davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-01-02
He PLAYED CARDS FOR HIS LIFE
THRILLING ADVENTURES OF
OLD WILDCAT SMITH.
Interesting Texas Character Whose
Life Story Would Supply Material
for Whole Library of Novels.
(st. Louis Globe-Democrat9

Caldwell Tex.-Old Wildcat Smith is
just about the last living one of that
famous band Of pioneers who drove the
Indians to the mountains, killed the
panthers and bears and blazed the
paths through the trackless wilderness.
He does not look like a lawyer, but he
has, nevertheless, sat upon a camp
stool and decided cases of the greatest
I Importance. He does not bear any
very marked resemblance TO a general,
but he has commanded a considerable
force in battle, and while military crit
les might nave complained that he was
deficient in strategic ability, none ever
charged him with a lack of valor. Few
people would discover in his face or
manner any of those traits that dis
tinguish a duelist, but he has demon
strated that ne possesses them all in an
and coffee for two more than once.
Upon one occasion he had the audacity
to invite General Houston, who was at
that period president of the republic,
to come out and exchange shots with
him. He says that the old warrior
"fioored' him by coolly making a note
on slip of paper and putting it in his
desk. In answer to the enraged chal-
lenger'S inquiry, the general simply
when l have killed these other thirty
nine id scoundrels who have chal-
lenged me- will accommodate you. Be
patient. SIR
Smith came, to Texas in 1886 and
served in the Texas army through all
the long wars with Mexico. He was
also soldier in the great civil war,
and when that ended he enlisted to
fight Indians, and remained on the Dor
der until there were no more Conan
ches to shoot. He has been man of
war from his youth up, and in his old
age he carries a soldiers musket with
a fixed bayonet, and continues to make
war on all kinds of game and war
mints." He wanted to go to Cuba, and
when the boys insisted that he was too
old and feeble he threw his coat and
challenged the whole company to fight
him.
Upon one occasion Smith was cap
tured by rowing band of Ccmanches,
many of whom were well known to
INTENDED to make him run the gauntlet
and burn him at the stake when they
reached their village on Devil river.
The captive had a flask of whisky,
which the chief took away from him.
After taking several drinks, the old
warrior asked Smith if he could play
seven up" Smith proudly boosted
that he could beat any many living
playing that particular game. This
answer appeared to put the Indian on
his mettle, and he at once proposed that
they should halt by the side of the
warpath and play for the highest
stakes that mortal men ever waged on
a game of chance-life. Smith eagerly
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-01-02
TICKET WITHOUT A PLATFORM
WATTERsoN NoMINATES DEWEY
AND LEE.
Louisville Editors Advice to the
Democratic Party = Republicans
to Abandon the Old Issues.

Louisville, KY, Jan. Henry Wat
terson, in leading editorial this morn
ing in the Courier Journal, under the
caption, 1.-The New Years Outlook for
the Democratic Party I" dominates Ad-
miral Dewey for president and General
Fitzhugh Lee for vice president In
part, he says:
ITO come down to hard facts, old
horse sense, sitting in the rocker, the
issue of free silver being relegated to
the limbo of busted shades, the tariff
issue peacefully reposing upon the
shelf, where the Cleveland administra-
ton left it, to wait for free trade I'M
der new conditions-the season of fam
inc ended and the season of plenty ar
riVed-what are the Democrats to do
for a national platform and ticket?
There is but one thing for them to
do. The voters have about made up
their minds that party pledges are fab
ricated chiefly to be broken. Let the
Democrats, banking on this circum-
stance, put up a ticket without plat
form; let them nominate candidates
for president and vice president who
are a platform in themselves; and, if
they can induce the great admiral and
the gallant general to accept, here is
the card to win with:
For President-George Dewey of
Vermont.
For Vice President-Fitzhugh Lee
of Virginia.
''Platform-The stars and stripes,
God bless them.
Even now the Republican leaders,
who rarely fail to take time by the
forelock, and who never let go their
grip upon the shore line, are planning
TO make their campaign Of 1900 on the
broad principle of national unification
and expansion. They are not going to
handicap themselves with any ancient
platform rubbish. High tariff is no
longer wanted by the manufacturers,
for whom it was invented. The bloody
shirt, having served its turn, has gone
to the old clothes basket. The presi-
dent knows his business.
'At the opportune moment we shall
see William Mckinley and Joseph
Wheeler march down to the footlights,
hand in hand, the flag above them; be-
meath them, emblazoned on a strip Of
red, white and blue, The land we love
from end to end or words to that eff
feet And then what? What are the
Democrats going to do about it? How
are they going TO meet it?''
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-01-02

fantry, the Second Louisiana infantry
and the Second engineers.
Brigadier L. B. Wilson's brigade,
comprising the First Virginia infantry,
the Forty-ninth Iowa infantry and the
Sixth Missouri infantry.
Brigadier General II. c. 'Hasbroucks
brigade, comprising the First North
Carolina infantry. the Second Illinois
infantry and the One Hundred and Six
ty-first Indiana infantry.
Major General ]. w Keifer rode in
advance of the last two brigades, form
ing the Second division
Every man in the last company of the
One Hundred and Sixty-first Indiana
infantry, as he entered Central park,
drew from under his uniform small
Cuban flag and waved it before the as
semblage. The Cubans went nearly
wild with cheers and excitement, and
General Lee Immediately sent Inspector
Lieutenant Colonel Curtis Guild, jr, to
order the Indiana men to put away the
flags, which they did. 1t is reported
that the entire company is under ar
rest.
General Lee turned in after the COLI
unn passed, the crowd pressing close
around his horse, shaking his hand and
making other demonstrations of affec-
tionate interest. His orderly was
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-01-02
CONEY ISLAND STAKES.
Entries For June Meeting Will Close
January Sd.

New York, Jan. 1.-The following stake
events of the Coney Island Jockey club,
to be run over the course of Sheepshead
Bay at the June meeting of 1899, will close
on Jan. 3.
For S-.year-old's and upward the sub
advance, $500 added mile and three
quarters. The Coney Island handicap,
$l,5o9. six furlongs. Sheepshead Bay
handicap, $3.50, one mile. Long Island
handicap, $1,000. mile and one furlong.
For 3-yearolds-The Swift, $1,000 added,
seven furlongs. The Spendthrift, $1,000
added, mile and a furlong.
For 2-year-olds-The Great Trial, $50, 900,
futurity course. The double event,
guaranteed cash value of $1,000 EACH first
event, last five and a half furlongs of
futurity course. Second event, futurity
course. The Zephyr. $1,000 added.
futurity course The Vernal, 81 900 added,
last five furlongs futurity course The
Flight, SLIPS added. seven furlongs.
The following stakes for the autumn
meeting of 1899 will close at the same
time:
The Flight, 2-year-olds and upwards.
81, $50 added, seven furongs. The SeDtem-
Der, for 3-year-olds, 81 $50 added mile
and three furlongs. The autumn for g.
year-olds, $1,000 seven furlongs. The
great eastern handicap, 2-year-olds. So. go
futurity course. The futurity for the
autumn meeting of 1901, with S. $50 added
estimated value, $4,000 to be run over the
futurity course at SheepShead Bay, will
also close on Jan. 3.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-01-02
ROMERO FUNERAL SERVICES
DISTINGUISHED HONOR TO LATE
AMBASSADORS MEMORY.
President Mckinley and Nearly All
the Members of the Cabinet At
tended-Services Were Brief.

Washington, Jan. Public funeral
services over the remains of the late Don
Matias Romeno the ambassador from
Mexico TO the United States, who died
Friday morning, were held at ST.
Matthews church today. Distinguished
honor to the memory of the deceased was
manifested in the presence, at the cere-
MONIES, OF President Mckinney, vice
President Hobart, nearly all the members
OF the cabinet, representatives of the en-
tire diplomatic corps, officers of the army
and navy, and private citizens, Al the
conclusion OF the service, the body was
| taken to Mount Olivet cemetery and
placed temporarily in a vault pending its
removal to Mexico.
Before the body was taken to the
church there were brief services at the
house, attended mainly by the official
stan of the legation and the relatives ana
immediate friends of the family, those
present including the mother and brother
of the late Mrs. Romero. and members or
the brothers family. Mrs Garcia, the
sister of the ambassador, and an aunt,
living at the embassy, were unable TO
attend because of illness.
The honorary pall-bearers also as
semoled at the house and at the conc ciad
the remains to the church.
AT the church, the casket, preceded by
the president and cabinet, the honorary
pall-bearers and other distinguished per-
sons, was borne 10 the body OF the
church in front of the altar rail and
placed on catafalque. The president
was met at the door by Senior Don Jose
Godoy, the first secretary of the Mexican
embassy. and escorted TO a seat reserved
for him. Representatives from the state
department the army and navy and from
the state department. the army and navy
and from the diplomatic corps acted as
ushers.
The services at the church were very
brief, consisting of a low mass. followed
by absolution services. Father Charles
NJ. Bart, assistant pastor of ST. Matthews.
was the celebrant.
At the conclusion OF the ceremonies, the
casket was placed in a hearse and, ac-
companied by relatives and friends, was
taken to the cemetery and placed in a
vault, Father Bart conducting the final
services.
The honorary pall-bearers were the
German ambassador, Secretary Hay,
Secretary Gage, the ministers from
Guatemala and Venezuela; Senator John
7. Morgan, Representative Hit, eX-Sec-
rotary John w. Foster, and Mr.. John w.
Thompson. Sir Julian Pauncefote, the
British ambassador, had been announced
an honorary pall-bearer but was unbale
to attend because of indisposition.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-01-02

until today. Adieu, gentlemen, adieu.
Then, with arms appraised, he moved
swiftly toward the stairway, escorted
by General Chaffee and followed by
his staff As he crossed the plaza, the
American ladies who were standing In
the balcony of the barracks waved their
handkerchiefs and General CaStellanoS
responded by bowling and kissing his
hand toward them. At the corner OF
the plaza, with tears in his eyes, he
turned to take final look at the pal
ace. He could see the American gen
erals on the balcony. Without word
he turned sharply in the direction OF
the wharf.
History had reversed 1.-The Last Sigh
of the Moor" AT the dock. Generals
Clous and Chaffee babe him farewell.
and the retiring captain general put
off for the Spanish transport Rabal, on
which he viii proceed to Matanzas. He
viii be accompanied by a battalion Of
the Thirteenth infantry.
BROOKE'S RECEPTION.
Major General Brooke held a receo-
ton in the palace salOcn. the various
officials paying their respects and
promising allegiance tC the United
States. First came the doctors of the
University of Havana, at their head
President BARRETT. All wore black silk
caps, with yellow tassels. All barred
their heads and bowed low. Next came
the municipal authorities headed by
the mayor, and after them the eco
nCmical societies, formerly an advisory
board to the captain general with
Senior Alfredo Zayas, its president,
leading them. Then came the firemen.
Numerous speeches were made. to all
of which General Brooke replied
briefly.
At the close of the reception the Gu
ban generals were introduced. Cen
eral Brooke said: I shall look to you
to assist US in carrying out the purpose
that brought Us to these shores. It is
a great trust and l shall expect most
extraordinary assistance from you"
General Lacret, who acted as spokes-
man for the Cuban officers. assured the
United States military governor that
everything in the power Of the Cuban
military officials would be done to helD
the Americans restore Cuba to a con-
6ition of peace and prosperity. The
speech was translated by Captain Iage
Of Virginia.
It was scarcely half past Y o'clock
when General Brooke and his staff left
the palace for the Hotel Inglaterre.
Commodore Crowell and Captains
Sigsbee, Berry. Cowles and Foss of the
United States squadron arrived a few
minutes later, too late to pay their re-
seects.
The only lady who witnessed the
scene in the saloon was Mrs. John
Adams Fair Of Boston. who was ush-
cred into the palace by mistake. When
she was about to retire, Colonel Gelpi.
the captain generals chief of staff.
begged her to remain. All the other
ladies were assigned places in the bal
cony Of the barracks overlooking the
plaza.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-01-02

agreed to the proposal, and they sat
down under a tree and dealt the cards
ON a blanket. The other warriors dis
mounted and anxiously watched the
game The chiefs name was Big
Laugh. so called on account of a ma
turdl grin that marked his features.
After short time they stood to s,
and it was Smiths deal He ran the
cards off and turned a jack from the
bottom Smith had won his liberty
and Big Laugh told him that he might
go, but the Texan had something else
IN view He might easily have walked
away, but he had determined upon an
other act which marks him as a gem
erouS soul possessed of the highestN
courage There was a young white girl
tied on one of the ponies, who was
weeping in the most piteous agony.
Smith coelly proposed to play another
game, stalking his life against the lib
erty of this young girl. Big Laugh
was evidently pleased with the white
mans courage, and after taking an
other drink, he began TO shuttle the
cards The young girl was cut loose
from the pony and made to stand ON
the blanket, while the thongs for bind
ing Smith in case he lost were thrown
at her feet. Again they played a close
game and at the end Of a short time
stood to s; but it was Big Laughs
deal. With what awful interest that
poor girl must have watched the turn
ing of that trump. The Indian slowly
dealt the cards. and, peeping at the
trump, a hideous grin spread all over
his face.
I was sure that all was lost, and
was just in the act of springing at his
throat says Smith, when he turned
the queen of heart for a trump. He
could not give me, of course, and 1 held
both the ace and deuce of hearts" :
Big Laugh was by this time hilarious
ly drunk and in a most excellent good
humor. He not only kept his word fnd
gave Smith and the young girl their
liberty, but he furnished them two
ponies and allowed Smith to take his
gun. The liberated captives reached
the settlement in safety, where Smiths
strange story would never have been
credited had not the young girl bore
witness that it was true. She is still
living on fine plantation on the Bra
EOS and is the widow of no less a per-
sonage than Colonel Sam Jones. who
was killed at the battle of ChilOh.
Wildcat Smith lives in a little cabin
IN the woods and devoteS his whole
time to hunting bear and deer and
sometimes smaller game. When asked
for information concerning his fe-
rocious name. he said: ''Oh, the boys
call me Wildcat cause l fit one of
them varmints once without any
weapins. I got the tarnal critters ear
in my mouth and then 1 busted his ribs
and unlimited his neck with my fist"
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-01-02
HEAVY LIABILITIES.
Bankrupt Manufacturing Company
Owes Over a Million.

Boston. Jan. 1.-While no statement has
yet been made, the total liabilities of the
Assabet Manufacturing company may
reach from 100000 to $3.50, coo. The
heaviest Indebtedness to any one firm is
said to hold $50. COO: while other houses
vary in approximate amounts from $1,000
to $4,000.
The difficulty encountered by the COM
pany in finding an outlet for its paper
came with the consolidation of the eight
or nine Boston banks. The company has
done considerable business with some of
these banks. For merchandise the COM
pany's Indebtedness will not foot up much
more than S150,000 At the meeting of the
assignees tomorrow it is expected that
facts and figures relative to the assign
ment will be made public
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-01-02
TELEGRAPHIC BRIEFS.

Harvard won the championship in the
inter collegiate chess tournament which
has been in progress at New York during
the past six days. Columbia took second
prize.
A serious revolution is now proceeding
in the republic of Bolivia. The transit
trade, by way of Mollendo, Peru, is in
terrupted. Ecuador is also much dis
turbed but Peru is perfectly tranquil.
A. Vorath, the well known chess player,
composer of problems. and who was a di-
rector Of the Manhattan Chess club, died
at his residence in Hoboken yesterday
morning. Vorath was well known as a
strong chess player.
Janowsk gave a simultaneous exhibit
ton of play at the Cosmopolitan Chess
club, New York, and in two hours and
eleven minutes finished eighteen games,
winning sixteen and losing two. This is
a record performance.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-01-02
THROWING DICE FOR 100000.
In One Year New York Man Has
Won $4,000.


A man in New York, who has evidently
studied well the science of probabilities,
has invented a, most fascinating game Of
chance whereby he is largely profting.
He deposited in the Chemical National
bank $500 and made a check against it
which was duly certified. This check ne
offered TO the man who would throw five
skies with dice zone flop" out of the box.
having paid 80 cents for the privilege of
throwing.
The dice might not be handled or Jug
gled they were placed inside a thlck Dell
glass resting on a base, the top OF which
was over a heavy spring operated by a
lever. The dice ana machine were eX-
amined by a committee of reputable men
and the whole securely sealed When a
man wanted to throw against the check
he paid 30 cents, pulled down the lever,
released it. and the dice sprang into the
air against the top of the glass ana Tell
back again. The game has been in opera
ton almost a, year and no one has won
the check. In that time $50 600 throws
have been made. AS the fund has grown
the check has been increased until now it
calls for 100000. There is no restriction
against his withdrawing the check and
losing the game any time he desires, put
il is so profitable that he will hardly do
so. The sum of money to be won IS 50
large that the dice machine is kept busy
all the time. 1t is located in barroom
in lower Broadway, near Wall street, ana
is patroniZed by brokers and their clerks
A travelling man from New York,
speaking of il, said:
TT is a very fascinating pursuit, trying
to shake five skies for 100000. | have
spent almost $50 in the game myself. and
some of those Wall street men nave spent
thousands of dollars against it. One
afternoon / was in there and young fell
low from the clearing house monOpoliZed
the machine until the place was closed
.Ip at night As fast as he could pull
down the lever and the dice fall he
pulled it again and the man in charge
kept books on him. l don't know how
many times he threw. but it must have
been thousands and I was told that he
hadn't thrown five Of any number in all
that time"
that beats the PLAYER The mathemati-
cal probability Of five skies being thrown
at once is as one to Z 1855, but in this case
500 coo throws have been made without a
winning.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-01-02
Mr.. D|NGLEY SERIOUSLY ILL
FAMOUS REPUBLICAN LEADER
ATTACKED BY PNEUMONIA.
His Friends and Relations Greatly
Slight Change For the Better.

Washington, Jan. Representative
Nelson Dingley of Maine is critically i'll
at his apartments at the Hamilton house
in this city, with an attack of pneumonia.
Because of his age, much concern is felt
over his condition. His illness dates from
Wednesday of last week, when he had an
attack of the grip. He grew rapidl- worse
and last night pneumonia set in. This
afternoon it was stated that there had
been a slight change for the better, which
has continued through the evening.
Mr.. Dingley is of delicate physique, is
an unremitting worker. and has figured
in tariff legislation in the house for
great number of years. He is tow chair
man of the committee on ways and means
and is leader of the Republican majority
on the floor of the house. His wife and
daughter are here. nursing him in his
illness, while a physician is in constant
attendance at his bedside.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-01-02
ARRIVALS FROM DAWSON.
Lake Bennett Is Not Yet Frozen
Over

Seattle, Wash. Jan. 1.-The steamer
Alki, which arrived tonight from
Alaska, had a number of passengers
from Dawson City Among them was
Captain E. NJ. Strickland of the Can
adam mounted police, who left Dawson
on Dec. 3. Considerable open water is
reported on the Yukon and lakes. Lake
Bennett is not yet frozen over A
great many prospectors are coming UP
the Yukon to the Thistle Creek dis
trict, which was discovered last fall.
About 500 pounds of mail from, Dawson
reached Lake Bennett on Dec. %. 1t
left Dawson on Nov. 90.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-01-02
STOCKS AT LONDON.
Americans Were Strong and Scored
Further Advances.

London, Jan. 1.-The stock exchange
wound up the year in remarkably good
form. with prices rising and business act
i've all around. especially in Americans,
which were remarkably strong and scored
further advances.
Reading shares rose 4 point; Reading
first preferred, "a: New York Central &
Hudson River, r. Union Pacific. q ILL
nois Central, u; Denver & Rio Grande,
Il: Erie, Il; Atchison. Topeka & Santa Fe.
IL Chicago, Milwaukee & st. Paul, Il,
and New York, Ontario & Western, H..
Baltimore & Ohio fell Y point.
from 31a to per cent, and on three
months bills at from rs to per cent.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-01-02
DREYFUS STILL IN DURANGO.
No Relaxation In the Severity of His
Treatment

London, Jan. 2.-The Daily Telegraph
publishes the following from its CORE
spondent at Cayenne, capital of French
Guiana: Today Sunday l interviewed
the governor of French Guiana, who
denied that there had been any modifica-
ton of the severe treatment of Dreyfus, or
that the French government had ordered
his return to France.
The documents forwarded him by the
court of cessation reached him on Dec
%; and his replies will be mailed by the
steamer leaving Jan. 3.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-01-02
FORMER PUGILIST KILLED.
John Gallagher Fatally Shot By
Mike Flvnn.

San Francisco, Cal. Jan. las a result
of row in a saloon at 113 O'Farrell street
today, James Gallagher was fatally Shot
by John alias Mike Flynn. Gallagher,
who was an eX-pugilist, died soon after
the ARRAY, but was able to make an ante
morlen statement, declaring that he had
been slain by Flynn. The pistol with
which the crime was committed has not
been found. Neither Flynn nor the others
who witnessed the quarrel will talk about
the matter Jerry Sullivan, one of the
proprietors of the saloon, and Della Rich
ardson, a friend of the murdered man,
have been held by the police until their
evidence can be obtained. 1t is said that
Flynn has served two years in the house
of correction for robbery, but expected an
appointment as bailiff of one of the city
police courts tomorrow.