Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-11-12
AT TER BYRNES.
Investigation of Famous New
York Police Inspector.
Witness Schaefer Swears That He
Oftfn Paid Him Hush Money.
Divided Keno Game Profits. Reaching $500
TO $500 Per Month.

New York, Nov. 11.-Christian W.
Schaeffer testified before the commission
ers OF accounts, this afternoon, that he
hau, some years ago, given ex-Supt. of
romeo byrnes (then captainl quarter of
the receipts from u keno game that he ran
at 1872 Broadway. The witness swore that
his partner informed him that he paid
blackmail to ex Fire Commissioner Scan
neil, VINO at the time, 1t was said by the
witness, had just been let out of prison,
ana went around to gambling places col
lectlng tribute from the proprietors. The
name OF eX-Police Inspector Mclaughlin
was dragged i'll by the witness, who swore
that he had paid him protection money.
ScbaeHer did not testify readily. AT
one time he caused smile by remarking,
why, Byrnes came as regularly after the
money as landlord The witness said
that he first met Byrnes about 1872 or
1878. Byrnes had just been made a
captain of the 18th precinct. Witness said ::
= He passed by, one night, when was
on tie stoop, and said: You seem to be
presumptucus. You are Keeping open here
in way that don't like. want to let
you know that | am king here
Then the witness told Byrnes that he
would see him IN a day or two Schaeffer
went to see Police Commissioner Nichols,
whom be knew, and Nichols told him that
he would tell Byrnes that if he closed
Schaeffer up that he would have to close
up every house in the precinct. He did
not tell Byrnes what Nichols said.
Later he saw Byrnes and told him that
he would give him quarter of the profits
from keno game that was running.
Row do 81,
gave him his quarter. He met Byrnes
personally and paid him; gave him be
tween $4,000 and $4,000. He paid him as
long as he ran the keno game, which was
3 months. There was no go-between and
witness thought that Byrncs was the only
police official with whom there was no GO
between.
When he stopped the keno game, witness
said that he had to pay the police for al
lowing him to run other games He was
in the gambling business 20 or % years,
and paid captains in nearly all the pre-.
cints in which he ran games. The police
captain who did not want money, was
rarity. He mentioned the names Of three
police captains who did not send to him
for money.
witness gave the names of couple of
ward men who had collected money from
him for their captains. Ex-Inspcctor Nc
Laughlin sent for him one time and told
him that he wanted money Mclaughlin
got "a check for 5000 and 500 besides.
The police often got half of what be made.
Witness said that his partner Jackman
told him that he paid ex-F Fire Commits
sioner Scannell 800 as collector Of police
tlackmail.
Commissioner of Accounts Terry then
read letter addressed to Schaeffcr, dated
Dec. Is, 1894, asking him rs friend not
to give his testimony, as it would be bad
for the writer, and to leave the city until
matters were settled. The letter saws
" DO not hesitate for money IL you are in
need. - The letter was signed I" H. S. p,
p. o. Box 1146.'
The witness said that he received the
letter about the time the Lexow commit
tee was at work. He said that he acted
on the suggestion and went out Of town
When he returned he tried to discover
who sent it, He used every means CON
sistent with private inquiry, but failed
to find the author.
The witness said that he had trouble
at 1166 Broadway. man who run
"s"Anoo MS Sahe; quit So@u bne loser, anu
complained to Captain Williams. Will
liams sent for the witness, and he turned
over 500 of the 1920 to the captain.
This was the only time that he had paid
any money direct to Williams
He said that when the police wanted to
make believe that the gambling Joint"
was closed, he got the tip in advance,
put the parapbernalia on the roof and
when they called, the rooms were vacant
The witness said that among those to
whom he had paid money was the former
police superintendent Jordan. He stated
that Byrnes' share of the keno game was
between 5000 and $500 month The in
vestigation adjourned