The herald., 1897-10-20
OUTRAGEOUS SWlNDLE
SIDE ATTRACTIONS AT THE AG-
RICULTURAL PARK RACES
J. A. Johnson Complains of an Iniqui-
tous Transaction-A Mexican
Lottery" in the Paddock

The following letter, which is just re-
ing allegations anent the side diversions
at the race track
To the Editor of the Los Angeles Herald ::
desire to call your attention to a most
outrageous swindle being perpetrated on
the race track. and which should be called
TO the attention of the authorities. will
relate my experience. I was standing by
the fence, looking at the horses exercising
when l was approached by man who en-
tered into conversation, and finally invited
me to accompany him to the stalls, as he
wished to get some information about the
hurdle race. l agreed and we went to sec
tion E, where, upon entering stall at the
| extreme end of the section, we found a
cloth spread, bearing upon it different
numbers, from number 3 to "a. inclusive.
There We're different prizes to be won.
ranging in value from 800 to 81. Upon my
whlom friend asking the object of the
cloth, he was Informed that 1t was similar
to the Mexican lottery put up so cents
and shake the dice of which there were
nine, and the sum total would determine
the prize one would win. My friend paid
so cents for a shake but was unfortunate.
He then paid for another shake and asked
me to shake for him. remarking that he
never was lucky I shook and won prize
of s. for him. In return. and wishing to
profit by my own good luck, he paid for a
shake for me. informing me that what l
won I could keep. and he also paid for
shake for himself. I again shook the dice
and won what was called conditional
prize of $50, that I was not to get until
completed the drawing. which consisted of
four shakes, when we were to get the $50,
and also the money we had put up. with the
exception of so cents, which the game
keeper kept for his percentage. The first
shake cost 50 cents the second 81. the third
$3.50 when I again shook a conditional
prize of $50 more. and was informed that
now had sl04 coming, and only three more
shakes, and as the banker had to double.
so had we. The next shake then cost s.,
and the next. when I again won a condi-
tional prize of $50, making in all sl5O which
won but had never received. as had not
gone through the drawing. We then had
to double, making it $40 shake, which
paid and was informed upon my demur-
ring to putting up 50 much money without
any return that would get it all down
after the next shake. I again put up So
and was told we had but one more shake
did not have enough money to pay for
the last shake. and was told l had for
| feted my interest unless put up. AS that
was impossible was told if l could bor-
row it in five minutes I could retain my in
| terest. Upon threatening to inform the
police. I was hooted at, and told that l
would be arrested for gambling, and get
six months in Jail.
| Now Mr.. Editor I think something
should be done to squelch these thieves:
and knowing you are opposed to this class
of gentry, l venture to write you, hoping
| that they may be brought to justice. I
would ask you to publish this as 1t may
prove warning 10 some other fool not to
part with his money on such preteXts.
Excuse me for taking up so much of your
valuable time.
JAMES A. JOHNSON.
Los Angeles. Oct. 10.