Hi, Martha.
There were many many gamblers in every state and territory in the U.S.
P. T. Barnum's famous quote about a "sucker born every minute" is often misquoted as most people do not understand what he was trying to say. What he said was...
"There is a suck born every minute, and two to take 'em."
Barnum was suggesting that there were far more crooks (gamblers too) out there in the world. At the time of Creede, Colorado's silver boom in 1892 it was said that the gambler's and bunco sharks outnumbered the regular merchants, miners and citizens. My point with all this is that there is no end to the list of gamblers in the old west. My books list of lesser known names in the rogues gallery I mentioned previously covers almost 20 pages, and those are just the ones who associated with Soapy. I did not collect the histories of the many others.
If you really want to know them all you will need to read the old newspapers, literally page by page. I suggest specializing in a particular area or state, as it has taken me many years just to cover Denver, Colorado and some of the boomtowns there.
Jeff Smith
There were many many gamblers in every state and territory in the U.S.
P. T. Barnum's famous quote about a "sucker born every minute" is often misquoted as most people do not understand what he was trying to say. What he said was...
"There is a suck born every minute, and two to take 'em."
Barnum was suggesting that there were far more crooks (gamblers too) out there in the world. At the time of Creede, Colorado's silver boom in 1892 it was said that the gambler's and bunco sharks outnumbered the regular merchants, miners and citizens. My point with all this is that there is no end to the list of gamblers in the old west. My books list of lesser known names in the rogues gallery I mentioned previously covers almost 20 pages, and those are just the ones who associated with Soapy. I did not collect the histories of the many others.
If you really want to know them all you will need to read the old newspapers, literally page by page. I suggest specializing in a particular area or state, as it has taken me many years just to cover Denver, Colorado and some of the boomtowns there.
Jeff Smith
- Gamblers — Martha Fanning, Fri May 25 4:08pmJeff, not to ask you for research you don't need to share, but I have a thought on the brain about little known Old West gamblers. Do you know of any such book out there? Thanks, Martha
- Your thought — Jeff Smith, Sat May 26 12:30pmHello, Martha. This discussion forum is for the sharing and discussion of information. Anytime I can I am willing to share what I know for the benefit of all. It sounds like you are asking for a book ... more
- YES — Martha Fanning, Sat May 26 4:38pmYes, that's the thought rambling around in my head. Who were the lesser-known gamblers, who were gambling at the same time as the better known gamblers in the Old West? I'd love to have your book,... more
- Small question with vast answer — Jeff Smith, Sat May 26 6:01pm
- Thanks, Jeff. I'm impressed. — Martha Fanning, Sat May 26 9:13pmVery interesting, & thank you for this: "If you really want to know them all you will need to read the old newspapers, literally page by page. I suggest specializing in a particular area or state, as ... more
