The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-03-31


actly like opposing it. They announced
their willingness to abide by the result
OF such a contest if it was fairly made,
and after VIM had been instructed to
communicate with the four men he had
mentioned as players, and to make all
necessary arrangements for the game,
the board adjourned.
In due time VIM completed arrange
ments for the contest, and il was to come
OF April 81 The news that the four men.
who were considered the ''stiffest" poker
players in tue territory, were to meet in
a contest for blood" flew over the coun-
try, and the
DAY BEFORE THE GAME
Was to be played, spectator began 10 ar
rive at Steele.
These were the childhood days of the
town, and hotel accommodations were
scarce. Every available bed in the town
was soon engaged, and hay mows were
rented for lodging purposes at eXorbitaut
prices In the outskirts of the town was
large barn in which the game was to be
played. On the 9th it became apparent
to the crowd that Winn hadn't been
asleep while arranging the game. Every
man who wasn't resident of the name
less county was required TO hand over SO
to VIM before entering the barn.
There were some loud protests made,
but Winn calmly announced that the
fight was got up Tor the benefit of the res
idents Of his county especially, and if any
body else wanted to see it he would have
to pay for his fun. The money went up
and the people went in. Two lawyers.
one from Bismarck and one a resident of
Fargo, were appointed referees.
At 10 O'Clock a. m. one of the lawyers
laid pack of cards in the center of the
table around which the players sat, and
they were cut for the deal. i fell to Nc
kenie, who, with Edwards, represented
the tEttie faction.
The players were located in the middle
Of the barn floor. They were surrounded
by a dense crowd anu a number of men
sat on the beams overhead, from which
point they could get good view of the
game. The men played warily and the
game proceeded without any specially
exciting feature until dark. Supper was
brought in to the players, and about that
hour happy thought occurred to the
wide-awake Vim. He arranged with a
saIOon-keeper to put up bar in the cor
ner of the barn. He was to receive a
liberal percentage of the profits. Ligh is
were brought in, and after supper the
game proceeded.
Along toward midnight the bar was
showing its influence. The F'litties and
the Mchenzies were warming up and out
side parties were developing sympathy in
one direction or another. The air was
blue with the smoke of cigars and every
body tried to talk fastest and loudest
Bets were made on the result of the con-
test, and whenever jack pot was started
heavy wagers were laid on the winner.
In this way good many thousand dol
lars changed hands.
THE CLOSE OF THE BATTLE.
About 2 O'Clock it was noticed that
McKenzie's stock of chips was running
low. A little later he became over con
iident of the winning power of a full hand
and dropped out of the game. On the
next deal Stuttsman suffered the same
fate. Edwards had the majority of
chips by several hundred, but what La
Moure lacked in chips he made up in
nerve and skill There were two strong
players, and both sides were confident of
success.
A half dozen hands were played, and
La Moure had managed to lure some of
Edwards chips over to his side of the
table. In point of capital the men were
now about evenly matched. Finally a
jack pot was started by La Moure, and
then strange thing occurred. The cards
were dealt seventy-three times without
either man getting pair of
openers" At last Edwards broke
the run and pushed a stack of
500 chips up against the pot. He
held three kings, and La Moures hand
was zig-Zag. He had neither pair nor
a high card. He contemplated a moment,
and looked over at the pile of chips.
Pm going to risk it, boys" he said.
I'm in there too much to lay down. The
devil may pull me through" He dis
carded his hand. 1t was his deal.
Edwards called for one card. La Moure
slowly dealt himself five cards. When
he picked them up he had three fives and
pair of tours Edwards put up 800 chips,
and La Moure promptly doubled it.
Edwards evidently smelt bluff, for he
saw the raise and went 500 better.
Chips were getting low on both sides,
and the contesting parties began to get
wrought up. To prevent those who could
see the cards from secretly warning the
weaker player every man was ordered by
the referee to remain where he stood, and
number of the spectators, who had bet
heavily on the game, drew their revolvers
and promised to see that the referees or
der was obeyed.
"Ill see that. Edwards said La
Moure, land raise it to the extent of your
pile"
III call it. - replied Edwards, pushing
all his chips to the middle of the table.
La Moure spread out his full hand. Ed
wards threw down his three kings.
When the McKenZieites realized IT, at
they had won, they cut loose and acted
like madmen. La Moure and VIM were
carried around on their shoulders and
there was nothing in the town good
enough for them. The game last eighteen
hours. A few days later the commits
sioners met and Mckenzie was unani-
mously chosen as the name of the county.
The cards that composed the hands held
wGAwA AVOID ALL IMlrA-