Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-08-17
CAPTURED THE POLICY KING.

for Some Time Past Has Been Back
ing Policy in Wilmington--The Police
Finally Learned of His Operations, and
He Was Captured Immediately After
His Arrival In tlle City--Workings of u
Policy Syndicate.
Samuel Levy, a king of policy packers,
who is locked upon as one of the slick
est of his kind in the country, and who
is said to be member Of New York
syndicate of gamblers, was arrested by
the police at Second and King streets,
yesterday, and taken to the police
station, where he was placed behind
iron bars. The arrest was made by
Police Sergeant Eugene Massey, of the
day force, who caught sight of the big
game as Levy was stepping from the
1906 train at the p, w. g. B. railroad
station and followed him up King
street to Second, where he placed him
under arrest. The sergeant was not
sure of his man at first, but from the
description be had of the man, decided
to take the risk.
For several days Chief of Police Dolan
has had in his possession information
pointing to the guilt of Levy, who had
been operating in this city. August 9th,
the police swooped down upon num-
Der of policy dens which were found in
full blast In this raid the following
offenders were captured: Isaac Carly,
colored; Frank Schields, colored; Claude
Hilderman, alias "Raney;" Thos. White
and John burning, Considerable specu-
lation had existed for some time as TO
the identity of the hacker or hackers
of these writers, and the general
impression seemed to be that
the hand of professional
policy hacker was keeping the shops in
this city in full blast Ithad been known
that factional fight among the gam
blors at the time of the raid during
Chief Blackburn's shady administra-
ton had so crippled the game in this
CITY that the local writers were at a loss
to know who to turn to. In the course
of the past few months, however, the
knights of policy had mustered up
enough courage to resume their old
game, but the police did not know who
the hacker was. Consequently, when
the arrest of the bunch of gamblers was
made short time ago an effort was
made to ascertain just who was backing
the game.
One of the most fragrant of the evil
doors was pressed hard for information
concerning the hacker, but st first he
positively refused to give any tidings of
the individual. Finally, he gave way
under the ordeal of questions and made
a clean breast of the affair, duplicating
Levy, the New York gambler. 1t seems
that Levy has not confined his opera
tons solely to Wilmington, but has
been backing the game in Philadelphia
| for years.
According to the statement of the
policy shark who "squealed" Levy has
been making daily visits to this city,
and has frequently sent money with
which the recent "hits' have been paid.
Just before the raid of August 9th some
| heavy "hits" were made on the policy
| writers, and it is said their inability to
pay them was due to the fact that Levy
was in New York at the time, and not
| in close communication with the local
| policy writers. The result was there
was insufficient money to pay the big
"hits" and several who had been buck
ing the game gave the snap away to the
| police, and the arrests of the guilty
parties followed.
Since the trial Of the other policy men
Chief Dolan has kept sharp lookout
for Levy. An effort was made to en-.
trap him to Delaware few days ago
but the scheme failed, and Levy went
free until yesterday. A "tip'' reached
Headquarters in the morning that Levy
was on his way to Wilmington, and
several officers were given orders To
watch the railway station and take him
in custody. Sergeant Massey caught
the game and turned him over to Chiei
Dolan.
When searched at the police station a
roll of $500, in notes of large denomi.
nation, was found on the prisoner, be-
sides purse of coin and small notes
Levy offered to put the money up al
sufficient security for his appearance al
court, but the police wouldn't have il
that way. He was informed that only
real estate would be accepted as Sc
curity for his appearance.
Levy admitted that he was mem
Der of New York syndicate, but de
MED that the corporation of policy
writers were backing the game in thi!
city. He said he was looking abou
to see whether the laws of the
State permitted policy-writing here
He said he was well acquainted il
in Dover, Del, where he used to live
and knew Governor Reynolds, r. R
Kenny, Col. E. 4. Cooper, and many
other residents of Dover. He is abou
80 years old, of small frame and sandy
complexion. He took his imprisonment
very cody, and pretended to be ignoran
of the cause of his arrest. He denieC
that he was guilty of the charge pre-
ferred against him.