Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1889-11-08
WHOLE NUMBER 1881.
EARLY-DAY "REMINISCENCES,
Poker Williams.

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"Poker Williams" was a we'll known
sporting man who fourished about
Olympia during the period of my resi-
dence in that town, and will doubtless
be remembered by the older residents.
He derived his cognomen from his
fondness for the festive game OF poker.
He was gentlemanly in appearance
and ordinarily of quiet department,
but was gived to occasional sprees, at
which times he was a terror and a
dangerous man to deal with. 1 was
no associate of his, but met him often,
as was the custom in those free-and- |
easy times, and in that way became
fairly we'll acquainted with him, and
learned from his lips the cause of his
unusual excitement when under the
influence OF liquor. He was native
of the south, and at one time was trav-
cling around, presumably on sport
ing trip, and was drugged and robbed.
He had severe sickness and came
very near deaths door, and after that
when he INDUCED in the use of liquor
he said he thought it made him crazy,
as he did not know what he was doing
Late one afternoon, l dropped into
Miles saloon, and as the door closed
behind me, noticed the bar-room was
filled with excited men. I glanced
around the room to learn the cause of
so much excitement and very soon
discovered the cause. Leaning against
the bar stood "Poker Williams"
wildly flourishing vicious bowie knife,
and swearing to kill the first person
who approached him. He was in one
of his most dangerous moods, and
those present kept at respectful dis
tance, utterly at loss as to what they
should do. Realizing that something
must be done, and that quickly, or
there would be murder, as he was
growing more excited every moment,
I watched my chance as he turned his
head aside to speak to some one, and
stepping up to him quickly, tapped
him ON the shoulder with the remark
" Hello Williams, what's up?" He
turned upon me quickly with savage
gleam in his eyes, recognized me at
once, and replied Hello yourself,
Boston; how are you I'm all right"
"Well, Williams, 1 am glad to hear
it. 1 thought you were in trouble,
and came in to help you out" No
amt" he said, "but I'm going to
clean out the whole crowd" II
would not do that" replied, these
people are your friends, and mean
you no harm. By the way" added,
that is fine knife you have in your
hand, let me look at it a moment"
He handed it to me without hesita-
ton, and while I was admiring its
beauty, and noting its. value, motioned
to some one to step upon the other
side and engage his attention. then
turned to the bar-keeper (Jimmy Pray
who was as badly demoralized as the
rest, and requested him to put the
knife out of sight, adding in low
tone Of voice, Jimmy, when call for
the drinks, give him (Williams)a a mixed
one" Turning about l again engaged
Williams in conversation, to keep his
mind off from his knife, and quietly
remarked, "Seems to me, its pretty
dry work standing here; let's have q
little something to keep our spirits
up" The drinks were set up, and we
all took smile; Williams taking his
dose, as I had suggested to the bar.
keeper. We then fell into general
conversation, as peace was restored
and the company gathered abou,
talking pleasantly. In few minutes
the effects of the dose, he had taken
began to tell. His knees tremblcd
and it was hard work to retain hi.
balance, he gave lurch forward, ant
down he went all i'll a heap, as helples.
as q child. Now we had him, ant
the next thing to do was to get him
to bed. With the assistance of will
ling hands, we raised him to his feet
and supporting him as best we could
we started for the hotel where he hat
room. He went along all right un
; til we had ascended four or five step
on the stairs, when he grasped tn
} hanisters, and swore he would 90 n,
further. We tugged and pulled i,
vain, he was as strong as an OK, ant
our utmost efforts were of no avail t,
, start him. What to do / did no
know, as it would not be safe to leav,
, him in that situation, in his helpless
condition. Then planted mysel
firmly against his body, and with
long pull, and strong pull, and
pull all together, We started him, ant
hustled him up the stairs, and lande'
him safely in his room, dumped hin
i, on his little bed, and prepared to leav
!. him to sleep off his debauch. But w
were not to get off so easily, he turne,
. and twisted and squirmed about, an,
soon landed in the middle of the floor
1 After repeating the same tactics /,
half dozen times, l became disguised
and placed pillow under his head
leaving him floundering about tn,
| floor in fruitless efforts to regain hi
( feet. He slept off il debauch, ant
came out of it as biisl,t as dollar
Af,eH this when he got on his tant
i runs, they used to send for me. HI
: had learned to respect me, he knew
did not fear him, and when l woul,
walk up to him and say, "Come, vii
liams, you must go with me-" h
s would reply, "All right, Boston," ant