The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1901-05-03
WAGERS OF OTHER DAYS.
Odd Stakes Were at Risk on Elec-
lions Held In the Past.

Odd Stakes Were at Risk on Elec-
lions Held In the Past.
Betting on elections was as prevalent
In the early days of the republic as it 10
at present. 1t is recorded that in a cam
paign between Federalists and Demo-
Gratis a cask of ale was wagered ON the
result by two prominent men, of Phila-
delphia. The terms were that the ale
was to be drunk at the Blue Anchor
tavern in Dock street, then a widely
patronized inn. A fortnight after the
election was held enough returns had
come in to show the result, and the bet
was paid. There was q good, old fash
Toned jamboree at the ale drinking, and
before the night was ended the whole
party was in the hands of the night
watch. The newspapers of the day got
hold of the story and printed it, but aft
er the fashion of those days no names
were given, and also after the fashion Of
the day the little affair was referred to
as "a brawl and ARRAY" when in these
days 1t would be called a case of drunk
and disorderly."
About 20 years ago Jay Gould put up
q steamboat as a stake on an election.
Whether the other party to the wager
put up another steamboat or an equiva-
lent in cash, real estate or railroad stocks
and bonds is not recorded, but at any
rate Mr.. Gould won. Later he sold the
steamboat he had wagcred to an actor,
who converted it into an excursion boat
and got rich.
When George Francis Train, the eccen-
trio, lived in Omaha some years ago, at
the time when he was prominent in the
building of the Union Pacific railroad. it
m fhOf nl.,nfipr, cnbnI.
uled. Mr.. Train thought he knew how the
election was going and to prove his cour-
age made a wager that If his man was
defeated he would wear a duck suit all
the year round. Mr.. Trains guess was
bad, and he lost. He lived up to the let
ter Of the bet, however, and for a whole
winter, one Of those Omaha winters, too,
in which the thermometer takes sudden
and unexpected dips to far below zero
and billiards. come along overnight and
freeze everything that Is not actually on
fire, he wore white duck. There were
those who said he violated the spirit of
the bet by wearing half a dozen suits Of
underclothes under his white duck. But
Mr.. Train could stand criticism better
than he could stand an attack of pneumo-
mia and refused to abandon his warm I'M
derclothing.
They tell another story of an election
bet in the blizzard country. 1t is to the
effect that in 1888 Ezekiel Timrock Of
Hunnewell. Kan, made a bet in these
terms: If Cleveland was defeated, he
would join the church. Timrock was
gentleman with reputation as tough
and bad man generally. He had long
scorned religion and cursed religionists.
So his bet was a heavy one. Well, he
lost. There were many who thought he
would back out and compromise by Civ
ing the winner a big farm or something
of the kind. But he didn't. He made
application for membership in the church.
1t SO happened, however. that the dca-
cons knew the terms of the bet, and his
application was blackballed. Timrock
thought this released him, but the man
who held the other end of the wager in
sisted that he had not paid up. Timrock
considered that he was insulted, and
promptly there was shooting match.
Both were equally quick on the trigger.
and both were equally good shots. and
the result was the death of both parties.
The coroner summoned jury. and when
the inquest was over verdict holding
the church responsible because it rejected
Timrock's application was returned
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