The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-30
|DRACO'S MEN l AS REFORMERS Deputies Confess to Taking
 Money. MOBILE SHERIFF IS SORRY But the Gully Ones Are Not
 Prosecuted. Corners official Almost weeps when He Talks of Hakemaa Ana Lyneh--Decides Not To
 Turn Loose The
 office.

Mobile, Dec. 2g-(Speciaf)--One of the greatest sensations of the year was sprung this morning when it be- came known that two of Sheriff Drago's deputies. ". H. Hakeman and Dennis Lynch. had left the city. after having frankly confessed to the sheriff that they had been engaged in graft ing on a largo scale. Sheriff Drago had been Informed that certain deputies had received considerable sum of money from blind tiger" operators in Mobile as a remuneration for shielding them from arrest
 Sheriff Drago had heart to-heart talk with Hakeman and Lynch. and put the matter squareiy before them. The men admitted their guilt and were summariiy discharged. As to the length of time the mulcted per-s sons were promised immunity. could not be learned. as neither Hakeman nor Lynch would say when asked by the sheriff.
 Chief Deputy Sheriff, J. P. Kenny stated that the men frankly admitted having secured money from operators of tigers" and that Hakeman had roll of bills of unusual size. The chief deputy had advised the sheriff to discharge the men as soon as ha learned of their actions. and this fol- lowed the conference
 Deputies Have Gone. Hakeman and Lynch were last seen during last night. Attaches of the sheriffa office stated that Hakeman was there. abou, midnight. and that Lynch had been there. about Il o'clock. Hakeman had q vaiise with him. Tnat they left the city about o'clock Is the general impression at the shsriffs office
 For several weeks there have beeg rumors in regard to blind tigere operations with deputies, but these could not be verified. One was to ef- feet that a proposition had been made that if tine operators paid $50 eacn, they would receive protection, and that those who did not pay would be arrested
 Sheriff Drago called Hakeman and Lynch into conference and then the explosion came. Ik was known that Sheriff Drago had been exceptionally kind to Hakeman, in whom he placed implicit confidence and he had be- frtended the man often when he needed help. At one time when sick the Sheriff sent Hakeman away to recuperate and furnished him with necessities.
 It was stated by Chief Deputy ken ny that Lynch had told him 1t was the intention of himself and Hake- man to put the Greeks only out ok business and that he didn't feel that they had done anything wrong
 State Solicitor Staliworth. when in. formed of the action of the deputies. expressed regret and stated that he was satisfied action would be taken in the matter.
 Drago won't Resign.
 Mobiles sheriff will not resign foi the present. but 1t Is a well known fact that he Is not pleased with the office.
 He stated last night at ii o'clock to an Advertiser representative that he would leave Mobile today at 1 o'clock for the purpose of resigning although he was urged not to do so. At midnight he was of the sama opinion. but at a conference of friends this morning he agreed to remain in the office.
 The sheriff almost cried late last night while discussing the case. say ing that he had done his duty in ar resting the rich and poor for viola tions of the prohibition law. This morning the sheriff was still in that mood, but his friends told him that he had done his duty in getting rid of the men and that he should continue in the office.
 Asked for an official statement re- garding the discharge of the two men from service. Sheriff Drago said this afternoon to an Advertiser representa- tive:
 q am satisfied that honey was given to the officers mentioned about the middle of last week, just previous to Christmas eve and not before this time. I believe that the last money was handed out on Friday, the day that Deputies Lynch and Hakeman were suspended and an investigation was ordered. I do not know who fur nished the money.
 Deputy Lynch stated last night that SLIGO was handed to him by one man, and this constituted all tho money paid in.
 q informed Solicitor Stallworth on Monday, December 27 of a report made to me that some one connected with my office was accepting money. and that I was investigating the charges.r
 Hakeman. who was the chief field deputy, was at one time on the Mo- bile police force and for number oe years was & fee deputy under Sheriff cazalas. He has a wife and one child Lynch Is a single man and was for merly a bartender.