The morning call., 1892-09-18

was so nervous that the dice fell from his
fumblng hand and rolled ON the floor. The
dealer would cynically smile at his nervous
antagonist and toss over another dice. IBIS
young player soon left, curSing his ill-luck.
Ii the banker had had an idea that he
was entertaini ng Mr. jock" Nolan, some
times known as ''The Kid, he would have
had different opinion of his youthful vs-
ter. jock Nolan is known in certain
circles as one Of the most expert makers OF
crooked dice that ever lived.
1t Is well known among gamblers that
dlce run In regular numbered sizes For its
protection each game will have special
die. This is secured by getting a size be-
tween regular numbers. To Skin a game"
1t IS necessary to get good die, and then
make the loaded ones on the same pattern
Then there are certain private marks to be
copied. The maker of crooked dice ALWAYS
has stock of blank cubes that he can
fashion after those used by the Intended vic
tim. Nolan'S preliminary visit to the crap
games WAS merely to secure the legitimate
dice they used.
Last Sunday night, about II O'Clock, three
well-dreSSed men entered - st. Charles
street. One was Jock" Nolan, who had
finished his preliminary task; the other two
were "Dag0 John" and BILLY" Davis.
'Dago John" IS Cincinnati creation, who
won fame and fortune by eleyating craps"
TO geltleman's game and introducing il in
this city. Billy Davis is about 30 years old,
stoutly built. and wears a heavy red
mustache. He is not known in this city.
but In Chicago ranks well up in certain
circles The trio recently visited the Pacific
Coast and prospered. From San Francisco
they went direct TO New Orleans probably
thinking TO find fruitful field during the
fights.
At 80 ST Charles street the trio talked
about New York, and gave it out that they
were sports from that city. "Dago john
had his big $4,000 diamond exposed on his
shirt front. All three flashed big rolls OF
500 bills. They began to play. ''Dago
John" in the middle, and a companion at
each end of the table. Their bets were not
large, but they continued to lose until they
were a few hundred dollars in the box
Suddenly their luck changed, and they be-
gan TO increase their bets, as il losses had
made them desperate. They played only
the six and eight. Theoretically it is as
easy to throw six or eight as seven, for in
each case there are the same number OF
combinations.
Only those who have tried it know the
difference. 1t is not difficult to surmise that
Mr.. Nolan had loaded the dice for six and
eight and to "Dago john was intrusted the
task OF palming the true dice and ringing in
the loaded ones. The trio kept winning
and caShiBg chips until in less than an hour
they pulled out with $1,000 of velvet The
crooked dice were palmed and the good
cubes thrown back in the game. So per-
feeily had Nolan done his work that.
although the crooked cubes were frequently
examined by tile banker" he failed to de-
tect the deception.
The trio went Immediately TO IL Royal
street, another crap game. There they lost
$500 before they had chance TO put in the
crooked dice. Then each began to bet $500
a throw on the six and eight. Each win
ming meant 5000 to the c0nspirators. 1t did
not take them long to win back the $4,000
and take out $4,000 Of the banks" money
This made a total winning in less than two
hours of $4,000. The three went to hotel
and split up the money. The first train
bore them out of New Orleans on their way
to Chicago. Before the bankers" began to
suspect the trick the three New York
sports were out OF reach. There was big
"squeal," but il was useless.