The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-05
MAYHEM GREEK MET
w GREEK AT POKER.
A Memorable Game in Arkansas
City Which Left Two Dead at
Old Man Greenhut's.

who sat in Old Man Greenhuts saloon one
summer afternoon, seeming TO indicate the
probability of some happening in the near
future, though a stranger might we'll have
been at loss to conjecture the nature OF
the expected event. Greenhut himself,
though he occupied his favorite seat by the
window, and had his feet in their accus-
toned place on the sill, was unusually quiet
and smoked his cigar nervously. The others
were chewing their tobacco in solemn
silence, with only an occasional glance
at the open door to indicate that the strain
of waiting was beginning to tell For
! a long time no one spoke, but presently
the Old Man broke the silence.
Il reckon there hain't no need o tellin'
! any on we to play clost to yer collarbones
when there here Memphis sports comes,
| he said "but faint goin' to do no harm
to say that you've got your work cut out
! for you, an the reputation OF Arkansas
City hangs in the balance. There's no ques-
= ton but what Sim Bloodgood an Jack
Turner is two o. the best short card players
! that travels the river, an they do say that
them two. playin' together, has made
KILN in every town between New Madrid
That they've left for the last.
| Il amt a-sayin' but what they've showed
Judgment in that Stands to reason they d
never come here if they'd been beat out
any other place There hain't no man
goin' to tackle a Arkansas City poker game
| il he finds any other game too good for
| him; but these two hain't. SO we don't
want to make no breaks in yer play. an
remember, them two has eyes like hawks"
| There's others can see hole through
fence" said Sam Pearsall. Il recko n
there's talent enough right here to cut their
.combs afore they leave town.
We'll, if didn't think So" replied Green
hut, Il wouldn't crow SO loud as do some
tines but there amt no harm in chuckin'
in a warnin word. All t want to say is
that these two amt no ordinary players"
! "If We didn't know that" said Jake
Wnterbottor. with jus. touch of i'm
! PATIENCE in his tone, ave wouldn't be takin
the interest we is takin' in meein Of en-
What further conversation there might
have been is doubt full. for while he was
| still speaking Joe Bassett, the Sheriff OF
! the county was seen approaching with
! the two strangers from Memphis whose
! arrival on the last boat. with the avowed
| purpose of engaging the local players at
draw poker, had set the town talking
! As was becoming in one who had official
! dignity to maintain and was thoroughly
! conversant with the etiquette of the oc-
cason. Mr.. Bassert asked his two guests
! to ioin him in a drink and included all those
present in the invitation. No one was
! cburlish enough TO decline or foolish enough
to lose his opportunity, and as the new
corners recognized the obligation that
rested upon them Old Man Greenhut was
kept busy for some time Juggling his glasses
| and bottles. One or two others in the group
were moved to extend similar suggestions
before it was deemed fitting to introduce
the subject that was really uppermost in
every ones mind.
| But at length the preliminary ceremonies
were duly completed. and Old Man Green
hut remarked in tentative fashion:
I'VE was a-hearin, round here, that
Won ms was comm to town lookin' for a
! game"
well yes," said Turner, with becoming
difidance. "We've been hearin' about
Arkansas City poker for quite spell now
, Some saws you play better here nor they
do in some other places, an we lowed
we'd try little of it, if you uns d like to
NAV. We don know much about the game
| hut we're willin' to learn, II we can find
any such Pi"s''' "' WY '''
Him! Well, don't know, said Greenhut
Il don't pay nnucH lms NY w., th.ra's sonne
10 look alIei ... ; ~. 90, IN Nth Va fnr a
o the poss INA. 'iisti. ~ I H.
SPELL Just ior an M ITO SorU,,,;,.s ,h-
In sucn iaShioii VIZ '.'e | a,'nr,,;,t,
served which were isit 10 ue appr Up' ,I'a,
to the occasion, ana ,he el.sU s" . a.'.,
was destined to be laiked ol TOT, o''' e''"
Of the river To the o'tler WIS peeuis; .,
There were SIX players n ouI vi 'hent
Winterbottom, Bassett, fealsan ana
J 0bed Plunkitt, beng collnleu vac i mos.
rehlble OF the HalaAy VI eSiIs .,i''' r;.' 10y
the other two, As Greennut mao sai''' pelhB
reckoned the most skiful of the many
gamblers that made their hVlng on the
boats and in the river towns but mostly
on the boats.
There was no ELK Of limit. The occa-
sion was too serious a one for even such
restriction as table stakes would have
been. Each man felt that he was likely TO te
called on TO back his hand to the utmost
extent of his resources, and each was pre-
| pared TO retire from the game only ID case
he lost his all The beginning, however,
was a modest one. the six men taking siO'
apiece in chips. and paying for them at the
start. 1t was not long, however, before 1t
was evident that the only use til" chips we're
likely 10 finl YVES in the making of change,
for one after another pulled out his rrGll