The evening times., 1896-11-16
CRAP IN THE CEMETERIES
Bone Gamblers Hide Themselves Behind
TOmbStOnes.
COMPLAINT TO THE POLICE
of the Police Court
Judges to Severely Punish such
Offenders Leads the Latter to
Seek More Secure Hiding Places.
Driving Players Out of District.

The rafting of bones was heard ycster-
lay in the Graccland Cemetery and the
colored graveyard further along the Zen
ming road.
The noise was not made by the Zones
In the marrow tenements OF clay" but by
those OF the evcn-clcven'' variety.
Complaint was made to the Ninth pre-
cinct police today that the cemeteries on
the road leading to Bennings were invaded
yesterday by cClored crap she oters, who
spent the day within the enclosures and
engaged in the worst form OF gambling
known To- the law officers Of this city.
The crapis,s have become wary since
Judge Miller announced his intention of
Imposing a SIX months sentence In the
chain gang upon every one VINO Is con-
victed III his court, and Judge kiinhall fol
lowed by declaring that lie was going to
raise The Limit III crap cases brought Before
him.
SAFE FROM THE POLICE.
Consequently in Seeking he W fields where
there is less danger of arrest, some of the
players struck upon the idea Of invading
isolated cemeteries. They We're right in
surprising that the police would hardly sus-
pect their purpose in entering, sinsly and
in small groups, these silent cities or the
dead and the discovery OF their graveyard
gambling was made by citizens who hadoc-
cai0n to enter the sacred enclosures yes
terday.
There We're eight Young colored men en-
gagged in one OF the games between and
O'Clock n the afternoon. They played in
depression which, with the stretch OF
grave stones between, completely concealed
them from passing mounted policemen or
.-.a,uJ r-6oI'.. ina monotOne the crap
shooters uttered the talisInanic words A
picket sauntered leisurely and apparently
unconcernedly among the graves, near the
rplf ready n he alarm ny short
sharp whistle, upon the approach OF Il
stranger. 1t was a case or bones below
and bones above, with the whitened grave
1nrcs in the foreground and background
to protect the audacious gamblers from
sight.
The solemn nature OF the place had no
effect upon their hardened CuHsci, noes
for several OF the players were supplied
with that invanahle adjunct to crap
game bottles OF gin OF whisky. A times
the fellows Guarrclrd, but in a low tone
of voice. and IL is a wonder there were
no assaults 10 kill. another adjunct, and
the spilling Of human blood over the rounded
mounds.
THE VIGILANT OFFIC ERs.
In the future the police will see that there
Is no further rafting of such bor.s i'll the
grave yards. IL has been the vigilance OF
the officers in the alleys, lots and other
places in the city, which has driven the
crap monomaniacs to seek such places as
cemeteries.
The members Of the police bicycle squad
haveproven an nimportantfactor IN breaking
up crap shooting IN the city limits. These
officers wear wheel Costumes and can
glide upon group without attracting the
attention OF the pickets or loOkouts who
are posted at convenient points. Now that
'heS have resor'ed to grave yards, the
police are wondering what next. Last
summer nunter Of the colorcd about
town sports hired an old sand scow, and
after polling the craft to shallow water,
near the Nirgnia shore, engaged in crap
and sweat games galore, butt grave
yard gambling gang caps The climax.