Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-02-08

"
been watched on several occasions after
they left the building, and IL is believed,
from their actions, the winnings are
not paid In the State. 1t has been
noticed that while returning to Phila-
delphia, by train, after the State line
has been crossed. some take books from
their pockets and begin to do some
| hguring. This leads to the suspicion
that probably the accounts are footed
up between Claymont and philadelphia,
and the money is passed III the latter
plaza. This, however, Is only sus-
| picion, md, in the absence Of definite
information on the point, IL cannot be
positively stated where the money
changes hands. To offset this suspicion
the question may be asked: How are
the Wilrnington people paid, il no
money is passed in Delaware? Conse-
quently, this point must be left OPEN
for the present. E
AS a rule, the Pennsylyanians leare
either at 5.42 or 644 O'Clock in the
evening and the Wilmingtonians at
q. IL. So far as is known, nothing takes
place at the clubhouse at night, although
1T Is said caretalser sometimes sleeps
there. The fact that things are quiet
about the place ct night and the
patrons all leave on the early evening
trains is strong evidence that pool SELL
ing is the chief object Of the "olub."
whether it has any other form Of
gambling is not known.
The Philadelphia patrons are snid to
be chiefiy well-known gamblers and
politicians. They formerly found a
field In and near Philadelphia, but the
authorities OF that city made things hot
for then, and forced them to change
their base OF operations. In coming
to Delaware they evidently thought
they were beyond the firing line, as
they succeeded in finding an out-of-ihe-
way place. This is one of the strong
points the interested parties advance
10 securing patrons. 1t is pointed out
that people visiting the PLACE can be
provided with free transportation,
having the pleasure Of an afternoon
ride and engaging in the "pastime" at
a place where they can fee. safe. All
OF the people who ratronize the place,
1T is said, ale well known to each other
and the management has no fear of
leaks" from this source.
Whether the Delaware authorities
have any knowledge of the existence of
operated SO quietly, but it was closed
from last Saturday week until last
Saturday. and some Of the people in the
neighborhood were Of the impression
that it would not be Eeopened, being
OF the opinion that something had
frightened either the management or
the patrons, or both, and they had left
the State for good. 1t may have been
,nt ~, 49,
as it was whispered among some of the
patrons that Delaware officers had their
eyes on the place and detective had
been seen about the place taking OBJ
seryations three times during the week
preceding the date of the temporary
closing. If this report reached the ears
Of the managers and they closed on |
that account, they evidently believed |
the vigil had been relaxed before they |
returned. Another report is to The |
effect that the place was, closed for lack |
of patronage, as it takes a compare |
lively large constituency to keep such |
q, scheme going. just why the place
was closed could not be learned.
The Gazette reporter, who has
6een pursuing an investigation for three
weeks and made several visits to the |
locality, has arrived at the perfectly
natural conclusion that the crowd is
afraid of its shadow" as is was very
evident, from the actions of the people
In the building, that they kept a close
watch on all strangers and appeared to
regard everybody not known to them
with suspicion. On each occasion, ex-
,spt during tie week the house was
lnoooupied, az the reporter walked
ilong the railroad toward the house he
vas intently watchedlby several people
ind after he had passed and was going
rom the house the watchers moved to
,he opposite side OF the house and con-
;inued their vigil. On one occasion,
'vidently In order to obtain better
'iew OF the reporter, man lifted one
i the windows and peered out. IL is
likely every stranger passing the house
vas treated In this manner.
On each occasion, when there were
,eople in the house, the crowd looked
ather large and the centre of attraction
TO be in the rear room on the
econd floor, where the wires enter. The
eporter visited the place one day last
week and found everything closed and
eourely fastened. 1t had the appear
nce.of having been deserted altogether,
nut Inspections made Monday and
tuesday revealed the true condition Of
fairs. A lively crowd was on hand
nd business" seemed to be brisk.
low long the management proposes to
ontinue is not known, but it is pre-
unled that the place will be operated
? long as it is not interfered with. pro-
ided this exposure does not Brighten
hem off.
Grubb,s Landing is a law-abid;ng
and those of the citizens ,
Tho know Of the ''cub" do not think
is much Of credit to the neighbour ,
God.