The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-04-12
A RAID ON MELLISH.
The New City Editors Experience
with the Gamblers

were going to revolutiOnizc the world
aud incidentally the Argus, but they
were in the habit of disappearing TO
give place to others who also dlsap-
peared Newspaper men in that part
of the country never considered them
selves full-fedged unless they had had
turn at managing the Argus If You
asked who was at the head of the Ar
gus the answer would very likely
be: We'll, So-and-so was managing it
this morning. don't know who is
running it this afternoon
Perhaps the most weird period in the
history of the Argus was when the
owners imported crank from Pitts
burgh and put him in as local editor.
over the heads of the city staff. His
name was McCrasky. christeued
Angus or Archie, l forget which at
this period of time. In fact, his Chris
tiau name was always mooted point,
some of the reporters saying it was
Angus and others Archie, no one hav-
ing the courage 20 ask him. Anyhow
A. McCrasl1y was how he signed him
self. He was a good man, which was
rather an oddly on the staff and
puzzled the reporters not a little.
Most of his predecessors had differed
much from each other. but they were
all alike in one thing, and that was
profanity. They expressed disapproval
in language that made the hardened
printers towel in the composing room
shrink.
McCrasky's great point was that the
local pages Of the paper should have
strong moral influence on the eommu-
nifty. He knocked the sporting editor
speeches. by telling him that they
would have no more reports Of prize
fights. Poor Murren went back to the
local room, sat down at his table and
buried his head in his hands. Every
man on local staff naturally thinks
the paper is published mainly to give
his department a show. and Murren
considered fight to finish as being
of more real Importance to the world
than presidential election. The rest
of the boys tried to cheer him up. "a
fine state of things" said Murren, Bit
terly Think of the scrap next week
between the California Duffer and Pr
geon Billy and no report Of it in the
Argus, Imagine the walk lover for the
other papers. What in thunder does
he think people want to read?"
But there was another surprise in
store for the boys. McCrasky as
sem bled them all in his room and held
forth to them. He suddenly sprung a
question On the criminal reporter-so
suddenly that Thompson, taken I'M
awares, almost spoke the truth.
do you know of any gambling
houses in this city,"
Thompson caught his breath and
glanced quickly at Murren.
No" he said at last, Il don't, but
perhaps the religious editor does Bet
ter ask him"
The religious editor smiled and re-
moved his corncob pipe.
There aren't any," he said Didn't
you know it was against the law to
keep a gambling house in this state?
Yes, sir.' Then he put his corncob
pipe back in its place.
McCrasky was pleased to see that his
young men knew so little of the wick
edness of a great city; nevertheless he
was there TO give them a pointer or
two, so he said quietly:
Certainly, it is against the law; but
many things that are against the law
flourish in a city like this. Now,
want you to find out before the week
is past how many ambling houses
there are and where they are located.
When you are sure Of your facts we
will organize raid and the news will
very likely be exclusive, for it will be
late at night and the other papers may
not hear of it"
Suppose" said the religious editor,
with twinkle in his eye, as he again
removed his corncob, understanding
such places to exist-you found some
representatives of the other papers
there? They are bad lot, the fellows
on the other papers.
IF they are there" said the local ed
itor, they will go to prison"
They won't mind that, if they can
write something about it, said Muir
rem, gloomAly In his opinion the Argus
was gong 20 the dogs
NOW 1l1OAll PSNh- oakN SiSA - '
You as criminal reporter must know
a lot OF men who can give you point
ers for frSt-rate article on the evils
of gambling Get it ready tor Satur-
DAYS paper-a column and half, with
scare heads We must work up public
opinion
When the boys got back into the To-
cal room again. Murren sat with his
head In his hands, while Thompson
leaned back in his chair and laughed.
Work up public opinion" he said.
Mac had better work up his own
knowledge of the city streets and not
put Bolder avenue in the east end, as
he did this morning"
The religious editor was helping
himself 10 tobacco from Murren' 5
drawer Are you going to put Mel
lish on his guard?" he asked Thomp.
SON
Il don't just know what I'm going
to do. said Thompson; ARE you?'
IN think about it." replied the r
E. 'Beastly poor tobacco, this OF
yours. Murren- Why don't you buy cut
plug?"
You're not compelled TO smoke il,
SAID the sporting editor without raising
his head
Il am when mine is out and the
other fellows keep their drawer:
locked"
Thompson dropped in on Mellish
the keeper Of the swell gambling
rooms. to consult with him on the
article for Saturdays paper. Mellist
took great interest in II and though
it would do good He willingly gave
Thompson several instances where th'
-. - La - Tia min Of nrnCl Isl d