Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-12-12
JACKPOT OF WAR TIMES.
A Poker Hand Dealt in Civil War Re-
Gently Played.

one result of the Grand Army of the
Republic reunion in Boston was al
unusual poker game played in Western
New York. For if il hadn't been TO,
the reunion James Weatherbee of Den
Yer. Col, one-armed veteran of the
Civil War. would not have met an old
coinrade there and incidentally would
not have finished little Jackpot that
was being nicely opened on the night
of April 2, 1865. on the outskirts OF
Petersburg. The explosion of Fort
DreWry and the burning of Richmond
in sending Grants 10000 men scuttline
after Lees veterans. with Sheridan
hanging on the flank, interrupted the
game.
While on his way home from Boston
Weathcrbee stopped off in Rochester
to visit friends. While there he took
a trolley ride TO Sodus Point. AS the
car was waiting at Union Hill he
heard a man mention the name OF
Prattley, wellknown farmer.
Hey, there" he cried out Of the
window. ARE you folks speaking OF
Enos Prattley, a Civil War veteran?"
The station agent told him that the
group was speaking of Enos L. Pratt
ley.
Il get out here" cried Weatherbee
to his friends. Pick me up on your
way home
He walked a mile before he came to
his old comrades home.
rs this Enos? Shake. I'm Wealth.
erbee. Do you remember April 2.
1862" he asked of Prattley, who was
about to enter the house.
Let's see. Jim; we was opening a
jackpot when old Drewry blew up and
you he'd to git
And that last deal cost me an
ARM replied Weatherbee. still cling
ing to the others rough palm.
That's why l never came back to
finish that pot. / was dealing, re-
member? You were scowling at your
hands and pretending you couldn't
open. Lord. Seems as if it was but
yesterday. And l never knew what /
held in my hand"
Come inside, Jim." invited the
farmer. 81 sealed them cards up and
1 guess we'd better finish that pot
The two hands yellowed with age, and
the balance of the grimy old deck were
a gain examined their cards.
You were right. Jim. I'd calculated
to open. Here's the original stake. We
was playing a 10 cent limit game. So I'll
open it for 49, said Prattley.
Weatherhee slammed 20 cents on the
table
zen cost you 10 more to draw cards.
"Well these look pretty good. I'll fuss
with them. Gin me two cards. retaorted
the farmer.
Prattley held three deuces. Weatherbee
had four. five, six. seven of diamonds, and
the queen of spades He had waited thir-
ty-nine years to discover that he stood
chance of making a flush. a straight. or
straight flush He caught the three of
spades.
"ren cents said Prattley.
"And To- replied Weatherbee. cheerful
Same to YOU challenged the farmer.
who had caught two jacks
"Theyre just as good as they were in
1867. Up again" retorted Weatherbee.
Prattley raised again and once more
SO.
I'VE won't play another pot. as il would
take away the poetry of the whole thing.
said the Denver man. But after recov-
ering from my wound I went West and
made little money and if you'll sell me
the cards and jackpot for $50 I'd be much
obliged. Enos.''
It'll help out on the taxes. I'll do it.
agreed Prattley. and the old cards and the
handful of silver were sealed up and
handed over to the Westerner.
Prattley SAYS that ever since that long
ago night when he expected young Wea-
therbee to return with the morning at the
latest he has always felt that the in
terrupted pot would be opened some time.