The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-13
AT THE ROAD HOUSES
NOTORIOUS BRIGHTON BEACH DID A
RUSHING BEER BUSINESS.
Two Policemen There, Too-Crowds at
kissel's, Jack Christians and
Other Places.

At Brighton Beach, which is now within
the city limits, the scene yesterday was one
to suit the most ardent supporter of the
''open town" idea. A crowd OF about four
hundred men and boys was assembled to
see a game of ball between two local anna
teur teams. The management OF the road
house at that place Is very kind and philan-
thropic in providing seats that will hold
nearly one thousand people, just TO give the
dear people a chance TO see a game OF ball
on Sunday, and it is all free. There is a
good ball field and the seats are as good
as the bleachers at the ball park. All this
has cost considerable money. The whole
secret of the affair lies in the crowd that
was constantly pouring in and out OF the
road house.
At O'Clock two patrolmen were standing
on the canal tow path. about fifty yards
from the road house, surveying the scene In
the ball grounds. A little later they walked
over 10 the road house and entered by the
front door. There was a man standing on
the front porch, who was kind enough TO
give a little signal while unlocking the door
10 admit the policemen They went into the
front barroom, but found nothing suspic-
ious After being inside for two or three
minutes, they went out again.
Just as these two policemen entered the
front door a Journal reporter started 10
enter the back door. A man was stationed
there and he had received the signal from
the man at the front door.
"You can't go in there now" he said.
THE police are in there
In a few moments the signal came again
and then the reporter, with several others
who had gathered at the back door IN the
r.1l hat o.
walked into the building. They passed
through one room and into another, wmcn
was Immediately. in the rear OF the main al,
a moment before. All ordered beer and II
was served without question.
The reporter left the building by the paeh
door and passed around the ounding 10 ths
front. The two policemen were standing or
the front porch in friendly conversation
with the man on watch there. Al that time
room drinking beer. While the policemen
were standing on the tow path they coulC
not have failed to see the stream of human
of the back door of the road mouse. They
could not have failed TO notice tnat tn'
blinds to the main SELDOM were not ioweret
Nicholson law. When inside they could
have seen that the passageway from room
| 10 room was not in accordance Win TN
| provisions of the Nicholson law and the,
also most Certainly noticed that the mel
were in the saloon contrary TO the proVlsioh
of the same law. year ago such pace
| were closed at illegal hours by the use o
men in citizens clothing.
| At other road houses the same scene
| minus the ball game to draw a crowd, Wa
| i'm progress At David Fairs place, just ives
| of the fair grounds, there was a crowd al
/ the afternoon ana evening. There was no
| the provision made there that was seer
| at Brighton Beach to give the place an al
| of ouietude in front. The sales. were mad
| i'm the main barroom I'm the front OF tn'
/ building, and the curtains were up SO a.
/ tn hide all view from the outside Ther
| was not a policeman in sight. The entranc
| was Through the back door. negro maj
| was there to receive all corners ana see una
| they did not fail TO find the entrance Man.
| buggies containing men ana women Wer
| driven into the Enclosure In the rear or IN
| place, where they were cared for by the col
| ored man, while the occupants were show
| where to go, If they did not know already
| This was also a resort for wheelmen on
for an afternoons spin. At one time tner
were more than forty wheels ana ooze
| hughes in the lot. The riders and occupant
/ of the vehicles were passing their mone
/ over the bar for beer. .
| At Jack Christians place, on the Allison
| Vile pike east of the fair grounds. IN
| scene was the same. The thirsty found a.
| thew wanted to quench their thirst.
There was not the least effort to singl
i out any particular persons at any or N
| places. II was unnecessary 10 know IN
''ropes," as the patrons of some or the down
4 town saloons must on Sundays. Any one wa
/ admitted. Passwords or signals We're no
1 used. 1t was a gala day for the road houses
| Reing the first really fine Sunday since col
/ weather the crowds at the different place
| were larger than usual, and a rushing bust
ness was done all day and until late las
i night.