The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1894-08-11
A FAMOUS POKER GAME.
Why Senator AldriCh and senator Plumb
Were Not on Good Terms.

Why Senator Aldrich and senator Plumb
Were Not on Good Terms.
Among the notable guests at the Fifth
Avenue hotel during the past week was
ext nited States Senator William {.
Squire of Washington. says the New
York Herald. The senator Is one of the
broad-minded. levrI-h"adrd business men
who regard tn" metropolis a one OF the
greatest watering places IN the country,
which accounts for his spending 80 much
of his time in the city during the sum
mer months. In other Iear> he has not
been averSe to willing away Il passing
hour or 80 with ConEenial friends over the
exciting mysteries of quiet game al
draw poker, for like all WcSterncrS,
and il might bc added United States sen
atorS h" has the reputation of playing
powerful good hand.
A few nights ago he was invited to
join Il party of his friends. all big men
in business Cnterpr >eS and rrnoWn.
Much to their surprise he declined, stat
ing that he had sworn off. II was
news to them. ami ocrasioned not little
comment. He did not. however, volun-
teer any explanation to satisfy their curl
oSity.
The reason for his forSwcarin@ the
game furnishes very interesting bit OF
history of polItiCal-SOClal lite at the ma
tional capital and diScloScS for the first
time the reason of the acrimonious feel
ing that characterized the relations OF
the late United States Senator Plumb of
Kansas and United States Senator Al
drch of Rhode Island.
The story has never been made public
and was related to me by a gentleman of
undoubted reliability who was present on
what has become a memorable aud his
toric occasion.
During Senator Squirc'S term in Con
grcSS small party gathered ut John
thamberlinS one evening to IndUl@" IN Il
ulipt Friendly ,rIIup a. draw lipSIltS
Senator Squire, there We're nitcd States
Senators Farwcll of Illinois. Aldrich of
Rhode Island and the late Senator Plumb
of Kansas. II was an aS>"nhiage OF ing
brains big money and great nerve. and
the game was naturally - very interesting
one. The game proceeded in a very placid
way without any distinctive feature other
than the Kansas senator's hard luck.
No matter how good his "haud> We're he
was sure to ho beaten. The game had
gone on for some time when n messenger
came to the door and inquired for Senator
Plumb. saving he was wanted on import
ant business. The senator excused him
self and said ne would be back presently.
While he was gone his friends jokin@ly
conSpired to put up u 'hand' on him.
They arranged it 50 that Plumb would get
four jacks ami FarW"ll four queens.
Knowing that the former was q stiff play
err they anticipated the heavy betting
with much gloc. and the senator's crest
fallen relief when they would suhSr-
quontIy explain the practical Joke ON
him. Senator Aldrich was the dealer.
The Kansas senator returned in 81 very
short time and resumed his scat at the
table. The others all Wor" their most >"rj-
Gus aspect. The cards were dealt rs ar
ranged 10y, the senatorial c"nSpirators.
Senator Plumb held three Jacks pat"
and called for one card. AIdrl"h dealt
him Jack from the bottom of I'll" park.
and Senator Plumb saw il.