Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-09-15
THE GAMING CASES.
The Stud-Horse Poker Players Held TO



Yesterday was field day in the Police
Court. The cases of the five parties arrested
at the Western Hotel for playing stud
horse poker were first called for examina-
ton, the complaints charging the defend
ants, Slower, Cunningham, Beck, Conrad
and Ford, with dealing and conducting the
game as owners. The prosecution was rep
resented by w. A. Anderson, City Attor
( ney, and A. 2. Catlin, special counsel, while
A. L. Hart appeared for the defendants.
The testimony was taken by w. Il. Doan,
stenOgraphic reporter The City Attorney
outlined the case by an opening statement
disclosing the character of the testimony to
be adduced. Officers Kent Rider and Riley
were sworn, and testified that on Tuesday
last they arrested the defendants for deal
ing stud-horse poker game that it was
dealt by each Of the parties in turn, and
was conducted by them in this way That
they were playing for money, and that they
turned the low card 10 pay for the
cards, drinks and cigars that the game is
dealt with the first card turned face down,
and all the others face up, and is the game
Of stud poker. The modus Operandi
Of the game was shown to the Court by an
actual deal Of the cards, and the whole
manner Of conducting the same explained
The counsel for defense in his cross-ex-
animation asked the officers whether there
was any percentage attached and whether
the defendants were owners OF. the game
and was answered that they were each
dealing and betting for money. and ali
seemed to be interested in the conduct Of
the game; that the percentage seemed to
be for drinks and cards.
After the prosecution rested, counsel for
defense moved TO dismiss on the ground
that no ownership had been or could be es-
tablished. The question was argued at
length by counsel on both sides. when the
Court oyeTruled the motion, and said that
1t appeared that these defendants were
playing and dealing and conducting
the game OF stud-horse poker, under cir
cuInstances to raise presumption Of own
ership.
Defense called W. L. Ford. who testified
that stud-horsc poker IS q percentage game,
that he was not playing stUd-horse poker
when arrested, but q game called all
around the table stud that there was no
percentage in that game; that he was not
an owner, and all the other PLAYERS were
strangers 10 him. On cross examination
he said that the game was dealt Just the
same as percentage stud-horse poker. but
this game any player can object to anv
other player, but in stud-horse percentage
poker the rule is otherwise
VIM. Bell SwOrR-Said that the game
played at the Western is not stud-horse
poker but is called all around the table
stud There is a wide difference in the
games. In that game there is no owner.
each deals in turn. There is no percentage
The game is dealt the same in both games.
In all around the table stud all the per
sons playing arc equally interested. and
there is no direct owner.
Steve Maroney testified TO about the same
effect as the last witness
Z. SimOns, John c. Beck and Frank Sal
leriield testified in substance to the same
state Of facts presented by the other wit.
nesses. The testimony here closed CITY
Attorney Anderson then opened the argIi-
ment for the prosecution. General Hart
followed for the defense, and the argument
was concluded by Mr. Catlin for the prose
cution.
The Court thereuPon made an order
holding the defendants to answer before
the Superior Court, with bail fixed at $500
in each case
During the examination of witnesses
some funny references were made to per
centage stud-horse poker by them. One wit
ness was asked, " How much percentage
was usually taken out in the regular game
of stuG-horse poker He answered THE
dealer usually takes the principal and the
players the percentage" Another answered
that he generally continued taking out per-
ceInltage unless his arm became paralyzed.
Sui another: That the dealer was sure
to get all the money if they played long
enough"
Mayor Brown and the members of the
Board Of Trustees were, at different periods
during the trial, present, and evidently in
terested in the proceedings.
The cases against Steve Maronev VIM.
Hust and George Rogers were continued
until September oath for examination.
4. l.. Hart, counsel for defense, announced
that he would at once apply for writ of
habeas corpus, to testt the questions involved
in this case