The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-05-02
PISTOLS AFTER POKER.
BIOOdshed on Liner New York Avert
ed by Tact of Capt. watkins.
From the New York World.

From the New York World.
London, April 23.-An exciting episode,
which at one time was perhaps near
bloodshed, occurred on the last voyage of
the American liner New York the even
ing before her arrival at Southampton.
Shortly after the vessel left New York
a we'll but overdressed individual, giving
his name to various fellow pa ssengers as
Hill, arranged several poker games on
successive evenings. persuading, among
others, two young and apparently WELL
TODD Englishmen and quite well-known
American to join in the play BY last
Monday night he had managed to win
some $1,000 from them. Then their sus-
pic1ons appear to have been aroused as
TO his character and gaming methods.
ON tuesday morning, the two young
Englishmen. Mr.. n. p. Brown and MIR.
Il. CaVendlsh Taylor, went 10 Hills"
cabin and denounced him vigorously
They also called upon Purser Howard
HInsley to learn something of the man.
The purser. told them he had given an
other name than Hill" and had register
ed only at the last moment before sailing
Another passenger recognized him as
having gone over to New York on the
St. Paul, of the same line, only a fort
night before, and as having won consid-
cradle sum during the passage.
Hill, or -, aid not resent the verbal
attack of the two Englishmen, but lust
before the dinner hour he appeared again
in the smoking-room when some fiery male
passengers were there. AS soon as he en-
tered the two Englishmen took up their
station at the Smoking-room door, and
Prof. Norman VIVID of Chicago, probably
by a preconcerted arrangement. arose in
his place and formally called a meeting
of those present Pointing to Hill" he
charged him with being a professional
gambler, and with having used crooked
methods in winning money.
Hill at first seemed very uneasy, but
then assumed an impudent aggressiveness,
and even Interrupted Prof. Wyld's denun-
citation with frequent Hear Hearr the
English method of applause.
When Prof Wyld had finished young
Brown continued the denunciation. apply
ing nearly every epithet of the catalogue
to Hill" and challenging him to go out
on deck and have it out there.
Meanwhile Hill had called in quick
succession, for four or five drinks of whis-
ky, and as Brown continued he put his
right hand in the pocket of his sack coat
and half withdrew pistol
One of the passengers hurried out to
Purser Hinsleys room and brought him
back.
Mr. 'Hinsley saw the pistol and hurried
to Capt. Frederick Watkins
Capt. Watkins, on going to the smok-
ing-room, took in the situation al a glance.
but with his well-known tact, said
brusquely:
Now. gentlemen, there's the dinner
bell. Please clear the room at once"
He had a brief conversation with "Hfll -
who went to his cabin, and did not an
terward, however, obviously under the in
fiuence Of liquor, and showed a pistol in
each pocket to Purser Hinsley and to a
passenger. The purser insisted that "HiH'
should go to his room, and he did not again
show himself until after all the other
passengers had landed.
The next morning Mr.. Brown and Mr.
Taylor waited about the dock with a po-
liceman for some time after landing, but
if 'Hill" went ashore he managed TO elude
their observation.
The passengers held a meeting and
drew up a letter addressed to the com
pany's officers in London, praising Cant
Watkins tact and saying that, except
for 1t, there probably would have been
a serious difficulty aboard The letter
also suggested that the company pro-
vide detectives TO travel on their steam
ers and warn passengers against pro-
fessional gamblers who travel to and fro !
1t Is remembered that some years ago
Capt watkins, when senior officer of
the line and captain of the Paris, start
cd Vigorous crusade against travelling