The Mena weekly star., 1907-03-28
CITIZENS INVADE
 OAKLAWk TRACK
Deoutized as Constables, They Force Way Through Gates With Drawn ReyoIyers and Make
 Eighteen Arrests.


 tbe points of their revolvers, fit-
 teen members of the Citizens
 Improvement Union, commis-
 stoned as deputy constables,
 effected their entrance into Oak lawn race track this afternoon at o'clock and arrested eighteen
 men wbo were alleged to have
 been betting on the races. No opposition was made to the work of the officers by those arrested,
 who took the affair in a very
 senslble manner.
 Early this afternoon 1t was rumored that a number of depu- ties would invade the track and
 arrest all who were seen to be violating the provisions of the Amis anti-pool selling law. A large crowd was out to view the
 performance. True to the rumor at } o'clock fifteen citizens of this county, deputized by Con- stable Boss Golden of Hale town ship, appeared at the gate and demanded entrance of the gate keepers. This request was re- fused, as it is against the rules of the track to permit any one to enter the grounds who is known 10 be opposed to the method of conducting the races. At the refusal all the deputies pulled their guns, pushed back the guards and proceeded to the betting ring. No bookies were to be seen in the booths. Later three men were arrested on view for hand booking. Fifteen others were arrested on warrants pro- cured this morning.
 Those arrested bowed to the authorities and made bond im- mediately without leaving the track.
 Iuasmuch as Constable John l.. Smith is under restraining order of the chancery court not to interfere with the racing offici Eais, several citizens requested Constable Golden of Hale town ship to take hand in the affair, Has il was believed by many that Ethe races were being conducted
 iu direct opposition to the Amis &anti-pool selling law. He ac- zceeded 10 this request and depu- ztzed fifteen citizens, who made the raid on Oaklawn this after Enoon.
 Constable Hale is being criti- cised severely here by the sport Eing element and also by many of the citizens for the part he took in deputizing the citizens, as 1t IS held that he was meddling in something which did not concern him at all. On the other hand a large portion of the people of this city and county are laudiug him highly for the action he has taken, as 1t is felt by thls class that Sheriff K. l.. Williams mas been derelict in performing the duties of his office.
 Since the wrangle oyer the situation has begun, all members of the Citizens Improvement Union are barred from the grounds. even though they hold tickets for which they have paid in cash.
 The following men were among those who were deputized and who made the arrests: K s. Dean, Eugene Warren, A. T. Moody, Calvin Webb, James Housley, Wander Housley, J. B. Wood. John Montgomery. Henry Campbell, Hugh l.. Hale and Constable Boss Golden. Injunction proceedings were instituted tonight against the leaders of the posse. The case < will be heard in chaucery court tomorrow afternoon. The men arrested by the posse have insti- tuted habeas corpus proceedings to keep from appearing before a agestrate iu Hale township to- morrow afternoon.