever
showers of the queer" in the country. The
johnson family lived for many years in the
vicinity of DunlIirk, N. Y. but the present
home of such as were fortunate enough to
keep out of Jail is in Canada
A FAMOUS ROGUE's CLEVER GRANDSON.
Charles johnson was arrested in February
last at Detroit, Mich, for counterfeitng
five-dollar silver certificates. He escaped to
Canada, where he was arrested by the
Dominion officials for a similar offense
against the laws of that country. He is
one OF the most expert counterfeiters living
He is man about so years of age and has
spent half his life in various caste n and
western prisons. 1t is expected that he will
be sentenced by the Canadian courts to a
term OF twenty years in the penitentiary,
in which event he will probably die there.
The secret service official from whom
these facts were obtained, was asked if
counterfeltlng was on the increase
in this country. He replied
that it was, but that the probabilities of
arrest are keeping pace with it. A decade
ago counterfeiting was slow and laborious
process. Eighteen months and sometimes
two years were frequently expended in
preparatory work before single note was
put to circulation At the present time,
by the aid of the Photographic and electro
tipping process, two weeks is all that is re-
quired. Quite naturally, the increased
facilities for counterfeiting add enormously
to the number of those who engage in it,
Silver counterfeiting, the official continued,
is new branch of the business which has
sprung up since the resumption of specie
payments. The principal offenders in this
line are Italians, who seem to lack the skill
necessary for the more delicate work Of
bank note counterfeiting.
CoUNTERFEITERs CERTAIN TO BE DETECTED
us it possible" was asked, 'for man
to follow the business of counterfeiting
long without detection?"
mo" was the reply "They are usually
apprehended IN from thirty to ninety days"
why do they risk the chances of long
Imprisonment for so slight gains?
Because, in the first place, they are too
lazy to earn an honest living, and in the
second place each thinks himself too clever
to be apprehended."
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-09
THEY DIED BY THE BIBLE.
Sensational After Developments Of a
Tennessee Railroad Accident.
Eirnr, III. Nam Nn..L. HALL

from Wc NeD YORK WOrtd.
SoDDY, Tenn, Aug. 4-On the morning
of July "A, two miles from this place, two
men were run over and mangied by south
bound freight on the st. Louis, New Or
leans and Texas Pacific railroad. There
was suspicion of foul play, and the general
belief was that thoy had been murdered
and their bodies placed on tho rails. A cor
oner's jury was summoned, and, after hear
ing all the evidence, it rendered verdict
that the men, Neal Manner and Bill Lee.
fell asleep on the track and thereby lost
their lives. Now, A. Hardy of Soddy, a
reliable gentleman, says that at l2 o'clock
on the night of July %, two DAYS after the
finding of the bodies, he awoae from slum-
Der and saw ono of the young men stand
ing at his bedside.
tie was greatly alarmed, and for some
time thought he was dreaming; at length
the apparltson spoke: "Go,n said he, ''and
turn To the book of Proverbs, Sd chapter
and oath and 25th verses, and there you
will find what caused our death, and read
the 4th chapter, 18th, 10Th and 10Th verses.
All go together The apparition then dis
appeared Mr.. Hardin says no Immediately
arose from his bed, and going 10 a table
picked up the old family Bible, and read
these verses from the Sd chapter of Prov
cribs, "a:
when thou lest down thou shalt not
be afraid; yea thou shalt lie down, and thy
sleep shall be sweet; 25-Be not afraid OF
sudden fear, neither of the desolation of
tue wicked, when 1t cometh.n and then,
turning leaf of the good Book, just on
the reverse side of the above verses he
read from the fourth chapter as follows:
"lS-But the path of the Just is as the
shining light, that shineth more and more
unto the perfect day; l9-The way of the
wicked is as darkness; they know not at
what they stumble; 20-My son, attend to
my words"
Mr.. Hardin insists that he was not
dreaming and that he never read these
chapters in the Bible before that night,
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-09
Expenses of a Committee.

WASHINGTON, Aug. Sin the house to-
day Mr.. Shaw Of Maryland, from the com
mittee on accounts, reported a resolution
approHriating $50 0 TO meet the expenses
of the committee on manufactures in in
vestigatiDg the subject of trusts In re-
Spouse to a question, Mr.. Breckenridge of
Arkansas stated that the investigation had
not proceeded far enough to enable the COM
mittee on manufactures to report a measure
Of relief
After discussion the resolution was
adopted.
Mr.. Springer then asked for immediate
consideration of his trust bill, but a demand
for the regular order operated as an objec-
ton.
The house then won't into COMMITTEES of
the whole on the deficiency bill. The debate
on the French spoliation claims section was
renewed
Pending debate, the committee rose and
Mr.. Outhwaite of Ohio entered motion TO
reconsider the various votes by which the
house yesterday amended the senate clause
OF the exposition bill by providing for the
Richmond, Augusta, Atlanta and Kansas
City expositions
The house then ad journed
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-09
POTOMAC RIVER REGATTA.
A Storm Comes Up and Spoils the
Sport After the Third Race.

A Storm Comes Up and Spells the
Sport After the Third Race.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 8-The annual Po-
tomac river regatta began here to-day I'M
der the auspices of the Potomac and Co
lumbia boat clubs, with ar excellent pros
pect of a good days racing, but was brought
to sudden termination during the gig
race, the third event of the day, by a ter
rifle thunder and rain storm, which
swamped the boats of the two contesting
crews, and overturned three or four pleas
ure boats that were out on the river.
THE RACES.
The races were one and one-half miles
straightaway over the upper course. They
resulted as follows:
FIRST RACE-Four-oared shells: won by Pas
safes of New Jersey. The Columbus and Poto-
macs fouled. Columbia finished second Time
6:32.
SECOND RAcE-Junior four-oared Shells The
Columbias won, beating the Ariels OF Baltimore
and Potomacs. Time 1853.
THIRD RACE-Four- Dared gig. The Columbias
and PotonacS were the only contestants. The
Potomacs were in the lead and within quarter
of a mile of the finish when the storm termi-
mated the race above stated. So far as can
be learned, everybody was picked up by the
tugs.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-09
COLUMBUS CHAPTERS.

Members of the Farm ers' Alliance Talk
over a Warehouse Project.
COLUMBUS, GA, Aug. 8.-The delegates
from the Farmers alliance of this city and
eight adjoining counties held meeting In
the council chamber in this city to-day for
the purpose of considering the advisability
of establishing warehouse in Columbus.
The meeting was in session several hours,
but arrived at no conclusion. Some
alliance men oppose the idea,
because they think the farmers
could not raise enough capital. Others say
they could get plenty of money, but that it
is too late In the season to start a ware
house, as most of the cotton has already
been obligated.
General Manager Belknap and General
Traffic Manager Shellman are in the city
on an inspection tour over the Central sys-
tenn. They report that the road is in good
condition.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-09
SIOUX WON'T SIGN.
The Trip of the Commissioners to the
Rosebud Agency Will Be Vain.

The Trip of the Commissioners to the
Rosebud Agency Will Be Vain.
WASHINGTON, Aug S.-Secretary Villas
to-day received telegram from the Sioux
commission, announcing that they had
postponed further negotiations for the pres
ent with the Sioux at the Standing Rock
and were about to start for another agency.
No vote was taken. The Indians Will re-
turn to their farms to do their harvesting,
and will be called together at some future
date
THE ROSEBUD BRAVES.
CHICAGO, Aug. S.-A dispatch from
Omaha says reliable information received
from the Rosebud Indian agency, Ne
braska, is to the effect that when the Sioux
commission reaches Rosebud the Indians
will not sign the treaty. From interviews,
it is learned, that out of 900 inquiries that
have been made of the Indians in the last
month in reference to opening the
reservation, not one has been
in favor of it. Last week the Indians mad
big council composed of over sixty chiefs
and head men, in which all the agencies
were represented, and they not only agreed
not to sign, but to prevail upon the mem
bers of their respective bands not to
do so. Since the death of young
Spotted Tail last month Swift
Bear and Two Stris e are the recognized
head chiefs. Both have a large influence and
following, and emphatically denounce any
sale of the reservation.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-09
DON'T BE DECEIVED.

Ask for ULMER'S LIVER CORRECTOR. q
safe and reliable medicine, and take no other.
have introduced Dr. B. F. ULMER's LIVER
CORRECTOR in my practice, and find that it
gives general satisfaction. The best evidence
of the estimation in which it is held is the fact
that persons trying it once invariably return
for another bottle, recommending it at the
same time to their friends
G. A. PENNY, NJ. D., Cedar Key, Fla.
have found ULNER'S LIVER CORRECTOR
to act like charm in torpid liver, ETC.
d. o. C. HEERY, M. d., Atlanta, Ga.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-09
BLOWING GREAT GUNS.
A Hot Day at Washington, Followed
by a Regular Gale.


WASHINGTON, Aug S.-About 4 30 o'clock
this afternoon the heaviest wind and rain
storm Of the season passed over this city
from the southwest. The wind blew almost
gale and did considerable damage. A
number of small buildings in different parts
Of the city were unroofed, signs were blown
down, and through the streets were scat
tered large limbs blown from the trees Dor
dering the streets and parks.
The telegraph wires leading out of the
city in every direction were rendered use
less, and for time not a single wire in the
Western Union or Associated Press offices
was working.
HOT DAY.
The dav had been the warmest Of the
season, the thermometer registering 90 in
the shade Several persons were Frustrated
by the heat, one case proving fatal. John
A. Darne, a grocery clerk, died suddenly
from the heat while at work
William Father, bank messenger, w.
II. Morris and w. II. Oliver, letter car
riers, and colored man named Benjamin
Moore were overcome ard were taken to
their homes or to hospitals. The last two
named are in a critical condition.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-09
LIGHTNING AT AN EXPOSITION
One Man Thought q Cannon Had
Blown Off His Head

CINCINNATI, Aug. 8.--About $50 o'clock
last night a sharp flash of lightning, fol
lowed by terrific peal of thunder, startled
the large crowd IN the exposition buildings.
Instantly all the arc lights in the buildings
went out, and the government exhibit and
machinery hall were left in total darkness.
The incandescent lights were not affected.
The electric currents struck the dynamos
and extinguished the lights. The lightning
produced a counteracting current and
stopped the machinery Instantly When
the current had passed the dynamos
we're started up again all right,
and where there was darkness,
again was light. The rainfall
following the thunder and lightning was so
heavy that the noise produced drowned the
rumbling of the machinery in the power
hall A young gentleman named Kellogg,
from New York, who happened to be look
ing into the mouth of a Gatling gun at the
time of the occurrence, thought the gun
had exploded, and it scared him almost to
death
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-09
HOME NEWS ON THE WIRE
FAIR OF THE NEGROES.
The Full Board to Meet to Decide the
Time and Place.

The Full Board to Meet to Decide the
Time and Place.
ATLANTA, GA, Aug s. - Smith W.
Easley, Jr., secretary of the colored state
agricultural society, by direction OF the
executive committee has issued an order
convening the full board in Atlanta on
Monday Aug. Is, for the purpose of decid-
ing the time and place of holding the first
state fair under the auspices of the as
sociation organized at Macon last January,
by the colored people.
The meeting will be enc of great interest
to the colored farmers of the state.
BISHOP GAINES TO PRESIDE.
Bishop Gaines of Atlanta will preside.
The committee consists of L. Crawford of
Mcintosh, J. d. Frazier, Rev. Floyd Smell
son of Liberty Peter Griffin of Lee, John
Williams of Dawson, Augustus Gaines of
Muscogee, C. c. Wimbish of Fulton, Il. NJ
Logan of Bihb, A. S. Thurman of Polk,
Harrison Harris of Morgan. Madison Davis
of Clark, John Heard of Greene, Rev. d.
McHorton of Richmond, W. D. Darden of
Fulton. L. Crawford is president and
Smith W. Easily, Jr., is secretary.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-09
CHARLESTON CHAT.

The Protracted Hot Spell Playing
Havoc With the Aged.
CHARLESTON, S. c., Aug S.-The pro-
tracted hot spell is playing havoc among
the older residents of the city. While there
have been no deaths from prostration, there
have been a good many indirectly due to
that cause One prominent German chart
table association has had four widows added
to its pension roll within the past week.
Six children of 149 East Bay street were
poisoned last night, it is supposed from
drinking diseased milk Prompt medical
attendance saved their lives, and none are
expected to die
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-09
1t Won't Bake Bread.

In other words, Hoods Sarsaparilla will
not do impossibilities. Its proprietors tell
plainly what it has done, submit proofs
from sources of unquestioned reliability and
ask you frankly if you are suffering from
any disease or affection caused or promoted
by impure blood or low state of the system.
to try Hoods Sarsaparilla The experience
of others is sufficient assurance that you
will not be disappointed in the result.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-09
Florida,e New Juatica.

TALLAHASSEE, FLA, Aug. S.-Tho new
associate justice, Judge Mitchell, took his seat
on the supreme court bench to-day, making
all the judges of the court present for the
first time in some months. More than a
dozen applicants are pushing their claims
Tor appointment 30 the circuit judgeship
tecently resigned by Judge Mitchell.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-09
ROLLED FROM A PORCH.
An Inmate of Jesup Hotel Seeks
Dangerous Sleeping Place.

JEsUP, Aug. S.-J. B. Collins of Johnston
station came to Jesup last night on the
Jesup express. About II o'clock he retired
to his room at the Jesup hotel About 3
O'Clock this morning his brother in-law, J.
III. Price, found him lying on the street in
pool of blood. The supposition is that he
came out of his room and lay on the piazza,
which is about 20 feet high, and in rolling
about fell, striking the edge of the lower
piazza. He was moved to tho hotel, and
Dr.. Drowdy was immediately summoned,
who, with the assistance of DIR. Alexander
of Johnston station, did all in their power
TO relieve the sufferer. Mr. Collins fingered
until about 5 O'Clock this evening, when he
died. He leaves wife and three children.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-09
JOHN N. DUNN's SUCCESSOR.
Aaron Haas of Atlanta the Atlant
and Florida's New President

ATLANTA, GA, Aug. S.-The stockholders
of the Atlanta and Florida railroad had a
meeting at the court house this afternoon
for the purpose of eleoting board of
directors and president to succeed John N.
Dunn, who died a short time ago. The fol-
lowing board of directors was elected
Aaron Haas, Ludwick J. Hill, Henry c.
Harris, Samuel B. Hoyt, l.. f. Blalock,
George w. Parrott, Robert J. Lowry
Charles A. Collier, jesse w. Ruoker, j. X.
Bunner, Thomas l.. Langston, William A.
Hemphill and Edward w. Marsh. The
board then held session and elected Aaron
Haas president of the company.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-09
FIREMEN IN JEOPARDY.
A Truck Dashed Against a Hotel While
Going at ull Tilt.

JACKSONVILLE, FLA, Aug 5.-While re-
spending TO fire alarm at
1:30 o'clock this afternoon a
hook and ladder truck, drawn by two
horses at gallop, attempted 10 turn into
Main street from Forsyth, but the mo
mentum was so great that the truck, horses,
ladders and three flremen were dashed
against the fremont house corner with
great violence, hurting the men under
meath. Charles Race, the tillerman, and
George Brady, the driver, were the
only two badly hurt, and, strange to
say, no bones were broken in either case.
Brady was thrown under the truck and re.
ceived very severe bruises and was badly
shaken up. He was also cut about the head.
Race suffered severe bruises and cuts. 1t
was very narrow escape from instant
death for both
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-09
LAWYERS AT A BANQUET.
The State Bar Association Adjourns
Till Next Year.


Till Next Year.
ATLANTA, GA, Aug; .S.-The Bar associa-
ton held SHINY attended meeting to-day
and adjourned to meet next year at place
to be determined by the executive commit
tee. The following officers were elected for
the ensuing year: President, Marshall J.
Clarke; first vice president, J. C. c.
Black; second vice president, A. 5.
Clay: third vice president, C. C. Kibbee;
fourth ice-presldent, A. T. McIutyre, Jr !;
secretary, j. ". Akin treasurer, Samuel
Barnett; executive committee, p w. Mel
drim, chairman: A. S. Erwin, Washington
Dessau and W. II. Fleming, secretary and
treasurer ex officio. Justice Lamar was
present at the session. Tonight banquet
was held at the Kimball house, and speeches
were made. Emmett Wormack, Thomas
E. Watson, r. w. Paterson and Judge
Blakely presided, and about eighty lawyers
were present
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-09
Hewitt In Their Wool

New YORK, Aug. S.-Indictments were
filed to-day against Henry p. Porter, man.
aging editor OF the Press, and Herbert l..
Britzeman Of the same paper for statements
In that paper charging Mayor Hewitt with
i'll treating, i'll paying and systematically
taking the earnings of the workmen Of the
firm Of Cooper & Hewitt at Ringwood,
+