The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1905-09-22
Rich lack Pots On Ocean Liner.
New York American.

corded was won by one Of the five
nulti-sniilionaire who played poker
for three consecutive days and nights
while en- route to New York on the
Kaiser Wilhelm H., which arrived
Yesterday form Bremen, so say the
pass engers. The 100000 pot was
raked in by a player who held four
dueces against his opponents three
kings and pair Of fives.
According to a passenger who IS
personally acquainted with the par
tjcipants in the great American game,
the players were H. c. Frlck, Charles
R. Flint, George Westinghouse, P. A.
3. Widener and John R. Mclean.
When the Kaiser Wilhelm II. sail
ed from Bremen on August 2o, the
five capitalists locked themselves IN
state7oom. One player, with probably
$4,000 worth OF chips, who sat be-
hind a king full of fives," raised
the bet until he could hardly see his
opponent on the other side Of the pile
of chips. The other player-]ust
which one is not known-held -four
little deuces," but after finding that
this opponent, who had smaller
hand. would not "call," he finally said
in tones which were easily heard on
the deck:
.'I cali. What have you got??"
-Four little ones" said the lucky
one, who raked in a good sized tor
tane at single clip.
The players, with their combined
business connections, represent about
$5oc, 900, 900, and they musthavelooked
the part, for ali chips were worth S1oo
each, and at the beginning each man
usually purchased $4,000 stack. BE-
fore the great hand, on which 100000
was won. the loser purchased $4,000
worth within twenty minutes, the time
it required to play the hand.
When wind of the veritable Monte
Carlo eddied about the ship scores
of the curious gathered about the
stateroom in which the game was
running, peeped through the windows,
and tried in every way to get on the
inside. Several passengers seemed
put out that the game was not played
in the smoking room, the usual place.
But the capitalists were anxious that
the passengers and public should
iearn nothing of the little Saratoga on
board. Hence the seclusion.
The game, passengers declared,
started on the first day out and was
kept up without intermlsslon for
three days and nights, the players
having their meals served to them at
the poker table. They slept but lit
tie, but there was excitement enough
in the game TO keep them awake.
When the five men, known all over
the world for their financial genius
did not appear on deck the first day
the 632 first cabin passengers did not
have any suspicious that they were
having little sport while locked in
a stateroom. But when they did not
90 on deck the second and third day
out. all believed that something was
going OF and friendly investigation
followed. resulting IN the amazing
story of the great game.
On the third day ont the limit was
raised from 5000 to $4,000. This
was done at the request Of one of the
piayers who was something like S1o,-
900 loser in the game. He declared
that at the old ante he would never
have a chance to get back his loslngs,
SO the ante was increased.
Alter all had had nights rest the
game was resumed on the fourth
day. Every player appeared fresh
and ready for the wrestle with the
pasreboards. The game became more
interesting, and the men dealt the
cards, stayed, raised, reraised and call
ed as though they followed that vo-
cation for livelihood.
Did you win or lose, Mr.. Frick?"