Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1895-12-18
MOUNTAIN BOYS IN THE CAPITAL.
EIGHT OF THEM CAPTURE
OVER 800 GAMBLERS AT
WASHINGTON.
Daring and Unusual Ac

Norfolk & Western detective, has
been winning laurels at great
rate during the past forty-eigh,
hours. He has just conducted the
most romantic and most important
raid on gamblers ever made in the
United States.
Gov. O'Ferrall has been in con
sultation with Mr.. Baldwin for
several weeks with reference to
breaking mp thagembling houses
on the Virginia SIDE 'ofNhe Poto-
mac river, opposite-,lRshington.
After being driven dutaf the capi-
tai n number of yeats ago, the
sporting element opened business
at Jackson City and Rossyln, in
Alexandria county, Va. Those
places have long been notorious az
the rendezvous of the hardest ele-
ment in the country. The officials
OF Alexandria county in nine cases
out of ten have been under the paw
of the gamblers and would do
nothing to rid the community of
the plague spot. A year ago peo-
pie In Washington and on tho Vir-
glnla side of the river began ap-
pealing to Gov. O'Ferrall to sup
press the iniquity.
The effort eliminated on Satur-
day night In carefully planned
raid, when Detective Baldwin, with
seven other men from this locali-
ty, captured over 800 gamblers and
broke up several thousand dollars
worth of gambling paraphernalir.
On Friday Mr.. Baldwin left Blue
field with his two brothers, Mayor
K. NJ. Baldwin and ID. O. Baldwin,
Deputy Marshal S. ID. Smith, VI.
M. Bowing and Claude Howery.
They were joined by Thomas
Phelps and r. d. Earhart, of Roa-
uoke.
These eight fearless mountain
men were in Washington all day
Saturday maturing plan for raid
ing big den at Rosslyn. A small
steamer phys between the Thirty
second street wharf and the gamb-
ling resort at Rosslyn, making
trips every half-hour during the
earl y part OF the night. In carry
ing out the plan formed Deputy
sam Doc Smith went over on the
first boat at 6 o'clock In the even
ing. Passing the spoilers safely
he took part in the games which
we're soon In full blast. On later
boats the other officers went over,
two or three at a time. The ar
rangement provided that w. G..
Baldwin should enter the house
last. He was to be there at 10
o'clock and if the other seven men
were stationed about the tables as
planned he was to utter as signal
the word Keno" when all should
draw their reyolvers and take pos
session.
The plan worked to perfection.
The young detectives and deputi ties
were amazed and to some extent
unneryed to find themselves in an
Assem- mblage Of over three hundred
men-most OF them hardened Grim
inals. The building was divided
into rooms or halls to accommo-
date the various games. The ap-
polntments we're elaborate, em-
braclng everything in the way oi
gambling devices know TO the
profession. A gIlded bar was pre-.
sided over by several stylish cater.
ers and drink compounders
Smartly dressed colored waters
gllded about the place obeying the
orders of the spendthrift patrons
The premises were surrounded by 8
high board fence, and guard syi
tenn to prevent surprises was in
vogue. The place opened to the
river bank, and all tho old habitues
knew the ropes 20 well that they
felt secure. In one long room
there were over 200 men engaged
at the games. Four of the officers
were scattered among this crowd
and here the signal was gwen
Other mem bers of the raiding par.
ty were stationed IN other rooms
all ready for instantaneous action
Each officer bad brace of heavy
revolvers in belt under his coat
w. G.. Baldwin entered the prin.
cipal room at five minutes before
the appointed time. Looking al
his watch and castinga sly glance al
Sam Doc Smith the nervy Bluefeld
detective moved around quietly tc
obtain a position 20 suit him
Mayor Bob" Baldwin, who has q
heart as tender az a woman's but
as steady a hand as ever pulled a
trigger, was stationed close {, the
main door. The crowd were in.
tent upon their play and the room
was more silent than an ordinary
school would be.
"Kenol"
The word rang out clearly and
two hundred pairs of ewes were
cast quickly toward the stranger
who bad thus broken in upon the