Evening journal., 1901-08-31
ILLICIT SELLERS
In LAWS TOLLS
No More "AmbrOSia" at
Riverside Park
Two MEN UNDER ARREST
Jacob Wright and James I. Davis
Held in $3.50 Bail for Further
Hearing
TWO MEN UNDER ARREST

Several weeks ago II was perSlstently
rumored in this city that the sale OF
intoxicants was being carried on IL
legally in Riverside Park; that the vio-
lation was not restricted to week days,
but that the offense was committed on
Sundays as we'll.
After hearing the rumor time and
again, the Evening Journal began an
investigation. 1t was ascertained that
beer was sold openly in the park as am
brosia," "one-up," "twO-up," etc, or as
plain beer. 1t could be bought by any
one who had the price to pay for It.
and was drunk in full view OF every
body, man, woman or child, who hap
pened in the vicinity of the booth, OF
who chose TO look.
The Evening Journal published the
result OF its investigation in plain, un-
equivocal terms. Having brought the
facts of the violation of the liquor law
to the attention Of the authorities, II
dropped the matter, as far as it was
concerned.
After the publication of the article,
the. managers of the park sent word to
the Evening Journal that they would
continue to sell sliquor in Riverside
ness. Be that as it may, had they
stopped the sale of the intoxicants. the
matter probably would have been drop
ped. But they continued to bid bold
defiance to the law.
This violation evidently has been the
business of the officials, for, upon the
publication of the expose in the Even
ing Journal, they began a quiet investi-
cation for themselves. That investiga-
tion has resulted in two arrests.
Many leading citizens have COM
mended the Evening Journal for MAX
ing the exposure in the interests Of
public morality, and for the temperate
manner in which it was done, showing
no inclination to hound anyone. There
also have been adverse criticisms re-
garding the passive attitude of the
other papers in the city regarding the
matter. not one of them having touch
ed upon it.
Detective Ratledge and Constable
Jones went to Riverside Park yesterday
afternoon and arrested James e. Davis
and Jacob Wright, who have been acting
as ''ambrosia" dispensers the past Sum
mer. They were brought to this city and
taken before Magistrate Hollis. As they
were not ready for preliminary hearing,
each was held in $3.50 bail for a hearing at
2 o'clock next Friday afternoon.
The Illicit sale Of beer and whiskey has
been going on in Riverside Park for two
years. A representative Of the Evening
journal recently was informed by
young man who was employed to sell ice
cream in the stand on Saturday nights
and Sundays. that the sales Of whiskey
and beer last Summer were greater than
they were this. This is attributed to the
fact that there was no one to interfere
with the place last year, and the man
agement reaped harvest.
During the early part of the present
season no intoxicants were sold. This
lasted but few days, however. as the
park management realized that the sea
son would be far from successful il the
famous ambrosia was kept ON tap.
Accordingly, bar was erected and the
sale Of the liquid begun. Immediately
trolley cars began TO carry standing
crowds to the place, and Sunday brawls.
which characterized it last year, were re-
newed.
The sale Of beer or ambrosia, was moth
ing more than a side line with the firm,
for 1t is alleged that the majority of the
Sunday patrons wanted whskey, and OBJ
tam II as such, the latter named liquid
having no nickname
The viOlators, so it is reported, attended
the Farmers Day" in Pennsgrove, on
Thursday, and carried with them. besides
big cargo of ambrosia, all Of the parks
gambling machines. Their boat was an
chored short distance from the shore so
that IN case officers of the place inter
fered, they could easily reach it and sail
away. They were not molested. however.
and piled their trade, relieving farmers Of
many of their hard-earned dollars.
Citizens of New Castle believe that the
place has now been permanently broken
mp. and the exposure is very gratifying to
them as the park was not safe for women
ans children TO frequent. owing to the
crowds Of drunks and roughs who were
attracted by the sale of intoxicants.