The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-02-14

Song Was the Only Funeral Ceremony at tho
Gamblers Grave.


Gamblers Grave.
In the summer Of 81 the writer visited
winslow. Ari.. tlEen a grading camp on tho
Atlantic and Pacific Railway. 1t was typical
Western tent town. comprised OF tents and
sheds. the majority being occupied as saloons
and gaming places. The night before his
arrival q notorious character. known es
"Two- Thumbed Tommy" q frontier gambler.
had gone the usual way Of his class-died with
his boots on. 1t seems that Tommy. in COM
pany with some boon companions. was on
gagged in q game Of draw. when Tommy. who
had been heavy winner. accidentally dropped
to the floor couple Of aces he had
been to considerable trouble to gather.
In the confusion following tho discovery
Tommy had been SO carved and shot that his
life went out. his spirit probably journeying to
that bourne where there are neither poker
games pistols. nor knives.
When the writer arrived the body had been
placed in box. the grave dug short dis
lance from the camp. and preparations were
being made to carry the remains to the grave
for interment. Quite q crowd had collected.
composed Of motley group OF railroad
graders. gamblers. and tho mercantile repro
sentatives Of the camp. and it was proposed.
as there was no minister OF the Gospel near at
hand. to plant" him without ceremony
As the selected pail bearers were about to
shoulder tho coffin. big. strapping fellow
stepped into the crowd and inquired II they
were going to bury the man without funeral
honors. Some one replied: YES there's no,
rarson here and we don't know anybody that
will give him tho proper 'send-off."
swell. boys" says our tall friend. ITS hard
to be planted that way. and propose we show
our good will. II nothing more. Is there any
ono In the crowd that can sing?
4 Il IL, q u
crowd Of rough-dressed men that had not for
gotten all their early religious training. First
knowledge OF hymns. FINALLY ' the crowd roSt
bounced upon quiet young fellow. who was
whose appearance, proclaimed he had not long
been out from under the paternal roof. He
o hvmn s TSe t rst VIEW few
Iinss were ch nma in with BY the crowd
m made S' appeae as rGfr tbat
TSmmyhh wS4 w fS sang into the IN
songs Of earIylite seemed to have fled from
ton the words Of the song died away in con-
sn s from ON sDs q
fEtSp u H aa Ss sHd ss song
miner. Who Remarked: Don't Know S as cam
lead the meetin with any hymn tunes. but,
t 6Sys can sInG X ths Days Of 49, and
GIVE us The Days Of 49," roared tho
was struck up:
You see before you OLD Tom Moore,
A rolic OF bygons days.
Abunmer too folks call mo now;
But what care for prAlssi
At the close OF the song the rough nine bor
containing all that was mortal Of Tommy was
Ifted to the shoulders OF six Strapping graders
AND toward the grave. followed by the motley
throng. they betook their way. with barred heads
anu sober MEN. chanting In earnest voices the
chosen requiem:
There was New York Jake. butcher boy
Was always getting tight;
when he got drunk and running around
He was spelling for fight.
=, In the distance. as the procession reached
the grave. one could hear as the bearers set the
There was Buffalo BILL he could outroar.
buffalo. you bsti
He'd roar all day and roar all night;
iguess he's roaring yet.
And as the clods OF earth foil thick and fast
upon the cofhn. this was borne taintly upon
There Was old lame Jess. . hard old case.
Who never did repent;
Got many meal and many drink,
Hut never paid a cent.
But poor Old less ike all the rest,
To death NJ last resigned,
And In his gloom, went up the aums,
In the days OF ~.
And 90 II was that Two Thumbsd Tommy"
vas buried