The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-07-07
GAMBLING AT SMELLING.
Charges That Games are Run Right
Under the Noses of the
Officers.
Complaint by Col. Mason Leads to
an Investigation by a
Reporter.
6SNpA4sNs Can Obtain all the Beer They
Pay for at the Post Cantcen-The
Poker Tables.

The last place where one would expect to
find a gambling hell running In full blast
and liquor sold contrary to the laws of the
country, would be in Il United States mill
tary reservation; yet, while sensational ser
mons are being preached because q harm
less game of seven-up is played in a st.
Paul saloon, in the government military
post at Fort Smelling gambling of n most
vicious kind is carried on and liquor sold to
civilians, contrary to the rigid laws of tho
war department. A few weeks ago Col.
Mason, commandant at Fort Smelling, sent
to Mayor Smith Il most indignant letter,
complaining that at tho Fort Smelling hotel,
situated across the river from the fort and
within the city limits gambling was carried
on, and that tho soldiers of his command
nightly assembled in the hotel and losttheir
money. AS the hotel is not in the iurisdic-
ton of Col. Mason, he called upon the
mayor for assistance to have the gambling
stopped. Nothing has been heard of the
matter since that time, and last evening a
representative of the Globe investigated the
affair t, find out just what was going on at
the hotel and fort.
Th scene of action was reached at eight
O'Clock, just AZ the sun was sinking in tho
west. Entering the barroom of the hotel,
IL number of soldiers were found drinking.
An invitation to drink was extended to the
boys in blue, and in a few minutes the par
ty of soldiers and visitors were on friendly
terms. But there was NJ sign whatever of
my gambling here. From information
vouchsafed in secret it was, however, learned
that a most serious state of things existed
in the fort itself. On thursday the men of
the regiment received their monthly rny,
and. rs a result, money was plentiful yes
terday with the boys. who will soon leave
for u long tramp to Fort Douglass.
A young corporal sat Mt a table in the bar
room, and stared gloomily out of the win
dow to the fast flowing river beneath. He
was asked why he did not partake of II glass
OF beer.
well. you sec l am not in a position to
ask you to take Il drink with me i'll return"
why, how is thnt?' he was asked.
We'll. / suppose like n good many moro
follows. | have made II fool of myself. You
say you arc a bookmaker's clerk; we'll. you
know how luck runs. Last evening |
played stud poker and lost all my months
pay. Curse the luck. anyway"
The information was drawn from tho
young soldier that stud poker is played
nightly in tho fort for over n week, when
ever pay is drawn, He stated that on the
previous evening stud poker WAS played
W. Nikab tloSk uuli WV HlOTllluS,
and that dozen, OF men lost their money at
the table.
This clue was at once followed up, md by
n little shrewd detective work the Globe Is
enabled To lay bare n most disgtncetul state
OF affairs existing at the fort.
A visit was at tirst paid to the bar of tho
cnnteon, aituated in the renr OF the head
quarters building. The har-room was filed
with soldiers. and thei Q were also three men
IN civilian dress.
Tho laws of the war department strictly
state that liquor shall only DO sold to sol