Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1894-08-08
A FAMOUS POKER GAME.
Why Senator A1drich and Senator Plumb
We're MOTTO Good Terms.


Among the notable guests at the Fifth
Avenue hotel during the past week was
eX-United States Senator William &.
Squire of Washington, says the New
York Herald The senator is one of the
broad-minded, level-headed business men
who regard the metropolis as one of the
greatest watering places III the country,
which accounts for his spending so much
of his time i'll the city during the sum
mer months. In other Tears he has not
been averse to willing away a passing
hour or SO with congenial friends over the
exciting mysteries of Il quiet game Of
draw" poker for like all Westerners,
and it might be added United States SEN
ators, he has the reputation of playing a
powerful good hand.
A few nights ago he was invited to
join Il party of his friends. all big men
in business enterpr SEES and renown.
Much to their surprise lie declined, stat
ing that he had Sworn off. 1t was
news to them, and occasiOned not q little
comment He did not, however, volun-
teer any explanation to satisfy their Curl
osity.
The reason for his forswearing the
game furnishes a very interesting bit of
history of political-sOcial life at the ma
tional capital and dscloses 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
drich of Rhode Island.
The story has never been made public
and was related to me by gentleman of
undoubted reliability who was present on
what has become Il memorable and his
tOric occasion.
During Senator Squire's term in Con-
gress small party gathered at John
Chamberlin'S one evening TO indulge IN Il
quiet, friendly game of draw Besides
Senator Squire there were United States
Senators Farwell of Illinois. Aldrich of
Rhode Island and the late Senator Plumb
of Kansas. 1t was an aSSemblage of big
brains. big money and great nerve, and
the game was naturally Il very interesting
one. The game proceeded in Il very placid
way without any distinctive feature other
than the Kansas senator's hard luck.
No matter how good his hands" were he
was sure to be beaten. The game had
gone on for some time when a messenger
came to the door and inquired for Senator
Plumb. saying he was wanted on import
ant business. The senator excused him
self and said he would be back presently.
While he was gone his friends jokingly
They arranged it so that Plumb would get
four jacks and Farwell four queens.
Knowing that the former was q stiff play
er, they anticipated the heavy betting
with much glee, and the senator's crest
fallen relief when they would subse-
him. Senator Aldrich was the dealer.
The Kansas senator returned in a very
short time and resumed his seat at the
table. The others all wore their most seri-
Gus aspect. The cards were dealt as ar
ranged by the senatorial conspirators.
Senator Plumb held three jacks pats
and called for one card. Aldrich dealt
him jack from the bottom of the pack.
and Senator Plumb saw it.
In an instant he was on his feet boiling
with rage. The others tried to Dacify
him. but he only became the more infuri-
ated. The others grasped him by the
arms and duplicated him to be quiet, ex-
planning that it was all Il joke that they
intended playing on him, but the Kansas
senator, who was a very serious man,
would not see it in that light
The game naturally broke up, leaving
the participants in anything but iovial
mood. Further explanations were sub
sequently made to Plumb, but he would
not forgive Aldrich and never spoke to
him afterward, though their official duties
frequently brought them together in the
Senate.
From that night Senator Squire made
up his mind to quit poker. 'If.Y said he
to my informant, "a small game like that
can arouse such bitter hatred and enmity
among friends | never want to play it
q -