Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1894-06-22
GAMBLING DEVICES.
ELECTRICITY EMPLOYED BY SCIEN-
TlFlC SHARPERS.

ELECTRICITY EMPLOYED BY SCIEN-
TIFlC SHARPERS.
Interesting Descriptions of Two "Sure
Things"-By Manipulating the Current
the Dealer Can Select the Winner Every
Time-But the Fools Still Bet.
| 1t is time worn motto that man IS
fool who attempts to beat another at
his own game Nevertheless there is q
perpetual and rich crop of gullibles who
insist upon throwing their hard earned
money away in the vain and elusive
hope that fortune is within their easy
grasp.
The method is to them of no conse-
quence. They sincerely believe that the
means deserve the end, and with this
harmful and foolish idea in view they
state on their downward career, fully,
believing themselves competent to get
the best Of the sharper. But the sharper
is proud Of his name, and he does his
best to deserve his title. He generally
succeeds and then lies in wait for an
other victim. The sharper lis cute one,
and it seems almost pity that his ell
ergies are not put in more useful direc-
lions. His inventive ability is far above
the average, and he contrives devices
which are marvels in their way; but as
Josh Billings tersely puts it, cit il a
darned poor way"
Fresh in our minds are the develop
ments which resulted from AFRAID by the
police OH one of the most prominent
gambling establishments.
Extraordinary devices were found,
and everything was conducted on scale
of magnificence and ingenuity that was
marvellous to behold. Electricity played
prominent part. In fact, everything
that could be done to further the aims
of the gamblers in dishonest way was
carried out to point bordering on per-
lection.
There was one device for stopping the
passage of marble at certain point,
which could be changed at the will and
discretion of the operator in charge.
Each compartment was regularly num-
bered and had underneath it small
secreted electro magnet, the wires from
which were SO connected with spring
contact points placed under a foot
board, which in turn was situated and
hidden on the floor, that the ball could
be arrested in its progress at any point.
Here, though, was apparently diff
Guilty in connection with it's successful
operation. While it is true that the
ball could be stopped, the suddenness
of the stop would Immediately attract
the suspicious Of the players. It was
evident that the stoppage must be per-
formed gradually, SO as to appear nat
uraL A quick glance at the wheel show
ed the operator which compartment was
the most profitable one for him. The
ball slowed up, stopped, and he gather
ed in his i'll gotten gains.
The gradual slowing up was by sue
cessive number Of weak impulses sent
through the adjoining electro magnets,
thus retarding the progress of the ball,
which was completed by an inner
sphere of soft iron surrounded by a
highly polished celluloid coating. Great
skill on the part of the operator was Of
course required to avoid detection. But
the men who worked this scheme felt
SO sure that discovery was impossible
| that their very boldness and audacity
furthered their work. Murder, howev-
| er, will out, and the secret was finally
| laid bare to curious crowd.
| Another device that attracted consid-
cradle attention was planned to deceive
the most inquiring. A table was de-
vised the top of which contained a
number of squares laid off similar to
chessboard. Immediately above the
center of the board was suspended a
light metallic board by means of slen-
der silken thread A compond mechan-
ical motion at the top Of triangular
framework placed Immediately over the
center of the board caused the silk
thread to take rather cratic course.
On the boards were placed a number OF
statuettes somewhat similar to chess
men, but all of approximately the same
height. The suspended ball was started
on its cratic course while the table was
slowly revolved.
Bets were then made as to which par
ticular piece would remain erect when
all others were knocked down. Piece by
piece they dropped until but one re-
manned, and this one of course was de-
clared the prize winner. The game was
even more audacious than the one above
mentioned, but if anything it was more
ingenious
The way in which it was made "a
sure thing" for its possessors was as fol-
lows: Underneath each individual
square was rather strong electro mag
net, all the north poles pointing upward.
Each magnet was separately controlled
in an adjoining room, a signal being
communicated to the operator by any OF
the well known systems common with
so called ''second sight, performers.
Inside of the light suspended ball was 6
compound permanent magnet with the
north pole pointing downward. Each
marker, which described as somewhat
similar to chessman, was loaded with
piece of soft iron passing through its
axis The pieces for as many players as
were present We're placed upon the
board. The operator then, according to
his discretion, selected the piece which
he desired to remain till the last. The
signal was given. and the ball was start
! ed. Of course the piece left to the last
was the one selected, and time after
time were his wages Of cheating gath
cred in. Nor did the crowd of fools
diminish.
Currents from few cells of battery
being sent through the electro magnet
energized it, north pole uppermost The
piece was held rather securely against
the board, and even if the light ball
did knock against it the force Of the
blow was not sufficient to dislodge it
from it's position. Electrical Review.
An English judge has decided that at
marriage ceremony, if the church doors
are closed or one witness absent, thf
marriage is void,