$20,000 To Bet On Wilson.

New York Times 100 years ago today, July 25, 1912:
Powell of Mississippi Found No Takers at Rochester Hotel.
Special to The New York Times.
    ROCHESTER, N. Y., July 24.— W. H. Powell, of Canton, Miss., counsel for the Illinois Central Railroad, a great admirer of Woodrow Wilson, said to-day that next to Congressman Undewood he preferred Wilson to all other Democratic candidates for the nomination.
    Mr. Powell met a number of prominent Republicans at Power's Hotel this afternoon, and the matter of the Presidential election came up. Mr. Powell declared he would bet from $500 to $20,000 that New Jersey's Governor would be elected in November. He produced certificates to show that he was able to pay the bets if he lost. Mr. Powell found no takers at even money.