Telegram-herald., 1890-04-01
AN OLD RIVER GAMBLER.
Incidents IN the Life OF Daddy .
Reagan, the Sport
Fortane Uoa at Cards and Lost In Spec
slstion-He Fought fer Gtri Who
Became his Wtfe-Her
Sad End

The members Of the sporting fratern-
fly in ST Louis have already raised
large sum OF money towards monn-
ment 10 Daddy" Reagan. When hs
died in hospital recently the career Of
one OF the most famous American gam
blers came to an end.
Sam ID. Reagan was born in Russell
Vile, KY, sixty-two years ago His
father was . Clergyman and was prom
inent in his section. Sam was the oldest
son and was well educated for o boy of
those days In that somewhat unsettled
region. His father WAS man Of some
wealth, and among his possessions were
several thoroughbred kentucky horses.
In these animals Sam found his greatest
delight, and as a boy he soon became a
clever horsoman and noted throughout
the vicinity as a daring rider and an ex-
pert judge OF horsetlesh.
1t was but natural that his taste
should turn towards tho turf, and before
he was out of his teens be had adopted
the life of professional turfnan.
Shrcwd at bargain, no is said to have
made several thousand dollars with the
few horses he owned before he had at
tanned his majority. But bad luck came
to him soon after and he was soon seen
at the gaming-tables. When twenty-five
years old he linked bis fate as gam
bier with an old professional named
Morton. He and Morton ran up and
down on the Mississippi river steamers,
occasionally getting over on the Red
river boats, and many adventures bcfell
dad" during all those years Back in
1882 Dad" came to st. Joseph, then
the gateway to the Far West.
The first story told of Dad" Is of
game of poker he had with o man
named Edgeton, "6y" gambler, on the
steamer La Belle Creole while on a run
to New Orleans. dad" was square
sport" Ho never stopped to trickery,
while the man Edgeton was directly the
opposite in his methods Of play. There
was big Jackpot, and every one but
Edgeton and dad" had dropped out.
The amount Of money in the pot is not
stated, but it was sufficient to excite
both men. dad" had full hand, and
kept raising each raise made by his OPP
ponent, who sat opposite to him. There
was call, and dad" lay down his
hand, while Edgeton dropped four aces
on the table. and started to rake in the
pot. AS he did so, fifth acc was ex-
posed in his left hand. Quick as a
fash Dad" whipped revolver from his
pocket and, firing, knocked tho illcgit-
imato piece of pasteboard from tho
gamblers hand. Then discharging his
Colts revolver twice in rapid success
ion, he pierced both of Edgeton's ears
with bullet The wounded man drcw
an old-fashioned pistol and fired, the
ball grazing Dads" brow and injuring
him seriously. he reached over the t.
BILE, and taking the money and chips,
put the winnings into his pocket and
then fell to the floor Of the cabin un-
conscious.
In 1853, on the Crescent City, plant
er named Ross, living near Knoxville,
Tenn, was on his way up the river from
New Orleans, where he had been selling
some OF his products. He had with him
between $3.50 and so. 900 in cash, and
got into game with Dad" Ross had
been drinking heavily and was in no
condition 20 play tho cards lie was
reckless and ready TO bet his pile on a
pair OF deuces. But such men were con
sidercd the legitimate prey Of tho river
gamblers. and Dad was not reluctant
in pulling IL the shekols OF the inc
briated planter. In an hours time Dad"
had every cent Of the $1,000, and then
Ross realized what be had donc. There
was no getting the money back. On tho
steamers money won at poker was as
square IS money made BY tho legal sale
of property. Ross arose from the ia
bic. his eyes bloodshot and his face hag-
gard.
well, old man." said he. you have
now every cont have in tho world.
and have a wife, a mother and several
children. That money was TO pay of
the debt on ny plantation. but it isgone
and they must starve. But you won Is
square and I'm not kicking. Say good
bye 70 them for me- and "a he said
these last words be put his hand around
70 his back pocket.
"Dad" and others, -ivininF bis inten-
tion. sprang forward. bat TOO late A
bullet had crashed through his skull
and be sank down on the floor dead.
Dad" bad his body taken 70 an under
takers a. Memphis and accompanied tho
corpse % the plantation. lie attended
tho funeral. and Bill HardiRF-an Old
friend of Dads" says. gave the widow
every cent he had won from Ross. Then
he vent back 70 Memphis. caught the
next boat and continued gaming
II must have been about fhis time
isss--hat Reagan net the girl that hs
Afterwards made bis riie. Like ali ne
other incidents % his life. it vas ~
mantle meeting. cogrtship. marriage and
parting According . B'B Harding
and Bill Is tie only sport left who
knows ths story n Da3 s. life. he ret
IN girl ID this vsv. II vss IN houss
in New Orsesrs thst thev frst saw esoa
Other. she ~as French Eirl-possi ?
Creole-snd Vas yourz ard pretty
The night they net vas heT f-st night
away from home. S1s coad nct have
been r1o~e than tre1tv years - sFa. ard
BiII. vhs knew her. says he never sav
q rrc-e modest. tir-i5 Ct beautiful rorssn
fn his LIE.
ra1 re3e a. i-1rroper re-zrz q
Ser ard tbe zsr, c-ied cut T. hsT ssa-us
snd -orsi rsation. Dad scTa1v for-
vsr3. sr8 knocking dow the usn vho
bad bis srr5s sooue ~. ssood - prosecs
Ter trsa fsrtAss tnsz1s- I5s Esa