The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-08-10
LID IS CLOSED
ON FRENCH LICK
Thomas Taggart Suddenly Closes
. Gambling Casino at In
RE diana Resort.

Indianapolis, Aug. 1O-Tom Taggart s
famous Casino at French Lick Springs,
the largest gambling establishment in
the west, is closed and closed tight.
TTa:ggart s friends are shrieking politics;
friends of Governor Hanly say COM
plants against the gaming have been
made by the people of Orange county.
A leak from executive headquarters
brought about the closing. Managers
of the famous resort were quietly in
formed that Governor Hanly was pre-
pairing to take drastic action against
gambling. The same information is
said to have been sent to the proprietors
of the West Baden resort, mile away,
but the games have not been closed
there.
The proposed prosecution by the gov
ernor was to be based on the evidence
gained by three representatives of the
executive, who for a month have been
ostenslble guests at the rival resorts.
Hanly Will Not Talk.
One of the representatives is now
known to have been R. II. Miller Of
Paramount. a personal friend Of Gov
ernor Haniy, who is said to have spent
about month at the resort gathering
data for prosecution. Governor HaEy
would not confirm the story but he dit
not deny that he had sent representa-
tives to the resorts.
"I cannot discuss the matter,' was
all that he would say.
It is understood, however. that the
information concerning the two repre-
sentatives is substantially correct, tho
it is not known who the second repre-
sentative was.
The purpose of the investigations was
to secure information upon which pros
ecutions could be based. This action of
the governor is thought to have come
from his determination to stamp out
the gambling at the resorts at all cost.
The local authorities there have so far
refrained from acting, arguing that the
cessation of the gambling would be
"bad business Therefore the special
representatives were sent.
The governors desire to close these
games is said to have been intensified
by the fact that in his campaign for
the enforcement of the law in other
parts of the state he has received many
complaints concerning West Baden and
French Lick.
Will Indictments Follow?
The governor has at his disposal a
contingent fund, amounting to $4,000
that he can put to any purpose he
chooses. Now that the governor has
secured evidence and forced the Tag
CERT Casino to close, the question arises
Whethef ne can secure any inducements
in Orange county against the resorts.
The management at French Lick doubt
less feared that he could as gambling
has been abandoned, at least for the
present.
French Lick and West Baden have
long been known as places where any
kind of game could be had and for
any amount which one might choose to
risk. Since Thomas Taggart, national
democratic chairman, took charge at
French Lick, that place has been great
ly improved, and for two years past it
has been known as the Monte Carlo
of the west, the gambling appointments
being on the most elaborate scale and
made specially attractive by reason of
the ornate surroundings.
For twenty years West Baden has
been under the management of Lee
St. Clair, prominent as a republican
politician. French Lick, under Tag
CART s management, has become dem
ocratic resort, and both parties are
thus represented in the county. While
the operation of the resorts is, of
course, financial venture, both man
agements have profited by the fact that
the two parties were represented.
Complaints have often been made of
the open and notorious violations of
the law, but the local officers, because
of the peculiar political conditions
were Inactive Then, again, the two
resorts entertain hundreds Of guests the
Year round, and the farmers find ready
sale for all kinds of products at good
prices. This did much to control local
sentiment