Evening star., 1898-10-17
A GAMBLERS RENDEZVOUS
The Old Steamer Mary Washington to Be
Fitted Up.
lowed to the Shore to the Railroad
Embn bnnkment--Stories n L Told
About 1t.
correspondence of The Evening Star.

Correspondence of The Evening Star.
ALEXANDRIA, Va, Ocsobsr r L. 1893.
What will probably turn out to be an
other gambling den is in readiness to
be opened in Alexandria county, and this
tire il is almost within the suburbs of the
city. a scheme, bold, novel and attractive,
has been employed in order to establish this
joint, the credit for which undertaking be-
longs to the weli-known sporting man iloltz-
man of Washington. Under his hands the
old steamer Mary Washington has added
new chapter to her long and curious history.
With laborious effort, Holtzman and a col
ored assistant dragged the old hulk of the
steamer from the entrance of Four Mile run
to the railroad embankment where she is
lashed to the shore and fitted up for
Quoting a liquor and gambling hole in full
blast. The boat is lying IN the cove in shoal
water. exposed to full view from the rail-
road. A gansway is in process of con-
structfon, and even now customers are
sisted on board, where liquor is yet the
principal attraction. In reply 10 questions
from railroad official at the power house
nearby, HoltZman stated that he had simply
brought in his craft to get her out of the
ice this winter, and that it was his inten-
ton to entertain his friends on board in n
social way during the winter evenings, and
especially on Sundays To some of the en-
ployes, however, he told different story.
and that was In substance the real object
of his undertaking.
Revealed His Plans.
Friday night Hoffman was visited by a
Star reporter, who, of course, concealed his
Office and mission. HoltLman was found
hard at work the causeway, and, after
clearing his mind of suspicion, gave the
visitor a most cordial reception. He was
communicative and after talking for some
time grew confidential and finally proceed
said, to do business and considered it the
opportunity of lifetime. A bar would of
course, be conducted and a number of
Washington sporting men would give it
their patronage. But what about gameS?'
he was asked. We'll" he replied some
what evasively, IF the people take to my
place they may be conducted later on" In
the event of good opportunity offering.
he said that the boats deck would be
boarded uD all around and the inclosure
fitted up snugly, in which poker, keno and
the like would be played. He expected a
large crowd down from Washington on
Sunday, who were coming for the purpose
of having a big time and making an inspec-
ton. In the meantime, he said the gang
way would be completed and the old boat
swung around sideways, SO that the
trance would be from the river side.
Didn't Fear County officials.
But aren't you afraid of being raided?'
he was asked. Not at ALL" Hoffman re-
rate fellow, and will never interfere with a
man trying to make his living, He will
not bother us unless it is IN order to hold
his job. when somebody makes complaint"
The railroad officials, he declared would
be menace to his safety. great deal
of travel would probably come over the
electric road. In addition, he said, he had
received Information that hundreds of peo-
pie were in the habit of gathering in the
vicinity of Four Mile run on some Sundays
and purchasing liquor from wagons, and
that this went on without any trouble at
all from the county authorities. Therefore
he felt secure in that respect. To these
highly advantageous conditions he went on
to add reasons why his future success was
insured. He was well known among the
sporting fraternity Of Washington; the sit
uatfon was within easy access of the city
and but step from the railroad and the
old Mary Washington was admirably fitted
for the business which he proposed to
conduct