The Cheyenne Daily Leader

BILLIARD PLAYING.
Why No Wyoming Man Will Ever Be Champion.
Ivory Balls Become Imperfect in the Mountains.
Brief Mention of a Few Local Billiard Experts.

Wyoming may produce handsome women, the horses of the plains may defeat all comers, our ball players win pennants galore, and our athletes excel in all games while the territory continues to be famed for fat cattle, and smelters produce unlimited quantities of mineral, but this altitudinous region can never boast a native billiard player who can even aspire to the championship. The fates have decreed that no phenomenal manipulator of the spheres, no wizard of the cue shall be reared in the Rockies. The explanation of the fact is not at all difficult, this state of affairs being entirely due to perfectly natural causes. Colorado is similarly afflicted. The ivory ball, an essential adjunct to the acquirement of proficiency in the game, cannot withstand the atmospheric influences. The most perfect and costly globes of this material become ill shaped in a few months. Several local scientists consulted on the subject assigned the same reason for the loss of shape of the balls. Like the obelisk, they cannot stand the climate, and the people refuse to alter the agent which destroys their usefulness.

Two or three Cheyenne billiard parlors, unmindful of expense, manage to keep one set of ivory balls at all times, but these are rarely in perfect condition. When one of the obstinate inanimates becomes irregular it is diminished in size, and is no longer a genuine billiard ball. The constant use of ivory balls would entail an enormous expense upon the enthusiast, and the indulger could never be morally certain that the spheres were exactly what they should be.

With genuine Western pluck, a number of Cheyenne gentlemen have, in the face of adverse circumstances, become quite proficient with the cue, and one may see an interesting game at the Inter Ocean, Club house or Bicycle club rooms almost any evening. There are tables in a number of private residences here, and at one time a number of ladies were considered good players. The balk line game is seldom indulged in, and the sign "No masse shots" has almost entirely disappeared.

R. D. Murray, of Pierce & Murray, is recognized as champion of Cheyenne. He handles a cue gracefully and makes many daring shots. Mr. Murray made a creditable record in an amateur tournament at Denver, and was given second place in a similar contest at New Orleans.

Ed F. Stahle, secretary of the board of trade, is an expert billiardist. He has beaten Mr. Murray at times, but usually accepts odds from that gentleman. Mr. Stahle plays earnestly and carefully and makes some very difficult shots, but is excelled by Mr. Murray in "nursing" and "drawing."

Fred Clary, of the Fair, thoroughly enjoys an exciting game and will walk around the table with almost anyone who happens along. A contest between Messrs. Clary and Stahle is ever interesting and nearly always close. It is anybody's game almost any time.

Dr. E. B. Graham is the peer of all professional men in the city at the gentleman's game. He plays quietly and deliberately.

Lem Smith and G. M. Kepler are dare devils at billiards. They play spasmodically and are liable to interest an expert at any stage of the contest. They are of the class who "fall" on easy shots, pay little attention to position, occasionally surprise everyone by brilliant playing and steadily increase their strings.

Mr. DePrato, steward at the club, like every true Frenchman, thinks billiard playing a capital game. He plays well, but often lays plans which he cannot execute.

When in practice J. Howard Ford is considered a good player. He is a large man and presents a fine appearance when engaged in the game.

J. Stirling Birmingham is a billiard student and will develop into an expert. With him the game is rather serious business. He will practice for hours to master one particular stroke.

Samuel Atkinson, deputy county clerk and Samuel Cairns of the train dispatcher's office play often and well

Dan Arnold is the cowboy billiardist He takes a keen interest in the game and seldom overmatches himself, though rarely refusing to "take a cue." Mr. Arnold is also an expert pin pool player.

Among the military gentlemen Gen. Mizner and Lieut. Chynoweth excel at the game. They occasionally play for hours at a time, and are pretty evenly matched. The general plays an old style game and is a pretty sure shot. Dr. Ives, post surgeon, is also quite a player.

Harry Rapp, who is now in Chicago, was formerly champion among the printers. His mantle has fallen upon Wm. H. H. Reid, of The Leader office, whose style at the game greatly resembles Gen. Mizner's.

T. B. Hicks, president of the First National bank, is a devotee of the game. To the good-natured banker a bout at billiards is a huge joke. He plays a splendid game at times.

Tom Williams, of Myers' dry goods house, plays a very pretty game.

Mr. Russell, the painter, is tall enough to entirely dispense with the bridge. When once thoroughly interested, Mr. Russell is no weak adversary for the ordinary player.

J. B. Pollard leads the bicycle boys at billiards, though Mort M. Hamma, when here, often followed his trail pretty closely.

Attorney Frank H. Clark is accounted above the average at billiards.

Attorney J. G. Pratt was at one time pointed out as "a mighty clever billiard player." He seldom patronizes the halls now.

Surveyor General Thompson extracts considerable solid enjoyment from an hour with the spheres.

Geologist Ricketts is very fond of the game and plays quite well. Gen. Thompson and the geologist frequently play together.

There are many other good players in the city who cannot be mentioned at this time. The game is essentially somewhat scientific, requiring the exercise of considerable judgment, and the most healthy indoor pastime. Very few billiard players drink, and the placing of a new table is certain evidence of the weaning of young men from bad habits.