Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-09-20
GAMBLING IN RICHMOND.


event that has spread through this city more un-
feigned and general satisfaction than any thing
that has come to pass for many long year.
Perhaps the first intelligence Of those brilliant
victories which, during the late war, added such
immortal honor to our gallant navy, may nave
been received with the same enthusiastic Ge-
ight-nothing has occurred slhoe, '"a' "ai oe
compared to it,
A little after nine o'clock on Monday night,
number of Young men assembled for the pur-
nose of breaking into the houses OF the gam
blers. and destroying the instruments by whlch
thew carry on their illegal and ruinous practices
Their numbers were rapidly increased, until In
a short time they amounted to between three
and four hundred. Reused by sense OF the
deep injuries these men had inflicted upon the
inhabitants of this place, and doubly excited
bv the intelligence of an assault made by gang
If blacklegs upon gentleman OF this city, they
determined to lend their aid to the enforcement
of the laws, and to put down at once oand OF
outlaws who lived by corrupting and destroying
all whom they could seduce into their snares
The determination was not more honorable
than the means by which it was accomplished.
No noise no uproar, no violence dlSgraced their
proceedings They set themselves about the
task that was before them like men who knew
their duty and were determined to perform It,
Their decision was the result Of calm and deli
berate refection-of long experience OF the
sense of the insolence and almost alarming bold
ness of a desperate and lawless gang who had
exerted an influence over the people OF this cl-
Nv that all good men had deeply, but hitherto
Intellectually, deplored. We cannot suppress
the feelings of qualification and surprise with
which we heard of the cool, decided, and man
ly bearing, of those who took part in this truly
good work. The effects of the proceedings of
Monday night will be long felt in Richmond.
A power mightier than that of constables, or CT
ty ordinances, has laid its hand upon this band
of outlaws: their establishments have crumoied
under its irresistible grasp; and they themselves
sbiyerlng in their helpless infamy, will be dri-
ven forth to find, in some other less fortunate
community, hiding place from the fury of po-
pular Indignation. They cannot long remain
here; and if they be wise, and would profit by
the lesson already received, they will fly at
once. Richmond for years to come, Will be but
an insecure residence for men whose very pre-
sence will recall the wrong and insult they have
so long inflicted upon people too patient un-
der their sufferngs.
The Young men, accompanied by the captain
of the night guard and eight Of his men, pro-
ceeded little after nine to the task which was
before them.
Their first visit was to Shubert's, on 18th ST.,
and to the two adjoining houses-the one occu-
pied by gambler named PuckeI ana the otner
belonging TO some one whose name we have
not ascertained-in these places they destroyed
all the gambling apparatus they could lay their
hands on.
q They next entered the Profile house, in the
rear of the Eagle-here they destroyed three
Faro and other gaming tables.
8. From the Profile house they visited gamo-
lirg house. kept by Rives, on Cary street, over
the second store from the corner Of 18th street,
where they laid hold Of two faro and roulette
tables which, with other gaming apparatus,
were destroyed.
4. The establishment over the tailor's shop of
Huston & Smith, was next visited This was
fitted up in unusual splendour, and here also
they succeeded in seizing many costly tables,
which were rolled into the street and destroyed.
5. The house over Cottom's bookstore was
next in order, and shared the same fate.
&. Over Seden & Words store large estao-
lishment was broken up and its tables, &c. de-
stroyed.
establishment over Regnaults papering store
but the proprietors had received notice IN time
10 enable them to remove much of their aPpara-
ms. The little that remained was thrown out
3. The Bell Tavern alley came next Here
also they were expected, and most of the furni-
ture had been removed.
9. Returning up E. street, they entered the
new and splendid establishment in the rear of
Earley's restorative; and succeeded in breaking
many costly articles used in gambling.
10. Their last visit was to the establishment
over Cranes store; and here they succeeded
in breaking up several roulette, faro, and other
gaming tables. They were prevented from
sooner entering this house in consequence OF
the crowd being assured that it was occupied
by MIR. G's private family; suspecting the infor-
nation to be false, they entered the house from
the rear, and discovered it to be one OF the
most complete and costly gaming houses IN the
city.
The private property of the occupants OF the
houses was never Injured, and the whole ahair
was conducted with the greatest decorum and
quiet Between five and six hundred packs or
cards were thrown into the street; which we are
informed the gamblers employed servants in
collecting and destroying, that the people might
not in the morning be too greatly excited by
the sight Spirits and wine were found in great
quantities, but were never touched. The gam
blers had, excepting Fenwick Allen, notice ear
ly enough to allow them to escape. This indi.
yidual who had been the leader in assaulting
citizen, was traced to a house ofill-fame. Hear
ing the approach Of the crowd, he endeavoured
20 escape by the roof; but three or four ndivid-
- L.. H., nsnAN