The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-17
ALL FOND OF"PLOKER"
FOURTEEN CHINAMEN ARRESTED
FOR PLAYING THE NATIONAL GAME.
Insisted They Were Merely Determine
ing who Was to Pay for n New
Years Dinner.

Although Cinnamon as a rule refuse to
adopt American ideas and customs, there
are some institutions in this country that
appeal to their tastes, and one of them is
the national game of draw poker. Since
Bret Harte recorded the tricks of All Sin,
a Celestial who was particularly apt in
manipulating the pasteboards. people have
accepted it as a fact that the Heather
Chinee' really love this fascinating game
of chance. Indianapolis police officers are
prone to accept the popular idea on this
subject as correct, and are always on the
lookout for quiet little games"-that is.
among the poor Cinnamon. But with all
their vigilance, it is hard to unearth the
games, as the willy Mongolians are we'll
aware that discovery means arrest, and the
games that flourish in the laundries
throughout the city are seldom raided, as it
would be useless to make arrests. no evil
dence being at hands. But two weeks ago
Chinaman, who said he had been cheated
in a game. After much persuasion, he told
Sergeant Hyland that there was a stif game
played every Sunday afternoon at Il Massa-
chusetts avenue. Sergeant Hyland had to
promise the man he would never be known
in the case before he would give the infor-
nation.
IF you let anly one no 1 tellee you China
men kille me click"
"oh. 1 won't tell" said the sergeant.
You won't even deSclibe meT'
mo / won't even describe you,'' said the
sergeant.
His informant then told him that china
men from other lille Towns come here
every Sunday for a good time. In the after
noon, ne said. they play "fan-tan," but at
night poker takes the place of their own ma
tional game. The sergeant was advised to
wait until yesterday, when the Chinaman
said there would be a big game running,
nr-iU1aNy SorOoon ~ IJx1ond md q nrro Of
four patrolmen went to the number given.
While the sergeant and two patrolmen were
stationed at the front door the captain and
the. back yard. From the noises heard
within the captain was satisfied a big haul
taught him that it would be worse than.
useless to knock at the door, as by the time
his men could get, inside every evidence Of
waited patiently for a few moments till one
of the Cinnamon came out. He was nabbed
In a jiffy. and warned to keep still. Then
the room. They found six men seated about
Ssf table tn with g deck of cards newly dealt
badly frightened. Hop wung, who has
more than a smattering of English at his
man and demanded to know what was
wanted. He was informed the entire crowd
m mss asasr ts arr espta dGr sa moraI e. h as com conn
trymen, and then, the captain says, the
trouble began. Several Of the men We're
from other towns. and protested against
tickets would be worthless if not used
last night. They had taken advan-
tage of the usual Sunday half-fare
rates. They all declared they were not
gambling, but were simply playing a game
TO see who should pay for the big New
Years" dinner they had Just finished. Hung
Dock explained that last Wednesday was
the Chinese New Years day, and that,
as they were too busy to celebrate it then,
they had met for a grand celebration on
Sunday. He said the Chinese always keep
'open house on New Years day. His ar
gLments were not convincing, and the whole
lot, fourteen in all, were carted to the police
station. They had scarcely been SLATED be-
fore some of their friends from other laun-
dries arrived and set about arranging to
furnish bonds. Hung Dock took a cab and
went for attorney William w. Herod, who
rode to the station house and signed bonds
for their appearance in police court a
week from Tomorrow.
While they were in the station house one
of their number said that while but six men
were playing at the table, Others made bets
ION the side" in true American fashion.
Captain Quigley and Sergeant Hyland Wis
tied another laundry, but found 70 evidence
of gambling. Some one had been there be-
fore them and warned the players. The Of
ficers found nothing but a lot of stupid
MOngOlianS hitting the pipe"