Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-02-03
King of Gamblers

Francois Blanc. an ex-convict from
Homburg. bought the principally OF
Monaco. boots and baggage. The gen
lus of gambling had claimed many an
individual, many Il noble and his estate
and not infrequently an entire city,
but II had never before undertaken
such a conquest as this.
D. Francois Blanc is one Of the most re-
markRble OF all soldiers of fortune OF
his early history little is known. He
was seized by the authorities OF HON
burg for having made fraudulent use
OF the telegraph in relation TO stock
exchange news received from Paris.
His method was one Of the very oldest
namely, the corruption Of the en-
ployees. 1t seems that at this time the
German law did not precisely cover
this species Of swindling and he and
his twin brother escaped with sen
tenCe Of seven months.
Francois Blanc was not discouraged.
He had accumulated 100000 francs.
and with that sum he established the
KursRal at Homburg. The kursaal
fourished and Blanc might have gone
on there TO the realization Of his am
billions but for the national sentiment
he was shrewd enough to foresee.
Blanc realized that the time was not
far distant when the German people
would put down the sort of gambling
in which he was engaged, 50 he began
to look about for some new country in
which TO set up his temple OF fortune
on the coast Of the Mediterranean,
between the Kingdoms Of France and
Italy. there was q little independent
principally II WAS not more than
two miles and quarter long and hard
ly three-quartcrs ~ mile wide. but It
was an independent kingdom, with an
old and royal house.
Charles III. was the reiguing prince
but ne was q tattcred monarch. and his
court was begEarly make believe. In
his desperate situation II is said he ap
piled TO a Shrewd Partisan for counsel
who advised him 10 set up gaming IA
bleS and thereby ruin other peoples
subjects since you have already ruined
your own"
Charles III followed that pregnant
advice He sold gambling concession
In the principally to two Adventures
DuvGl and Lefevre. These men built
the casino. but their venture was not
particularly successful They asserted
that Charles avarice could not DE salts
fed. and when Francois Blanc arrived
on the Mediterranean. around 1860, h'
bought the concession and moved hi
gambling establishment from the kur
saaI at HomburC TO Monaco.
Francois Blanc was a bold and dar
ing sdventurer. The little principalit!
was divided practically into three
towns-Monaco, Condamiue and Monte
Carlo II was the last that Francois
Blanc occupied. He employed the hes
architect TO he had. built great ca
sine. laid out beautiful gardens and ter
races and expended over S3.OOO.OOI
upon the mere prospect OF making
Monte Carlo the gambling headquar
ters OF Europe
Francois Blanc. the eX-convict from
HOmburg. was no ordinary man Lor'
Brougham said that Blanc was tn
greatest fnancier OF his tims. At an!
rate. his great financial adventure JUST
fed itself. Blanc came 10 live in splen
dor He married his daughters q
princes. he accumulated n fortune o.
100000 900 francs. and he left behint
him an establishment that nets at leas
$4,000 900 a year in profits.
More than this. Francois Blan
bought and paid for the principally o