The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-21

At the instance of the Mems union
constables swooped down on two
gambling dens in the central city sat
urday, arrested six men and seized
about $1,500 worth of gambling para
phernalia. A third place was also
visited. but tip had been received by
the proprietors and when agents of the
crusaders arrived they found the place
dark and deserted and the door locked.
The rooms on the second floor of
the Windsor, the Turf" on the third
floor of the building at 40s Spruce
street and the club" on the second
floor of 217 LaCkawanna avenue are
the places assailed. The warrants
were sworn out before Alderman Kas-
son by Robert Wilson, agent of the
Mems union, and placed in the hands
of Special officers w. S. Bartlett and
Max Fierstine.
Taking a large dray wagon with
them the constables started out on
their raid at o'clock. The Windsor
was first visited. C. p. Elliott and
Charles Davis, the alleged proprietors,
were taken into custody and lot of
poker roulette and faro paraphernalia
confscated. The latter was loaded
into the dray wagon, while the priso-
ners were escorted to the alderman s
office by Officer Bartlett.
Next the raiders proceeded to the
Turf. Samuel Murray, NJ. B. Blewitt,
]. p. Miller and NJ. j. Wheelan were
corralled and the load in the dray
wagon was augmented by a roulette
and faro outfit, a racing ticker and
regulation telegraphing key and
soundsr.
WAIVED HEARINGS.
Attorneys j. II. Torrey and F. f.
Beers were on hand at the alderman S
office in the interests of the prosecu-
ton, prepared to establish a prima
facie case if any of the prisoners
should demand a hearing. All, how
ever, waived this privilege and en-
tered bail in the sum of $500 each for
quarter sessions. Mr.. Murray vainly
tried to save his colleagues by claim
ing they were simply his employees.
Select Councilman r. c. Melvin, of
the Eighth ward, became bondsman
for Elliott and Davis, while eX-Com-
mon Councilman p. II. Golden, of the
Second ward, gave bail for the other
four
The Windsor crowd wanted to know
from the alderman if they couldn't
have their stuff" The alderman re-
ferred them to the attorneys for the
prosecution. Mr.. Torrey gave them to
understand that the stuff would never
again serve its wonted purposes. II
will be taken into court as evidence
and after being officially declared to
be gambling devices will be destroyed
Mr.. Torrey cited the instance Of six
years ago when a raid was conducted
by Mayor Connell and about $4,000
worth of gambling material confis-
| Gated and then burned in the vacant
lot back of city hall by Chief of Po-
lice Simpson.
PLACE DESERTED.
The capture of a large quantity oi
gambling paraphernalia was counted
upon at 217 Lackawanna avenue, but
someone had hurried there with the
word after the first raid was made
and the place was Immediately locked
up and deserted. 1t remained closed
the rest of the night, as did also near
ly If not all the more prominent places
throughout the city.
Mr.. Torrey stated that 1t was the
original intention to move against
fourteen places simultaneously, but
this was abandoned for lack of con-
stables who could be relied upon and
the fact that it was not desirable tc
call upon the regular police force tc
do the work