The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-06-23
STRANGE STORY
OF VVM H. wyatt /
This Clever Policeman Kicked
Upstairs By His
Enemies.
ALL GLASSES VOTED FOR HIM
His Friends to Help Him, Others
to Get Rid Of
ALL CLASSES VOTED FOR HIM

vi all OF LnOSe ny ueSudS
primary none has caused so much talk
As William H. Wyatt, Jr.. who defeated
Mr. Garrison for the office of high con-
stable.
Mr.. Wyatt two years ago was cons
paratively unknown, and II any ono at
that time had said that he would ever
be high constable of Richmond that per-
son would have boon laughed at. AS a
member of the police force he had done
his work WELL but there had been noth-
ing in his service to mark him for pro-
motion or to raise him above the other
men on the force.
? Two years ago the nominee came bold
ly to the front and since that time has
stood in the glare of public notice.
Gambling was rife and gambling dens
were wide open. They were as we'll
known as any public resort, and SO
brazcn had the proprietors become that
they took little pains to conceal their
unlawful business. Visitors to the city
were directed to the roulette and faro
layouts as openly as to the theatres, and
citizens walking the streets could al
most hear the rattle of chips and the
whr of the wheel.
This state of affairs went on as It were
under the eyes of the authorities. II
was said that the gamplers boosted that
and that their protection" was such
that no one dared to disturb their bust
ness. 4ate
Like a thunderbolt officer Wyatt came
down on the bediamoned and sporting
fraternity and al.er q bitter fight routed
and drove them from the community.
Way Often Blocked.
The story Of the fight is known to
every one, and it is known that Wyatt
had no easy task. Every obstacle was
thrown in his way and every attempt
was made to block his pursuit of the
law breakers. Not until he had furnished
the Commemorative attorney with the
names of hundreds of citizens Of Rich-
mond who were in the habit of frequent
ing gambling houses did the authorities
wake UP to the fact that he was In
earnest and that they must either
choose for decency and right or take
their stand for lawlessness and corrup-t
ton. Warrants we're sworn out and
some of the best known people of the
city had to appear to answer the charge
of gambling. The gamblers could stand
fight, but they could not live where
their patrons were frightened away, and
so the end came quickly with victory
for Wyatt all down the line.
It was thought that the police board
would have rewarded his service, but
they did nothing for him, although later
he battled again for the observance of
the Sunday laws against the worst ele-a
ment of saloon keepers.
Wyatt has been known for two years
ms the ''reformer,'' the civic Martin
Luther of Richmond, and his nomination
on Tuesday was the mark of approval
that the people felt was only his due.
Not the least strange part Of his sue
cess was the nature Of the support that
rallied to him.
The good citizens voted for him for the
good he had accomplished In the COM
munity. and his friends worked for him
because they liked the man. but a host
of his enemies worked quite as hard
TO have him elected.
The gamblers. the liquor men, the evil
element of the city labored early and
force and into an office where he would
be unable to interfere with their prac-
tices and pastimes.
It was a singular condition OF affairs
that linked the good and the evil ele-
ments together to bring about an end
for which both strove with different
purpose.
Worked to Get Rid of Him.
IL Is Sdlu lItil w Sdll Wdo uIpOpului
with his associates and with the Police
Board, and that they, too. did all In
their power to have him elected. Every
one is pleased-the decent element he
cause they think a good man has se-s
cured his reward; the lawless crowd, be-
cause they imagine, though doubtless
valnly, that the door is again wide open
and that they may. return to their old
pursuits
Since the primary Mr.. Wyatt has been
desperately ILL.,, and 1t was said that
none Of his friends had been permitted
to see or congratulate him. Dr. Nuckols,
his physician. has heen nth h'r, cc-.'n-
ually. He states that his patient has
been wildly delirious, and that he is
not SO we'll as he had been.
'He will certainly not be out for four
or five weeks said DR. Nuckols.
Popular Young Man.
Mr.. Minitree Folkes, like Mr.. Wyatt, Is
new to public life. for until this last
primary he had not offered himself for
preferment.
The nominee for the office OF
commemorative attorney, although
but thlrty-fve years Of age. has
had considerable experience In the courts
of this city, and especially In criminal
practice. He was educated In the law
llTSl III Lie HOlilCcS VI JuuSc w, \. W
Crump and later at the law school OF
Richmond College, where he graduated,
taking the degree OF B. J..
Mr.. Folkes and his friends are highly
gratificd by the flattering vote that wns
cast for him, and they are the more
pleased at his victory over such an array
Of able lawyers as offered themselves
for the office.
Mr.. Folkes's success was due In no
small degree to the able management of
his brother, Hon, T., G. F6kes. who
directed his campaign.
1t is said by his friends that should
the occasion arise, Mr.. Folkes Will stand
as firm as did he who has honorad a
similar name by his conduct as the city
attorney OF st. Louis, against the Doodle
ring Of that city. Mr.. Folkes said last
night:
Il am deeply grateful to all my friends
for their loyalty and staunch support on
Tuesday"
Self-Made Man.
Mr.. Ordway Fuller. one of the nominees
for the House OF Delegates is another