The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-23
SOLDPOOLS AMONG The POSIES
POLICE RAID FLOWER SHOP AND
CATCH MRS. DUNCOMBE.
Mount vernon's Richest Woman. With Her
Jewelry. Is Found Where Bets We're
Laid on the P0nies-W0man Detective
Gets Evidence and Cops Do the Rest.

Jewelry, Is FOunu Wnefe beO Wero
Laid on the Ponies-woman Detective
Gets Evidence and Cops Do the Rest.
Mrs. Naomi Duncombe. the wealthiest
woman in Mount Vernon, whose later
life exploits have brought her much no.
toriety, was found in an alleged poolroom
Yesterday afternoon that was raided by
Acting Captain Eggers's men. The place
was In the rear Of Stephen Massoss flower
store at 2S4s Eighth avenue. Masses and
two other men were arrested Mrs. Dun
combe, who wore much jewelry. and her
companion, a woman who said she was
Mrs. Anna Jones OF New Rochelle, were
the only women in the place. They were
not arrested.
Capt. Eggers received an anonymous
letter several days ago saying that pool
room was in operation in the rear OF the
florists and the writer Of the letter declared
that a great many women frequented the
place. Eggers turned this letter over to
Harriet Lewis, a woman detective, who
has obtained evidence against women's
poolrooms in the PAST. To aid her when
she obtained the evidence he assigned
Detectives Morton, Sussille. Watt. Selig-
man and Stsndish.
Mrs Lewis had no difficulty making
herself acquainted with the men who are
supposed to run the alleged poolroom,
The men detectives say they watched the
place from the outside for several days
and saw a great many women enter. Ono
Of the most frequent visitors, the police
men say, was we'll preserved woman.
we'll advanced in years, who always wore
a great deal OF jewelry This woman they
say was Mrs. Duncombe. Accompanying
her always was her companion, Mrs. Jones.
Armed with two marked IS bills, Mrs
Lewis went to the florists yesterday after
noon in time to put down bet on the first
race at Brighton. Her selection was Cbal-
fonte and he won the race. She says she
gave a marked bill to John French, one
Of the alleged proprietors. She got as
receipt a piece OF paper bearing the name
Of the horse. She went back for her win
nings Just before the third race, and then
gave the other marked IS to James Martin,
she placed on Blandy. In the rear Of the
florists shop at the time were Mrs. Dun
combe and Mrs. Jones.
Without taking her winnings from the
first bet Mrs Lewis walked to the door OF
the shop and signalled the five police
made a rush for the place and bagged Mar
tin, French and Massos. They also cor
nered Mrs. Duncombe and Mrs. Jones;
The raiders say the women declared
that they were in the place simply to buy
flowers. They gave names that the police
suspected were fictitious and were told
that unless they gave their real names
they would be locked up. Thereupon~
the raiders say both women gave their
real names and produced papers to show
that they were telling the. truth. Neither
would admit that she had ever bet on q
horserace.
The three men were taken to the West
l25th street station, and were admitted to
hail later. Mrs. Lewis IL the complainant
against them. The marked bills were found
on the men she gave them to. After being
| liberated Masso, denied that he had any
connection with poolroom, He said
Martin and French came to him few days
ago and said they wanted to hire his tele-
phone. They agreed to pay him 10 cents
for every call, he said, and he agreed TO
this proposition. He said no bets were
ever made in his store with his knowledge
He said both Martin and French made
frequent trips to a nearby saloon where
good many women used to gather after
Moons, but he had no idea what they were
doing