The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1889-04-28
PLAYED HIS LAST CHIP"
Death Of "BiI'' Briggs, The Gamble

| VI DAAA AAr4r'i AAN
The press dispatches announce the
death of "Bilr' Briggs, a noted
gambler, in San Francisco, with az
much solemnity as if a great bene
factor to the world had departed this
life. Briggs in many respects was a
man superior to his class, and, says the
Telegram, it is doubtful as to whether
there is an old Californian in the city
of Portland who did not know the de.
parted sport either by sight or repu-
tation.
A reporter who knew him by sight
twenty years ago, believed him to be
the handsomest man in the Golden
state. Briggs stood about six feet
three in his stocking feet, well pro-
portioned, and had one of the most
elegantly nodded faces one would
wish to look at. While he was q
gambler In the strictest sense OF the
term, he was also man of inquest
ioned integrity.
In 80 he came to California from
Missouri, then quite a young, un-
sophisticated man. He located in
Sacramento at first, where his hand.
some face and figure attracted the
gamblers, and he became their pro,
tege. Shortly after his arrival he
made bet of 5000 that st. Louis
Mo-, was the largest city in the world
but in few years after he became as
worldly as the rest of his associates.
Briggs subsequently moved to San
Francisco, where he conducted the
most exclusive gambling house in the
city, patronized by the so-called
higher classes, and he made an enor,
nous fortune. The place was fre.
quently raided by the police, and it is
safe to say that the establishment
contributed no less than $4,000 tC
the city revenue in the shape of for.
feited cash bail during its existence.
"Bilr never forgot the friends ol
his earlier days in California, and
many were the broken down old mer
and their families whom he steereC
clear from the aims house breakers
Gambler as he was, he commanded
the respect of a great number of prom
inent men at the Bay by reason of his
honesty and charitable nature. Ii
1873 he became financially EN-.
barrassed, that is to say, he needed
$4,000 cash one day, and he wanted
it badly, too. He had considerable
property, but was unable to convert
it into ready cash at a moments no.
tice; so Briggs went to the
Bank of California, and after g
quarter of an hours interview
with the late W. G. Ralston he
presented the latter's personal check
at the paying teller's counter, and the
gold coin was forthcoming Briggs
merely gave his personal note for the
money, payable in thirty days, and il
is reliably stated that at the ex.
piration of that time he repaid the
loan.
In 1874, Telegram reporter had O
friend in San Francisco who was al
that time paymaster's clerk on the
man-of-war Pensacola. This person
was engaged to marry, but he was al.
most strapped of funds, having only
5000. In a moment of desperation
he visited Briggs faro rooms and Won
$4,000 During the time he played
he drank considerably, aud when
Briggs saw what a condition he was
in he directed his dealers" not to al.
low the young man to play any more
Briggs took the money from him and
had him put to bed. The following
day the $4,000 was returned to him
, with the advice to invest his money
, in some business and not try to
"press his luck" at the gambling
table. That is the sort of man Briggs
was.