The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-08-14
a FAMOUS eAMnLRn DEAD.

son NJ. Waddill, famous throughout the
south as a high.e|ass gambler, book
maker and general sporting man, died
at 1868 o'clock Friday afternoon at his
handsome residence, 600 West Chestnut
street. His death was the result of a
surgical operation to remove tumor
In the abdomen,
Almost sixty years have passed since
Anderson Waddill first saw the light oil
day on his fathers plantation, near
Tuscumbia, Ala, II was on Oct -,
| 1883, that he was born, and from that
moment until he was twenty years OF
age he knew nuthines but luxurious
neyer.a,care existence. His father, ].
| A. Waddiii, was considered one OF the
wealthiest cotton planters in that part
of Alabama. He was devout Meth0-
dist aud good conscientious man. lie
had married Miss Booth, the daughter
of planter equally as prominent, and
OF this pair Anderson NJ, WaddilI was
born. lie was the only child-the
apple Of his parents eye; the one and
only hope OF their lives. AS child he
was allowed to indulge in every pleas
ure. A private tutor was engaged for
him, and his early training was OF the
very best, AS he grew to manhood he
Ionged for excitement, and to see the
world us he had read OF 1t. Riding his
fathers finest horses around his planta-
ton had become plain amusement.
At the age OF twenty he had received
all the advantages that education and
social position could give. Hehad been
to one Of the beat colleges In the south
for four years, and the wild companions
no met these had given him taste for
reckless life, About this time histatheE
| died, leaving him fortune. He secured
large amount OF ready cash aud pro-
Ceeded to New Orleans. He was fond OF
| gambling even then, and soon became a
noted player. one night he formed the
acquaintance OF "Old Man" Bryant,
widely known character Of the Crescent
CITY, and famous as the most successful
gambler OF the South. Young Waddill
would watch him play and began to ad.
mire himgreatly. Bryant finally noticed
the boy, perceived his daring and nerve
as player, and the matter ended by tue
two forming warm and lasting iriend-
ship. They started q gambling house
on an elaborate scale in the heart OF the
sporting district, and for time accu'
INFLATED money with remarkable rapid
ity Then their luck changed. The
''house" lost with marked persistenCy,
and in six months young Waddill lett
his partner and proceeded TO Nashville.
Many Of the old-ttfne sporting men still
remember the magnificent scale on which
tho house OF Bryant & Waddill was con-
| Quoted.
People who were well acquainted
with Mr.. Waddill state that he was
worth from $4,000 to $4,000 when he
arrived in this city at the beginning OF
tho civil war. Immediately upon his
arrival he associated himself with Fred
Sloan, John Blakely and John r. Rid
dleberger. The Gait House was then
located at Second and Main, lhnd the
firm" started faro bank on the oppo.
site side OF the street. They were very
successful. Soldiers from both armies
aIternoted in making Louisville their
headquarters, and "Wadditt'sGaro bank"
was favorite resort for tho officers and
tho swell contingent OF civil life. The
place was also the headquarters for all
the sporting men who visited Louis.
Vile In those times, and IL also received
good patronage from bankers, bust.
ness men and others who had fond
ness for tho gaming table.
For several years the partnership
was kept up, and then MIR. Waddill
joined Maj" Jake Castle, the two
opening up faro bank on an elabo.
rate scale at 1902 Fifth street. No. "l02"
was famous all through the south, rs
both men were widely known. Both
were renowned for thoir fair dealing
and squareness in any and all transac.
tions, aud it is not remarkable that
they did q thriving business.
Soon after this Waddill then began
to reach out and start gambllng-houses
In other parts Of the city, One of the
next places he opened was at No, 90
Third street. 1t was there, it Is said,
that the largest amount OF money ever
won or lost in Louisville, changed
hands ut q gambling table. Mr.. Wad-
dill was then at the heighth OF his
success. Haverly's minstrells were
playing In the city at the time-about
fifteen years ago-and ono Saturday
night, after the show was over, Jack
Haverty, with party OF friends, pro.
ceeded to go Third street" The house
was crowded, and Haverly's party.
after watching tho games for some
time, decided to play. Jack Haverly
walked over to where Waddill was
sitting watching tue games, with ap-
parently sleepy eyes, and he said
"Mr. WRddill, I'd like to play with
you for while tonight Are my
checks good2"
"Ycs, sir. Have seat hero. Your
checks are good for any amount" re-
piled the gambler.
The game was started, Haverly giving
check for 81, 900 worth Of chips Until
past midnight Haverly won, having SOW
eral thousand dollars worth OF Waddill'a
chips stacked around him at one timc.
Then his luck changed. He began to
lose and to bet heavily in the hope that
no would win back what he had lost.
| BY daylight Waddtlt held $4,000 worth
OF Mr., Haverly's checks.
But the game did not stop there.
Haverly played high stakes, sometimes
betting $1,000 on tho turu OF q single
card. Luck changed again and toward
the close OF the day tho minstrel had
won back nearly all the lost money,
Early in tho action the crowds had de.
serted tho other games and all with
bated breath watched tho cards as they
slid from tho smooth tin box.
This play was continued, with briof
interruptions for eating and sleeping,
for three days and nights, and when
Jack Haverly threw up his hands and
said he had finished, at tho close OF the
third day, Waddill had $4,000 worth OF