The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-08-13

~ OURTEEN thousand dollars In one
night was the biggest winning of
Jerry Crowley, whose grave Is now
sought by brother. made in his rapid
career as a gambler.
He was one of the noted poker players
of the west and died when only 26 years
old. He began SO young that his career
practically covered fourteen years.
Jerry Crowley was buried in ground
known as the old Pan placers, at Brock
enridge. which afterward became so valu-
able that most of the bodies were re-
moved and those that remained have
since been obiterated, Jerry Crowley's
among them.
His life began in Davenport. Iowa,
and he was one of a family of ten chill
dren. When only five years old he went
wiz. his parents across the plains, and
they arrived in Denver in June, 1859.
Jerry was the wild one of the family.
He was twelve when he ran away from
home. His father was a blacksmith,
and wanted to make his three sons fol-
! ~ his trade Jerry did not like the dis
pline, and when he was still a child
suddenly disappeared.
He Joined a teaming outfit and went
east as far as st. Joseph, Mo. Here
he got a taste for gambling. as he sold
papers and BACKED boots for a man who
was professional gambler.
Young as he was, the life fascinated
him, and he soon made his way back to
the Mississippi river, and there obtained
work on one of the river boats, where
he perfected himself in the art of card
playing. Those were the palmy days of
gambling on the Mississippi, and young
Crowley made reputation which soon
put him In the lead.
Don't gamble on anything" he would
say, but IL you do gamble, bet on the
case card and find If the game is on the
square before you go in. Don't play too
often, and then not more than S. or $40
on the turn.
Don't drink and don't bet you're liv-
ing, for you will be dead the next"
which was Jerry's way of warning them
that the life of a gambler was one OF
awful chances.
But though he advised others from
his own experience, he could never pc
induced to give up the life. He was at
home at rare intervals, and Travelled
from coast to coast
In those days it was the custom OF
professional gamblers to travel on
trains extensively, and catch the SUCK
ers' going east or west. EVERY con-
ductor was fixed" said an old-timer in
relating those early experiences. The
men would soon find out who had the
money and 1t was easy to fleece most or
them. The conductors got $25 to 800
according to what was made, and II the
passenger made any fuss he only got
himself disliked or laughed at.
1T was the custom for many women
to play poker on the trains In those
days, but Jerry Crowley would never
take money from woman, and any
woman in distress found friend in MN
II he had a penny in his pocket. He
was a handsome fellow, and always Wen
dressed and flung what he made right
and left as easily it came to him
His superb nerve" said friend.
was shown when the money was
heaped in piles on the table and every
man had his gun out at his side POKER
was serious game played in That way,
and the more dangerous 1t became ana
the greater chances he took the napier
Terry was 1t was this Indifference that
mt him at the pinnacle. There was no
such thing as an honest gambler, and l
have heard Jerry say so. But the very
moment that 1t became question Oh
nerve to make the turn that would WIN,
when every mans brain was intent and
his keen eyes to every moment OF the
others. this was the instant that all the
daring in -erry's nature sprung to the
test. and almost looking into the muzzle
of death, he would take his chances
HE was the youngest. but the gamest
of all the noted gamblers, and only once
did 1 know of his getting into trouble,
That was in Cheyenne. some time about
1876. John : --ase brother of Ed Chase
OF Denver gambling fame. was running
things there win high hand.
:, zen Jerry blew into town one day
John heard of 1t, and soon found that
he had too powerful an antagonist TO
fxht At cards. So he began to bulldoze