The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-03-05
Knayss and sharpers Seem to be
Running the Races at Gut
tenburg.
Bookmakers Also Own the Racers
and Have Everything In
Their Control.
Races That illustrate tho Cr0oked Doines
at the Track-PersistenceNof Ii
Cappers.

Ndb 1IO hpPuAC So
dono by tho sharpers md lawbreakers at
Guttenburg yesterday, says the New York
World of Feb. 81. 1t matters not to those
in charge of that concern whether it rains
or SHOWS, 80 long as the gullible pay them
tribute, and although coInmon decency
should prompt them to call q halt where so
much punishment is inflicted on the poor
hacks who are forced through the knee
deep slush, these people appear to have no
such feeling.
With all the drawbacks there was a good
sized throng present-a motley gathering,
to be sure-but quite to the liking of the
bookmakers, who had a most profitable
day. To them it was something rich n
racy. There was the surging mass
below, nervous, anxious, frantic. The
bettois led off by a false tip,
the cappers ~endeavoring by every
ntt in their power to persuade their victims
to increase the size of their wager, because
there was no chance to lose. White and
black, old and young, jostled each other in
the crowded betting ring. Well-dressed
tools and cappers hustled about to make
sure that no victim was overlooked. County
officials and horse owners ~promenaded arm
AA III uAo HAoAN
until the last race wes run and the book
makers-monarchs of the day-packed their
traps and departed.
As most of the hookmakers own u stable,
or have an interest in one. the opportunities
for swindling are very great. This is not
allowed on the big tracks, but, OF course,
the rules which permit a man to have any
show for his money meets with no favor
over there. Walbaum, president OF the
club. sets the example. He is a book
maker and owns a stable of selling platers
for use on hls track. Before this institu-
ton was started for the purpose {. fleeing
people he was q poor man, but now that he
has a machine that rolls the money into his
Golfers, he is not satisfied without a chance
at every dollar carried to the park. A step
by the president is but q prelude to jump
by his confreres. There were about forty
of them doing business yesterday each at
n heavy expense, besides the $40 fee for
setting up in business. The chances to
lose must be small, or one-half of them
would be forced out of the ring in n week.
about all of them have an interest IL
the plugs out there" said nm old emD.oye
of the track. ''They fill up the race and
cot down the chance to pick out the win
ner. OF course some horse must win, and,
while he NAV be a f%avorite, the betting has
been so skillfully distributed that the books
always win. Contidentially, this is a bigger
money-tnakina game than dealing in stolen
gooas."
"How are they protected in their contin-
ual neglect to observe the law"
why. they've got every county official
right. The people over here think they are
getting a little soft New York money dis
tributed and wink at the thing. Az far as
that goes, they get some money, but the
booknlakers soon handle it, and there you
arc. We have plenty, of suckers in Jersey
who play the races up to their ability"
The races were almost barren of interest.
Habitues pay little or no attention to them
and strangers, having read the exposures
know that they are fixed, but, still foolish
enough to continue the play with the vain
hope that they may get even, look on list
lessly. The first event was a fair sample
of a well-worked scheme that is looked
upon as q legitimate piece of knavery. Little
Bess. although along shot, was pretty freely
tipped about by the cappers, who set false
news flying when they start. She was given
a bad start and then sent out until she
caught the leader, making a great splurRe
for the half mile. On the home stretch she
doubled up. finishing fourth with a great
display of whip by the jockey.
1.-The next time she STARTS said one of
the men interested in her, I'VE will win
with hands down and the bettors will not
have a dollar on her. We send her out that
terest in her, then she will win and the
bookies have a fine rake off"
When odds of ten to one were put up on
Joe Courtney in the fourth there was a rush
to get money on him. A tip went flying
around that he would have things at his
with him and still the bookies held the odds
up. Betting men knew that Courtney was
able to give any horse in the list some pounds
and q beating, but the odds frightened
them. 1t was a nne chance for the ~toutinR
cappers to get in their fine work. OF course
~-> sum- - H. sA -
was intended he should not be, although he
ia a fine animal and should mako q grand
race.
This order of things was reversed in the
next event. 1t was we'll known that Glitter
ii. was able to ,un away from the field, the
going and distance just suiting him. But
tho betting was skilfully steered away from
him, the touts making Servia a red-hot
favorite, with Ruth a close second. 1t
should be explained here that Glitter had
won four races within the past ten days and
was supposed to ba in fine form. Then il
was shown that he had changed hands, and.
of course, no man could afford to allow an
animal at Guttenburg to win the first race
after he obtained possession. Ii would
smash all presidents. And still better, cried
the initiated and uninitiated, with a single
voice, who ever heard of u horse on a winter
track winning five races in succession?
hat was enough. Not a dollar vent on
ullLGST. IA WoIu III ulb ldfOF DIOuQnt a
smile Of detision. Yet he won the race with
plenty to spare.
"What kind of a job is that?'' asked a
stout-faced German, rs he turned to a
sharp-looking tout at his elbow. You tell
me how to bet and l don't win. Now l said
Glitter is good enough for me and you put
my money OF that Ssrvia. Get away. III
bet no more. If l keep on with you there
will be a mortgage on my property soon.'
Then he turned to walk away, but the Ter
sistent capper was at his heels and stood his
ground until he absolutely forced another
bet out of the old fellow.
One of the cleverest moves, and q rather
new one too. which 10 sure to stir up inter
est when betting lags, is for an attache of u
book to make n rush for the taker of odds
with a roll of bills high above his head and
in a loud voice shout that he wants to lay
one or two hundred on a certain horse.
There is never any necessity for the rush, as
a quiet push would get him there in a mo
ment. but the crowd ia not a reasoning one
and blindly follow, believing the fake
heavy bettor has good information, and
put their money after him on what is called
in turf parlance "a dead one.''
One thing must be SAID for the cappers
on the outside. They are never at a loss
for IN ingenious method to sway the men
who have money. No man is free from
them the moment after passing the gate.
They. are lit for nothing else. care for moth.
ing else. They live in idleness and glory
in the fact. They are pests to whose exist
encs we are indebted to tho knnvish nun
nera of the winter tracks, and il the legis-
Iature Of New Jersey would enact a law
compelling them to wear u badge on which
was stamped, II live by fraud, deceit and
knavory," 1t would be a slight move in the