Evening star., 1898-02-18
GAMBLING RAMPANT
Resorts in Alexandria County Again
in Full Blast.
KENO, POKER And THE SEDUCTIVE CRAP
Half Thousand Patrons of Sin
gle Establishment.
THE O'FERRALL CRUSADE

For some time past it has been known
that the authorities of Alexandria county
opposite Georgetown have been. to say the
least. lax in the matter of watching the
various gambling houses said to be in ope-
ration in that vicinity.
The little steamer Bartholdi makes fire.
quent trips between Georgetown and the
Virginia shcre, and among it's passengers
may be found men of all ages and repre-
senting all classes of life.
Tickets - cents, gentlemen" called the
pUrser as the crowd lined up at his little
window last Sunday afternoon. when the
beat finally returned from a previous trip
to the Virginia shore. Once on board the
little vessel a reporter for The Star found
many objects of interest. A heavy-armor-
ed Prov demonstrated the fact that the
numerous patrons of the establishments
lad enjoyed continued service throughout
the winter. despite the thick ice which for
considerable period blocked the river
atcve Georgetown. and which made the
trip to those resorts anything but a de-
sirabie pilgrimage.
The attention of the reporter was alb
scrted by discussion between two we'll
DIRE ssed sports regarding Alexandria
county justice, which, TO quote one indi-
vidual. can never amount to much long
a. We continue in control of the county Of
dcials.
Grand Rush.
y ten-minute sail brought the fifty i'm
patient passengers to their destination and
as the little landing was reached, a grand
TUsh was made for headquarters" the
large frame building scarcely half a mile
above Georgetown. and formerly known as
HoltZman's landing.
II has been claimed from time to time
during the past year that the notorious re-
scrts OF Alexandria county had been Ct
f=ctually closed, and for several months
past the observance of Sunday across the
river has been strictly along legitimat te
lines From the fact, however, that The
little Bartholdi continued her regular trips
TO the Virginia landing, as we'll as from an
1ntlm2tlo1 received from other sources, the
reporter was in some measure prepared for
the scene to be witnessed within.
tndeceived by the outward signs of DESC
latIon, the writer accompanied the crowd
through a side door and into the bar
where dozen sports were refreshing them
seiVeS before repairing to the scene of
operations on the floor above. Several
large placards We're posted about the
room. announcing to the public that Club
members only will be admitted upstairs" I"
The crowd did not lingar long below, and
joining n little group. unnoticed, the re-
porter quickly found himself in the inner
apartment of the establishment, surrounded
by fully Hve hundred persons, engaged in
almost every variety of gambling
Seated on stools at six tables running
the entire length of the building, the three
hundred followers of keno anxiously
awaited, the call of numbers from the disc
winch was to decide their fate. Occasion
ally a dispate would arise over an alleged
unfair settlement At the crap table an
eXcltlnS game was in progress among the
poorer IrequeEters of the place. and the
rattle of de bones and constant ring of
coin told an interesting story of ever
Changing luck on the table before them.
Meanwhile The roulette wheel was re-
volving. while its two score of patrons
stood patiently waiting the result which
fortune should decree to their respective
venture
Quartet of SweIIs.
Gentlemen will please give up the cards:
they are wanted at the poker table," shout
ed a harsh voice from the desk when a few
minutes later. application was made by
quartet of heavy swells'' for the privilege
of exclusive game in the rear annex OF
the building
After brief delay sey eral packs of cards
were produced. and the select four re-
paired TO quiet table to indulge in their
favorite game.
To the uninitiated the great room, pack
cd with men of all ages and conditions all
eagerly Joining in the betting as opportun
ity offered, together with the incessant
cInkinS of glasses and hurrying of walters
TO anf fro refreshments were served
from below, added to the monotonous tones
OF the 'crier" at the keno tables, all con-
trfbuted to form confused scene, which
for time at least, could not fail to be i'm
preSSlVe.
For some little time the reporter mingled
with the restless crowd, struck with the
bold and open defiance of law and order
displayed by half thousand men within
sight of the nations capital.
The O'FerraIl Crusade.
Less than year ago. it will be remern-
bered. Governor O'FerraIl of Virginia, after
repeated attempts to close the gambling
dens of Alexandria county through the
medium of its local officials, found it neces-
sary to take the matter into his own hands
and for several weeks waged a relentless
war upon the ringleaders across the river
1t was during this crusade that the Heath
establishment. now said to be again In full
blast. was raided by special officers from
the executive department of the state and
the entire pardphernalia seized and trans
ported to the county court house at Alex
andria for safe-keeping. from which place
the outfit was shortly thereafter stolen
That there is screw loose in Alexan-
dria county Justice appears to be an ac-
know!edged fact, but il seems to be next
10 impossible to break up the ring which
is apparently in control of the county.