The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-11-25
Az OLD sol IHERN GAMBLER DEAL
Mack Won $40. o on . Poker Hand Once.
but Vas Buried BY charity.

CHArLEs roS, S. C.. Nov. 23.-Wiliam Mack.
who died here last week. was tie last of the
gamblers whose heyday Of success came a
quarter Of a century ago. Al the time when
he was best known the common story was that
ne had more money than he could put in a barrel.
He died in poverty and Vas buried by the char
ity OF his former associates. one story told OF
his early playing was Of the game when he
raked 10 $4,000 al the poker table from a sea
capt0ln who was blufed out on a pair Of fours,
You don't rnd many gamblers low OF the
Billy Mack stripe and color" said one OF his
friends TO The SIN correspondent. In his
early days when he played in New Orleans lie
was known as a huge buffer. The time he
put the blinds over the eyes Of the SEA captain
was after a long dash with the American game.
The stakes had teen running high and there
was enough cash on the table and IN neaIOy
pockets 70 equip an army Bliys luck had
been jumping, and the captain was having a bit
tie best of the play. Some giant BUNS had
been engineered. Billy was caught IN one OF
these ana hr Vac Dumied 80 hat1 hy the ~ IAN
that the latter remaI he'd that Mack would not
he caught mat way again.
IT was a ragged game and the PLAYERS stage
in only when they had Jacks OF letter. flnal!y
we decided to make everything Il JACK, and a re-
markedly bad streak In the hands resulted IN
having the pot made as sweet a. a sugar pun
of course We all wanted II. After We lad passed
time and again II came 10 the captain hTst
SAy and he OF ned the iOt Win u sumner. We
all stuck there were five of US and when the
card. were handled the captain stood rat tie
rest Of ~ had ordinary cA-rI,s. ehcelt Billy,
who asked for one card. The betting was
caut lou, =; first. but when II came To the CAP
tain'- second turn he lamIned on a handful 81
money which made several ~ US want 10 drop;
Around at Rilly's end he saw the raise and
lifted IL without even looking AT h- hand, and
So there Was nothing left for us to do but Jump,
the captain alone remaining 10 see the end OF
well they raised and raised. The fact that
Billy refused 10 look at his nth card rather net
tied the sea player. and he began 20 get eau
stuck a diamond scarf lin in his five cards, ly-
ing face down, and asked 'or time TO 20 and get
lust had 10 60 across The street and W. waited
with the greatest anxiety untIl he returned.
He came W the sien- LOVING ana ppn1ng Inc
! Of Mack, began to fdSet in his chair. and he was
losire some Of his play ing nerve.
"'neing hat it, my raise, said Mack very
! oulotIv and very cooliv. and as he pot is rich
! il will cost YOU lust $500 TO call me-
And wi'hthat J.. began looking AT his money.
". brought out bills of The four figure character
and he was counting these oN slowly. The
/ captain had reached for hi wallet and We locked
for wild plunging, The captain however hes
.Hang the luck he said vi iouslv, 7 am
beaten. and there isn't any use throwing g"od
his hand. Billy began To rake in m. money
iust az Z IL was a a. bet, and the captain left
the room. The pot had a fraction le-Ss Than
tsh.'FN IN H'llhl Il'ies' anu 'HH''u "h'h
: The sea dog had gone.
Pretty good Ne said. FOR two little fours,
! hut the chance ~ the draw was worth II. What
! did hat guy have
The C~antaiu's hand had been conTed out
He Ind a little straight, nrd strange to say the
smallest card In II WIS n four spot.
Billy Mack belonged 20 the Glass ~ gambler
- much ~ evidence around. Charleston ius'
after the close "f the war, He wns without q
relative. He came 10 Charleston years ago
from New York CITY md II was underStcCd
that his home orig nally vas IN AIlanN, He
never received a letter and II Is d"uh'f liz he
got any mail for N''een wears preceding his
+; death. He never talked 81 himself. and in q
certain way lie was q mystery.