The Indianapolis journal., 1903-11-17

The Heier-Shea syndicate, or IN other
words. big gamblers trust, is at present
doing a land office business in the heart OF
Indianapolis in spite of the ante-election
promises of Mayor Hoffman and his lieu
tenants, and there are prosperous days
ahead for the fraternity, judging from the
poker games and roulette wheels which
were running last night in full blast at
Jack Shea's place on Pearl street.
Fred Heller is now the king of gamblers
in Indianapolis and he owns, controls and
operates, with his partner, Jack Shea, prac-
tically all the gambling in the city with the
exception Of William Kissels game, which is
running in ''the old place" over the livery
stable on West Market street. A complete
regeneration of the gambling clubs has
been brought about and Heller and Shea
have formed combination and secured
corner on the best gambling places in the
town Kissel, Charles Fradey and others
have left the Lorraine Hotel and are now
snugly located on West Market street and
are ready to meet all comers. 'Bill' Ousley
and T. Thompson deserted the Kissel Club
and have Identified themselves with Shea
ana Heller at Shea's resort. Doc Hughes.
formerly OF the Walla Walla, Is running
the game at the Lorraine Hotel for Heller
and Shea, who secured control of the gamb-
ling at the place on the exit of Kissel.
shea's place will be made the headquarters
for the heavy gambling, 1t is said.
GAMBLERS FALL OPENING.
A general opening of the gambling dens
was announced quietly last Saturday night,
and 1t Is understood that regular banquet
was given the frequenters of the place
which had so long been inactive and quiet.
A reception committee. consisting OF Fred
Heller, Jack Shea, ''Bill' Ousley and I.
Thompson. 1t Is said. did the honors with
great formality. and the guests were great
ly pleased with the opening. Last Saturday
night was the occasion of the first poker
session held under the new management
and since that time their business has been
uninterrupted.
The police are under instructions to go
through all the gambling resorts in the
city every night. and they follow out their
instructions to the letter, but they are care
full to make the rounds when no games are
In operation. Last night a reporter was
told at Shea's place that Ii was nearly
time for the police to call for the keys.
The bartender went on to explain that
every night the police call for the keys and
60 through all the rooms to ''see that every
thing is straight" after which they return
the keys to the barkeeper and go on their
way. Jubilant at having so nobly done their
duty. They then turn in a report to Super
intendent Kruger which states that the po-
lice went through certain gambling rooms
and found everything 30. X" Naturally
they would not see any gambling. because
none is going on until after they have made
their calls at the various resorts.
However. the law compels the confisca-
tion by the police OF all gambling devices,
poker tables and the like. and yet every
night when the police have gone through
shea's place shey have seen the roulette
table. idle at that time. 1t is true. but there
nevertheless. and poker tables, to say moth
Ing Of other paraphernalia which they
have left standing ready for use after
their departure.
At Fred Heiers place. on New Jersey
street. poker and craps usually work
ing overtime. though never when the po-
lice are going through. nor until they have
gone through and are safely out on the
street.
The Cleveland Club is never out of the
running. 1t is said. and an officer on the
police force said yesterday that he did not
they wanted TO. There was a merry
twinkle in his eye when he said IL. II Is
a positive fact that the gamblers in this
city are preparing for a general opening
and also that they are sparing no expense
I'm the furnishing OF their resorts. faro
game will be started within few days IL
is said. by gambler old In the business,
who recently went broke at French Lick.
He was formerly a porter or something OF
the kind at the Bates House. and Pearl
street will be his home.
OF all the gambling places In the city
Shea's. IL seems. will be the principal one
and a large crowd OF shoestring gamblers
Will be assembled there to separate the men
from their money.
KEEP COPPERS BUSY.
A travelling man said yesterday that he
stepped into the barroom OF the Lorraine
Hotel 20 get a drink and was Immediately
greeted by cappers for Heier's new dollar
limit game which is running on the third
floor OF the hotel. The cappers. he said,
seemed hungry and all wanted 10 show him
20 the poker rooms. II guess looked good
- those fellows" said the travelling man,