The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-03-04
Bet A Fortune--Lost.
Riley Grammar, Who Quit
the Turf S25O,OOO Win
ner, is 'Broke" and
in Debt.

Ihl6 Is the story ot FeW@ Aooio
Young man. His name is Rely Gran
nan. He is only twenty seven years
old, yet his name is known 10 every
quarter of the globe.
He is distinguished as the most re-
markable bettor this country has ever
known. He has absolutely no idea OF
the value Of money, and his nerves are
like slender thresds of steel.
As boy in bis teens he sold pro-
grams on the race tracks Then be
got Job at So day keeping tab on
horse in races. Finally he took to bet
ting, and his fingers were like fairy
wands. Everything be touched turned
to!gold.
The boy came east and bet everyone
to a standstill
There is uoth:og striking about bis
personality except his youthful appear.
auce. His form is slight and his shoul-
ders stopped. On the race track be
looks like clerk out for holiday.
One day last fall Riley GraDuap
stopped betting. He had $3.50, 900 10
clean cold dollars. He had $1O0, 900
worth of real estate out 10 Kentucky
81 have enough to keep me for the
remainder Of my life. am through
with betting and will engage in some
other business" .
Despite bis wonderful nerve aud
daring Grammar lacked will power.
He could not keep away from the ring.
The money he. had deposited ip the
bank vas drawn out again, and he was
back at the track in less than a fort
night. He lost money, and when the
season closed big hole had been eaten
10 that 1886. 600 bank account.
He went to San Francisco and tried
TO get back his lost winnings. Luck
had deserted him. His nerve still held
good, aud be bet thousands on race.
he lost steadily until his meney has
gone.
Then be took deperate chances. He
bet Gu credit. Now comes the intelli-
eence that Grammar has gone the way
Of all pluugers He is doad broke.
He says he has property on which he
can reiise aud pay his debts. After
this is done his bank roll esp be count
ed BY child. :,
o. Itss FAY "a chat Henry Of Navarro
and Domino ran their match race en-
the grounds OF the Brooklyn Jockey
Club in the fall of '94 Riley Grammar
came on from Kentucky. He drew
stand 10 the ring, but did not occupy it
until just before the match race was run'
Tbeu he stepped into the wooden box.
He took of bis coat and rolled up bis
shirt sleeves.
Grammar was always surrounded by a
crowd. The sports watched eagerly to
see what he was going to do. He TOOK
M his chalk, but before marking the
blackboard in front of him he turned to
the crowd and made little speech.
II have brought on little money to
bet on Navarro aod III be glad to ac'
commodatc the gentlemen who fancy
Domino"
Domino was red-hos favorite.
Every one believed the black would WIN
easily. Granuan thought differently
and he was prepared to back his ]udg
mept. He marked up three to i've
against Domino, the bes. price in the
ring. and then held out his hands for
the money 1t came iu big Jumps
In the ring we're many of the heaviest
bes,ers in the country. Mike Dwyer
bet him $4,000 James R Keene
sent $4,000 to the young pluoger.
Ike Thompson bet $40, ,00c on Domino
Unmoved the smooth faced boy took
the money 10 as rapidly as be could and
passed out the tickets. The big fish
stopped. Grammar then began to take
small bets. He took all the money 10
sight. ~.
Finally the rush stopped. There
were no more bills handed up. 10 VAIN
he pleaded for Domino money. He had
bet the entire crowd of 5000 persons
to a stardstill on bot favorite.
HE BET 100000.
No man ever did that before and 90
one will probably do it again No
such scene as that 10 the ring that day
will ever again be seen in this country
Grammar stood to pay out OF his casn
box 100000 He would have been
willing to pay out almost double tha'
amount, but could not get bets enough
The result of the Navarre-Dom'nf
race is we'll koown. The thorough
breads 10 a 6ercely fought hnlsh raj
dead heat. Grammar quit Sl2
400 winner on the race.
he Won $50, on single race
wheo Henry of Navarro beat Dom'n'
and Rev Ell Santa Anita 10 spec'a