Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-01-06
.AMAN WITHARECORD
A Speak Easy Raided Through Use
Of the Police Signal Code.
uNHEARD OF SCENES OF REvELRY.
TWenty-One Partakers of the Cup That
Cheers Captured. h
HOW TIE RIGHT BOTTLE WAS MARKED


HOW THE RIGHT BOTTLE WAS MARKED
'sThe Sunday selling business must be
stopped" said Chief J. o. Brown on Sat
urday afternoon, and, in consequence of the
mandate, there are several people who will
suffer from severe case of Gripp when
they appear before His Honor this morning.
Arrangements were made at police head
quarters, and yesterday afternoon Lieuten-
ant Boyd and Officer John Roach, who will
be remembered as having made such gal
liant fight against odds on Second avenue,
donned civilians clothes. a look of imbe-
c1lity and thirst, and, with guile in their
hearts and 50 each in their pockets. effected
an entrance at No. 185 Water street, where
high carnival was being held.
Just here the manner of gaining entrance
deserves notice, being the result OF the
fash-light and other signal study already
described In The DISPATCH as being
necessary police accomplishment The lieu
tenant andioficer hung around, and their
quick ears caught the sounds made on the
place, which they reproduced with accu-
word was necessary and Lieutenant Boyd,
who speaks with broad German accent, to
gain time, said: "Ich Denk, +" when the girl
who acted as the Hebe OF the establishment
at once smiled, and then the officers went
upstairs and "smiled."
The scene, they say, was certainly one to
inspire wonder, if not admiration. Beer was
dished up in the smallest possible glasses
with the largest possible measure OF foam
and with an alacrity only equaled by the
thirst which prompted it. Whisky was
there in two divisions, representing the ac-
tive drunk and the reserves, the difference
being that the former was compounded
liqnor which promoted quarreling and the
latter was the better class, reserved for the
distinguished customers. After viewing the
crowds which, four deep, clamored for re-
freshment in front of the bar, and the crowd
which, perhaps being uncertain of its foot
ing, retired to another room to sitat the nu-
treated literally some perfect strangers
whose collars they would have much rather
grasped than their hands, and withdrew.
The evidence was complete.
STERLING WAS SURROUNDED.
The place was John Sterling's, and about
6 P. NJ. Captain Dan Sylvus, Special Off,
GERS Shore, Robinson, Ketter, Mover and
Bendle, with the two who had already pene-
trated the Bachanalian mysteries, scattered
around the block in which the speak-easy
was located, and Boyd, Bendle and Roach
entered without any trouble, while the
others surrounded the entrances and Cap
tain Sylvus wired for the wagon. Bendle
at once usurped the position Of bartender
and, while the regularly ordained bartender
was being escorted to the Central station
without any charge for bus hire, the pro-
prietor entered the bar and the following
amusing colloquy ensued, Sterling not rec
ognizing his new volunteer employe:
"Gimme bottle of whisky"
Nick Bendle Immediately complied.
mot that one; that's got the string
around its neck and is rotgut. Let me have
the other"
"I'll do SO with pleasure" said Nick, and |
the proprietor filled pint bottle Tor imme- |
date emergencies, forgetting that prisoners
are searched at the station, although expert |
snce should have taught him better. Mem |
Dry regained her sway on the way down,
however, for when the bottle was taken from |
him in the station it was in as exhausted q |
state as some of his customers, and, like the |
people, only half full. Twenty-one persons |
aides who watched the gates of the Sunday |
thinkers elYsium and the two bartenders.
The police history of Sterling's exploits in
The speakeasy line is interesting and some
What astounding for the boldness displayed. !
1n October 10, 1888, he was closed at No. 50 |
Diamond street, and with his bartender,
Ed. Thomas, was arrested. This was the
econd ofense, he having been arrested the |
,,.nr,; o,1s Gu nd 6nod ard oaske
Jut was let off on promise not to sell on SUM-
lay. He was again fined and, going before
he Court, promised not to sell and paid part |
# the costs, which he said he would pay by |
but which are yet
unpaid. On the Sunday follow
ng he again opened business at
Liberty and Cecil alley. Informations were
made by Inspector McAleese against him
or selling liquor without license and on
sunday, and included a complaint regard
ng his placing his two daughters, both
-oung girls, as watch and doorkeepers and
xposing them to undesirable associations.
BE was again fined $50 and costs, but the
Inspector says that he boasted his political
influence would pull him through, and that
r something else seemed to doso. He laid
IF business for a short time and about
light or nine months ago started the estab-
ishment raided last night.
KEYS TOO COSTLY.
He first started the KEY system, which
asted for couple of months, but, becoming
ither careless or avariclous, he opened his
ospitable doors on the mere introduction of
friend or the necessary signal at the hall
ell. The police officials also think the
emand for keys became so widespread that
terling objected to go into the hardware
usiness; hence his misfortune. He has also
be questionable distinction of having been
be first illegal liquor seller pulled in under
be new administration.
Assistant Superintendent O'Mara said
sgarding the case: "We will push this for
II it is worth, and will have him held for
ourt under such heavy bail, of the very
est class, that it must come before the
rand jury and the Court"
Inspector McAleese said: eff the grand
lry ignores this case, shall never touch
mother. He has been defying everybody
and violating every point Of
lw and decent observance of what is due to
ne city government imaginable. have ,
iformation of several other places which
lust be closed, some, perhaps, tonight,
nd will proceed against them to-day. 1
Iade all the arrangements for these raids
d Saturday, but it is useless to make them
ntil it can be done with ample and tangi-
le evidence, as in the case of Sterling"
Great stress was placed by the officers
aking the arrests on the general dirt and
Isorder manifest in the house and the
mount of drunkenness existing when the
rests were made, as well as during tn q
hole day.
HER TEARS SUCCEEDED.
About 10 P. NJ. the house of Mrs. Con-
ply, No. IA Decatur street, was entered by
pecial Officers Shore and Robinson with
,nsiderable difficulty as the eldest S
aughter, who was on watch, kept sharp '
okout. Mrs. Connolly and two customers
ere arrested. 1t is understood that this is
rather exclusive resort, where none but
.ople occupying good social positions are
limited. !
Mrs. Connolly had been but half hour in
70 cell when her eldest daughter arrived at