The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-06-16
NO TRUCE TO THE VICE
a Minister Objected to n Picnic mt
Which There Was to BE
Dancing.

The residents OF West Indianapolis are
beginning TO realize the benefits to be OBJ
tanned from an organized police force which
II not afraid to proceed against lawbreak-
ers. Although the new force has been in
operation scarcely a month, one of the
gambling resorts. against which the force
was especially to proceed. has closed its
doors. the other Is running short hours,
and with short force" the saloons are
learning TO obey the laws, and the tough
element which has been allowed to do al
most as it pleased in the past is beginning
TO show some respect for the statutes
The two gambling resorts in the suburb
owned by Gus Rahke and James
Ross were running wide open when
the new police force was or
ssnized. and the proprietors paid no
heed 10 the orders which they had received
to close their places Accordingly, each
place was raided. and while the cases
against the proprietors were dismissed, ow-
Ing TO an error in the manner in which
the proceedings had been brought against
them. the desired effect was produced. That
-, the men who were conducting the re-
sorts and those who patronized them have
been awakened to the fact that the suburb
an authorities as we'll as the citizens have
tired of supporting their nefarious traf-
nc and have determined TO put a stop 10 it.
Even before the case against James Ross
had been dismissed he had closed up his
doors. His was not. however, the prin-
cipal resort, and although it was a pleas
ure to the citizens to know that they
they are most anxious 10 close up the re-
sort OF Gus Rahke. Rahke's place is in
easy access OF the city, and the gamblers
who are not allowed TO play openly here
n
gambling fraternity of this city made their
headquarters in the suburb, but il has been
menace to the morals of the little city.
But at last even Rahke and his crowd have
realized the determination OF the authori-
ties to drive him out, and his business has
Although there have been no raids i'm the
last week, yet il is never known when Chief
OF Police Buchanan and his force will
quently it makes the house a dangerous
place 20 visit When the former raids
rested, but as thai plan failed 1t is now
understood that when the police appear
on the scene again particular pains VIII
be taken TO capture everybody and every
thing in sight.
There are also sixteen SALOONS in West
Indianapolis. and upon these, TOO, strict
watch is being kept AS soon as the NichOl-
son law goes into effect it will be strictly
enforced, and as the saloon keepers are
non 1t me l IS seFeraI oil t men are
Another source of worry to the saloon
men is the fact that several enthusiastic
temperance workers are working for an
organization which may drive the saloons
out under the new law AS yet, no per-
manent organization has been effected, but
the ministers of the various churches, and
others interested in the work, are prepar-
ing to wage a continued war against the
saloons.
The police force has also directed part
of its attention TO the toughs who always
tnfest every city. There are several gangs
OF these, all apparently organized in West
n hay hDnr1
doing all in their power to harass the police
men, The crowd which has been congregat-
Ing on Hadley avenue. near the railroad
mas been the most aggressive, and many
threats have been uttered by the MEM
bers OF the gang as TO what they will do
IT the police officers attempt to interfere
with them. Already the policemen have
had several conflicts with the gang but in
each case the toughs have come off sec
ond best. Several of them have been ar
rested and fined, and the remainder are
beginning TO realize that their continued
resistance can bring only fhe same result
Friday night several of the crowd were
causing disturbance near the tent of a
vaudeville show. and when Chief Buchanan
arrested of them the Others followed
them to the Jail. making threats to release
the prisoner and il with some diff
Guilty that he lodged in a cell One
OF the crowd named Thomson, who was
too aggressive. was also placed under ar
rest and was fined yesterday by Magistrate
Herig.