Romantic legends aboard riverboats include lost plantations, fortunes, even slaves to gambling debts. Some claim that legend is grossly exaggerated as most legends become over time, but riverboats were notorious for gambling and the stakes were always high.
One such gambler, Jimmy Fitzgerald, was the best dressed gambler on the river in the 1840s. One night after his share of booze and cockiness, Fitzgerald is said to have bragged about his 40 suits from England, 4 overcoats, diamond gambshirt studs a long gold chain that was as big as his pinky, plus his 4 slaves. The cards were laid and Jimmy lost it all in one poker game!
They say fortunes were made and lost aboard the riverboat steamers during the 1800s - and if Fitzgerald is any example it was a quick transition!
Next time: The West via Panama
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