The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1891-12-04
HOT SPRINGS GAMBLERS.
That Locality Making an Unenvita
BILE Record for Itself of Late.

Hot SPRINGS, ARK, Especial. Dur.
ing the recent prosecutions OF Geverat
gamblers, brought on by the Knights OF
Pythias, because some of the members Of
s that order had been robbed, all of the
gambling houses in this city were closed.
But, it seems, that was only for effect.
No sooner did the Citizens Committee
s disband--or rather, become Inactive
5 than the gambling houses sreopened.ssapd,
ettlsse ssf1nc-ofu Stands.
These ropers are organized and have
their particular line of victims. They
are selected and assigned TO work on a
special class of people. They are organ.
lzed into league, which is subdivided
into classes. The fresh young roper, VI no
is of good address and genteel appearance,
is assigned to particularly swell hotel
to work on the young dudes who come
here 10 spend their fathers moucy.
These 'swcl' ropcrs attend the hops
and soon ing,atiatc themselves with tho
visiting swclls. After few social games
OF cuchrc or tcn-Cent autc, II friend is in
vitcd to ''sit in" This "f,iend" proves
to be an experienced gambler, who robs
the victim that the young swell roper has
been nursing for him.
Another feature OF swell gambling life
OF a real estate or mining operator. They
put up at tirst-class hotels and have at
.,,ira womcn With them registered as
tneir wives. Somctimcs they are Iuor-
rled only on the Chicago plan. While
the gamblers are busy looking for victims
among the male guests, their wives arc
getting acquainted with other mems wives
and leaning the financial status of their
husbands. If wealthy, and inclined to
be sociable, iu;roduCtions are bruuuht
about and sociah!c games and wiuc
luncheons follow. Later on the men have
quiet business same, and the gambler
robs his victcm. These gamblers wives
are adopts at cards, and can make q false
cut and vccr II card as skillfuly as their
husbands. They carry a LAYOUT" Of
cards, poker checks, ETC., ''mcrc!v for
pastimc.' They always invite their laLv
and gentlemen friends who call in the
afternoon to play II "social game" and
they always win. A tavorite dodge of
these gamblers wifes is to encourage silly
young men, and even silly cold bows, =
to call upon them. A game of tcn-ccnt
au1e - iHv"f1"bly suggested. They arc
TOO gallant, or rather too much infatuated
to win from lady, or to even object to
being swindled, and SO the gamblers
wife manages to win enough pin money
to pay hotel expenses. A retired show
man spent about two months here this
winter, and accumulated more money
than if he had been playing to crowded
houses during the entire season. He is
considered star poker player.
lhcic Is perhaps more gamblers in Ho:
Springs and greater variety of it, thar
III any other city with tel times its pon
uialion. It's also better field, because
there are more vcrdant visitors here than
any other point. 1t seems that visitor
loses ms cunning as soon as he reaches
;his American Monaco At his home. or
Ia any other city, it would be very diff
ncuit ma; fer to entrap him, if he could
pe caught at all; but as soon as he
reaches 'hls hot-water Gomorrah he falls
an easy prey to the bunco thief or
smooth-tongued poker player.