Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1897-03-26


ers of the day. That was fifty years
ago and more. Wickes was somewhat
eccentric, but good-hearted, and al
though he made great sums during his
career he spent money freely among
his acquaintances and in gifts to char
ity. He was shrewd judge of char
acter and it was to this that most OF
his success at the gambling table was
due. He could handle cards we'll also,
but his judgment Of what his oppo-
nents would do was perfect. Even in
these early days of his career Wickes
was picturesque figure. He affected
rich but tasteful dress that never fell
behind the fashions. Men liked him
and women were apt to take deep in
terest in him. He married in early
manhood and one son now survives
him.
Long before the war Wickes moved
from the Mississippi and travelled
about the country. About 1865 he took
up his residence in Wisconsin, pursu-
ing as before his gaming. When, after
several years of proprietorship of the
lowest gambling-house in Madison, he
entered politics he was an opponent
to be feared. His interest in public
affairs was largely produced by the
necessity of keeping his house open,
as the great wave of anti-gambing
sentimen: that has since spread over
the country was beginning to make
itself felt in Madison. Wickcs went
deep into the greatest game Of chance
-politics-and the climax of his long
career came when a friend became
candidate for the senatorship, and a
combination of other interests had
nearly assured his defeat. \Vickes
went with all his power to the help Of
his friend, and great dinner to the
members of the legislature was the
means he used to gain his ends. At
that banquet, which will ever be
memory in Madison, Wickes' money
was spent lavishly, and his influence
was exerted to the utmost in every way
to furnish votes for his candidate. The
result was apparent the next day that
his man was sent to the United States
senate, winner by majority of ten.
Wickes retained the Madison gam
bling-house many years after that, but
he never achieved such power again.
The war was just over when he forced
the election of his friend to the United
States senate, and about 1865 he moved
to Milwaukee, where he opened anoth-
er establishment.
Soon after that he became partner
in fashionable gambling-housc at y
Monroe street, Chicago, where Chaplin
G. Gore are now located. He was vir-
tually in control of three houses at
once. The fire of II wiped out the
Chicago establishments, but after a
time Wickes reopened. For long
time he kept house in Milwaukee, but
the other gamblers of the city formed
a combination against him that forced
him out of the business. He then en-
gagged in the dry goods and shoe bust
ness in that city, and conducted store
for several years. Then he went back
to Chicago, and his history since that
time has been one of gradually de-
creasing power and wealth. He made
desperate efforts to revive his fortune,
but never succeeded. He had been
somewhat thrifty in his richer days
and money that he had saved prevent
ed him from suffering. But it did not
suffice for the old man to play the part
he had formerly assumed. During the
last few years he had lived at a small
hotel. The illness that carried him
off attacked him three years ago, and
he gradually sunk under it until he
was taken to the county hospital four
days ago. His end was peaceful and
without suffering.