The Covington leader. (Covington, Tenn.) 18??-current, 1921-01-13
RIVER GAMBLER WON
BOAT IN POKER GAME

In the '60s the Mississippi river
steamer Eagle was considered one of
the best and prettiest steamers on
western waters. While she generally
ran in the lower river trade, there
were many times when she carried
cargoes to St. Louis and Louisville.
The Eagle was owned BY Col.
Jim Lambert, who was a very sue
cessful planter near Bayou Sara, La.
Col. Lambert, it is said by old river
men, had the boat built to run in
opposition to another steamer on
which he had shipped some cotton to
New Orleans and which was badly
damaged, but Col Lambert never re-
ceived pay for the loss.
At any rate, the Eagle was con-
sidered the finest in her day. She
was big side-wheeler and had very
wide guards, being capable of carry
ing a heavy cargo and MANY first
class passengers.
Occasionally Col Lambert made a
trip on the Eagle. Usually this was
when the boat was on her way from
New Orleans to Memphis or st.
Louis.
1t was in December that the Eagle
was returning to New Orleans, when
strange man engaged passage at
Memphis. His mannerisms and style
If dress indicated he was a planter.
When the boat was under way he
began wandering around on the
guards. In this way he became ac-
ouainted with Col. Lambert. The
two went to the bar on the boat and
drank cocktail together. Then
they sat about, smoked and snapped
yarns.
Next morning another PLANTER got
on the boat at Helena. Pretty soon
he ard the stranger and Col. Lambert
were discussing crop conditions and
politics.
That night the three sat down to
a game of poker. Col. Lambert
seemed in his best Dlaving mood. He
won most every jackpot The others
could not hold decent hands; only
occasionally did one Of them win.
Shortly after midnight the steamer
was leaving Arkansas Citv. when a
fourth man put in an appearance.
He hardly knew one card from an
other, but agreed to join the game
on invitation from one of the men
plavirg
The iackpots grew in size. The
Memphis passenger began to win a
little from Col. Lembert; also from
the others. This seemed to en-
courage him, so he began raising the
bets There were piles of money on
the table. Finally the dealer gave
Col. Lambert four kings.
The man from Memphis opened the
betting. Two others stayed little
while, but there was too much money
bet for them and they dropped out.
Col. Lambert put up all the money
Re had with him. It was said to have
been several thousand. Every time
the Memphis passenger raised him.
''I'm through" said Col. Lembert.
"Bet your boat" suggested one of
the men, laughing.
"I'll Just do that NY boat against
your pile" said Col Lambert.
The Memphis stranger drew wal !
LET from his pocket and laid it down
on the table.
"What you got?" asked Col Lam
pert. Iaving down his four kings.
Without a word the Memphis pas
,enger laid down four aces.
The captain of the boat came
through the cabin after Col. Lam
,ert had retired. He happened to
znow of the poker game, and, taking
good look at the Memphis nassen-
yer, he recognized "Creole John"
'amous river gambler from New
Orleans. The other three were his
"T'll nut vou men ashore" said the
'antain. starting to signal the pilot
q land
"Don't be in hurrv cantain,"
allied "CreoIe John Il lust won
his boat from Col. Lemberf and Of
course, will need a safe COM
H. Curtis in CONNER