The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-24


and when we hear of splendid coup
or brilliant ending we take off our hats
and say THAT was worthy of Wyllie." And
you, amateurs, when you have studied
checkers for years few of US have and
feel that you are almost as wise IN draugnts
lore as man can get just turn b 10 'f British
Draught Player" and find the exercise that
Is taken from "Wyllie's Switcher Book.
After you have played hat through by
yourself and meditated awhile as the card
sharks do over solitaire. tell US whether
you know checkers or are just beginning 10
learn the game. And mark what help1ui
bolus it would be. should some OF our Amer
lean players, who are scrapping with words
in rag time about their abilities to win this
or that opening, take a similar oose or
Wyllie and be healed of their seven devils.
James Wyllie was born at Jocks Lodge,
the name formerly given TO the Piershiii
Cavalry Barracks at Edinburgh, Scotland,
July 6, 1878 His father was soldier ana
fought at Waterloo in the famous regi-
ment known in history as the Scot Grays.
Before retiring from the army, the father
on leaving the barracks, the elder wyllie
settled in Kilmarnock, and here the son
James began to show that wonderful pre-
cocty for the game of draughts. Time
and again he defeated all the checker play
ers who ventured to come against him.
The early life of Wyllie is somewhat
shrouded in oblivion. We learn that ne
won the sobriquet of Herd Laddie'' be-
cause he impersonated that role during
trip to Fleshmarket Close with a farmer
friend named Porteous. The West Lothian
Courier tells something of this story In
manner sufficiently interesting to be worthy
OF reproduction.
The Courier saws: Among those who
played Mr.. Porteous and held him pretty
tight at the game was a dairyman named
Bertram, and their favorite howff was an
inn in the Fleshmarket Close. Porteous,
after he had made Wyllies acquaintance
and observing the boys aptitude for the
game, conceived the happy thought of TAX
ing him to Edinburgh aud springing sur
prise on his friend Bertram. Accordingly,
on his next trip to Edinburgh, the farmer
was accompanied by Wyllie, who for the
nonce assumed the character of Herd,
and assisted with the cattle which were
driven to market Business over the cro-
MES settled down to the usual game Of
draughts, a goodly number being assem-
bled, some OF whom were in the know
see the denouefnent After a few games
had been played and a good deal of tall
talk INDUCED in, not an unusual thing
when a dram is going round. a prear-
ranged message arrived that Mr.. Porteous
was wanted business. The farmer
apologizing for having TO leave little
while. said in a bantering way that he had
herd laddie that would play his opponent
during his absence. After an incredulous
disclaimer, Bertram accepted the challenge
and Wyllie being called in, was furnished
| with the necessary six pence 10 start his
game. Wyllie won and continued winning,
| sometimes the stakes were doubled and
| doubled. again, still the wonderful youth
| was invincible, Bertram having to be con-
| tent with an occasional draw, and when
| Porteous returned to the room he found
his youthful protege in possession Of ten
| pounds of which he had despoiled his oppo-
| nent
Naturally the draughts-playing dairy
| man was much disconcerted at his humil-
iating defeat and the result was a chal-
! lenge to set a match, which was duly ar
| ranged, for a stake OF ten pounds, Wyllie
| undertaking not to give his opponent
win in twenty games The result was a
was called ever after this. his first articled
| match. The same year Wyllie met two
other famous Edinburgh players. MacFar-
| Sc me as in his match with Bertram, and
the Herd won both matches. He then
played Thompson, player who had come
| given in this case, but the stake was TWEEN
ty pounds, and Wylle won again"
Six months afterward Wyllie played his
| g1O and the score was Anderson Z, Wyllie
g. drawn Z; a remarkable score consid-
ering the fact that Wyllie was only in his
sixteenth year and Anderson was then the
| Herd I.addie became famous as match
| PLAYER He conquered Wallace, of Glas-
ffea T every rye expert easily except the re-
doubtable Anderson. Once he even scored
against MIN by winning a match.
| A record of the numerous matches and
! brilliant victories of the Grand Old Man
would fill the entire sporting page Of the
| Journal. 1t may be remembered that
Wyllie, in all his playing, was only con-
| quered by two men-Andrew Anderson. OF
| Scotland, and r. ID. Yates, of Brooklyn
" Y. Possibly Wyllie could have beaten
| Anderson had the latter not resigned the
| title before their final match, anticipating
| defeat.
He was the greatest player of his day and
| sprang more innovations in the line OF
| stroke wins than any of the players who
| have followed him. So IL is hats OF
| boys" when Wyllie's name is mentioned