The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-06-11
II WASASTIFF POKER GAME.
now TIE TOWN SITE OF PEMDySA ". as
STiKED AT ONE HIND

a | Seveuty.six Hundred Dollars Stood Against
4 ~, the Cards Were Dent Face Un, mad
thc Players Both Were Mighty Merry.
r A Judge Of a Dakota court and an old news
, paper man from Chicago met in the Hoffman
, House last wcdnesday. Both mon simuita-
neously spoke OF the biggest game OF roE or
, that was ever played in Dakota The nowspa-
, per man told the story:
, Back in the flfties. when tho northern por-
ton OF the Territory of Dakota was hardly
, moro than q bleak waste OF uncultivated
ground the town OF Pembina was founded by
Enos Stutsman. Stutsman was u man rs re-
markable for his eccentricites as he was FOR,
his physical dcformty. Hc emiGrai ed to Da-.
kota from tho huckleoerry districts OF Con-
necticut and located In tho upper Red River
Valley. while he fled and proved upon 32D
acres Of land. which was tho ground on which
Pembna now stands
Stutsnsn had tho head and body OF n giant,
but his legs were hardly moro than foot long.
and he was unable to travel without
the aid OF two short aud powerful
crutches. He WAS shrewd. calculating
fellow. and soon became IL recognized
leader among tho handful OF emigrants
who had taken up their place in his ncgGU Dor
hood AS n political diplomat he never had en-
equal In the Territory For four consecutive
sessions he was Chairman OF tho Council in tho
upper branch OF the Territory Legislature. and
|
battles in the carly days 10 tho Territory. when
tho old story and a. half shany in Yankton
| that did humble duty as n capitol building
| rang as often with the report of n revolver a.
with the voice OF law max Or. to-day testify to
the ability Of Stutsman as u parliamentar!an.
Stutsman died in 1880. He was buried in the
| lonely cemetery on tho hillside half mile
north OF Pembina- The only monument to his
| memory Is the county OF Stutsnrau.
| mn af ha oat IN ,opa a
| poker players In the Territory. He numbered
among his close friends pioneer named
Judd La Moure. who owned q line OF stage
| coaches running between Grand Forks and
Pembina. The advent Of the railroads killed
| Judd's coach line lnallyA and he settled down
into q profitable grocery business in Pembina.
| These two men played tho stiffest game OF
| poker that was ever played in the Territory.
1t was in 1852. The'Eanle was played in tho
old Levee Hotel In Yankton. and it lasted from
10 O'Clock Friday evening until o'clock Sun
| day morning.
The game created public interest. and during
its progress the people OK the town assembled
in the hotel and watched che uw'o men as they
fought like bulldogs over\the piles OF red.
white. and blue checks. The Legislature was
in session at tho time. and ash Stutsman. who
was Chairman Of the Council. refused to leave
the game. that branch OF tho Legislature adj
journed until the following Monday. and the
members watched the game to abe finish.
When the game started Col. Alexander Nc
Kenzie. Sheriff OF Burleieh coun ty. and
Major Edwards. editor OF the Fargo, Argus.
took hand. but after a few hours tussk. with
no change In their fortune. they dropped out
and left the battle to Stutsman and La MuN,re.
Early in the game the formers luck was VOL
derfully good. and he played with reckless
ness that surprised every one. Lator on the tida
turned against him. and the chips began to,e
flow In the direction Of La Moure. who sats'
with his slouched hat pulled down over his
eyes watching every move OF his opponent.
Slowly but surely Stutsman's chips went
overto La Moures side OF the table. and. work
what trick artiiice he would. he could not
turn them back. Matters went this way until
past midnight of SATURDAY. when Stutsman
threw two fifty dollar bills on the pile OF chips
In the centre Of the table and called a hundred.
dollar bet made by La Moure Stutaman held
king full on queens. and he felt sure that the,
Dot was his, but when La Moure threw down
his cards thore were four deuces. and Suits
man. grttinR his teeth. exclaimed
Damn 1t. Judd. tho devil himself could not :;
beat you tonight I'm broke. You've got my !
last dollar"
had to rake rspsd 5ndd az Se sssoSaed
big roll Of Stutsmans money In his pocket =
q VA f. out siehE he struck the ta6is
With III T. III Town Town Of
% s1nS a rs you and VIII Hlay for it in lump
:Rs SSSs q, ps ss i }" s.f s s Judd;
IL sna dqsa ch he hrs fcr
stgtsm an looking Ing. across 70 81 the table.
deed Of land IN the esntF Soof the
The men. shook hands. According to agree
ment the IL b, hand vas to be dealt BY =. VII
the sast table face up When the i've cards had
a.. Is before and when the cards had been dealt
fh to sss,sd
n Turt In Ts !s o tSs
ll S{p that was suspended from the ,ceilnst
the table and Williams Was thTsstsaed %ii
summary treatment II he should 10 any man
If sys
the cards. and, sauaring them, slipped QUO ,
snd doa aa s!%,snaa
caught the queen Of spades.
another dsuss SPOT o q spsdss s sapasd
W W. I1asr stHi t,n nose and bis brow
two deuees, while the Jnek Of spades looked
laid down the cards, and judd claimed tho
ace OF spades. Stutsman's face began TO
Brighten ns en- He saw possibility Of catching a
However, Judd had not bettered his hand aud
held his deuees, drawing thrse cards.
. Stutsman's friends tried to prevail on hinr
TO draw four cards to tho ace. but ho wonldn't
Listen to them and dscardng the heart. has
onookers, were wild when Williams thr4S'
three cards a, .; to judi They fell face up, the
spot Of clubs. lie mad not bettered his hani.
and his opnonent smiled grimly as he saw how
failed to bring him winning hand. for II he
paired any Of the four cards no held he must
beat Judd's deuces. besides there was a r0.-
sibilty Of his filling his iush. Judd had ryi-
IDENTIFY lost hope. and he rested his arms on
t l table and doIGedly watched Williams a.
ne turned to Stutsm an and slipped a card II ON