The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1902-09-05
LIMPSES OF
SARATOGA.
A Magnificent Gambling He'll, Where
Men Lose Fortunes.
Two Million Dollars Wagered in the
Betting Ring at the Track
in Single Day.

Saratoga has this summer ceased to
he PRINCIPALLY a resort of New Workers.
An army of invading Western mil
lionaires, headed by the always'spectac-
ular John w. Gates. has swept down
mon the town. In consequence the
horses on the track, the 'bookies'
in the ring. and the plungers in the
grand stand are all divided into two
great camps-the West and East-that
everywhere meet in rivalry that is
not always entirely friendly.
A third element, and one entirely
new. is composed of those famous in
society. Add to this the crowd of
humber sight-seers from everywhere,
and YOU have some idea of the queer
elements that go to make up Sara
| tOga's summer visitors.
Two millions were wagered in the
track the other day by not more than
2, 900 betters, an average OF vi, 0oo a
piece, although the large majority
confined their play to 800 or so.
| The average dinner check at Can
field is $40. The amount Of money
gambled on faro and roulette is alb
solptely impossible to estimate, but
$500, 600 at least changes hands, ana
it is probably many times that amount.
Here is sport unmarried by proIes-
sional gambling On the little club
house piazza sat grand danes and
famous men. The lover of statistics
discovered there the other day at one
time ten capitalists whose individual
fortunes exceeded $50, 600, 600 and
whose combined wealth touched $4OO,
900, 000 The whole scene is one or
g.. 10 Iaf5
At 10 80 each night the music Is
over, and the crowds, save a few who
linger in the open air, disappear IKE
magic; but bedtime is still far Oft. A
block from Broadway, opposite Con-
gress ParK, there stands. amid extern
sive grounds. a stately four story req
brick building that bears an air OF
deceptive responsibility that charac-
terizes the place inside and out.
Through the front entrance pass
gentlemen in evening dress. who nod
familiarly to burly man who sits by
the door, apparently to enlov the ar
1t is we'll that they are able to 90 this,
for lack of recognition would render
an entrance more or less problematlcal,
From the side street green -hedged
walk leads up to small door, through
which a stream of magnlhcently
dressed women, accomplished by IT.
reproachably groomed men, If passed.
You enter with them, and lind your
self in Cantields famous clubhouse.
One end of the reception room IS
separated by steel lattice-Work, De-
hind which every now and then pass
gentlemen, who sit down at the desk
inside and write out checks. Ihese
are the losers But one would never
know 1t from their demeanOr. 1t IS
considered extremely bad form to show
displeasure over losses at Garfield 8.
Inside the restaurant the scene IS
one of exceeding brilliancy. All the
| fashionable folks are assembled as
guests or hosts at informal dinner
parties. At the eastern end. wl1e
doorway affords d full view OF the
gambling rooms. At the tables tnear
this door gorgeously gowned women
sit and look longingly at the gamblers
paradise. where they never enter-for'
while the way seems open, no wo-
man foot ever crossed to the rooms
beyond.
Around the faro and roulette tables
cluster groups ..of men watching the
players It is noticeable that the
young element choose roulette, while
faro is left to the older generation.
Every minute or two one of the diners
rises from his table and saunters in to
wager fifty on the wheel, presently
returning, bearing, perhaps, a roll OF
bills, or-whlch is more likely-wlth
somewhat forced laugh and empty
hands.
Everyone plays 1t is all open, ana
not the slightest attempt at conceal
ment is thought Of. Gambling is In
the air of the place. and is as natural
as the early morning glass OF spring
water.