The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-07-16
Notable Finish at a Freeze
Out, Which Was Planned
by Owen Pepper.
CBy David A. Curtis.)

It is recorded in history that Arkan-
Sas City was originally called Napol-
con. Just how or why that name was
given TO the little settlement which
was afterward to become famous as
the center OF all the civilization that
was to be found in the part Of the
world which 1t adorned is not recorded.
Shakespeare himself would have been
unable to point out any special fitness
Of the place which could be pleaded
as justification for the choice OF that
name.
With regard to the titular distinc-
ton that was afterward bestowed on
the place the case was entirely differ
emit. AS time went on and the fact be-
come apparent that here was a place
in which the amenities Of life had re-
placed the uncouthness OF existence
amid such surroundings as nature had
provided it was found desirable to Sc
lect a designation expressive Of the
elegance that characterized the CONE
munity.
The popular conception Of what con.
stituted metropolis having assumed
concrete form, it was determined to
call the place a city. AS it was To-
Gated in Arkansas it was named Ar
kansas City. A strange delusion Of
the whole community was thus put
on record.
Living Up to the Name.
Having declared the place to be a
city, however, the inhabitants did the
best they could to justify the title.
A single track railroad was construct
ed on which a train ran from the
boat landing to the interior OF the
state and back at such seasons OF the
year as were free Of floods. A street
was laid out along the levee, that be-
ing the only place where there was a
sufficient foundation for one. And q
saloon was opened on that street near
to a building which served as a sub
stitute for hotel.
All the necessary provisions FOR
city life having thus been made, and
nothing further being possible under
the existing conditions, nothing fur
Their was attempted for a period of
many years. The residents Of Ar
kansas City were entirely satisfied and
no one else even stayed there long
enough to suggest anything in the
way of progress.
The Two THRIVING Industries
Two industries only were prosecut-
ed in Arkansas City during the period
described. One was the consumption
Of any alcoholic fluid known to the
users of it as whiskey and the other
was the manipulation Of playing cards.
Both hourished in the saloon mention
ed under the fostering care of gen
tleman locally known as old man
Greenlaw, whose business sagacity
was so great and whose methods I'M
the promotion Of the trade were were
so forceful, that the fame of Arkansas
City as the great emporium Of draw
poker was soon established.
Throughout the great southwest
there was no other place where the
great American game was played so
cheerfully, so capably and so desper-
ately as it was in old man Greenlaw's
little room at the back of his saloon.
Poker was played elsewhere, but no
where else was it played as 1t was
there.
Even the one-eyed man admitted as
much and if anybody knew how poker
was played at each and every point on
or bordering on the Missippi River,
the one-eyed man did. 1t was conced-
ed willingly or unwillingly by almost
everybody. who was qualified to judge
that with the possible exception OF
Jim Blaisdell be was the greatest Nv
ing expert Of his generation. The
wonder of it was that he was living.
Opinions Of the 0ne.Eyed Man.
Them hellyons in Arkansas City,
he said once, "sho' is almighty compe-
tent reckon tn amt nobody on
oirth en- set in with EN- an win out,
not frequent they can't. l done it my
own self onct in a while, but | done
It with my life in one hand an a
knife In t'other An at that they was
mo luck than they was good Judgment
Into it."
"Oh, I don't know" said Mr.. Owen
Pepper, with an appreciative grin u
reckon yo' all showed tolable good
Judgment bout one thing"
Whatever else could be said about
Mr.. Pepper it could not be aYerred
truthfuily that he was hesitant about
Joining into conversation, even at
the risk he certainly ran on this oc-
casion Of making himself unpleasant.
1t was not his conversation, or. at
least. It had not been, up to that mo-
ment. There were no suckers on the
boat and consequently nothing for the
Messengers to do until the next land
ing should be reached, and One Eye
and a few others were merely beguil-
ing the time with chat, And Mr.. Pep
per. though he was among them, was
not Of them.
One Eye was annoyed by the inter-
ruptIon. 1t irked him to have even
his modesty questioned, though he had
80 little Of that quality as to parade it
on rare occasions, only, He re-
strained himself, however, and merely
INQUIRED, coldly, How was that?
ooh. | don't know. 'Peared like 20
knowed the right time TO to quit" said
Mr.. Pepper, and the very impertinence
Of his reply appealed to the one-eyed
mans sense OF humor.
knowledge That Is Important,
"Well," he said with an answering
grin, 9TH amt nothin' mo- important
n that into poker game. l don't
never aim to quit loser Mebbe they