Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-04-21
SMITHS FAIL FROM GRACE.

stable and IA Barber, He is Now Accused
of fslaclS,nailng.
Charles i. Smith was arrested by County
Constable Neutze on warrant issued by
Justice Sasse, last evening week, charging
him with blackmail. Smith was locked
up in the police station all night in default
of $1,000 bail. 1t is understood that Smith
Is accused of sending boys into saloons for
the purpose Of purchasing liquor, and
afterwards writing to the proprietors
of the saloons, threatening to expose them
for violating the liquor law in selling to
minors, unless sum of money was paid
him to settle the matter. Justice Sasse
declined TO give the names of the parties
bringing the charges against Smith.
The defendant, 1t is said, has on a previ-
Gus occasion gotten himself into trouble
by threatening saloon keepers with ex-
posure unless they acceded to his demands
for money to keep the matter quiet. Once
he preferred charges against the proprietor
of saloon before Squire James Mon
Afghan, stating that he had watched col
ored boy purchase liquor from the defend
ant by looking through window. When
Squire Monaghan demanded that Smith
produce the colorcd boy he dropped the
charge and the case was dismissed.
Smith is barber by occupation. He
was at one time located en- Third street
between Market and King, and also on
East Fourth street. lie also conducted a
place on French street near Fifth, but UNI
able to command custom sufficient to stip-
port him, is said to have embarked into
the scheme of blackmailing. lie was at
one time employed by "A detective to secure
information against saloon keepers who
were suspected of violating the liquor law
| When the Republican Levy Court went
into office. over year ago, Smith was .
candidate for county constable, but failed
to secure the office.
The case of Charles Il. Smith, the barber
who is charged with an attempt to black
mail number of saloon Keepers, by
threatening them with exposure unless
| they acceded to his demands for money, is
still pending before squire Lewis Sasse.
| The defendant was languishing in jail sat
| urday unable to furnish the necessary
bail, which is fixed at 81 900. George A.
| Elliott has been retained rs counsel by
| Smith, and i'll all probability will waive Il
hearing in behalf of his client for the
upper court. Mr. Elliott will also make
an effort to have Smiths bail reduced. us
the prisoner, his counsel says, has family
Of 10 children, eight Of whom are depend
ing upon him for support. His family live
at No, il6 East Twelfth street.
The arrest of Smith upon the charge of
matchmaking has created no end OF talk
among saloon keepers interested in the
matter, many of whom have submitted to
| smiths practices rather than have any
trouble over the matter and to save them
the expense of having To defend themselves
ut court. The matter had been kent Very
quiet for the past few days and only Il
select few outside the parties directly
| interested in the matter, had been al.
prised of Smiths efforts to eXtcrt money
at all.
1t was learned on Saturday however
That David Collins, saloon keeper at the
northeast corner of Front aud Market
streets had preferred the specific charge OF
seen that morning with reference to the
matter Collins admitted that he swore on
warrant for the prisoners arrest on Wed
nesday last upon the charge of blaekua
as stated.
He stated that on Tuesday week he re
celVed a letter from Smith, in which TN
latter stated that lie desired to see him ii
reference 10 a certain matter and woulC
meet him either at the Office of Squrl
Groves, or at a cigar store, at the corner ri
Eleventh and spruce streets. Smith init
mated in the letter that he had informa
ton in regard To certain transactions ii
Collins saloon, which he intimated was
violation Of the liquor law. ii Collin
would meet him as requested, he statel
that he had very little doubt but that tin
trouble could be settled satisfactorily fu
either party. The saloon keeper, on read
ing the letter, recognized in smith the per
son who had sent him threatening lette
q year ugo, similar to the one received ol
Tuesday. ON that occasion, Collins says
. that lac paid Smith the sum OF S25 to avoi,
any trouble in the matter.
Nevertheless Collins agreed to moe
Smith us requested on Tuesday morning
and not finding the latter at the ohlc
of Squire Groves, went to tue cigar stor
on East Eleventh street. He was accom-
panied by William Condor, who keeps
shoe store at No. 10 Market street Smith
, admitted sending the letter, and stated tina
lie had information that two minors hn,
, purchased liquor from Collins, and one o
, them was so much intoxicated that he wa
, compelled TO assist him home. Smith wa
I then sounded as to the amount Ii
, would require to settle the case. He re
piled that he would take $25tosay nothin,
more about the affair. Collins declined Il
pay the money and told Smith that he hu,
played his game too openly this time, an,
+ would have him arrested. smith thcl
! walked away. threatening Ia tell the Ia,
, and order society about the case. On III
: following morning collins received
second letter from smith, threatening inn
mediate exposure unless the money IL
! manded was paid ever.
. Collins then swore out a warrant f.
Z Smiths arrest before Squire suisse TIL
4 accused was found At his home hy con
I stable Neutze and taken before the nagir
I trate who held him for d further hcarin
r in desallt 81 81 ,U0O bail.
. 1t was stated on saturday that as man
as adolen saloon keepers had submitted I
, Smiths alleged matchmaking schcm
!. rather than have any trouble i'll the ma
: ter and be compelled to defend thcmsclvt
i at court.