The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-11
.SHAKE-U.P OF
The POLICE
Commissioners Not
Satisfied With Situation.
THE GAMBLERS VANISHED
The Activity Of the Police Court is Now
Turned Towards Small Crap Joints
and Negro Policy Writer'S.
Probably Case of Suicide.
tspeclal to me Tlmes.p !spateh.>

5Sb especial 10 Inc IlQcS-DlSpntcn.J
L NORFOLK, VA, February 1o.-There
u was long and important meeting OF the
Board Of Police Commissioners this af-
e ternoon. No changes in the police force
were made, but many were proposed and
discussed. The members would not give
out any information, but the surmlse
\ is that they will allow Mt least one
I member OF the detective squad to resign.
He is the brother of a prominent saloon
keeper, who was one OF the strongest
the campaign was in progress. It is re-
ported that he wished his brother to
have the place OF chief Of police, but
instead, when opposition developed TO
the assignment to the higher place.
,There are ru1nors Of other changes, too.
There are some Of the men In the ranks.
too. who have incurred the displeasure
or provoked the criticisms Of the COM
mlssioners. They also may be asked to
resign as the easiest and most comfort
able way out Of a predicament. This
Board of Commissioners made num-
Der of changes when 1t assumed the
control of the force. and some Of them
have not fulfilled the promises friends OF
the administration made. There Is a
great deal Of gossip and no doubt there
will be shake up Of the police depart
ment.
There was a general attack all along
the line in the Police Court this morn
ing against the saloon men and the
crap shooters among the negroes. The
large gamblers are driven out of the
city for time. or at least they have
S{ f3a1 &C. %I,t {l,o +l,ot
Otis Harlan denied he won here, s. 900,
would be an nconceivable amount to
win from the poker players and the rou-
lette and faro dealers here now. One
of the detectives who processes to know,
says that all Of the gamblers in the
city now could not raise one-tenth Of
that sum. Hence the crusade now turns
to the crap Joints. run for the negroes,
and to the policy writer's also run for the
paltry sums that the negroes can af-
ford to put up on the slim chances of
winning a few dollars at long intervals.
In the Police Court this morning heavy
fines were imposed on two negroes on
the evidence of the rival policy
writers, who uhas declared that If he
cannot play the game or the trade, he
will not allow any one else more ia
vored or moro neglected by the police to
play It, Whether there has been dis
elimination or not, 1t Is certain that this
witness appeared as an informer
FOR ANNEXATION.
Conditions In Norfolk county in rela-
ton to Portsmouth are similar to those
In Richmond in relation to Henrico The
politicians of Norfolk county are try
Ing to prevent the annexation OF parts
OF county to Portsmouth, which are not
only adjacent to the city. but integral
parts of 1t, except in name. One dele
cation from Portsmouth has gone to
Richmond in the interest of annexation
and another delegation will go to-mor-
row. They will advocate the passage
OF the Anderson bill. City Attorney
charles G. Hume accompanied by Jo-
seph II. Saunders and j. Davis Reed.
representing the Business Mems Associa-
ton OF Portsmouth, left this afternoon.
Tomorrow they will be reinforced nv
Presidents G. S. Sherwood, Of the Bust
ness Mems Association, and John J.
King, Of the City Council, and Dr.. Jo.
sepa1 Grice, L., C, Brinson and S. Gle
burne Browne, members of the Council.
councilman Frank *. Wonycutt will
probably go to chmond Thursday.
!, Mrs. Addie Biggs, residing in Church
Street, who has been frequently annoy
ed by rats Of the large size, concluded
mat noise, which she heard in her
bath room about 1870 O'Clock this morn
ING was made by rat. She arose from
ner bed quietly, to see if her room door
was tight. The door was open and push-5
Ing it lightly. Mrs Biggs went back to
bed. A little later she heard tho door
open ana getting up second time to
see what the matter was, found a
large man in the hallway. His hack
was to her and Mrs. Biggs could not see
hls color. She screamed murder. and
the burglar becoming frightened lump
ed out OF the bath room window through
which he had entered by means OF an
iHiproVlsed ladder, put together with
STICKS and ropes so that no noise would
nave to be made by mailing. A clothes
line from neighboring yard was stolen
Tor the purpose.
SUPPOSED TO BE A SlJICIDE
Giacomo Gatto's body was found under
the Brambleton Bridge, near the water az
Alahone Lake, at noon to-day. The man
had apparently died by his own hand
a pistol was found lying between his legs
ana there was large wound OF the bull
let from 1t In the right temple. He was
shoemaker and came here from the
1.ortnerh part OF Italy about two years
ago. lie was unmarried and has no rela-
iHes here except brother, also an Ita1
IAN and a shoemaker in Portsmouth. Tho
body was taken by the coroner, who
VIII hold an inquest TO determine tho
cause OF death
IN arrest. which promises a sensational
investigation by the police commissioners,
occurred at Main and Atlantic Streets
luis afternoon. when the police officer
stationed at that corner carried to police
headqnarters upon the charge of Inter
tetlhg with an officer In the discharge of
ms duty woman giving the name OF
MARY Powell, originally from BERTHE
e g ~. =, and now residing on Church
street. The woman, 1t Is said, made
some sensational charges against the Of
ncer while being examined at the rail at
the staton-house, which will demand an
investigation and possibly dismissal If
true, =
FARLEY WOUNDED
Frank j. Farley, the sporting man ,v,s
shot three times by his brother-in.la ~
Joe Brown. at their home on South Street
Portsmouth. this morning, The shonti,p
grew out OF domestic affairs. Mr.. Hrown
hred four shots, three OF which took eff.
feet, one In Mr. Farley's head, making a
bad scalp wound, The second bali strncp
Ire his right cheek and the third in E,ar'
ley's wrist. The wounds are not regarded
Az dangerous, Ne'
Horace A. Reeds suit against the Nor.
folk Railway and Light Company waa
tried In the Court of Law and Chancery
to-day He sued for 5000. alleging that