Omaha daily bee., 1889-07-07
In And ABOUT THE BLUFFS.
City Officials Indicted for Allowing
Skin Games to Run.
THE DoINes OF FRUIT GROWERS.
To-Day's Menu OF Piety--A Little Con-
science Fund-Strange Accident
On the Motor Track
Personals.
Officials Indicted.

The grand jury's investigation OF the gamb
ling that was carried on during the hremen's
tournament has come 10 q close, and the re-
suit was made apparent yesterday morning
when three indictments wcro returned
against Alderman p. Lacey, City Marshal
Guanela and Police Officer Thomas. The
result was surprise to the majority Of peo-
pie, who fully expected to see indictments
returned against Mayor Rohrer and Chief of
Police Lucas, as well as against those pre-
viously mentioned. 1t was supposed that at
least dozen indictments would be returned,
an that the indicted parties would include a
number of highly respected business men as
well as the city officials.
II was decidedly uncomfortable lot Of
men which assembled in the court room to
await the grand jury's report. At least a
score of those present had reason TO fear that
their names were upon the list, and their
feelings may be easily imagined. Their con-
nection With the tournament had been pub
licly announced, ana it was certain that they
could not disprove their interest in its sue
cess. Theirs was much more than passing
interest in the proceedings of the morning,
and it prompted them to be early on hand
Their suspense was getting decidedly uncom.
Portable, and they were of the opinion that
definite knowledge, even If 1t should prove
contrary to their fondest hopes would he far
preferable.
were handed in before the spectators were
made aware of the result but it was finally
whispered about that the three on whom the
burden was laid were the president of tho
city council, the city marshal and n patrol
man on the police force. An involuntary
sigh of relief, that could be heard all over
the court room, escaped the lips of the for
tunate ones whose names had not been
returned.
During the afternoon, Marshal Gurnella
md Offtpar fNhOmuo p,ly ~ honda i'm the m,
of $500 each for their appearance in court
when wanted. Alderman Lacy had not
furnished his bond last evening, but was not
arrested.
to how it actually occurred, and every one
seems to think that he has the only correct
idea as to what transpired in the grand jury
room. 1t is stated that Mayor Eohrer was
before the grand jury twice, and afterward
became so uneasy that he went back lnvol-
UNFAIRLY and virtually turned states evil
dence, concluding with a rather lengthy and
fearful appeal in his own behalf. A men,
ber of the grand jury was questioned in
regard to the matter, and would not deny
the report. He stated that the mayor gave
the grand jury quite nice little talk, and
didn't seem at all anxious to be indicted"
A lerge number of witnesses were exam
ined, among them being Wells Cook, Henry
Ames, Nj. ID. Hardin. Police Officers Austin,
Ansick, Mullen, Thomas, Isenberger, Chief
of the Fire Department Walters. City Clerk
Huntington, Alderman Lacey, Mayor Rohrer.
Robert Graham. Sid Stringhaul, II. M. Har-
din, d. c. Franklin, +. Clovalt L. ID. Har-
rison, Il. V. Innes, Colonel d. b. Dudley. j.
w. Peregoy, j. E. Scott, j. r. Anderson, o.
H. Lucas Isaac Troup and Wesley Clark.
The policemen all testified that they saw
gambling going on, but did not molest the
gamblers, as the had no instructions to do
so, and their superiors were on the grounds.
Officer Thomas swore that the chief of
police instructed him to let them alone, as
the gamblers had bought tine privilege of
gambling on the grounds aRd were not to be
molested.
A number of prominent citizens testified
that no attempt was made by the authorities
either to stop the games or to eject the gam
blers from the grounds. Several parties
having stands swore that they got the priv
ileges from Alderman Lacey, and settled in
two payments, one being paid to Lacey and
the other to Thomas Bowman.
F.. Covalt testified as follows: n saw a
great deal of gambling on the grounds. 1
ordered one man to close up his
and offered me $40 to keep still
He said: we have paid 81, 300 for the priv
must let us alone j. w. Peregoy testified
that he knew that money had been received
from the gamblers for the purpose of run
ming games on the grounds, but did not
know to whom it was paid.
Chief of Police Lucas swore that he saw
made no arrests.
Alderman Lacy is indicted for "permitting
swindling games and devices at place of
public resort"
City Marshal Guanella is indicted of the
crime of neglecting to perform public duty,
''for that the said Il. Ii. Guanella on the
14th day of June, 1889, in the county of Pot
tawattamie and state of Iowa, and Mt what
is known as the driving park, in the city of
Council Bluffs, in said county, the said F. H,
Guanella being then and there the city mar
shall of the city Of Council Bluffs, Ia, did
then and there wilfully and unlawfully neg.
lect to perform duty enjoined by law upon
him as said city marshal, by then and there
wilfully and unlawfully neglecting to ap-
prehend and arrest one 'Frenchy' and one
spanish Joe,' and divers other persons,
more particular descriptions OF whom and
the names of whom are to the grand jury I'M
known, and who were then and there in the
presence and view OF the said h. IL.
Guanella, openly violating the laws OF
the state of Iowa, by then and there
unlawfully and feloniously playing and con-
games by means of cards and divers forms
ana devices and sleight Of hand and other
MEANS to-wit: Games known as "blind
poker" "wheel of fortune" "shell game"
''dice throwing" 'ball throwing" and other
games for money and other valuable prop
| erty. and to obtain the money and valuable
property of other persons, the particular
names and descriptions of whom are to the
BThHu jury
Officer Thomas is similarly indicted. A
great deal of speculation Is heard on the
street as to how it happened that the head of
| the police department was overlooked and a
patrolman singled out to bear the brunt for
| following instructions. Said this officer yes
| terday, in speaking of the matter: Ut would
| not have done bit of good for me to have
| arrested any of them. for they would have
| been turned loose right away, and 1t would
| Just have cost me my Job. They didn't want
| them arrested, and the gamblers understood
| that they were to be let alone"
| Said Marshal Guanella II can't see why
| they picked me out for target and let tho
| chief of police go free. He was there all the
| time, and all he had to do was to SEQ what
| was going on about the grounds, while was
| busy in looking after the races and attending
| TO my duties as an oficer OF the
| local association. / can swear that
dia not sec any of the gambling,
| as was busy on the track all Of the time.
| / understand that complaint was made TO the
| chief of police and he said that II the county
| attorney would swear out warrants he would
serve them, The matter was not called to
my notice until after the close OF the tourna-
ment.n
None of the parties can see why they are
| indicted, and all complain bitterly that
/ others were not indicted, either in their
places or TO keep them company. The cases
| will not come up for trial until next term.
| City Attornay Holmes snys that IL Ia all n