The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-05-27

ton.
Night Sergeant Taylor is a small, good
natured man with a bald spot which
makes his forehead look higher than it
really is He was glad to see the re-
porter. and especially SO when he was
asked for his private ear. He led the
way to an inner room and motioned to a
seat
II came to see the Chief" said the re-
porter, "but you will probably do as
we'll"
'The Chief may be in soon, but what
can do for your" replied the police
officer.
commissioners about opening up
saloon, and he told me that l had better
come here"
"Well, what can I do for you?"
"How much will it cost?"
''You will have to pay $25 month,
and if you locate on the principal street
(Shawnee) it will cost you $50"
"When must the license be paid?"
"Whenever you start up and after that
monthly, in advance"
"Will the payment of that amount be a
a guarantee against arrest?"
YES" replied the sergeant, with a
confident air, "but you will have to COM
ply with the rules laid down by the
board"
"W hat are those rules!"
THAT you keep closed on Sunday, that
you close every night at 10 o'clock and
that you keep a quiet, orderly place"
"These other saloons in town have not
been closing on Sunday"
How They "CIoss" on Sunday.
81 know they have kept open back
door, but to all appearances they were
closed. But the commissioners have just
made an order and we are going to en-
force Sunday closing. You see they
have been raising HI with us up at To-
peka and if we don't keep the places
closed on Sunday they may remove the
whole crowd and put some one in who
will close all the saloons. We are going
to be very careful after this and not
give them a chance to talk"
''Do you think there is any danger
that the governor will order the saloons
closed? 1t is not wise to take too many
risks"
mo; I do not believe there is any
danger, and l am sure you will be all
right You had better have talk with
the marshal, though"
The reporter promised to return and
have a talk with the chief before he
opened an establishment in Leaven-
worth, and he called again later in the
evening, but the chief was not around
| the station. He will. however, probably
| De aDl6 10 keep MS WOrO.
It is correct to call the places where
| liquor is sold in Leavenworth Saloons"
for they are all that is meant by the
name. They are generally referred to
as ''joints," but there is absolutely no
effort made at secrecy. Liquor is sold
with the same openness as in the days
when there was no law making the
dealer in spirits a criminal.
II some of the places there is not
-.
are always Open and person walking
by may see the tippler, glass in hand,
laughing with his convivial friends
Later in the night when the liquor has
had time to do its work the same man
may be found nodding in a chair or stag
gering up the street, a living example of
the beneficial effect of the saloon.
The Saloon Center.
Shawnee street is the most popular
place for saloons, and they seem to thrive
| better the nearer they are to the police
station. The Star of the West" which
was spoken of before, is one of the larg
est, aud is near the corner of Fifth and
Shawnee streets. Saturday is a busy
time, and when the reporter visited the
place, about 10 o'clock, it was bustling
scene which greeted his eyes.
The room is very large one, owned
by Justice of the Peace W. II. Bond.
Several pool and billiard tables occupy
an adjoining room, connected by large
opening. In the room in. which the
bar is located there are a dozen
tables and they are occupied by men en-
gagged in card playing. Glasses of liquor
stand at the right hand of many of the
players. which indicate that they are
playing "for beer or something strong
er." If any are gaming for money it is
not evident to the ordinary person. The
| Har- ia = IL, sd
extends from about midway of the room
toward the back end
There was big demand for 'srefresh-
ments" and one man could not draw the
liquor fast enough aud neither of the
two bartenders had much time to rest.
One of them was young man who wore
a white apron and smiled at every one
The other was an older thick set man
who "bossed" things.
"WilI you be closed tomorrow" asked
the reporter of the younger man.
mo we will be open. You can come
in through the pool room"
Il thought the police were going to
close the saloons on Sunday"
81 haven't heard anything about it.
They can't close US" Then an urgent
demand for beer called the young man
away.
s'This Town Is All Right
Up the street a little farther, just op-
posite the postoffice. is another place
which is a rendezvous, and is always
busy. 1t enjoys no euphonious name
and the proprietors are Lau & Haug.
Here, too, are numerous card tables, and
perhaps fifty men are playing. The bar
is in a little side room, where Mr.. Lau
himself serves the liquor. There is also
a free lunch counter of rye bread, cheese
and tripe. For some reason the street
windows are painted
Mr. Lau was too busy to talk much.
"We have no name for our place." he
said. You know this is a prohibition
state" and he smiled truculently. "This
town is all right" he continued, as he
made change for gray haired man who
had just poured out glass of whisky.