Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-06-04
WHEELING W. vA THURSDAY MORNING, JUNE f. 1891

had seen HVe-pOunu counter rcsIllS
on piece of paper directly in front OF
the plaintiff. When the latter's tabeau
won, Sir William had his hands in front
of him and held another tive-pound
counter in the palm of one hand. The
plaintiff looked at SomerSet's hand, and
seeing that the latter held Il 'natural"
and court card, at once dropped
the 5-pound counter which he had held
in his hand and was paid on all.
This statement caused most pro-
found sensation.
Continuing Sir Charles Russell said:
''The process which had been drawn up in
regard to the bacccarat scandal said that
the plaintiff should be watched. Beyond
the marked table, however, there was no
concert of action of any kind, but all who
knew the story of the previous days play
and Sir William Gordon Cummings cleo
ton, saw the latter repeat the actions com
planned of
Renewed interest was shown upon the
part of the always most attentive audience
gathered in the Court of Queens Bench
when Mr.. Arthur Stanley Wilson, son OF
the millionaire owner of Tranby Croft, and
the leading stockholder of the well known
Wilson line of steamers, entered the wit
ness box as the first witness for the ue-
Tense Mr.. Wilson testified to the fact that
on the first night OF the baccarat playing at
Tranby Croft, September 5, he saw red
counter representing 20 on piece OF paper
in front of Sir William Gordon.C Cumming
The latter's table won. Sir William had his
hands in front of him, and he also had
another 50 counter in the palm of his right
hand. The BarOnet, according to this wit
ness, then looked at Sir Edward Somer-
sets hand, and seeing he held natural
and court card, he (Sir William) ut once
dropped the - counter froms his right
hand, and was thus paid on both of the
counters he had thus placed on the table.
This evidence given by Mr.. Wilson with
out any hesitation, and in manner which
seemed to impress the jury, and which de-
cidedly impressed the audi ance caused
great sensation in the court room.
Continuing Mr.. Wilson said that he saw
the same thing done by Sir William the
same evening and that he had told Mr..
Ldvett that the Baronet was cheating at
cards
Mr.. Levett said that it was impossible"
that he. the witness, must be mistaken.
Mr.. Wilson added that he then told Mr..
Levett to watch Sir William said MIR.
Levett followed his advice, and he also saw
the Baronet che.t in the manner already
described Mr.. Levett. upon being con-
Mr.. Wilson said was true. exclaimed
this is too hot" Mr.. Wilson said that
he saw Sir William cheat again. Cum
ming had IS counter on the table,
and directly he discovered that the card
turned up was favorable to him, he pushed
80 counter forward with a pencil
which he held ir his hand and was paid
20. The witness then related the subse-
ouent conversation which he had with Mr..
Levett in the latt 2r's BEDROOM saying that
when he told the latter of what he had seen,
Mr.. Levett eXclaim /, My God, to think
of Lieutenant Colonel Sir William Gordon
Cumming being caught cheating at cards"
Continuing, the witness said: ~ asked
what on earth are we to dO'' To this Mr..
Levett replied, For goodness sake don't
ask me. He is in my own regiment, and
was my own captain. What am | to do.'
Later on Mr. Wilson said: 81 then told my
mother of what ! had done, and mother
said. For goodness sake don't have a
scandal here | then told her that would
have a proper table prepared for baccarat
plaving so that repetition OF the conduct
we had observed would be rendered impos
sible. Referring to question on the sub
iect. Young Mr.. Wilson said there was alb
solutelv no agreement to watch Sir Will
liam play on the second night Sept. 81
The table used on that occasion, was Il
long pantry table, covered with green
baize. as upon the previous night. The
Prince Of Wales occupied the position of
banker, and Gen. Williams acted as crou
pier.
AGAIN had paper and some of his counters
ON the table. He had other counters in the
breast pocket OF his dress coat The plain
tiff. added the witness, had long, thick
carpenters pencil in his hand. On this
pencil the words ''Tranby Croftt were
stamped Sir William staked - counter,
and the Prince of Wales gave cards to
Lady Coventry, who took seven, which
was considered good card from the
pack The plaintiff, according to the
witness looked over Lady Coventry's hand
and the witness then saw Sir Williams
hand 90 out and gradually advance towards
the white line marked on the baccarat
table. Continuing, Mr.. Wilson said, amid
such breathlesS silence upon the parto
every body else in the Court room, that lit
erallv the dropping of pin would have
been heard, that it then came round to the
Prince of Wales turn to take card and he
took one and said Il am baccarat," the
the card being bad. Immediately upon
hearing this, said the witness slowly, Sir
William pushed just over the
line elO counter. 1t was
four inches away from the original 90
counter. The plaintiffs tableau won and
the Prince of Wales paid him flyer, over
looking the other counter which the plalnth
had pushed over the line. Thereupon Sir
William exclaimed Beg pardon, sir, there
is another tenner here which you have Tor
gotten The Prince of Wales said, Il
wish YOU would put your stakes forward
more ccnspicuousy," and paid the addi-
tional ten. Later in the game the
witness said Sir William fiicked an
other counter over the line with
his pencil. When the disclosures were
made the Prince of Wales questioned SIR
William, Mr. Berkeley Levett and Mr.;
Lvcett Green in regard to what they had
seen of wrong nature during the playing,
and Mr.. Green asked TO be confronted
with the plaintiff
Replying to further questions, Mr. Will
son said that from the tune he had signed
the paper until the action for damages
brought against the defendants was com
menced he had never said word
to anybody in connection with the
affair. On cross-emamination, the
witness said he had no occupation,
and that he had been at Cambridge Uni
versitv fora wear, but he added, my father
thought it was only waste of time IN my
staving there Roars Of laughter at Mr..
Wilson'S expense followed this admission.
In answer to further questions, Wr Will
said that baccarat was played at Tranby
Croft in 1889. bur father objected to it, and
il was not played here again until upon
the occasion of the Prince of Wales visit
4 h.,,.