Old Missoula

Former Gambler Dies As Pauper

“Swede” Sam, Familiar Figure of State in 90’s; Handled Fortunes.

“Swede” Sam Wallen, a distinguished survivor of the old gamblers who had a code of morals, and observed them with a rigidity that was absolute, is dead. In his passing Montana lost a picturesque character, and the world of chance lost a onetime commanding figure. While he lived, he was a connecting link between the old west and the new.

“Swede” Sam died at the state hospital at Warm Springs, where he had been a patient, after his mind failed. While in the hospital he showed signs of improvement, but the end finally came last week. During his life in Montana, when gambling was in full swing, he handled a great deal of money, but he died penniless. His funeral will be held in Deer Lodge today, the body to be buried beside that of Emil Hanson, another old-time Swedish gambler of Butte, whose mind, like Sam’s, became affected and who, like Sam, died at Warm Springs.

“Swede” Sam is remembered by a number of old-time Missoulians, for during his life he visited here on numerous occasions, especially during the race meets when Missoula was on the Montana circuit in the early 90’s. Some old-timers last night recalled that Bill Gimble and H. I. Wilson of Butte at one time had a horse named after him, and that the horse raced here when “Swede” Sam was on the local track. Missoula men also recall his presence here at a gambling house on West Front street, although he was never here for more than a few days at a time.

“Swede” Sam was more than a machine gambler. He was a bookmaker and in his day was known from Sheepshead Bay to Ingleside – from the Atlantic to the Pacific. When he was in funds, he played the game of chance, whatever form it might take, to the limit. Like many of his brethren “before the railroad came in,” Sam’s word was as good as his bond. He never failed to pay a bet or redeem a marker as long as there was a dollar in his purse. In his day he won and lost fortunes without emotion. On one occasion he gave a well known Utah mining man a marker for $45,000. When the winner was leaving the city, Sam met him in Sam Martin’s clubrooms on Broadway and paid him the bet in cash – $45,000 in bills – probably every cent he had, but he had kept his honor as a gambler unsullied.

“Swede” Sam was born in Sweden. Of slender build, well above medium height, always well dressed, with a predilection for new derby hats, “Swede” Sam, with quiet reserved manner, was a notable figure.

When gambling was finally put under the ban in Butte, Sam removed to Helena. Later his mind failed and he was committed to Montana state sanitarium at Warm Springs. He showed occasional signs of improvement.

The above article appeared in The Daily Missoulian on January 20, 1924.

 

Another article that appeared in The Philipsburg Mail on March 15, 1935, added the following about “Swede” Sam: [Wallen’s name was spelled Wallin in the Philipsburg newspaper]

Sam Wallin Was A High Roller

“Swede” Sam Wallin was a high-roller in the old days when gambling was a legitimate occupation in Montana. In the course of his picturesque career he won and lost many fortunes. When the game of gentlemanly hazard went out of fashion, by law, Wallin, the plunger, was relegated to the scrap heap. He died in the asylum at Warm Springs a few years ago, and a bunch of the old guard of Butte, who were his friends when he was at the zenith of his career, journeyed down from Butte and laid him away in the Warm Springs cemetery. He sleeps beside Emil Hansen, another famous Butte gambler, who went the same route.

In his time he had handled, for himself and others, millions of dollars. He died penniless, his resourceful mind a wreck of what it had once been. He lived in the golden age of Montana, when Butte was one of the most picturesque places in the west, and many stories are told of his battles of wits and luck over the green cloth.

He was interested with a number of Butte men in a gambling establishment that was operated in the Butte hotel, which was patronized by the prosperous mining men of the Montana metropolis of 30 years ago. There was no limit to the play and at times $100,000 changed hands at his faro table in a single night’s play. At one time Sam’s Butte establishment was ahead of the game by at least $1,000,000.

The story is told that one night a young woman of the Butte half world committed suicide in the Butte hotel. The only way her body could be taken out was through Sam’s gambling rooms. When Sam saw the basket containing the corpse being carried through his place he threw up his hands in despair. “This house,” he said, “is hoo-dooed. It will never win another cent.” Nor did it. In a few months, its bank roll exhausted, Sam turned the key in the door and went forth to a poverty that followed him to the grave.

At one time Sam had in his personal bank account $200,000. A rival gambler was taking some of his trade. So he made up his mind that he would make an effort to put the rival out of commission by play. He went to the place, asked to have the limit taken off, and sat down in front of the cases. He had in his pocket $100,000 in cash. He played and lost steadily for 48 hours, having his meals sent to him, playing while he partook of food. Relays of dealers changed, but Sam played on, apparently bright as when he sat down. When he quit he was $97,000 loser.

Tom Hinds, who afterwards made a fortune in railroad contracting, in Canada, was associated with Sam in his Butte house. In after years Sam traveled across the continent to see Hinds, whom he had advised by telegraph of his coming. When the two met in the King Edward hotel in Toronto, the prosperous railroad builder and the broken down gambler, they shook hands.

“How much do you want, Sam?” asked Tom.

“I would like to borrow $2,000,” replied Sam.

“Here is your money,” said Hinds, as he handed Sam a check for the amount. “I am glad you did not ask me for $10,000. That is what I expected you to ask for, and you would have gotten it.” That was the spirit of old Montana a couple of decades ago.

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