The Gambler’s Wrath: Seattle’s Tenderloin King Beats a Wealthy Merchant for Insulting His Wife

Seattle. Wash. — Johnny Clancy, recognized boss gambler and tenderloin king of the City of Seattle, last Monday went into the store of Jules Redelsheimer, one of the best-known and perhaps the wealthiest Jewish merchant in the entire Sound country, and 'whipped up the floor' with Redelsheimer, because Clancy's wife had complained to him that Redelsheimer had insulted her on the streets of the city.

Clancy walked leisurely into Redelsheimer's store, where he has been a customer for years. He asked one of the clerks for Redelsheimer. He was directed to the private office.

"I want to see you," demanded Clancy, as Redelsheimer turned in his revolving chair.

"What is it, sir?" asked Redelsheimer as he arose from his chair and offered his hand to Clancy.

"Shake hands with you—l guess not. I'd rather kill you," came Clancy's answer.

Without another word Clancy leaped at Redelsheimer and grabbed him by the throat with both hands. In a second he had him on the floor and was beating him in the face. Finishing with his victim on the floor, Clancy picked him up, and, with a strength almost unaccountable, threw him through a plate-glass mirror that was sitting in the corner of the office. Redelsheimer's face and hands were cut, and he was in a sorry plight. For a few minutes he was unconscious. Clancy in the meantime inviting any one in the store to take up the case with him.

"I guess I gave him what he needed," said Clancy, as he walked to the street and met a policeman, to whom he told of the whipping he had given.

Redelsheimer was taken to his home. When a reporter inquired the facts in the case, Redelsheimer did not deny what had taken place, but would give no details. He said there must be a misunderstanding somewhere, for he did not insult Mrs. Clancy.

Although the wife of a gambler, Mrs. Clancy is recognized as the prettiest and best-dressed woman in Seattle. While, of course, she is not admitted to swell society, because of the calling of her husband, all who know Mrs. Clancy say that it would be hard to find a more modest and a more respectable woman in the entire city.

Redelsheimer is a great lover of fast horses. So is Mrs. Clancy, who drives one of the best animals in the city. Sunday afternoon, so it is said, Mr. Redelsheimer and Mrs. Clancy passed in their respective rigs on one of the streets in the outside district. Redelsheimer is alleged to have drawn rein and to have spoken to Mrs. Clancy. In the conversation he made certain propositions, it is claimed, that were much out of place. Mrs. Clancy at once drove away and told her husband of the occurrence. The meeting and the fight was the sequel to the whole affair.

Clancy claims that Redelsheimer insulted his wife and forced his attentions upon her. She couldn't handily get away. Then it was that Redelsheimer had the gall to say to her that he had admired her for years, and proposed that they meet in an hour, when he said they would have a nice wine supper. His wife made no other reply than to tell Redelsheimer that he was no gentleman. She then went and told her husband the story.

Redelsheimer is a married man, and stands high in Seattle society. His wealth is placed at $500,000. He recently sold for $200,000 a lot erected in Seattle. For 15 years he has been in the clothing and men's furnishing goods business in Seattle.