The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-03-13


~ mitted. The real
gamblers left i'm
cities are forced to content themselves
with quiet games OF poker. The others,
of the class CONTEMPORARY known as
"shoestrings," "tin horns, "'crnp-shoot-
ers," etc, lead a precarious existence
in the fleeing OF boys and dinner
pail" worxmen. Stakes of nickel are
stopped TO by these petty swindlers.
The old-time gambler, who played be-
cause his blood was riotous with chance,
and who often staked on the turn of a
card as much money as the stealings
of one of the modern 'shoestrings"
amounts TO in year, has left for other
countries. The true gambler is as
scarce as the crapshooters are plenti-
full.
A number OF years ago IA boys consti-
tuted class in a school in Joplin, Mo.
Three of them had been born in Baxter
Springs, Kan. in the days when that
town was the front OF the Fort Scott
road. II was a hot town." in which a
dozen city Inarshals were shot to death
in year, where gamblers were an inn
portant part of the population, and
where money was plentiful. These
three boys had the gambling instinct
as truly as the colt Of turf sire has the
faculty TO trot. And out OF the class Of
d, ten boys grew into gamblers. They
Were accomplished in all the novelties
of their trade before they were out of
school. ' 80
he TO-, A. Ia lat.c Coz
Parks was perhaps the most desperate
and successful. JEFF Davis was edu-
Gated for priest. Bob Cummings was a
lawyer as well as gambler. All three
arc the heroes of adventures that would
make n bookful of stirring stories.
This is the story OF how JEFF Davis
assisted in the stirring events in the
Central American country of Guate-
maln that resulted in the death Of Presi-
dent Barrios in 1885. Barrios and his
Ron were on visit TO New York. Davis,
then a slight, reticent, dark-eyed youth,
had gone there TO practice his calling.
lie met young Barrios in little game
in one OF the small hotels and was in
troduced To the Central American pres
ident. In SpanishAmerican States
gambling is looked upon much more
leniently than in the United States.
Barrios was at the time great friend
of Americans, and fostered their inn
migration to his country. To Davis he
said:
Events may so shape themselves that
may give you gambling privileges in
my country that will be exceedingly
valuable. At all events, / shall be glad
TO have you come to San Jose de Guate-
mala."
Davis saw the advantages he would
have in the favor and protection of the
president. Shortly afterward he sailed
for Guatemala with friend named Nc
Cunc. Bnrrios was as good as his word,
and Davis soon had two games running,
one Mt ChamperTco, on the coast, in
charge of McCune, and the other at
San Jose de Guatemala, the capital,
with himself in the lookout"
For several months all went well and
Davis made money like mint. The ex-
clusiveness OF his privilege drove all
the chance money to his tables and he
was soon on the road 20 opulence. Then
ton of the union of Central American
states and Davis was promised the
gambling privileges of the union. AS a
consequence he turned the stream of
his wealth toward the Golfers OF Bar
rios and his dollars helped TO equip
the army. War was declared, and on
March 30 of that year Gen. Barrios
marched on the frontier OF Salvador
with 10000 troops 10 punish his treach-
erous friend Zaldivar, who had prom
ised to come into the union and at the
last moment declared his enmity. On
April 2 the Guatemalans attacked San
Lorenzo and the next day, when the at
tack was 10 be repeated. Barrios left
his tent 90 assume command Of his
nruy and was killed by a sharpshooter
from n tree. Meanwhile the battle had
begun, and In a short time both sides
withdrew from the field, but not until
a successful effort had been made by
the Guatemalans, with loss of IS lives,
20 recover the body Of Barrios. Gen.
Vcrancio Barrios, son of the president.
was also killed on the same field, to-
gcther with 600 OF his comrades.
Thus was the attempt 10 unite Cen
trDl America brought to nothing. Davis
was without friends. He was known
20 have made large sums OF money and
90 have aided Barrios, and in the con-
fusion that followed both he and Nc
Cune were arrested, tried and CON
demned 10 death.
The property of Davis was conflscated
and he was thrown into prison. Nc
Cune was promptly hanged outside the
walls of Champerico and his body filled
with bullets. Then began the battle OF
wits to save the life OF Davis.
Davis. with the true instinct OF the
gambler, had bought unset diamonds
whenever he could. Around hia body
under his clothes he wore n broad belt
filled with them. This he took TO prison
with him.
His former generosity recommended
him 20 the good graces of the governor