New-York tribune., 1908-06-04
GUNS" AND GAMBLERS
POLICE IN MONSTER RAID.
T7co Hundred Surround q Block and
Take Fifty-eight Prisoners.

Broadway saw its most spectacular nbling
raid and most extensive display OF shooting
hardware last night when nearly two hundred
policemen and detectives swooped down on Nos
139 and 141 West 41st street and arrested fifty
eight men,. Warrants for "John Doe and In
mates" were issued by Magistrate Crane yester-
day and as the crowds We're on their way 20
the theatres and roof gardens squads OF detec-
tives from headquarters began 70 arrive at the
rendezvous in automobiles
Traffic policemen and the reserves from the
East Both. West 31th and West 4Ith street sta
tions were also assembled in command Of In
spectOr Max Stenbruck who vas assisted oy
Acting Captain Murphy, OF the West 3oth street
station. The reserves from the West Both street
station were not called until the raid was well
advanced. the inspector, il is said. fearing
leak
Quickly and quietly the police formed lines
around the entire block and men were sent into
nearly every house to guard the entrances and
the roofs Revovers were flashed everywhere
b.. plain clothes men and men in uniform. and a
knot of officers rushed into Nos. 137, 159 and
141 with axes and jinnies
Entrance into No 141 which once run
by Honest John" Kelly. was obtained by man
who has been known TO the gambling houses
"the Count" and is thought TO have been en-
pIoyed by the police TO get evidence. The door
watcher opened up cautiously and tried to push
the "stoOr' out again when he the police
In the mean time other detectives had forced
their way through the scuttIe on the roof and
walked quietly into the midst of a fashionaby
dressed crowd of gamblers with wheel. etc.
in full operation.
Drawn revolvers fOrestalled any attempt TO
escape. and the Ton gates at the door were soon
broken open. Twenty-Five men were arrested.
including the alleged proprietors and the waiter
The house was connected by door with No
139 where the police found well equipped
poker parIor with thtrty-three men engaged in
the game. More revolvers were flashed and
made prisoners.
At No 137 the police broke in thinking this
house was connected with the other. but no
arrests were made. The noise of the jimmyins
and chopping and the mass of policemen drew
such crowd that the police had TO clear fist
street from Sixth avenue TO Broadway and
maintain strong police lines hold the crowd
in check
Three patrol wagons were backed up to the
houses and the prisoners. surrounded by jeer-
ing mob. were taken down Broadway to the
West 3Oth street station. Both houses. it is
said. are owned by Lou Belts
The warrants issued called for three John
Does and inmates at No. 139 and for the owners
and operators at No. 141. At the station the
rants said they were Abe Levy Frank Meehan
and Fred Behr. There were also five negro
walters.
The men charged with conducting the place
at No I41 said they were ]. Marutius. Joseph
Brown and Morris Winslow. The others capt
ured in the house with them were set free A
double roulette wheel Of expensive design and
other elaborate gambling accessories were taken
by the police. All OF the prisoners were well
dressed and prosperous looking
1t was learned later that the name of the
Count who informed the police Arthur
Hewitt. During the raid the guests in the Hotel
Albany and the Hotel Calvert crowded to their
windows, and when the patrol wagons turned
into West 3Oth street toward the station house
it became necessary TO clear the street
Arthur Hewitt is a magazine writer who was
employed as a special officer several weeks ago
by Police Commissioner Bingham TO obtain evil
dence and work up the raids. He started his
work on April 20, and yesterday turned over his
findings to the Police Commissioner.