The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-09-28
MAN Who BROUGHT
SITUATION ABOUT
Character Sketch Of Policeman
W. H. Wyatt, Jr.
CLEAR-EYED, cLEAR-HEADED
Has No Fear and Let's Nothing Turn
Him from Path of Duty Would
Not Begin Gambling Crusade
on the Sabbath Day

Cool, clear-eyed and with smile on
his lips William H Wyatt Jr. the man
who was responsi bio for the moral con-
vulsion which divided Richmond against
itself and resulted In a 500 fine for each
gambler and q trip to jail long enough
to hold wine supper. went through those
times Contumely was heaped upon him
by enemies, predictions OF failures were
lenred upon him by friends and those
most contemplate OF all foes, the anony-
nous letter writer's. had much to say to
him, It was only at times that his lips
were tightly compressed and q CLINT came
into his eyes: it was only at times that
he permitted the thought OF failure to
| come to him. And it was when the end
came that he had not one word Of boast
ing to offer.
Staring from that point where he was
bitterly antagonized by some Of the pow
ers that be in the Police Department.
where few Of the men who had barely
spoken to him before would speak to
him at all: he has fought his way bit
terlv to success, complete. He has dared
to DO things. Formerly where the pos
sibility OF the conviction of some OF the
most widely known men OF the State
the charge Of gambling was Tooted there
were skeptical smiles; to-day every ono
the big gamblers has voluntarily come
forward and pleaded guilty.
Policeman Wyatt hesitated at nothing.
He was tho man who dared to go to the
gamblers who for years held sway in the
city. and take them In custody: he was
thu man who dared to go to eminent ply
sicians. business men, lawyers. CONNER
cial kings, clerks, negro employees all to
summon them to court Harsh things
were said of him and to him. but he
didn't happen to stop to hear them; he
was intensely busy. No man was so
high that he was not summoned If Mr..
Wyatt knew that no had knowledge OF
the gambling
THEY HATED HIM
In tho minds OF the witnesses post
bly, there existed a greater feeling Of
enmty for Mr.. Wyatt than in the minds
OF the gamblers Every gambler Is. or
ought to be a philosopher Being caught
was Of course, a bad thing for Them
but they regarded It as matter OF course
With tho witnesses 1t was different: they
clamored and shouted that Mr.. Wyatt
was running regulations to save his own:
they made impassioncd statements as to
what they would have done under SINH
lar circumstances: they said 1t meant the
loss OF social position and every other
kind Of position to them It was In de-
ference to this appeal from the witness
that CONFERENCE.-The Attorney Richard
son finally consented to tho Issuance Of
the second warrants under which the
gamblers pleaded guilty
But in all of this turmoil Mr.. Wyatt
was stu busy Sometimes he was in
citizens clothes, at other times hs was
IN UNIFORM. He secured the city In all
directions and at all times he was ST.
lent He expressed neither sympathy
for any one nor triumph at his success
Then finally, when Policeman Wyatt be-
gan to accomplish things, when he be-
gan to make his raids, when he had
piled up thousands Of dollars worth OF
gambling stuff seized In private houses
In closets. In basements. In wagons,
when he had produced enough documen-
tary evidence to establish proprietorship
there came decided change OF feeling
in favor Of NIr. Wyatt.
Enemies of his began 10 realize that
Mr.. Wyatt was going to succeed In his
labor Of cleansing a city: they began to
shake hands with him ostentatiously
they began to talk Of My friend Billy
Wyatt" Mr.. Wyatt accepted out
stretched hands. he accepted the prof
fered help OF few distinguished citl-
zens-tn justtos 1t must be said that this
help was preferred before the general re-
vuision Of public feeling in his fneor-
and still hs said nothing. He was still
busy.
SAID NOTHING
About this time there came rumors of