Winchester gazette. [volume] (Winchester, Va.) 18??-1826, 1821-07-14
AMUSEMENT.


Coup. de-mnin on the Gamesfers.
A very novel scene occurred, late on
Friday night week, at the west end Of
the town, between tho police and some
of the fashionable loungers, who spent
the weary night in play. The police
officers attached to the MARLBOROUGH
street office, ten in number, aud a
strung corps Of supernumeraries, were
ordered on Friday evening to assemble
at the Office, on ''service." They ac-
cordingly assembled, and each man
was supplied with dark lantern.
Plank, the officer, made his appear.
anee at the head Of the party. The
police follows ed their leader, and a few
minutes brought then to Kings street,
St. James's, close to a fashionable
house. Plank advanced singIy to the
door, and gave the sort Of familiar
knock, ofwhich he was duly apprized
by previous information. The porter
opened little wicket in the front door,
to survey the person demanding admis-
sion, before he unbarred the strong
safeguard of his trust. Plank said he
was come to meet a few friends to pass
an hour, according to custom; and, at
if afraid of being seen lettering at the
door, peevishIy upbfaided the porter,
with all the cir of man of fashion ac-
customed TO command. The porter a.
poiosized for keeping the gentleman
from his friends, and npened the door.
As Plank entered, his companions,
who maintained the line of eommuni.
cation, pressed forward to accompany
him. The impetuosity Of their move.
ments suddenly excited The suspicion of
the porter, who, in the twinkling Of an
eye, slapped the door forcibly back,
aud. ns it fastened upon concealed
apring, Plank found himself in mo-
ment shut in, and his companions ex-
eluded. The moment the door was
closed, the porter touched wire which
rung bell up stairs. Plank, deter,
mined to seize upon his prey, rushed
up stairs into the frst-Aoor suite Of a.
partments. His advance wa. so rapid
that he entered the room OF the same
moment the alarm was communicated.
In the centre WIS placed rouge ct
nor table, around which were upwards
OF 90 gentlemen, being all, in their ap-
pearaDce, gentlemen of fashion; a.
n.opgst them we're members of Parlia.
ment, naval and military officers, bar
risters, daDdies Of all kinds-the gul.
lers and the gulied.
The officer, as soon as he entered
the room, threw himself. all fonrs, nm
on the ''bank," and this EFFORT was The
instantaneous signal for general and
iHdiseriminate scramble. The coDfu-
sion was now at its height, and gene
raj rush wac made 10 the door, when
Plank had the preeaniion to turn the
key and hold it, and the retreating par
~ found their hopes Of escape abruptly
cut off. Hearing The uproar above,
and anxious to come to the aid OF
Plank, his comrades forced the doors
and rushed mp, and commenced secus
ring the gentlemen present. There
was at first show or resistance ma
infested to the officers, but this was put
down By the production Of their ire
arms, and several gentlemen were then
taken into cusipdy. One gentleman
threw up the sash Of the window, and
jumped out, but disiecsted his ankles
10 the fall, aud was taken UP in the
area, There were, in all, 40 gentle
men takea into custody; and at two
O'Clock Cd Saturday morning they were
conveyed 10 Marlborough street Office,
IN several hackney coaches. They
were all examined before the magis.
trates; and Mr.. Adolphus was sent for
by some OF the prisoners. He arose
from bed, and Immediately obeyed the
call. laughing very heartily upon his
arrival, at the ludierous situation OF
the gentlemen in custody. Plank re.
lated the particulars Of his quick and
brilliant enterprise; and underwent an
acute esoss-examinaiion from Mr.. A.
do'phus, who called upon him TO bring
home The charge Of gaming to the gen.
ilemen Iudis idnaiiy, and eoptended ~
'nuss do that before they could be held
to bail, many others gave their address.
ses, others we're discharged. The gen.
tleman wounded by the fall WAS place.!
~ situation where he could be proyi.
ftnl with auro.cot old o.