davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-30

the policy and crap followers were too I'M
desirable for the club men and now keno
and roulette are played at Rosslyn, which
Is, however, in the same county, and I'M
der the same authorities. The pool rooms
have also closed their doors at Jackson
City, and now all betting on the races is
done on the track. The proprietors of the
faro and roulette games and the pool rooms
found Jackson City was too disreputable
for them. The owLers of these establish
ments did make effort to protect their
games attracted a class of well-dressed
men from the city. Their places have
been taken by crowd OF low grade gam
blers, policy players, race hangers on. and
outright criminals. Many of them are for
hidden access to the race track, but man
age to pick up precarious living at jack
son City.
Some of the Attractions.
There are many saloons in Jackson City
and gamblers and thieves are the best pa
irons. In nearly all of them games of crap
and sweat are conducted, and a certificate
of good character is never required. Re-
Gently when a robbery Was committed in
this city the thieves, as they are very apt
to be, were located across the river, and
when they veDtUIed this side and were ar
rested they very frankly admitted that
they had disposed of the stolen goods in
one of the Jackson City saloons at public
auction.
City is the headquarters of a policy firm,
| where many poor persons, dependent upon
charity for support, go and play tier pen
MES and nickels. This shop is behind the
tall fence that Is seen from the railroad
trains by passengers. About the time for
daily drawings there is usually a lively
scene. The players. writers and runners
are all anxious to see copies Of the num-
bers drawn from the wheel. 1t is, per-
haps, unnecessary to state that there are
| not many who are lucky enough to hold a
| winning gig or Saddle"
Then, too, on the same side of the track,
what is known as the tramp" gambling
place. There in the woods a tent has been
erected, and the place given the appear
ance of a camp-meeting ground. Men, wo-
men and children of both colors are to be
seen going along the narrow path leading
into the woods, almost as thick as bees go
ing into q hive. There is a small shanty
there also, and the gambler with a small
amount of cash capital finds no trouble to
get in game of crap" sweat or policy
and, If he prefers, cards. There are plenty
of card sharpers ready to meet him at the
table.
About these places the colored cook
shop on wheels does a thriving business
Some of these perambulant caterers, it is
said, carry supply Of liquor, and dispense
| five-cent drains of unspeakably bad liquor
On the s'Boulevnrd-"
The west side of the railroad track is
known to the visitor of the place as the
Boulevard" and men and boys are to be
seen at almost any time going from one
place to another. This man thinks he has
straight tip on the races, or friend
has had policy dream, and he is willing
to impart his information. OF course,
NUNS the word"
A single statement or tip Of this kind
frequently ends in a particular number or
horse being played, and considerable money
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-30

order and suppress crime The most strin-
gent measures have been passed by the
legislature of Virginia and the most dras-
tic laws enacted in reference to gambling
but, while the statutes were strong enough
the arm Of the law seemed to be too weak
to enforce them at this place, on account
of the desperate character of its habitues
the easy means of escape across the Po-
tomac into the District and other reasons
Pool selling on horse racing all over the
country had become the favorite mode of
gambling there, SO last winter the legis-
lature passed an act Just in its closing
hours prohibiting in the broadcast terms
the making, writing or selling of books
or pools or mutualS on the results of any
trials of speed or power Of endurance of
animals or beasts, except upon the grounds
owned or controlled by any agricultural
association or county or city fair or any
driving club or driving park already char
violation at a fine of not less than 500 nor
more than $500 (one-fourth to informer)
and imprisonment not less than thirty nor
more than ninety days.
Why He Signed 1t.
when the bill was laid before me
did not like it. I could see that it allowed
much latitude on agricultural grounds and
driving parks, but I believed it would
break up pool selling at Jackson City and
relieve that community by removing the
attraction which supported its dens of
vice. and l felt sure that the privilege
would not be abused nor carried to any
great extent by the agric ultural societies
and driving associations then chartered, as
they were managed, as 1 believed, by gen.
tlemen who would not tolerate horse racing
for the sake of gambling. 1 was satisfied
there would only be agricultural fairs as
usual in the fall, and, l believed, meetings
on the driving parks for a lew days only,
spring and fall. Feeling the necessity Of
breaking up Jackson City and there being
no time for an amendment to the bill, s,p-
proved it.
Soon, much to my surprise, /
learned that an old charter granted some
years since to the Grange Association
Of Virginia for the promotion of
agriculture etc, and whose grounds were
some miles up in Fairfax county, had been
purchased by certain persons in Washing
ton city, and that they intended to estab-
Bsh driving park at Jackson City and
run 1t under this old charter, and conduct
racing and sell pools under the act of
March 3, 1894. / saw at once there was
trouble, and that instead of Kidding the
Virginia bank Of the Potomac Of the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-30
cursed spot ii would be continued in an
in'elsiied form, and SO it has been.
Lnw-AbidinE PeOple Oufr,vc5


90 not hesitate to say that this place
s'inks In the nostrils of the respectable
ana law-abiding people of Virginia, and
.hey 1eei outraged that lot of non-resi-
cent gamblers, who have no interest in tho
1alr name or welfare of Virginia should
be permitted to settle themselves down on
the south bank of the Potomac and there
pursue their nefarious business with brazen
cheeH, gathering from every quarter the
worst classes, under a charter granted to
an honorable association of farmers for
the promotion of agriculture ETC. Some
way acquired by these men.
"A short time since under my direction
the attorney general obtained an injunc-
ton against the owners and managers of
this race track. At the hearing, for rea
sons well understood between the attorney
general and myself, the proceedings were
suspended These people are, however
resting upon very uncertain ground, and
Wniie they seem to feel that they are Sc
cure, the day is not distant when they will
lind themselves mistaken. They have out
raged decency, fostered crime, perverted
legislation and bid defiance to public senti-
ment already too long. 1t is not proper for
me to state what steps will be taken.
Virginia prohibits faro banks, gaming
tables and all species of card gambling.
and she will not tolerate horse racing for
the sake of gambling upon the shallow
pretense OF encouraging the breeding Of
horses. If she cannot make the raising of
horses profitable without corr,Iptinp the
youth OF the country and drawing to her
borders the people who have been run
away from Gutenberg and Jersey CITY
then she had better stop the breeding of
Diooded horses. She is paying too dearly
for the profit she makes.
Il am Il lover Of fine horses; have owned
many. But 1 believe 1t is as wrong to
gamble with them as with cards and one
Is as corrupting as the other"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-30

players" and card handlers gather in these
places at night when there is not a dance
or 'parlor social on hand, and continue
their gambling until daybreak, and. If the
lambs are numerous and well fixed"
until the last penny is taken.
At ROsslyn and Beyond.
Alexandria county has not only the policy
shop in Alexandria, the two race tracks
and the jackson City policy shops and
other gambling dens to contend with, but
there are a number of gambling places
further up the river. These places are just
across the river from Georgetown. Since
the South Washington police have waged
war against the pedestrians on the Long
bridge the great majority of policy players
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-30

Routed out from that
locality t h e y h a d
packed their baggage
and taken possession
of Jackson City. The
dreams of the found
ers W e r g realized,
and there was a city
at the south end of
the Long bridge-but
such a city! 1t is the
S a m e city today.
There the criminal
class has established
a headquarters; there
y o u n & m e n have
taken their first taste
af 90 m hing. there
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-30

from this city have
taken to going over
to the Rosslyn shops,
where there are three
places, 1t Is said.
running in full blast
and in open violation
Of the law. Two of
them are in the vii
lage proper, while a
third one Is a room
built under an arch
way beneath the bed
of the old Chesa-
peake and Ohio
canal. These places
do a thriving bust
mass Such a thinP
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-30

city one may find a
game of almost any
kind in progress at
any time. Only a
short distance below
these places are the
stables, in which
race horses are shell
tered, and just how
many men and boys
sleep about them is
not known.
Most of the bust
ness, especially in the
policy line is done in
the day time, al
though the Crap
shooters" Sweat
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-30

to remove the sheriff, justices of the peace,
or other county officials 1t appears, how
ever, according to Virginia law, that upon
complaint to the corporation, hustings or
county court, such officers may, upon prop
er and sufficient proof, be removed by the
court for misconduct in the discharge of
their official duties. The law of the state,
section S21 of the code, directs, of course,
that the court, upon filing of charges
against any such officer. shall allow the
accused official ample opportunity to be
heard in his defense and the complained of
official may. if he so elects. have the right
to a jury trial. From this it would appear
that the citizens of the county have a
remedy in their own hand.
The Case Summed Up.
The case stands. therefore, something like
this: The gambling exists. which nobody
will deny. The county court is aware of
this and is willing to try the offenders,
but there are no offenders brought before
it. The commonwealth attorney is the
prosecuting officer, but he must wait until
some one Is brought before him to be pros
ecuted. The situation narrows down to
the sheriff, but he in turn diSclaims re-
sponsibility because be has not the means
to secure evidence to back up his ar
rests.
The case is submitted without comment.
GOV. O'FERRALL TALKS.
How the Winter Racers Gained n
FOothold in Virginia.
Correspondence of The Evening Star.
RICHMOND. Va. March p, 1895.
Gov. Chas. T. O'Ferrall was called up
on by The Star correspondent today and
asked as to his authority over and re-
sponsibility for the gambling deus on the
Virginia shore Of the Potomac in the i'm
mediate vicinity Of Washington city.
The governor very readily consented to
talk on this subject and gave The Stars
reporter a full interview.
In reply to questions he said:
For years jackson City has been prop
erly styled "a curse spot Being located
just opposite Washington, at the end of
the Long bridge and easy of access, it
has been the resort of the most vicious
classes Of the city,, and being only a small
village, with no police regulations 1t has
been a matter of impossibilitiy to preserve
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-30

minion track, Alexander Island was a
place that was an offense to decent people.
Jackson City has always been the pride Of
the island. Laid out many years ago with
imposing ceremonies and the intention of
making it large city. it had, after many
years, included within its boundaries only
few sheds and lone, solitary tavern,
where an occasional prize fight was pulled
Off. Then came a day when jackson City
was born anew. The pool sellers, driven
from the center of Washington, had fled to
the neighborhood of 18th and the Boundary
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-30

lest, and 1t is said that such tips are
frequently given out, vas the result of a
conspiracy to help those who reap the
benefits.
"Joe's Inn one of the saloons seems to
be the particular place on the Boulevard "
which the so-called sporting men of all
shades visit.
This place has the appearance of an or
binary country inn. In connection with 1t
is dance hall, where a piano furnishes
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-30

crimes have been planned; there murders
committed; there homes have been wreck
ed; lives made desolate; there has been es-
tablshed moral cesspool that has engulf-
ed hundreds who intended only to walk it's
borders, and the miasmic breath of which
sweeps the entire District.
Jackson City today is made up of sa-
looms and gambling places, with perhaps
two houses where legitimate business is
transacted. In years gone by there was a
CLUB" in the large brick structure, but
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-30
On Alexander Island.

siderable portion of
the crowds that con-
gregate at the race
track, those gambling
hells and low drink
ing places that are
the leading features
of the island. Some
time ago there SEEM
ed a bright prospect
of a sudden extermi-
nation of the across
the-river sport" by
remuneration to the
District, but the hope
has not been real
lied. The condition
of affairs at klexan-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-30

runs on the Alexander Island track, the
course that is Immediately adjoining Jack
son City. Yesterday was an Oft day at
Alexander Island, but Mr.. Johnson was
found at the st. Asaph track, where he
willingly consented to talk upon Jackson
City matters.
| willing to break up the violations of law at
Jackson City than himself, and that he will
vigorously prosecute any cases brought be-
fore him in which evidence is presented.
He said the trouble lies in the difficulty of
getting evidence, in obtaining reputable
people who will go before a jury and make
| oath to the allegations which they made
outside. He said that usually when ar
rests are made and indictments presented
by the grand jury, the witnesses have dis
appeared by the time the case comes to
complaints and arranged compromise, so
that there is no one to appear against
them, and the matter drops.
Hard to Make Cases.
He said the county has no regular police
or detective force which can be utilized for
the detection of offenders. When cases are
brought to the attention of the officials, and
raid Is made, the lawbreakers cross the
river to Washington and stay until the
matter blows over. Then they quietly
come back and probably continue their
operations for some time before it becomes
known to the officials.
Mr.. johnson said citizens of the county
come to him sometimes and talk about af-
fairs at jackson City, and when he asks
them to make affidavit to their statements
and support them before the court, it is
found that they have no personal knowl-
edge of the matter. and are therefore, use
less as witnesses for successful prosecu-
ton of cases. Mr. johnson said he has no
personal knowledge Of violations OF law at
jackson City, and added that the county
officials are not personally aware of the
misdoiEgs charged against the place. He
said the only case brought against a resi-
dent of that place. in when he has been
able to secure a conviction, was where the
prosecuting witness made II a business to
come all the way from Gutenberg two or
three times, to testify. Usually, he said,
the compliments are non-res' lunts, and by
the time their cases are called in court
they are not to be found. Mr.. Johnson an
nouhced his willingness and anxiety to
prosecute the lawbreakerS TO the full eN-
ten. of the law, ii some one will only fur
nish Inn with evidence.
Might Be Impcnched.
Those who believe that the inaction of
the sheriff and other county officials is re-
sponsible for the condition Of affairs, have
been looking up the means provided for
effecting reforms quicker than the election
of new men to fill the Offices They have
discovered that the governor has no power
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-30
Pages BACKED Out.

An article in the English children's mag
azine. Little Folks" about the Gar of
Russia was entirely "'llacked out" by the
Russian censor before being delivered to
the Russian subscribers Of the periodical
The objectionable paragraph is supposed
to be one in which the car, bidding fare
well to the daughters of the Prince Of
Wales, Gays: Goodbye, my dears; you are
going back to your happy English home
and to my Russian prison."
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-30
an ofleer whose duty is to serve papers put

an officer whose duty is to serve papers put
into his hands by proper authorities.
~ 1t Is said there is no fund in the county
court out of which to pay detectives for
working up evidence against the gambling
dens. and without such evidence it would
be impossible to convict the offenders after
they should be arrested. A prominent Of
fetal of Alexandra is quoted as saying
that with small fund for the employment
of detectives and with the aid of earnest,
law-abiding citizens, he would be able to
make it so warm for the gambling fra
ternity at Jackson City and other places
that they would be compelled to clear out.
The Prosecuting Attorney Talks.
Mr.. R. W. johnson is the prosecuting at
torney of Alexandra county, what might
be called the executive officer Of the law in
that section. A Star reporter, who went to
Alexandria to interview Mr.. johnson, was
directed to the race track to find him, as
he is the owner Of several horses, which he
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-30
Reign of Lawlessness on the Virginia
Shore.
GAMBLERS and BLACKLEGS IN CONTROL
County Officials Unwilling or Un-
able to Suppress Crime.
DISGRACE TO THE STATE

AWLESSNESS f x
lists in Alexandria
county, Va, to such
a. degree as to call
from 4 county judge
re Gently a declara-
ton from the bench
that there was more
defiance of law il the
little tract comprised
in Alexandria county
than in any area of
like dimension in the
state. Good citizens
of Alexandria county,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-30

the music. Besides the drinking room there
is dining room attachment, and in this
place not long ago a man was shot and
killed during drunken row. Near this is
saloon kept by a colored man, and in the
sbanties along that section of the gamblers
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-30
4ra.fers Jna, fee fsffts seseek

master Of aooerfisins,, saps:
II is efaimeo for f6e 1aoas8msfott
Star. ano pro8a8fp fruf8faffe
Claimed. t8af no offer newspaper
IN f6e country goes into 50 farse
a percentage Of off t9e 8ouses
toif6tn a raoias Of ftpenfp mites
from tie office Of publication.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-30

der Island. well as at other points on
the river shore, is regarded by persons
crime against morality, but also as a most
serious obstacle in the way Of material
progress. The existence of Alexander Is
land, with it's emoraliZing influences, has
done more to retard the development of
the locality than a hundred months of fl
narcial depression.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-30

citizens interested in the moral welfare of
the people, as well as the material pros
perity of the county, have murmured for
long while against an administration of
laws that permits the continuance of such
a state of affairs; they are now looking
earnestly for some means of Kidding the
Virginia shore of the curse that has fasten-
ed itself upon 1t.
The vice that has been elected from the
District of Columbia has found a place,
safe from Interference by law officers, on
this Virginia shore. The faro dealer, the
pool seller. the policy sharp. the thimble-
rigger and all the brood of blacklegs, have
gathered there under the protection, SEEM
Ingly, of the county officers At every point
easy of access from Washington are To-
Gated colonies of the gambling fraternity,
always ready for business.
Citizens are beginning to ask why this is
so? More, they are beginning to answer
the question for themselves There are
reports involving county officials. 1t
is openly stated that men who should be
doing their Utmost to drive this ubiquitous
brood from the county, stand hstlessly by,
because there is more profit to them in in
action than there would be in a vigorous
enforcement of the law. 1t is asserted also
that political considerations influence Off
cials, for the gambling fraternity, by the
free use of money, control elections. What
ever the reason, and many citizens who feel
that the good name of Virginia is at stake
seem determined to learn what the reason
is the fact is that there is most dis
graceful state of affairs on the Virginia
side of the Potomac opposite Washington.
1t is not at all surprising, under the cir
cumstances, that county officials are held
in suspicion.
On Alexander Island.
Nearest the city is Alexander Island. The
confession recently of a poor bookkeeper
CT one of the legations here that he had
been introduced to gambling in one of the
dens at Jackson City and had then en-
bezzled 5000 of the legation funds in
vain effort to recover the lost ground once
again called attention to the character of
Alexander Island and its Inhabitants. 1t
was only case in long series. People
who understand Alexander Island know
well the terrible menace to the morality Of
the city its existence just across the river
provides. 1t is presumed that the governor
and other officials of Virginia are also well
aware of the character of the place and its
frequenters. The law-abiding people of
Alexandria county have seemingly about
given up hope that any action of the state
authorities will afford them relief from the
thugs and cut threats who make up con-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-30


The police of Washington have an ac-
cIrate idea of the settlement across the
river. They know it as the gathering
place of criminals, as a spot where harden
ed crime can display itself and receive ap-
plause In their view Alexander Island
serves some good purpose, for if a criminal
is wanted he can generally be found some
where in the neighborhood of the Virginia
erd of the bridge.
Alexander Island is situated Just opposite
the city, one end of the Long bridge rest
ing upon it. 1t is separated from the
mainland of Virginia by Gravelly creek, an
ebbing and flowing arm of the Potomac.
The place has become known throughout
the turf and sporting circles of the country
because of the establishment there of the
race track known as the Old Dominion or
Alexander Island track. The race track
on Alexander Island is only one of the
evils existing there. Its being a winter
track is the drawing card, however, for a
crowd of hangers on, recruited principally
from the lowest of the criminal classes.
The track was kept open, except in Febru-
airy. throughout the winter and the pleas
ant sight afforded OF racing horses through
snow sleet and mud. There might be
policy shops, gambling places, and cut
throat dives on Alexander Island without
the race track, but there would not be so
many, and they would not be so openly de-
fsnt of the law.
1t is doubtless true that the management
of the tracks deplores the presence of the
crowd of toughs, touts and other terrors,
but such classes are as sure to congregate
at a winter track as confirmed drunkard
is to gravitate to saloon.
Jackson City.
Long before the existence of the Old Do