Los Angeles herald., 1906-02-01
SAWTELLECLEANED
OF VILE RESORTS
WHOLESALE RAID MADE UPON
OLD SOLDIERS TOWN
Assortment Of Suspects Arrested on
Charge Of Running Gambling
Houses, Blind Pigs and
Houses Of III Fame

Deputy DlSulCt attorney ED flein-
ing, Constable De la Monte and a num-
Der of deputies swooped down upon
the little town of Sawtelle yesterday
afternoon and In a flash had arrested
the alleged proprietors OF half dozen
gambling dens and blind pigs and hal
taken I'm charge and released on bail
four women who were alleged to have
conducted houses of easy virtue.
The blow was stunning to the gaiu-
blers In the little city, as everything
was wide open. Old soldiers were spend
ing their pensions over the gambling
tables and through the partly closed
doors the rattle of the chips could be
heard in the street.
For weeks past continual complaints
have been received by District Attorney
Fredericks Of the way in which the
old soldiers have been swlndled of their
pensions. In former days it was the
custom for the old soldiers to draw
their pay and Immediately take q day
off and come to Los Angeles, where
they would proceed to become intoxi-
Gated and go back to the government
home happy and with three-fourths of
their pensions still in their pockets.
Recently however, this has changed.
The pensions were dealt out with the
same regularity. but although they
ceased to coming to the city the old
soldiers would be found at sunset i'm
an intoxicated condition and every cent
of their money gone.
This went on for some time and then
1t was learned that liquor was being
sold In retail quantities at several
places in Sawtelle. 1t was further
learned that gambling rooms were be-
ing conducted and that the old soldiers
were being robbed of their money in
houses of easy virtue.
The case was turned over to Deputy
Fleming and he Immediately sent
some Of his private detectives to the
place. These men entered the poker
games, visited the various houses and
were served at the blind pigs.
When sufficient evidence was COL
lected, Tuesday was set as the day for
the raid. but it was later postponed
until Wednesday afternoon.
The party of raiders left De Ia
Monte's office at O'Clock. There were
ten John Doe and Mary Doe war
rants taken along charging gambling,
selling liquor without license, cou-
Quoting houses of ill fame and being
inmates of disreputable houses.
When the raiders reached the little
hill city the old soldiers were lounging
about the place and preparing to return
to the home for the night. There was
not the slightest notice that a raid
was to be ordered and the party of
officers divided, Attorney Fleming, Con-
stable De la Monte and three others
taking one side of Fourth street, while
Jack Adams and two deputies took the
other side.
Into the big pool room conducted by
j. r. Brown the officers marched.
Brown was behind the counter and
offered to serve light refreshments.
I'VE have a warrant for your arrest, I"
said Fleming, and Brown smiled weak
little smile and came from behind the
counter. The officers then tapped d
barrel only to find that the contents
were hard cider. Several bottles of
soda pop were then opened but no
liquor was found. But Brown was ar
rested on evidence already secured and
he was left in charge of a deputy.
Witness Poker Game
The officers then went to the next
storeroom on the street For a moment
they were compelled to stop outside
and look in on the scene of happy con-
tentment. Inside Roy O'Neal and Abb
ner Elkins were having a quiet little
game of poker with some friends. The
chips ratified merrily as they passed
back and forth across the table and
De la Monte sidled in and asked the
Angeles would be beneficial to them.
They looked over the warrants,
noticed that the officers had their
hands placed suggestively on their hips
and both dealers decided to come along.
Another deputy was placed in charge
and the other players, after having
given their names as witnesses, were
allowed to scurry away. The money in
the "kltty," amounting to $5.17 was ap-
propriated by the officers, along with
cards, chips and various other gam
bling devices.
In the meantime the sturdy little
Jack Adams and his two deputies had
not been having such good time.
Adams started near Ohio street and be-
gan to work back toward Indiana
street
The first place he entered was con-
Quoted by Thomas Carrico. AS the
deputy started to read the warrant of
arrest. man who had escaped from
the players in a raid being conducted
on the opposite side of the street,
dashed breathlessly in and yelled:
"Skidoo, Toni" Then he saw the ofti-
GERS and he fled.
Across the street marched Adams and
walked straight into room in which
nearly dozen men were playing poker.
F. Vandeldan was dealing and a party
of old soldiers We're slipping loose from
their money without ever a sigh.
Dealer Is Arrested
Adams marched straight up to Van
deldan, and, displaying his star, said:
Gentlemen, the house Is arrested,
please be quiet" They looked at the
little deputy and decided to be quiet
while he read the warrant.
One old soldier arose and excused
himself, stating that he was going to
get drink of water. He was stopped
and his name taken as a witness and
| then he and the remaining players were
allowed to depart while Vandeldan was
arrested and his property confiscated.
Then Adams and a deputy proceeded
to barber shop owned by Hiram III.
Bolster. Bolster is an ex-pugilist and
was arrested several months ago for
conducting a blind pig.
Adams leaned In at the window and
| asked If Bolster was there. A barber
| - a n -. II.