The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1917-04-24
Caught Red Handed With Dice, Cards
and $297.Sl in Silver With
Avenues Of Escap. Cut OF
RAID in LINE WITH
SIMPSONS CAMPAIGN
County Attorney Says Gambling in Chicka-
asha Must Go and and will Prose-
cute Property Owners

This afternoon charges were filed
against Sam Cook for conducting
public nuisance, for which he gave
S25OO bond for his appearance on May
3 before Judge Moore, and against
four of his alleged employees in gamb-
ling house for conducting games for
which they made bonds Of $1,000 each
for their appearance for examination
on the same dew.
Sam Cook and his corps of house
men in the famous Old Mint gambling
house on Chickasha avenue are under
arrest today a. part Of the mercIIess
campaign which is being conducted
against vice IN 1aickasha b5 County
Attorney Simpson
Last night. while the games we're
on In full swing, Sheriff Bailey and his
entire force OF deputies, assisted by
Constable Flippo swooped down upon
the famous old gambling hall which
has been known since the early days
Of Indian territory and which ceased
to run openly only when compelled to
do so by law
The raid on this famous resort was
one of the acts already done and those
in contemplation in compliance with
the campaign promises made by Coun-
ty Attorney Simpson. He declared
openly after being installed in office
that he would prosecute John Tucker
and would bring him into Oklahoma
from Texas II possible on q felony
charge. The unexpected arrest OF tho
confessed bootlegger by Sheriff Bailey
paved the way for sending Tucker to
prison. He also declared that gamb-
ling must go and this is the first step
which he has taken in campaign
which is calculated to drive illegal
games OF chance out OF the city.
Famous Gambling Hall.
Sam Cooks Old Mint has been
known far and wide throughout Okla
homa and Indian Territory for several
decades and Cook is one OF the best
known men in the state. During the
former two year term OF County Attor-
ney Simpson he was not permitted to
operate but there were rumors OF his
Of this truce during the past
furo sroaro ~, Touuorxt Nrrlr q oof,,
shut up shop but resumed operations
within the past fortnight since which
time he has been closely watched by
the sheriff's force.
Warned by 6uxzer.
In the old days Sam Cook conducted
4 bar on the lower floor but this por-
ton of the building has since been de-
voted to the sale OF cigars, the gamb-
ling, it is alleged, having been conduct
ID on the second floor. Connecting
he two departments was an electric
bell or buzzer by means of which
alarm was given to the gambling man.
lger at the approach Of any suspi-
sious move on the street which resenlr
Dled preparations fora raid, For this
reason it was difficult to secure any
sv,aslice. the housemen escaping with
he cash, cards, dice. etc, and the
players disappearing by means OF
private exit before. the officers could
lscend.
A Sudden Descent.
But Sheriff Bailey was loaded for
hem last night. Accompanied by his
leputies and the county attorney he
ay in wait in dark alley until IL
,'clock, when there was evidence that
he games were on in full swing. Then
le swooped down upon Cook with a