The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-04-25
GREENHUT SHOWS
THAT POKER is NOT
ONLY MONEY WINNER

Philadelphia North AmericanD
There were few citizens in Arkansas
Clty, even among those who for differ
ent reasons esChcwed the habit of
poker playiug-and there were some
such even in that toWn-that failed in
civic pride to such an extent as to d.
cry the DrOWess Of certain redoubtabIe
players who made their headquarters
in old man Greenhut's saloon.
IT was. of course. understood" they
said. that Arkansas City poker was
the best poker that was PLAYED. but il
by no means followed that Greenhut'S
salo9h<Was the only place in Arkansas
~ where poker of such peculiar ex-
cellence was to be enjoyed. In fact. if
the truth were known" they said. Ill
would become apparent that draw
poker of superior character to that in
Greenhuts back room was played else
where in Arkansas City
1t would be easy to consider lightly
the pretensions Of those who said ana
thought such things. In fact. old man
Greenhut. who was by no means ie-
norant of public sentiment in his own
community, did SO consider them. or.
at least, affected to do so. In h 5 own
words:
Them that knows what had ought
for to be did. on'y they can't do 'em. is
p ticlar liable for to belittle them that
can, Pears like its a heap easier an
more in accordance with the dictums
o pore human natur' fer to turn up TIE
nose o cOntumely nor it is to reco'nize
reel talent into them't has it."
That old man Greenhut's place was
the most famous one of its kind any
where on the river was admitted free
ly enough. but this was attributed by
many to his luck and the exceptional
advantage of his location. near the
steamboat landing and the railroad sta
ton, rather than to any towering sts-
periOTity in the game that was played
there.
One Bill Brady. who had achieved
unusual distinction on the boats as an
artistic manipulation of playing cards
and an expert in the various compiica-
lions of the game of draw poker. was
engaged in the practice Of his profess
sion one night in the saloon of the Belle
of the Bayous. in company with four
other experts of more or less distinC-
ton, one Of whom happened to be the
one-eyed man.
Contrary to what might have been
expected seeing that the party was
composed entirely Of professionals. the
game was not an exciting one a nota-
BILE hesitation might have beer observed
on the part Of each one Of the five in
the matter of backing the cards he
held, save and excepting such hands
as he might have dealt to himself in
his turn.
So far from being a desperate strue-
gle for the money ia sight. it seemed
rather to be Jealous conservatism in
the matter Of riskiug that which they
had individually at stake
D'yOu ever play poker with Jim
Blaisdell?" asked the one-eyed man
with apparent irrelevance, as he
watched BIZ Brady dealing.
NO. said Brady shortly. What
about him ."
"N0thin' p'tic1ar." said the one-eyed
man, "On'y / was thinkin' you mOught
find it monstrous interestin'. I reckon
Jim's about the sIickest dealer i'm the
hull valley"
'Oh. there's others said Brady. who
seemed for some reason to be pidued
by the remark which was intended
and understood to be entirely commit
mentary to Bla 'sdell
Yves. there's others admitted the
one-eyed man. THAT s. there's other
dealers bus haiu't never met up with
none I'm the same class
To this Brady made no repIv. ar:
the subject was dropped. but as the
one-eyed man possibly intended. his re-
mark ranked. and not long afterrarl
Brady. having made some cautious in
GUiries about Jim BlaisdeU landed at
Arkansas City with q large wad and
6Xed purpose
At the hotel he made some further
inqUir es Of the landlord one Hank
Hawkins. who happened to he Of the
number Of those who failed IN respect
fa- the Greenhut party.
YEP" he said. there's a Jim Bisis-
dell in town
y done heerd he was toTsbIe slick
with guards. observed Brady. as If
0nIv slightly concerned.
'Oh. 7 dunno said Hawkins. Hes
n fair player. 7 reckon. but there's
them { can plav al round him when
it comes to handIin deck. strangers
come here an set into a game at Al6
man Greenhuts count e' HIM beine
close to hand an mostly they don't get
no farther. helm it's q Arkansas CITY
game. right enough; but there's other
games in town Laws over ff-a4--.rr,si,4-