The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-30
BLACKSTONE
IS STIRRED
A Detective in the Guise of a
Tramp Painter.
LIQUOR AND GAMBLING
Many Citizens Indulge in the Seductive
Game Of Draw Poker-Whiskey
Traffic in a Dry Town-Fines
Help Fill Up the Treasury
Especial to The Times-Dispatch.,

Especial to The Times Dispatch.)
BLACKSTONE. VA. June 29.-several
parties have been arrested and tried here
to-day for the illegal sale Of whiskey, and
others for engaging in the enticing game
OF draw poker, either of which would
have been of sufficient interest for ono
day. and taken together have proven
both exciting. amusing, pathetic and at
one time bordering on that of more
serious nature.
These events are the most exciting and
Interesting that have occurred in this
usually quiet town In many moons. Bus
iress has been largely suspended. and the
time of the citizens has been divided be-
tween the Mayors court Of which there
have been two sessions. and gathering
in clusters upon the streets and In places
Of business discussing the days proceed
ings.
A DETECTIVE.
Like other presumably dry towns, the
sale Of liquor here had been regarded as
fact by most citizens. The officers,
feeling their inability to cope with the
subject 1t was decided to employ a de-
tectlve.
The Mayor negotiated with a we'll known
agency, with the result that tramp
painter, soon put in his appearance. He
proved to be fond Of the glass ana q
devotee OF the game.
1t was not long before he was able TO
buy the one and get In the game of the
other. He seemed to have proven good
at both, especially at tho game, as tho
pockets Of some Of the local sports Will
attest.
Having secured all the evidence neces-
sary. the detective swore out the war
rants and the local sergeant served them
THE BOYS 'FESSED UP.
The boys all came forward. confessed
judgment and the Mayor entered up the
fines.
In the liquor cases, of which there were
three, only two have been disposed or
In one Of these 500 fine was assessed
and in the other SIS. The other party is
not in town to-day. but is expected here
tomorrow.
In the gambling cases, Of which It is
reported there are fourteen, nine have
rload guilty and fine of $40 assessed
against them.
REVENUE PRODUCER.
The sum total Of these will help ma
terialIy in the loss to the towns finances
occasioned by no liquor license peing
granted, and If 1t IS kept up during the
entire year perhaps enough will be real
iyed to make good the entire deficiency.
AS previously stated. the sale of liquor
here was regarded by most all citizens
as an assured fact. For some time the
small boys, from ten or twelve years
old up, had been reported to be securing
f It from some. SouCCe anu usiho ~ ~.
freely. Of course, the source OF supply
to them must be close at home.
The game at cards WIS alss regarded
AS an often occurrence. It was decided
by the Mayor that all of this must cease.
and hence the employment by him OF a
detective
Late this afternoon the detective and a
citizen got to discussing the game at
poker, and the citizen said the detective
had invited him to Join In the game,
and rather enticed him into 1t. 1t was
his first and only game.
AN ALTERCATTON.
Several citizens were standing around,
including the town sergeant. The detec-
tive took offense at what he regarded
as an inslnuation Of the honesty of his
motives, and threatened to mash the
mouth Of the citizen. The sergeant
stepped In between and led the citizen
off, leaving the detective free This
caused remarks from the bystanders, and
one of these and the sergeant. who re-
turned about then. passed a few SEN
fences regarding the matter It was
about this time that things begun to
look little serious, and soon rather
large crowd had gathered. At this writ
Ing, however, everything is quiet and no
trouble Is expected.
WARM TIMES.
There have been many criticisms on
both sides, and not until the town has
had time to quiet down can 1t be said
what the unit Is
The Mayor has given orders to town
sergeant to prevent the congregation OF
men upon the streets to discuss the oc-
currences for fear trouble might arise
| from such discussion.