The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-09-26

rIodical!y no made excursions TO Los An
COLES and o,ner places, where he could en-
joy soa son Of riotous living and wild dc.
hnuch.
One OF these visits was made to Los An.
geles in the summer of 1856. At that time
the town had IA real estate boom, ard mon
cy was, in consequence, flowing very freely.
Durkee was, however, equal to the Widest
Of the boomers in his ability to spend mon.
cy, and even those who were making money
BY the Thousands stood aghast Mt his utter
abandon.
The most OK travnga circumstance, and
one which has lived to this day, was tho &C.
casion when no had just returned from
driving behind some fast horses he had
been purchasing for trotting purposes.
Ringing up the boy after going to his room
he ordered that half dozen baskets of
champagne be sent up mt once, as no want
ed TO take bath. The vino was produced
without delay, and the bath, such a. few
even among the very rich havo INDUCED
In, was taken, and Durkec, evidently very
much refreshed, paid for the luxury and
resumed his riotous carouse.
The story of Durkeo's high gambling in
tombstone Is perhaps tho most interesting
OF IA series of wild extrsvagances and of
which Arizona people like best to talk
about. Ho WAS frequcntor of the ORR
entail saloon, kept by NJ. E. Joyce, said to
be ono OF tho richest gambling places in
the west Ono dizzy Durkeo came into town
and announced that ho was out for little
fun. This meant much to the saloon men,
and he was giv0n the right Of way along
tho line.
''Soe hers," said he, al want chance
to play little faro and don't want any
ono to chip In. Do you understand" said
Durkeo impressively.
They understood, and no was told to
Shout his orders. He did so. Tho first to
be issued was for woman of tho place
called Elm to tako tho dealers place ut the
table and another young woman Of the
samo character to take the lookout"
whereupon he pulled off his coat, and call.
ing upon oil hands to liquor at his expense
he began his play. His first bot was ST.
600 on IN acc. Ho lost before he had time
to draw bis breath, but instead of being
disconnected he went at it with removed
vlgor. Luck was always against him, save
with an occasional small winning, and in
three hours after taking charge of the table
he lost just s., 600, all the money no had
with him, and he withdrew from tic gamo
Despite NIL advcrses Of this character
Durkce never lost his temper and seemed
utterly careless Us to tho outcome. These
gambling periods were moro or less fire.
quont, each time he played resulting disas,
trously financially.
When he visited Los Angeles, ho always
appeared dressed in tcainstcr's garb OF
blue everalls and u big hat. On his hands,
no matter how warm the day, was pair
of gloves Fiuo clothes was not one OF his
weaknesses, no matter what other desires
no may havo had and INDUCED in In
spite of all his lavish expenditure and his
unlucky ventures he left n fortune Of up
ward Of s1o0, 600 to his wife, who is now
living in Los Angeles.
Tho friends Of this wonderfully fortu-
nate teamstor speak in very high terms of
his past generosity to less fortunate citi.
zens Of Tombstone and state that he was
a man who, with all his faults, was much
rcSCcotcd