The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1894-07-14
FOUR coNsuMPr,ve GAMBLERS
Each Try to Live Longest SO as to Win .
Pool of -Four Thousand Dollars.

lrOOH HCONSOMHVIvE GAMbIeHS
Each Try to Live S.Ongest so as to Win
Pool OF -Four Thousand Dollars.
In the year 1881 there were few men
better know in the sporting world than
Rilly Emerson. jack Sheridan, Johnny
Pratt and Winnipeg. No one ever
seemed to know just what Winnipcg's
first name was, but, like the other
three, he was Il man whose nerve, when
it cninc to making heavy wager on
card or horse, was never questioned.
Among racing people in the east and
west these four men were known and
respected. for. in addition to being
heavy gamblers. they were men who
had never been in any way identified
with any scheme or deal that was not,
to use II racetrack expression. ION the
level" 1t was during the year 1886
that they were nt the top notch of
prosperity. Although different in many
ways, there was one common ailment
among them. and it was probably this
that made them such fast friends. All
four were consuinptives, and, although
at that time the disease had barely
more than shown itself, they got worse
and worse as the years rolled by, until
one by one they died. Although they
must have known what was the trouble
with them, it was utterly impossible
to get anyone, of them to acknowledge
that he had consumption.
Every once in a while nowadays, when
bookmakers get together over a cold
bottle and begin telling stories. the
story of the ''four cons,' as they were
called. comes up. One evening book
maker was telling the story.
IA peculiar thing about those men,"
he said, twas that although none Of
them would ever acknowledge that he
was on the brink of the grave, they
would take great pleasure in guying
one another about their ill-health.
Emerson. pale and emaciated and emit
ting hollow coughs, would walk up to
Pratt, who was in similar condition,
and say: Look here, old boy! you are
a sick man. Go away somewhere and
recuperate. You need rest Then
Pratt would brace up and reply, indig-
nantly: ''You go to Halifax! What do
you mean by telling me I'm sicll?' and
then he would stride away, mad clear
through.
"This sort of thing went on for some
time, until one day Emerson remarked
to the others that he was going to have
his life insured. 'WfNtv they gasped
together, you don't think any company
would take chance on you, do your
Emerson ignored the insinuation, and
the next day had an examination for
life insurance. OF course he didn't pass.
When he glooinily told the others about
it they gave him the grand laugh.
Then each one in turn quietly informed
Emerson that he himself was going to
be insured. They all tried and all were
rejected.
"One day they met at the race-track,
and Emerson remarked: Say, boys, we
couldn't get insured; but I've got a
better game than that. Let's put up a
thousand apiece, and the one who lives
the longest takes the pot
"'Why. you poor fool! remarked
Winnipeg, who was at that time the
worst case of all, 'it's dead certain
will for me-
%. you don't say so,' put in Pratt.
'Why. one of your lungs is missing now,
and don't think you'll live month.
''After an hour of this sort of chat.
fing the four men agreed to put up the
money. 1t was given to Billy Elliot. a
bookmalSer, and he deposited it in a
New York bank. 1t was deposited il
such a way that any one of dozen
boollmakers could draw it out at any
time. This was done SO as to be sure
that the last man would be able to get
tho money without any trouble. Al
this time poor Winnepeg was an awful
sight, and people thought he would die
at any minute. Yet he would come tc
the track every day, and whenever he'd
run across one of the other three he'G
guy him about the money they had put
up. you fellows will be dead an6
gone before they put me in bed,' he'G
say. Those who knew him used tc
smile pityingly on him whenever he
made this boast.
"Two months after the money haC
been deposited Emerson's physician
told him that he must go away or he'i
die in a week. So Billy took his money
and went to Texas, where he bought {
ranch, and tried to settle down. In 81,
months he was dead. Early in 1ss'
Sheridan died, and this left only Pratt
and Winnipeg, who was verify a living
corpse, to contest for the money. Pratt
| got worse and worse, and his condition
was soon as bad as his friends. These
two used to totter around the betting
ring, and when they were not betting
would tell each other how bad they
looked. Jack and Billy have gone,
said Winnipeg one day, and you're next
Johnny. That coins mine You'll b,
dead q week and Ill collect that foul
Thousand Pratt replied, and botl
laughed.
"The next week Pratt lost his every
dollar in an attempt to make enough tt
leave his wife independent when hi
died. The week after he was too veal
to get up. One morning after being
confined to his bed for couple of day,
he died, leaving his wife penniless
The very day he died the money wa.
drawn from the bank by Elliot ant
given to Winnipeg. Il knew I'd wiz
it," said the latter. II knew I'd out
live them, and now can't die too sooI
to suit myself. My living for the pas
Six months has been mere matter O.
pride anyway"
winnipeg had lost all his money il
tho same deal as Pratt, but he had NJ
need of the four Thousand dollars, fo
three days later he died. just befor,
he brpa thel his last ba 1ra,v thu for,