New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-03-16
PANEI1HOUSES.

THE PANRI-rHIEvRs AND THE POLICE AN
INSIDE yIEw-sTRANGB ADyENTUREs-Two
REPORTERS BEHIND THE SCENES.
These infamous dens OF robbery 10 be met with IN
all quarters Of New-York though they abound much
more In some districts than others In precincts
they seem allowed every license in others they
sharply looked after opened. Ar with the
kenohouses, the following details are confined to some
OF the houses in tho immediate vicinity Of Mulberrys
The panehouse at No f Mercer-st, in the Eighth Ward,
is kept by Tom Draper and worked in his interest by
one Charles Lobde Snotorous ex-conhdence operator
This house has been publicly open since Capt McDemot
was replaced by Capt. McCeary Tom Draper is known
as the "King OF Badger Pulers and has been IN the
panehouse business since the Bounty business came to
an end in 1865. he formerly kept house in Woostert'
which was broken up by Capt. Mills Of the Eighth
Precinct He then migrated TO the Fourteenth ward,
md for time was very successful in his robbeiics
but Capt Walsh arrested him. his pimps and girls, and
shipped them all OF 10 Blackwells Island This
Draper is now reported to be worth $4,000,
and has lately invested in real estate Two
years ago he was candidate Tor Assistant
Alderman on tho Democratic ticket. He Is The
captain OF the william j. Sharkey Association OF the
Eighth Ward, to which all the leading Tsmmany Hall
politicians belong, also do Capt McCoary and large
number OF the officers under his command
Hearing the notorety OF this house. our reporters
spent An evening lately in Meycer-st, and occupied
themselves watching It and all who entered II or came
ont of It, They OF necessity very cautious Ia Their
movements though walking about like other passors
by The officer duty wore the number Az on his
can Apparently bis beat lay between No. 100 Mercer
ST. and the corner OF Housonst distance OF about 800
feet though possible that he neglected the other
part Of his beat Certain is that he passed the greater
part OF the evening the sidewalk Immediately oppo-
site the house No. H. and on one occasion he LEFT his
post and entered the house. remaining there Tor nearly
ten minutes On leaving the house he remained stand
ing the of Houst0nst, at midnight, nearly al
the time till he relieved.
VICTIM.
Soon after taking up his position stout plainly
dressed approached him and entered into
ton one Of the reporters Immediately went after them.
and, unknown TO them overheard their conversation
The man explaining 70 the officer that he had been
robbed at the house No III the night before, aud was
asking what he could do to his money or bring
the thieves justice. The officer recommended him TO
stand on Broadway in the daytime and when he So"
the girl who had lnveged him into the house to point
her ont to the nearest policeman who would be bouhd
to arrest her. then TO 60 with the policeman 10 the STA
tonHOus to prefer complaint AMI aftef~aru !" 'no
Police Court TO testify against her. tbs course inc man
seemed unwilling pursue and left without
what his intention might be. Now TINS oeer kue" TWO
facts: first that these panehOuse girls never Walk
Broadway in the day-tlme; and secondly t"a' "neh
Good mani has been made the girl is sent away for two
on ,bree davs He might be said 70 know with equal Ger
,,n, ,hat the man would not be willing to appear In
Police Court as the prosecutor In such case
CAUGHT AGAIN.
IN this mans departure, whle the reporter WAS
Ltoo IN che officer, q runner IRON the pahei
nso wont ND 10 the policeman and told MIN ne
80, % sneok 10 him moment. They were evidently
,, o,an,ed and crossed together TO the upper
.oer Of the street. the officer telling the reporter no
and NO hack in a minute. Not caring to remain, the
or,sr ioined his companion, who had been quietly
Itching the house, as two very respectabe-lookng
- had entered H. about ten minutes before, IN com
- Nth women The men shortly after came ont and
cee1cd up the street reporters Following at con-
-, distance ont OF sight OF the officer. they ad.
,od tbese men inquired IL they knew the character
- , bopse they had lust left and IL they had lost any
,h, One seemed ready aud willing to tell their expe
,arce. tbe other the younger OF the two doth had
n,ssea middle age), tried 20 get his companion away
and to preyent his saying anything He very much
axced apparently not knowing what TO do, and from
the few remarks which escaped him, II evident that
be had been robbed. He said In agitated voice:
"They will hear from me In less than ten minutes"
The two gentlemen then passed up Houstons; TO Broad
way the reporters again following them. At the corner
OF Prnce-st they met officer TO whom they detailed
their grievance and from whom, by the reporters
auerward learned all about the affair Thsy had been
robbed of a considerable sum OF money Returning 20
Mererst the reporters overheard In angry alter
cation with woman who had just left the panel house.
"G-dd-n YOU" exclaimed the man, you've got every
id dollar had In the world. and you may so TO HI
now" These scenes not confined 10 Mereer-sL
aloue but witnessed IN othsr rs-s OF the paTless