The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-07-16
OFFICER IN DISGUISE RECEIVES
THE HOSPITALITY OF THE
A OWL CLUB.
NOW A WARRANT is ISSUED
FOR THE ARREST of CHARLES
MDERMOTT AND ANDY CAL
LAHAN.
CLUB IS LEGALLY ORGANIZED
And VIII Make Test of
What It's Comparative Rights
Are.

A warrant was issued last evening
for the arrest of Andy Callahan and
Charles McDermott on a charge of vi
olating the ordinance regulating the
sale of Intoxicating liquors. The COM
plant was sworn to by Charles Gill
who alleges that on the night Of July
IA he purchased one-tenth Of pint of
Whiskey in room on the second floor
or the building, 410 Wabasha street
The trial Of the case will be awaited
with much interest, as it will determine
whether, under the law, club house
can be conducted without rendering the
persons owning the same liable
During the reform administration of
Mayor Wright, the "Owl Club" was
conducted on the second floor Of the
building at 40 Wabasha street. The
club had a large number Of members
and was exceedingly well patronized.
Other saloonkeepers who had no char
ter and no club made a fight against
the authorities allowing the club to run
but 1t did all the same. When Mayor
Smith assumed charge Of affairs in the
spring of 1894 the club ceased to be
patronized as extensively as formerly,
The organization, however, was main
tanned and meetings and election of Of
f1cers held at stated times as directed
by the charter. Soon after Mayor Do
ran took his seat and gave out his
midnight closing order the club took
new lease Of life, sand the membership
again commenced to grow. To make
sure of the legal standing of the or
ganization, new articles of incorpora-
ton were filed with the secretary of
state few days ago. None but mem
bers In good standing are allowed in
the club rooms and it has not been ex-
planned yet, but probably will be on
the trial, how one of the minions of
the law secured admission to the room
Some weeks ago one of the police Of
flcials was furnished a key by one
of the officials of the club, and shortly
after midnight the members who were
present were surprised to see the door
open and two police officers in full uni
form stalk into the room. They were
welcomed with effusiveness by the
manager, as soon as he could regain his
composure, and received the same
treatment usually offered visitors at
the rooms, 1t has been noticed since
that time, however, that only those
mitted to the rooms, the rule having
been strictly observed, especially as to
members of the police force.
The complaint alleges that the license
granted to sell liquors at 410 Wabasha
street provides that such liquors shall
be sold on the first floor of the build
ing, and 1t is understood that special
stress will be laid on this point. The
managers of the club. however, claim
that the club room is not the saloon
meL tioned, and that the liquors are
disposed of to members the same as in
other clubs In the city with more pre-
tensions but not any more legal right
than the "Owl Club" A test will there
fore be made on this point, as to where
the legal lines governing social organi-
cations may be drawn.
McDermott and Callahan were ar
rested last evening by Serg. Ross and
taken to the central station. They were
released shortly afterward on a tele-
phone message from Judge Orr and will
be arraigned in the police court this
morning