The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1900-11-30
RAID ON GAMBLERS
Police Put Their SpectacIes on
Tuesday Morning.
Led by Chief Bowen, They Capture Seven
Men, Some Gambling Parap-
hernaIia and Liquor.

across the street from the city hall.
at o'clock Monday morning, and ar
rested seven men and captured a
quantity of paraphernalia used in
gambling, besides some liquor. The
raid had been so well planned and was
so well executed that not mother
SON. of those in the secluded apart
ment escaped. Unlike the sweep
which the Tammany regime is making
in Brooklyn, no Paul Revere was
sent ahead to warn the people of the
advance of the enemys forces.
Chief Bowen had prepared himself
by obtaining the secret knock, and
when he and the officers mounted the
back stairs, passed forward through
the hall, thence through an unoccupied
room to door within, he was assured
of admittance When the little inner
room was reached, with it's skylight
ventilation, Mr. Bowen gave the rap.
Emily Fess, the proprietor, stepped
to the door and asked who was there.
Mr.. Bowen disguised his voice and
gave the name of regular patron of
the place who was known to the chief
to be absent. Mr.. Foss unlocked the
door and nearly fell speechless when
he was brushed aside by three blue
coats.
Around a table were gathered five
persons besides Foss, who were so in
tensely interested in the poker game
that was in progress that they did not
look up to notice who had arrived I'M
til the officers had possessed themselves
of the other exit and had closed around
the table. Then five men gazed up in
speechless amazement, uttering the
one word, "B' gosh p A seventh man
was lying in drunken sleep on the
floor, and all were soon marched to the
city hail. where five put up cash bail
for their appearance there this morn
ing and were allowed to go. None of
the parties arrested are prominent,
and one is stranger who arrived in
the city Saturday and was intending
to leave today. The drunk paid fine
for disorderly conduct this morning
and was allowed to go, while the
charge of gambling was preferred
against five of the party, and Foss was
charged with conducting gambling
house. Gambling is charge that is
disposed of in the municipal court,
while conducting gambling house is
an indictable offense. .s...
Chief Bowen states that he will in
form the United States officials that
Foss has been selling liquor in pack
ages without government license,
and it is expected that the q. S. dis
trict attorney will take a hand at the
prisoner after the state gets through
with him.
Among the paraphernalia which
was captured and which under the
law is confscated by the state and will
undoubtedly be burned, are two
round tables with soft white covers
and one having a slit in the center
and long, narrow drawer extending
under it; twenty packs of playing
cards; large number of chips seven
pint bottles of beer and a partly filled
quart bottle of whisky, with four
whisky glasses and tin pot; an ar
rangement for elevating numbered
card; about $50 in money and other
things, the use for which are known
by their operators. The paraphernalia
is used in playing poker and other
games.
Foss, when seen by Free Press re-
porter, denied that he was guilty,of
conducting gambling place. He said
that he has resided in Mankato for
eight years and resides at 22S North
Front street. He has been renting the
rooms over the saloon for five months.
Mayor Currier, when seen, stated
that there have been general COM
plants that gambling has been going
on in the city, although no specific
charges against this place. He had
known of Foss' place for long time,
but it had been very difficult matter
to get sufficient evidence to warrant
prosecution. The mayor also stated
that Chief Bowen has been at work
on the case ever since he was appoint
ed to the Office.
Mayor Currier states that there are
two or three other places where gamb-
ling is known to be conducted, and
which will be treated in similar
manner as Ross place as soon as sufi-
cient evidence has been obtained.
One of the young men who was
pulled was a stranger, as stated be-
fore. He related this morning that
he is not a gambler but laundry
man by profession. He arrived in the
city Saturday from st. Paul with
friend from Marshall That evening
he remarked to the attache of a
saloon that he would enjoy getting
into quiet game of poker, and was
directed to Foss' place. He went there
that night Sunday and last night.
and played poker, and was in the
game when the police arrived. He
had dropped $15 in the place, and had
every cent that he possessed in the
"jack pot in the game that was in
terrupted. He said that one or two of
those present were merely spectators,
watching the game then in progress
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