The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-08
S. ]. London, Friend Of Justice
Crutcffield, Will Appear in
Court To-Day.
INNOCENT, HE DECLARES
Detectives Say He Practically
Made Confession When Con-
ironted by Evidence.

a cocaine traffic IN ftlCNHOnd suffered
probably death blow early yesterday
afternoon, when Detective SerGeants
Wren and Bailey arrested S. j. London,
supposedly reputable merchant of No.
1884 East Main Street, on the charge
of selling dope" to q negro. and later
locked up Upton NIcDermott, an alleged
partner in the nefarious business.
The two officers caught negro COM
ing from London's office, where, it is
charged, he bought the stuff. Dispos-
sessing the man of 81 worth OF cocaine,
they walked with him into London's
presence. and demanded that the lat
ter deliver up to them the remaining
packages he had in the place. Confront
ed with such direct evidence Of his
guilt. London, 1t Is stated, broke down
and made partial confession to the
detectives, who then placed him under
arrest.
Important Arrests.
London stated that the cocaine be-
lonSed to McDermott, who acknowl-
edged the fact. The arrest OF McDer-
mott followed, and the two We're march
ed to the First Police Station, where
after being confined for al hour or
two. they were bailed.
London returned later and asked that
McDermott's money and valuables be
handed to him. as security for the bond
ne Mad given LOT Inc ldtteIS appear
ancc In Police Court this morning.
The request was promptly refused.
A quantity OF cocaine. discovered in
London's store, was taken to police
Headquarters. 1t bears the name of
the manufacturing firm, c. Il. Boeh-
ringer and Soehne, OF New York City.
How the stuff was brought to this
city. whether shipped or conveyed m.
person, is not yet known. 1t Is prob
" d. 1,o hF1 fnr fnnG sol, "a
whereby the traffickers In dope procure
and sell the drug will be exposed In
evidence to be presented in Police
Court this morning.
Commenting on the arrests, Major
Werner stated yesterday afternoon
that he considered them the most i'm
portant of the year. because they strike
at those higher up in the business. the
chief agents, and also because the ef-
feet of.thc"arrests. whether they result
in conviction or not, will serve as a
stay to others engaged in selling CO.
caine to negroes.
a Man of Means.
The merchants store has been un-
der suspicion for a matter of eight
months. but never before could the de-
receives secure evidence sufficient to
justify them in walking boldly in and
arresting one who for many years has
4 been regarded as an upright business
man, beyond even the slightest suspi-
oion In the public mind. of connection
with a trade thought to be confined
only to those of known crookedncss
and loose principles. London Is said
to be a. man OF considerable means.
and much Of his wealth is alleged By
the police to be due to his success IN
dispensing cocaine to the middle
men," Profit Is tremendous, and even
those who sell directly to the "sniffers"
soon become able to give up steady en-
ployment and to live as though they
We're of independent fortune.
Additional evidence was procured by
the officers. for while they We're talk
ing to London another negro who did
not realize that he had walked into a
hornets nest came In and presented
an order to the merchant for $3.50
worth of cocaine for small dealer
who had already paid for the drug. The
detectives secured the order and Lon
don. recognizing that matters had
probably passed beyond power OF re-
demption, practically confessed, &C
cording to the officers.
The stock is not prepared for imma-
date use, but comes In pure crystal
lized form. The small dealers adulter-
ate it with sugar and flour. and sell
enough for sniff at So cents netting
themselves profit known in no other
business.
Friend of Crutchfleld
For years s. j. London has borne an
honorable name in business circles. He
is q particular friend of Justice Crutch-
field whom it has been his habit to
drive in state TO the Police Court every
day, A smart trap and trappings were
owned by the merchant and Justice
Crutchheld found the early morning
drive with his friend TO be far more
pleasant than transportation In street
y car. Behind such shield OF virtue
and integrity London stood safe
against suspicion. but tho pitcher was
taken to the we'll once too often. and
the furniture dealer stood exposed To
nssailing doubt and police incrimina-
ton. McDermott has also occupied n
peculiar position. AS far as the police
/ know. he has no regular employment,
yet he has always presented care
free attitude toward the world and
lived apparently in the lap Of luxury
Well-dressed and bejeweled. he was a,
once the admiration and envy of thos,
who wondered at the sources of hi,
wealth.
Both men, II true case be mad,
u against them, were arrested under cir
. fH-sA -. - 4 ErHt-