The morning call., 1891-03-01
. A SUPERSTIHIOUS GAMBLER.
He. Wears Three Different Suits Of Clothes
e.. -. 8. :. Every DaY. -.

Harry Iatimer, alias Handsome Harry"
is one OF the most unique characters in the
whole sporting fraternity of the United
States. He has Travelled the world over and
:whatlle doesn't know about men and things
in general, and a deck of cards in particular,
is not worth knowing. -.
J. About eight years ago HAIRY came 10
the coal regions. from New York. says
t. WilkeSbarre (Pa.) special to the Boston
Globe. lie was then in poor health and his
physicians advised hin 20 try the gases in.
the anthracite coal regions. The climate
agreed with the gambler and he decided to.
remain 10 Wilkes barre. He established
poker rooms in the central portion OF tlis
city. His quarters were elegant " Harry " +.
business was known to the police, but for
some reason or other he was never moiss4ad
Hundreds OF thousands Of d0llsfts were
lost and won in Latimer's establishment.
DTummers from far ia near came to
Wilkesbarre whenever the opportunity
offered in order to have sitting" at "Har-
rvs" The latter was dresser OF dressers.
He would change his clothes three times
day-morning, noon and night One time
he said, 81 don't know how many suits I
have, but the number must he close on to
80" Whenever Harry appeared on the.
street he was the great attraction. His
dress was SC stylish that people could not.
help noticing him. OF late years Latimer
did not devote much time to home. He left:
his rooms in charge of an assistant.
/ In the summer Harry played the races.
Last fall he returned home after the races
poor man. he at once got down 10 bust
ness. Once more his rooms fouriShed. =
But last Sunday night the police were
swayed with sudden spasm of reform.
They raided Harry's place. Twelve poker
tables were found in full blast Fifteen of
the "best citizens in town" were arrested
Harry was taken before the Mayor and
fined 500. The other day Harry was seen
with .gripsack in hand going toward the
depot. He said to reporter: .'I am going
to leave this place. l wouldn't gamble here
for the world again-not if / were; given
rent free and police protection for 100 years.
Idon't know whether you would call it
superstition or not, but l held, and ALWAYS
have. that once a: cop lays his hands on a
card-player there is no luck for that card
| player as long as he remains in the same
town with the policeman. have known so
many men in my business to fail just in this
way. The only remedy is to 90 TO a new
town and start new. am going back to
New York" ~.
s. The reporter said: Harry, how much.
money. Will you carry away from Wilkes
barre ?"
well" he replied, 81 was going to say.
10000, but | guess it isn't quite that
much" -
When Latimer said he was superstitious
he told the truth He was overly so. He
would never ride on railroad train on:
Friday; he would carry au umbrella, but
would never open it, To open it, he said,
was to defy nature. II the gambler
wanted "a good days luck" he would hunt
out some needy person and send him
q barrel of -four or couple of hams. Many
persons he relieved in this way Latimer
also believed that if he saw black cat any:
where it meant good Luck. One morning: he
saw black feline" cross his path in: a
town forty miles from Wilkesbarre He-
took the next train home and made 5000
at his tables that evening. If. it rained
would not handle a card till after the noon
hour. On days of great calamities; he.
would suspend business. After the Johns
town disaster his rooms were closed for
week. II can't have luck" he said, while
humanity suffers" = -. -. - :. =: