Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-13
CANADA BILL"

Story Of the Most Noted Of the "Conf-
dence" Men.
From the Detroit Free Press.
when arrived in Detroit last Saturday
evening"" said s. v. Vail of Elmira, N. Y, II
met Mason Long Of Fort Wayne. Ind, in the
depot, and the sight Of his well-remembered
face recalled many interesting recollections to
my mind. Long has been for a number OF
years one of the best known evangelists in the
country. is thorough Christian and active
leader IN all good movements, but there was a
time when he was as hard citizen as you
could meesin months journey. He was a
gambler and thtee-card monte man and tray
eled for quite a time with the notorious
'Canads Bill, who WAS undoubtedly the
cleverest monte man that ever operated
IN the United States. Sixteen or eight
cen years ago. when Canada Bill
was at his best. l saw considerable
OF him, and despite the fellows roguery
and crookedness there was something
abouthim that couldn't help but admire. He
was large formed man, with a clearly shaver
face, square jaw, deep-set eyes and the ex-
preston of sphinx. His favorte disguise was
the makeup of q cattle drover, and as there
were moro members of that class on the road
In the days referred to than now Canada Bill
bad no difficulty in passing himself off as one
federates or 'cappers' with him. and the money
that he won with his three little cards during
half dozen years. chiefly Oh the Lake Shore
railroad, would buy bank and pay officers
salaries for twenty years. Whenever arrested
Bill would plead guilty when arraigned, and no
matter how large fine might be imposed on
him he would flash up bundle of greenbacks,
count out the amount of the fine thank the
court for doing its duty and bow him.
self into the street. As an example OF his
audacity may cite the instance of his offer
ing the Union Pacific Railroad Company S10,-
600 year for the exclusive right of operating
his game on their road, and, furthermore, he
said he would agree not 10 fleece any one but
ministers of the gospel Needless to say, his
generous offer was not accepted by the rail-
road company. In the spring of 1874 was on
a Lake Shore train between Toledo and Chi
cago. bound west, when Canada Bill suddenly
appeared in the smoking car where l was sit
ting, and, after few desultory remarks, pro-
duced his three cards and began carelessly
throwing them around on the seat facing him.
In few minutes he had a crowd around him.
and, after two Of his 'cappers' had won SIS or
go apiece picking the right cards, rustic
looking fellow with pipe In his mouth, who
had been intentiy watching the game, produced
fat pocket book, from which he took $40 and
bet that amount he could pick the right card
He doubled his money in less time than it
takes to count five and yentured again.
He kept on winning and evidently thought
luck was with him. whereas Bill was merely
stringing him, and in few minutes he had
won six bets. Flushed with success he became
reckless, increased the size of his bets. and in
less than a quarter Of an hour Canada Bill
had drained him Of every cent he had, some
thing over 5000. The greenhorn reeIed out
OF the car completely dazed, went forward to
where his wife was and told her that he had
lost all the money they possessed. The woman
hastened back to the smoking car and with
tears streaming down her cheeks told Canada
small children had sold out every thing they
had down IN Mercer county, Pa, and were on
their way to Kansas to start anew in life. All
tue money they had was the six hundred and
some odd dollars that her husband had Just
lost at three-card monte, and, concluding, the
heart-broken creature exclaimed as she sank
on her knees in the aisle beside Bills seat,
The children and / must starve, mister,
Just because my man was fool Canada
Bills stoical expression never changed par
tlcle, but he put his hand in his pocket drew
forth big wad Of money, counted out Just
the amount the man had lost and handed it to
the forlorn woman by his side, saying: Here's
your money, madam. l never rob women and
children; but want you to keep it to yourself
In the future, as that husband OF yours doesn't
know enough to 60 out without a guardian
Then, giving her 500 more, he continued:
Here's a present for the babies; now run back
to them and stop your crying So, you see,
swindler and scoundrel that he was, the king
Of monte men had some redeeming qualities,
and maybe they will be remembered when his
final account is made up. Canada Bills full
from down Montreal way and has been dead ten
wears r. mOreb