Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 April 1887 — A Good Hand at Poker. [ARTICLE]

A Good Hand at Poker.

“Did you ever hear of Wild Bill’s ace full?” asked a local manipulator of the cardboards. “The story may be old, but it’s true. It happened in 1876, at Sioux City. Wild Bill had a weakness for poker, and knew no more about it than a baby. The consequence was he was a picnic for the sports, and they fleeced him right and left. He was repeatedly warned that he was being robbed, but he always replied that he was able to take care of himself. “One night he sat down to play with a fellow named McDonald, a ftne-work-er and expert. McDonald did as he pleased, and the scout found his pile getting smaller and smaller as the game progressed. As he lost he began to drink, and midnight found him in a state of intense but repressed excitement—a condition that made him one of the most dangerous men in the West. It was at this juncture that McDonald, smart gambler as he was, made his mistake. He should have quit. However, Wild Bill’s apparent coolness deceived him. “Finally, the scout seemed to get an unusual hand, and began to bet high and heavy. McDonald raised him back every time, until the top of the table was about out of sight. At last there was a call. “ ‘l’ve got three jacks,’ said McDonald, throwing down his hand. “ ‘I have an ace full on sixes,’ said Bill. “ ‘Ace full oh sixes is good,’ said McDonald, coolly turning over his opponent’s cards; ‘but I see only two aces and a six.’ “‘Here is the other six!’suddenly roared Bill, whipping out a navy revolver, ‘and here’—drawing a bowie knife—‘is the one spot!’ “ ‘That hand is good,’said McDonald, blandly, arising. ‘Take the pot.’ ” Chicago News.