Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-15
DEATH OF PHIL DAILY
Noted Gambler With High
Record for Honesty.
KNOWN AS SQUARE NAN
Proprietor of Long Branch Club,
Distinguished for Its Luxury.
Spent Money Lavishly.

LONG BRANCH. n. j.. March 10
Philip DAILY for twenty-six years man
ager of the Pennsylvania Club at Long
Branch, died at his home here last even
ing of heart disease. Mr.. DAILY was born
in 1855. In 1872 he took charge OF the
Pennsylvania Club. the most famous OF
the five Long Branch clubs which Gov.
Fort closed when he was New Jersey
supreme court justice.
Phil DAILY, as he was known to the
sporting world OF generation ago, be-
gan life as country lad. He drifted
into the gambling game and once in 1t
he soon created what was easily the
highest class and most exclusive gam
bling club in the United States. There
were restrictions on gambling In Long
Branch in the 7Os when Daily formed
his Pennsylvania Club. but Days genius
was great enough not only to overcome
petty obstructions in the path Of the
sport but to make Long Branch noted as
the home of the Pennsylvania Club.
The club was distinguished for its lux
ury, Its cuisine and it's high play, but
perhaps more than for anything else for
Its reputation during Days time Of be-
ing absolutely square. DAILY took lot
of pride in square dealing He would
allow no sharp practice, no cheating, no
Juggling. He did not permit minors or
residents OF Long Branch to play in his
club.
Enjoyed Unlimited Confidence.
So trusted was Phil DAILY by his wealthy
players that they used to bank their gam
Dllng money with him. They would de-
post with him $4,000 or 100000 at a
time, saying that they were going to
bet on the horses or the cards and play
against the deposit. At the end of the
season they got back what they hadn't
lost or they paid DAILY the deficit, accord
ing to their luck. In these transactions
no written accounts were kept, nor did
DAILY ever give receipts. Such men as
President Chester A. Arthur, Sam Ward,
Charles Reed, John Chamberlin, Pierre
and George l.. Lorillard, John Hoey, the
founder OF Hollywood: J. B. Haggin, the
Californian; Charles Fleischman, the Gin
cinnati manufacturer; James Fisk. IT,,
and John Morrissey frequented DAYS
pennsylvania Club and partook with rel
ish of it's fare.
In December, 1883, DAILY was shot by
Edward Meredith and barely escaped
with his life. He had been induced to
go to 4o8 4th avenue by a series Of notes
urging important business and signed
'Addie Stanton In room to which
he was led a man attacked him and shot
him through the head. The object OF
the attack was robbery. Daily had $780,
600 In his pockets and was adorned with
many diamonds. but the robbers didn't
get cuff button. Edward Meredith,
Henry Hermann. Adelaide Stanton and
Ella Hammond were arrested and Mere
dith got long term in. Sing Sing.
Reckless in Expenditures.
From the effects of the wound in his
head DQ1v I,
made astonishing profits with his Penn
sylvania Club and other gambling enter
prises he spent so much that in the clos
ing years Of his clubs existence his ac-
quaintances were wont to say his ex-
penses were year ahead of his profits
Yet his personal reputation for square
ness was so strong that he never lacked
money to finance the club.
Mrs. DAILY, who survives her husband,
always objected With might and main to
Pills business. She didn't want him to
have anything to do with gambling. She
submitted to his will in the matter, but
though her home was under the same
roof as the club, one visiting it would
never have known that such things as
bets existed. She is devout Roman
Catholic and founded and supports the
Roman Catholic Church at Long Branch.
Twelve years ago, partly as a result
Phil DAILY retired from the gambling
business. He dropped SO completely out
of the glamour of the sporting world that
when an auction sale of the old Pennsyl-
vania Club property was held last year
many persons were surprised to hear
that he was alive. AT the auction sale
and general rearranging of his estate 1t
was found that he would have about
100000, enough for himself and his wife
to live on comfortably for the rest of
their days.
Three Children Survive Him.
DAILY had three children, Philip, jr.,
| and two girls, since married. They are
Mrs. Henry Hanfrau and Mrs. Bert Nc
Castland. Philip DAILY. jr., is sporting
man like his father. He is well known
as horseman and trap shooter. He
married JENNIE Joyce, an actress, and
after chasing Fred F. Wood with re-
| volver he got a divorce from his wife.
Later he married her again.
District Attorney William Travers
Jerome had occasion to raid Phil DAILY,
jr.'s, place at 107 West 45th street, New
York. in 1903. when Judge Mcmahon d.
rected the jury to acquit Phil, jr., of
the gambling charge brought against
him. Last year Mrs. Phil DAILY. jr., the
second, got a divorce. Phil Daily, ~jr., is
son of Phil DAILY by his first wife.