Evening star., 1894-04-11
ROSlYN POLICY SHOPS
Promise to Rival the Old jackson City
Dives.
Some of the Small Fry Players Cap
tured and Held-One Had
q Cipher.

q Cipher.
The policy shops at Roslyn seem to be
fourishing just now, ard the policy play
ers erd runners are fast wearing out the
flooring Of the foctwalk on the bridge
While this is being dcne Policeman Brad
ley and Bridge Watchman Lucas are max
ing potes of the frequency of the visits to
the place that promises to become as law
less a place as Jackson City, or Monte
Carlo" as it Is called, and yesterday sew
eral arrests were made. Knowing the men
to be on duty at the bridge. the policy play
ers and runners are always on the alert.
and erch one has a ready excuse when the
officers arrest them.
My mistress sent me over in the county
TO get some grass for the chickens" was
the excuse of colcred woman, while many
OF them are going over to see sick lodge
members. And the nj n ber of colored per-
sons who have sick friends and relatives
over there is astonishing.
But says Officer Bradley, these ex-
cuses are played out" And they avail the
policy promoters nothing.
Then, too, these people do not always
carry their policy papers in their pockets,
but hide them In their hats or beneath the
Innings of their coats.
When the officer sees a man going over
the bridge frequently, and does not know
whether he has legitimate business on the
other side Of the river or not, he follows
him over to make certain the nature of
his visits.
Four arrests were made on the bridge
yesterday, and the defendants were ar
raigI ed in the Police Court this morning.
Alvin G. Bell, a siXteen-year-old colored
boy, was the first prisoner called. He had
been seen going over the bridge day after
day. and when arrested he had 10 cents in
his rocket
His statement was that he bo6 baan cont
over the river by his mother to cut her
some clothes props. and not to play policy
but when Judge Kimball questioned him he
admitted that he had been over there to
play policy.
My mother sent me over to put in
piece" he said. The first time 1 went over
was to cut a clothes prop and then I was
sent to put in piece"
What were you going over there for yes
terday"' the court asked.
ITO get a clothes prop and play running
row and hat row." was the response.
IT'S outrageous thing for mother
to send her child over the river to play
policy" remarked the court, 'and IL this
boys mother is in court she had better take
warning or she will get in trouble herself"
The judge said that because of the boys
frankness he was going to make the sem
tence light one, and gave him five days in
default of bond.
A Sick Friend.
Isaac Gardner. a colored man. who says he
makes fires at the houses of Representative
Washington. Mrs. Reynolds and others, was
next heard. Like the previous case. the de-
fendant was charged under the vagrancy
act with being suspicious person.
He had 30 cents in his pockets" said Of
fcer Bradley, "and just before l arrested
him he took something from his hat and
threw IL in the river
The officer had seen him go over the river
a number of times and other officers knew
of his reputation as policy man.
I've seen him visiting pigs feet shops
and lunch rooms in alleys said Officer
O Brien.
Il went over there" said Gardner Ito
see sick friend. and yesterday I was go
was going to give him the seventy cents"
What's his nameP'
Smith"
John Smith,
John Smith,"
1.-The same old john" the court remarked.
He told me about the sick friend said
Officer Bradley, but that excuse is played
out"
The prisoner denied that he had ever vio-
lated the policy law and said he had never
visited the shops in Virginia
Counsel argued the case at length, and
-he court decided against him.
The defendant was required to give bond
in the sum of 800 or go down for sixty
days.
Had Cipher.
Another colored man named George W.
Dyer was tried.
He was very indignant when placed
under arrest" said the officer. "and told
me to search him. He had no policy pa
pers in his pockets. but found them PIN
ned under the lapel of his coat, and he also
had on him papers which contained what
looked like policy in cipher"
What time does he generally go over the
bridge?"
In the morning. and sometimes he waits
all day for the evening drawings"
The prisoner admitted that he had played
policy and said he had written numbers he
intended to play yesterday
How much were you going to play?"
One dollar and fifty-fve cents"
Where did you get your money!"
My wife sent me s13 Saturday.
How much of 1t did you blow in?"
Didn't blow in much
Judge Kimball then referred to the policy
written in cipher, and Gardner said that
that was only his expense account and had
no connection with policy.
What does B. B. on the paper mean?"
he was asked.
Bread
"And the 2O?"
Bread, 20 cents"
Here is c. c. the Judge said. whats
the meaning of that?''
That" said the negro. hesitatingly.
Then here's H. X ?''
II guess that means herring, or some
thing like that"
Whats forget stand for?"
why, L borrowed some cash and put it
down"
And you wanted to forget it?'
81 amt sure about that"
Judge Kimball said he would send him
down where he could think the matter
over, and required him to give security in
the sum of 800 or ninety days on the farm.
Robert Harrison was the fourth member
or the quartet charged. Policy of various
descriptions was found on him, and he was
charged with a violation of the policy law.
Counsel demanded a jury trial, and the
case went over.