Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-08-06
GRAF TIERS At HOPEWELL
COLLECTED VAST SUMS
Protection and Hush Money Esti-
mated at From $4,000 to
$4,000 Per Day.
SPECIAL GRAND JURY CALLED
Names of Many of Those Accused Are
Being Kept Private by Officials.
Deposed Chief Henderson Is Again
Placed Under Arrest.

ing from $4,000 to $4,000, from gamb-
ling joints. whisky and hecr saloon.
and resorts frenuentcd by women, as
well as from: individuals engaged in
these and other lines, is n conserva-
i've estimate OF the "rake-orf" shared
Dy the system" at the powder plant
town, following revelations growing
out of the removal of the police force
last Tuesday.
The names Of the men involved in
the wholesale grating are being with
heid by the investigators. who are
gathering Information and evidence to
present to the special grand jury OF
Prince George County Circuit Court
when 1T convencs next Monday The
number is also being kept secret. but
, INC result OF the probe will bring to
liSht highly sensational details.
Just how long this state of affairs
mas continued in such huge proper
tons Is not known. even by the detec-
tives. who have been making investi-
cations only since the latter part of
June. 1t is believed. however, that the
total cannot be less than $4,000 and
might run as high AS $4,000 or $780,
600, If there should be any way OF
arriving at the figures. At any rate,
there are several men. who came to
HopeweIl four months ago with no
money at all. who arc now said to have
the coin to invest in many enterprises
and arc known to have good sized rolls.
One Of the sources of revenue which
has yielded vast sums has been the
inmates Of what would he the red
light district" in any other town or
city, but In Hopewell night and day
are the same, and there have been no
restrictions on the underworld there.
There are 200 women of questionable
character In the town. and on these
have been levied sums of not less than
So a day. Many of them who were
II 70 ho1 oil
from time to time and required to pay
additional assessments.
OF the 146 places holding Federal re-
tail liquor licenses. the greater number
sold whisky and beer and were as
scssed by the system" The gambling
houses came across with their share
as well.
With the Du Font pay roll exceeding
s1,25o,oo0 a month, money has been
plentiful in Hopcwcll. and those operat-
! objection to pay for protection"
However, when the system" is said to
| have reached out to assess legitimate
! enterprises. the trouble started.
Last week IA large number Of Greeks,
of whom there arc 1000 In Hopewell.
| held mass meeting to protest against
being required to pay graft. and tho
| leaders in this movement urged the
| State authorities to take action. Tho
Good Government Association of Hope
we'll was also active In It's efforts to
have the system" eliminated, and Tues
days action by Judge West. OF the
Circuit Court, in removing the police
force and putting Du Pont men in
! charge OF the police affairs Of the town
met with the approval Of the element
! engaged in Legitimate enterprises.
luENDERSON,S BOND DEFECTIVE;
REARRESTED IN PETERSBURG
w. II. Henderson, who was deposed
oh Toe 0f ~ THOR
day and subsequently held for the &C
ton of the grand Jury, was rcarrested
in Petersburg last night on instructions
from Commemorative Attorney limo
thy Rives. OF Prince George. Hender-
son was released Tuesday night on
81, 900 bail
Judge Rives found that the bond was
Improperly executed. Sheriff Rousseau
took Henderson to Hopewell, where he
endeavored to arrange new bond.
The sheriff was instructed to place the
former chief In the Du Pont jail IL
he was unable to give the new bond.
John Porter. former lieutenant of po-
lice. and Tony Becessi proprietor Of the
Hopewcll Cabaret. who have been held
in the City Jail in Richmond since
Tuesday night under bribery charges.
were taken 10 Hopewell last night by
| Sheriff Boisseau. who came to Rich
mond for the prisoners. accompanied
by deputies. To-day Mt Prince George
I Courthouse. Judge West will hear an
application to reduce the amount of
Armistead. who held them for the grand
| jury.
SPECIAL GRAND JURY
| SUMMONED FOR MONDAY
| Everything quiet at IIopewell" was
tho semiofiicial report received in Rich
mond yesterday. However while de-
tectives and the Du Pont police them
G 70 ~ arin
is being made to close the disorderly
! resorts They are compelled TO main
| tain All outward appearance of respect
for tho law. and open violence is
| thing Of the past. No graft is being
levied or collected under the new re-
Gime.
w. II. Mcdonald, deputy chief OF the
| Du Pont force, is in active charge Of
| the Hopcwell detail lie patrols the
city on horse and keeps his eyes on
conditions. The powder plants police
organization was formed under the
direction OF Major Richard Sylvester.
! formerly superintendent Of the Wash
I inEton Police Department. 1t is COM
| posed OF picked men, and there has
never been any trouble within the wire
Enclosure OF the plant where $1,000
men are at work every day.
| Judge West yesterday directed the
clerk OF the Circuit Court to have sum-
moned ten representative citizens OF
| Prince George to serve on the special
! grand jury, which will DO empan eled
/ next Monday morning to investigate
! conditions at Hopewell. The men were
| selected with great care by the court
! and are as follows: A. y. Cookies. T..
! p Bate, a. r. Clary, r. C. Temple.
George r. Hatch. u. a. Epps. ST., AL
len Temple. John y. Hobbs and T. a.
! Stands. The grand jury Will probably
be in session several days, as more than
| 200 witnesses will he examined
/ The prosecution will be represented
by commemorative Attorney Timothy
! Rives. assisted by George F.. Wise.
! OF Richmond. Attorney General Pol
! lard. who, at the direction Of Governor
| Stuart. has been inclose touch with the
situation at HopewcH. will also be
! present.
! Dies of Henrt Failure.
| No arrangements for the funeral of
Ill lx a