Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-01-18
DISAPPOINTED GAMBLERS.
They Fan to Secure the Late Editor Rice's
Poker Chips and Roulette Wheel

New YORK. January 1.-THE sale of the
effects of the late Allen Thorndike Rice,
editor of the North American RcuielC, was
concluded yesterday.
About $50 lots were on the catalogue for
the day. They brought Sl0,5S2.S6, and
this made the receipts for the three days
SIS, 1887. 1t gratified the executor of the
estate that this should be realized, and w.
B. Norman, who conducted the sale, said
that the auction had been better than any
other similar sale in recent years.
While many Of Mr.. Rice's belongings
were valuable only IN a sentimental sense,
the best judges present during the three
days estimated that the actual value OF his
possessions was not less than $50, ,0OO. Some
put it as high as 100000 II is certain
that many who bought obtained good bar
gains Prices yesterday were higher than
on either of the other days, and larger
crowd was present than on the day prcvi-
Gus.
Conspicuous among the early comers was
stout man with black mustache. He
came to the front as soon as the camp
stools were put in place, and, selecting one
near the front row he sat down and waited
for the days business TO begin. All after
noon the mysterious man held his catalogue
in his hand without looking TO see what
the entries were, without making note Of
the price which any article sold for, bu'
when the auctioneer reached the entries
beginning with the number 500, he straight
ened himself up in his seat
and began to show that
the time was arriving when he
would take some part in the proceedings.
The first three lots after the eight hun
dredth were sold, and then the mysterious
man leaned forward and seemed anxious
10 be the first one 10 catch the auctioneer's
eye after he should announce the next lot
for sale. This was entered in the cata-
logue in this fashion: "sW-box of mother
of-pearl chips, in case, made by Tiffany &
CO.. The next entry but one read as fol-
lows: "S06-roulette wheel and cloth" At
once il became apparent TO those who had
been watching the mysterious individual
that he proposed bidding on the now IA
nous mother-of-pearl chips and the roulette
wheel.
The auctioneer paused, and then briefly
and In a matter Of-fact way. stated that
lots SO4 and SOC would not be sold. \ look
of disgust overcame the face of the mystic
rious man and another man near by was as
deeply provoked as the mysterious
stranger. He said that he, too. wished to
bid upon the chips and the roulette wheel,
and he declared that il was downright
outrage that notice had not been given that
these lots had been withdrawn from the
sale Then the mysterious man got up and
walked out. Some young clubmen said
they recognized him as the keeper Of one OF
the greatest gambling houses in town.
They thought he wanted to buy the outfit
for mascot
All sorts of stories were told as TO how
Mr.. Rice had become owner of the beauti |
full poker chips. One story was that GER
tain gentleman, who is still living. had |
given them to Mr.. Rice, and that Mr.. Rice |
soon after had invited him TO sit down 10 a /
friendly game of poker. The gentleman /
and Mr. Rice won sum
which at that time was reported in
the papers as being not less than
slOO. 600 II was said by those who
ought to know pretty well that the amount
was only little less than 100000, and that
the game was one of the greatest ever
PLAYED in the United States. After the
little excitement over the withdrawal of
the poker chips and the roulette wheel
here was not much more interest in the
sale except when by curious iuXtaposi-
lion inc auctioning of four pie dishes came
after the Offering of maeniii-
,ent antique Italian jewel case, inlaid with
VOrV