The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-08-19
MONTE CARLO.
Continued from Page I.

forced in other parts. Years ago what
was known as Fred Browns place, which
is still maintained at No. 10 Manton
avenue, by different set was the only
we'll known joint in tho town. 1t made
convenient place for business men who
did not want 10 be seen in the down town
resorts and 10 prospered. Once or twice
an attempt was made TO raid it. William
A. Carroll was then the town sergeant but
although he caused the gamblers some
worriment ha never succeeded in seriously
interfering with their business. 1t was
during these days that large safe was
put in. 1t was large enough TO hold the
entire gambling paraphornalia and was de-
signed as q hiding place for the outfit in
case of raid. It was so large it was
necessary 20 break out the rear wall of
the building TO get Ii in. IL was never
very much used for tho purpose for which
il was designed. however.
Ex-Town Sergeant Martin Mann sue
ceedeu Mr.. Carroll in Office and he made
one or two attacks on the place. but it was
waste of time. His efforts hah no more
effect than IL he had turned garden hose
onto the outside of the building and he
was laughed at. The trouble was while
Mann may have been earnest in his
efforts, the gam blers knew moro about the
raiding business than he knew himself,
and they were always prepared for him.
When the gam blers were driven out Of
Providence they set mp here. They re-
garded their stay at this place as tempo
rary, however. A safe asylum, they
thought, in which TO spend their exile
from moro popular down town baunts,
but they gradually awakened to the fact
that this was a good field for their busi-
ness with comparatively small risk an9
one by one the permanent gambling pop
ulation was Increased.
Finally tho library court rooms were
opened and then followed the establish
ment of the horse pool room on Stokes
street better known as tho Channel. All
this growth took place under tho present
police administration. There seemed to
be the utmost harmony existing between
the officials and the gamblers, and in a
short time il became known that n COM
bine ht d boon formed by the proprietors
of tho different joints 90 shut out others
wit might want to locate here Stove
Briggs Gene Angell and Bob Burlin.
game wore the chief moguls. They are all
exiles from Providence There was n
rumor that prominent town officials were
given stock in the trust, but this was
denied Ivy all who wereiapproached on tho
subject at the time.
Since the formation Of the combine tho
gontlemen mentioned above and their as
sociates have had an easy monopoly. Tho
only apparent difference between their
franchise and the one held by the Union
Railroad Company is that theirs is Der-
petual, while tho railroad companv's Is
only for twenty years. The strength OF
tho com bine's power was put 60 test
last spring A party Of Providence
gamblers hired two rooms i'm Stokes
block. corner of Stokes and Westminster
rY ts.f One OF these was Occupied by a
tenant who was paid handsome bonus
70 move out The rooms were fitted up
at great expense. A double door with a
wicket was constructed and everything
was in readiness to open up when the
promoters of the new venture were warn
ed of bv the townTsergeant. The opening
OF the place was DELAYED several weeks
and an unsuccessful effort was made ia
arrange things with the police and other
gamblers.
The men who had laid out so much
| money became desperate and they threat
| ened Co open in spite ~ tho police and the
| other gamblers and preparations TO raid
| the place were made by the police The
| gamblers were advised not tn get iuto n ruw
| with the rolice and aftor thinking it over
they concluded 10 withdraw. They cleaned
out their rooms and went looking for To.
venge. They attempted TO close up th,
| other places and started n crusade, In
| which Superintendent Calder Of tn,
Broadway Baptist Sunday school bocam,
| interested.
The Council was petitioned 10 urtlc
these places closed. Mr. Calder nnd othor
appeared before tho Courcil in behalf q
this petition and the prayer Of tho peti
tioners was granted. but as every on,
knows the gambling Interests survive,
the attacks and arc peacefully going alonl
their crooked ways OF which more viii
be said IN our next.