New-York tribune., 1905-08-04
HOT CHASE FOR GAMBLERS
Chicago Police Catch Fourteen Il fter
Race around the Lake.

Chicago Aug. 3.-Gambers intent playing
the races and policemen determined to prevent
all racetrack betting on Lake Michigan had an
exciting struggle to-day. Policemen and gam
blers raced around the lake first into Michigan
waters. then close to the shore of Illinois. and
then into the Jurisdiction Of Indiana.
The net result of the day was the capture of
fourteen weary marine gamblers, who foated
ashore at South Chicago in a launch. All the
others, after hot chase by the police in a fire
tug, escaped to Indiana Harbor Ind. and made
their way ashore outside of the jurisdiction of
the Chicago police.
Chief of Police Collins announced two days
ago that he would no longer permit the opera
ton of the floating poolroOm City of Traverse
He asserted that he would arrest all who
attempted to board the steamer. saying that
they were about to commit illegal act which
brought them within police Jurisdiction.
The gamblers circumvented the chief of po-
lice at the outset by causing the steamer City of
Traverse to be run out into the lake, where she
lay all through the morning waiting for the
cargo of bettors Large details of police
placed on the shore. guarding the approaches to
all points from which the gamblers might make
their way 10 the lake. The authorities expected
that the bettors would leave Chicago on the
City of Traverse. but instead of this small ex-
cursion steamer. the Eagle. had been chartered,
and the gamblers, walking past the police. en-
barked and started for the City of Traverse
which rolling around in rnidlake. The po-
lice were powerless TO intercept any Of the Eek
cursionists," as they called themselves, and
watched them sail away 10 place their money on
the races.
The announced programme OF the managers of
the floating poolroom was that all passengers
would be landed at 92d-st. South Chicago. where
the Calumet River empties into Lake Michigan.
Chief Collins, baked in his attempt TO prevent
the sailing of the gamblers on the Eagle trans
ferred his forces to 92d-st. and posted them
along the shore in such a manner that it would
have been impossible for any man from the City
of Traverse or the Eagle to set foot on shore and
escape arrest Late in the day the Eagle steamed
into the harbor at South Chicago loaded with
200 men who were anxious 10 reach shore. AS
soon as the boat was We'll In the bridge was
swung behind ii. With escape to the lake cut
off by the bridge and no possible chance of
safe landing on shore the case of the gamblers
for time looked desperate The Eagle circled
around in the harbor. blowing her whistle for
the bridge to turn and allow the steamer to re-
turn to the lake The police stood on the shore
and laughed feeling confident that 1t was only
a question of time before the passengers of the
Eagle would be in their power
mud scow came UP and whistled for the
bridge to open. The bridge tender COM
PEELED 10 swing the bridge. and the Eagle. plant
ing her bow squaTely in the stern Of the mud
scow crowded it closely as IL passed through
the bridge. and then ran for the open lake.
AS soon as the police discovered the approach
of the mud scow and realized that the bridge
must open. they made a rush for the fire tug
Yosemite. and by the time the Eagle enter
ing the lake the tug tearing after IL. loaded
ard the waters which within the jurisdiction
OF Indiana, with the Yosemite in chase. The
Eagle steadily drew away from the tug. and
after a run of ten miles the police were forced TO
give up the chase and return 10 South Chicago
The Eagle continued on and landed at Indiana
Harbor. where all the passengers went 10 Chi
cago by train
Before the arrival of the Eagle at South Chi
cago a launch came in. bearing number OF
gamblers from the City of Traverse and several
fishermen. All the passengers on the launch
were lined up on the pier and compelled 10 stand
iE a heavy rain while the police weeded out the
fishermen from the "eXcursOnists. Fourteen
men who could not prove that they had been
fishing were loaded into patrol wagons and car
ried police station
Chief Collins night said that he was disap-
pointed by the escape Of the Eagle but found
some comfort in the fact that the passengers on
the launch had been gathered in He declared
they would be prosecuted 70 the fullest extent.
"Of course he said we do nothing when
the boat is in Indiana waters But II the gam
blers attempt 10 board the boat again win
arrest them ct the pier before they get near the
boat