The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-20
MEMPIIIS'S SKIFF ARMADA.
Went Against n Spanish Post Across the
River in Quest of Gamblers.
From the Memphis Seimiiar.

From the Memphis Scimitdr.
One would not think that Hopefleld. Ark
had history. but it has. To-day Hopefield Is
but point OF land around which the Missis-
sipp river washes. Its most imposing build
ing Is a pool-room. which is very roughly
built structure. and the remainder Of the vii
LACE, II it can be digniiied by such name. con-
sists OF few small houses. majority OF
which are occupied by negroes. But for all
the desoateness Of the Hopencld OF to-day
Hopefcld has history
Hopeield. or what is now Hopefeld. was at
one time frontier fort. 1t was the Fort Es-
peranza OF the Spaniards. where a garrison
under Gen. Gayoso OF the Spanish army spent
many months. and from which the Spaniards
saw the American soldiers under Capt Guion
occupy Fort st. Ferdinand. which Gayoso had
erected on tho bluff upon which the Custom
House now stands. or near there. but from
which he went with his men when the Chicka-
saw bluffs and the country east OF them were
entered under the laws Of North Carolina.
Gayoso was at that time Governor OF Match
ez." He did not know how far to the westward
the possessions OF his king extended. but he
knew our the n infant republic extended to the
Chickasaw bluffs. From Fort Esperanza he
not settle on those bluffs, but they, did. and
Gayoso died (179ol before he so much rs made
Ss d .Hes 6G S&ep the ots de # bs S
Possessions Spain had in North America. and
has even gone out into the seas and taken from
hg Hfo , was at this time moro thickly pop
ulated than 1t is to-day. 1t was in the year
po9T between S st. Louis and New Orleans
was ovcrrun with gamblers-n9t gam blers Of
an eye for the main chance and small money.
The gamblers became so bold and so trouble
that GE the towns ond we're
were driven out. Those in Memphis were very
quiet until the vigilance committees OF Match
ez drove all OF them from that city and to
With this strengthening of their mum bers the
Ramhlers became so bold that they were or.
dered to leave the city by vigilance commit
tee A few left, but majority Of them stayed.
Some reformed and some were quiet for n
short time. but it was only a few weeks until
they were holder than ever. and those who had
reformed" returned to their old haunts and
Matters soon came to climax and the vigil
lance committee, after preparing list OF the
names Of the gamblers, again ordered them to
leave, town; There was something in the
knew meant business, and they did leave.
! They went to Hopeheld.
The time was not rpe for the establishment
| OF a miniature Monte Carlo at Hopenpld. and
| the gam blers received only very small play"
oyer there They we're very bitter AGAINST the
| threatened to burn Memphis for revenge. but
| they did not dot, They made one. and only
| trous one for them. One evening. while nearly
| the entire city was attending Camp meeting,
| the exiled gamblers returned and swagRered
| about the town. making all sorts al threats and
Frightening the few citizens who were at home
| This wos the straw that hroke he camels back
| When Memphis heard what had happened
| she organized an armada of skiffs loaded with
armed citizens and set out tor Hopefleld to
| make short work OF the gamblers. When the
| army arrived however. the enemy had fed
| and had taken to the woods.
| Hopehed'e history is blank since then but
| maybe II will again be the scene OF some thinR
which will make IL notable