Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-04-25
THE EK-CHIEF's CHECKERS.
An Amusing Allegation ms to What Caused
the Raid on a Norihside Alleged Poker

| An Amusing Allegation rs to What Caused
the Raid on Northside Alleged Poker
ROOm-An Old Policeman Under Fire.
Ex-Roundsman John Thompson, of the
Allegheny police force. had q hearing be-
fore Mayor Pearson last evening, on charge
of operating gambling room in the bank
building at the corner of franklin street
and Beaver avenue. The place was raided
early Sunday morning by Chief Of Police
Kirschler and posse of officers. Thomp-
sons attorney, for some reason, was not
present last night and he conducted the
Gaze himself.
Some very interesting evidence was
brought out The witnesses seemed to have
forgotten great deal, and what they did
testify to they conld not stlte positively.
The first witness was Mrs. Elizabeth Pad
den. She testified that sne had lease for
all the rooms in the building, and rented
them to whoever applied. The rooms where
the gambling was alleged to have taken
place were rented to 6. club. Mrs. Padden
does not know who rented the rooms, or who
paid the rent, but stated positively that
Thompson had no Business transaction with
her. She did not care who paid it, just SO
she got the money.
Thompson !hen attempted to ask the wit
ness some questions, saving that his attor-
ney had not put in an appearance. There
were few hot words between His Honor
and the defendant, when he was finally per-
mitted to conduct his own case. Mrs.
Padden continued her testimony, and said
there was still a balance of S. due her for
rent She did not remember the name of
the cluh that rented the rooms
Joseph McAuliffe stated that a club had
been formed, but permanent organization
had not been effected. There were eleven
members. Thompson. he believed, had
been engaged to take charge of the rooms
for the club.
Chief OF Police Kirschler told how he had
made an information, on information re-
ceived, and had gone down to raid the
room. When he attempted to enter, he
said, Thompson pushed him to one side, but
he passed him and entered. He found a
number of poker chips IN the bed, where
they had evidently been thrown when the
players were apprised of the presence Of the
police.
Mr.. Thompson then remarked that the
proceedings were irregular, claiming that
the Chief had no right to break open his
desk.
John McCollum stated that he was pres
ent when the raid was made. He said that
ex-Chief Murphy had entered the room and
offered to play game of checkers with any
man in the house. If he won, the place
would be raided, and if he lost, the place
would not be disturbed. The game was
played, and Mr.. Murphy was badly beaten.
Notwithstanding this, the witness con-
tinued, the place was raided anyhow. The
witness volunteered the information that he
thought this was an ''unprincipled trick"
Detective Murphy entered while the wit
ness was giving his testimony, and was then
placed on the stand. He admitted having
played a game of checkers and lost, but
said he had been sent down to investigate,
and that the Chief had ordered the raid.
Here Mr.. Thompson said: "How did you
in the desk?"
Broke it open, of course" said Detec-
tive Murphy, las is customary in cases of
this KIND, to secure evidence"
One witness, John Walkup, then testified
to having purchased chips from Thompson
and afterward had them cashed by Thomp-
son, the proceeds of a game of poker which
he had played for money On this the
Mayor held Thompson in $500 bail for trial
at court.
The bail was promptly furnished and Mr..
Thompson retired by the side door, just in
the nick of time, as constable entered the
front door with warrant for his arrest for
desertion, made by his wife before Alder
man Brinker.
Mr.. Thompson has had very eventful
career'during the past two years. He was
an officer and held an important position
under ex-Mayor Wyman. Subsequently he
was appointed on the police force by Mayor
Pearson. He was afterward discharged and
went to Cleveland, where he was employed
for long time, returning to Allegheny a
few months ago.