Help us get to over 8,748 articles in 2024.

If you know of a magician not listed in MagicPedia, start a New Biography for them. Contact us at magicpediahelp@gmail.com

Difference between revisions of "George Devol"

From Magicpedia, the free online encyclopedia for magicians by magicians.
Jump to: navigation, search
(Created page with ''''George H. Devol''' (August 1, 1829 - 1903), born in Marietta, Ohio was a riverboat gambler, con artist and fighter. He worked on the riverboats on the Mississippi and later on...')
 
(References)
Line 12: Line 12:
  
 
[[Category:Biographies]]
 
[[Category:Biographies]]
 +
[[Category:Con artists]]

Revision as of 18:45, 21 December 2009

George H. Devol (August 1, 1829 - 1903), born in Marietta, Ohio was a riverboat gambler, con artist and fighter. He worked on the riverboats on the Mississippi and later on the railroads between Kansas City and Cheyenne.

Devol published his autobiography, "Forty Years a Gambler on the Mississippi" in 1887, telling his amazing (and perhaps very embellished) life story. Shortly after he published his book, the heyday of railroad and riverboat gambling were over. He retired from gambling for good in 1896 and spent the last years of his life selling his book.

At the age of ten, Devol ran away, serving as a cabin boy on a river boat steamer. He quickly learned to play cards and was soon dealing seconds, palming cards and recovering the cut. He later teamed up with other card sharps such as Canada Bill Jones, Bill Rollins and Big Alexander.

It is estimated that Devol won over two million dollars over his forty years of gambling. However, when he died in Hot Springs, Arkansas in 1903, he was nearly penniless.

References