New-York tribune., 1919-07-28
Old Mansion in Fashion.
able Section Alleged
10 Be Resort of Men
and Women Gamblers
Three Arrested;
Give Cash Bail
Mrs. Willard Straight and
Paul Cravath Among
Those Ordering Raid
Specidl Corresnondene1

III oROOh, Long Island, July 27.-
Two attorneys of the Nassau County
Association, civic organization, led
state troopers and constables in a raid
on an alleged gambling house on Mer-
rick Road before dawn to-day. The
house, ostensibly summer residence
amid extensive grounds, was found to
nave windows and doors protected by
steel gratings. There was an elaborate
equipment of doorkeepers and an opu-
lent array of gambling paraphernalia
and the place was thronged with men
and women in evening dress.
The raid was made after the Nassau
association had made repeated de-
mands upon county officers to rout
the luxurious gambling establishments
winch 1t declared had found foothold
IN IN the county. District Attorney
Charles r. Weeks recently declared
that as soon as he had disposed of
cases involving crimes of violence he
would tackle the gambling situation,
and 1t was said that several attempts
were made by officials to get evidence
against gamblers, but without success.
Prominent Persons Aid
Under the leadership Of officers in
Guiding Alfred P. Davidson. counsel
tor the Third Avenue Railroad; Paul
D. Cravath, Mrs. Willard d. Straight.
John +. Pratt and Frank n Doubleday.
the Nassau County Association decided
to wait no longer for official action.
1t retained Neil H. Van de Water. of
Cedarhurst, as counsel to obtain evil
dence OF gambling, get warrants and
serve them. AS co-leader of the raid
ers Mr.. Van de Water chose John ].
MCInfVra
They got their warrants last night
after detectives who had gained en-
trance to the house in polo costume
had lost 5000 in play, in which their
polo costumes were superhuous The
state police furnished Peter Burke and
Edwin kruse for the expedition Con-
stable John S. Thompson, of Oyster
Bay, and Special Patrolman Henry
bauman. of North Hampstead, both
proved foes OF vice in every form and
ciose-mouthed to boot, were taken
along. To drive the motor car that
carried the raiders Joseph Dohman, a
veteran mechanician of Vanderbilt
Cup races, was selected.
In Midst of Storm
A thunder storm of unusual ferocitv
was at its height when the raiders
sped down the Merrick Road, passed
the five corners" here and left the
lights of the Blossom Heath Inn be-
hind. The estate for which they were
bound adjoins the Blossom Heath. and
formerly was the summer home of
New York attorney.
Not gleam of light showed in the
house as the big car swept up the
driveway under trees which whipped
and cracked in the blast of the storm.
The neatly barbered grounds we're
pallidly revealed momentarily by vivid
lightning. flashes and the big bur
colored house seemed wrapped in
slumber.
Amid the crashing of thunder the
approach of the car was not needed, so
far as the raiders could see. They
splashed through water that reached
half way to their knees to the r.ar of
the building. Troopers Burke and
Kruse backed off and flung themselves
bodily against the apparently frail
lattice work in front of a window.
There was a twang as from a mighty
bowstring followed by two splashes
The lattice was of tempered steel and
the troopers had rebounded from it
like tennis balls.
A Negro Peers Out.
The back door opened and a negro
peered out to see what the commotion
was. Constable Thompson had him
by the collar in jiffy and the raiders
crowded inside: Just opening an inner
door was another curious negro. who
likewise was yanked into durance and
the raiding party found itself in a
room at the rear of the house reeking
of smoke and the smell of wet leather
and tenanted by chauffeurs Willing
away the time until their employers
departure.
1no .v,<1 = ~
house opened and man of muscular
build advanced threateningly upon the
invaders. One of the state troopers
drew a large calibre pistol and his
belligerent attitude gave way to
prompt compliance.
That door gave admission to a richly
furnished room, whose windows Of
Opaque glass were hidden by heavy
tapestries A man was descending
the stairs at the far end of the room
to discover what had happened to the
negro who was to have brought him his
supper At the moment the Vanderbilt.
cup race mechanician was sitting on
the negro's chest. Although that fact
was hidden from him the man senscd
something wrong and dashed upstairs.
An ExSitcd Throng
The raiders followed him. In room
similarly guarded against the escape
Of the slightest CLEAN Of light they
found an excited throng of men and
women, three roulette wheels and sew
cral handsomely carved tables. On the
tables and floor were cards and chips.
some Of the latter marked $1OO and
some $1,000 Cigarettes stamped with
a monogrammed -. s." lay about by
the hundred.
Excitement was intense until the
raiders had found the persons on
whom they wished to serve their
John Superintendent" "John Cashier"
and John Doorkecper" warrants. Sew
cral guests of the place flung windows
open to Che storm and started to clam
Der out, only to be halted by the
agilclooking lattice work outside.
The man on whom the "superintcnd-
ent" warrant was served said his name
was Nilligan. The alleged cashier and
doorkccpcr refused to give their
names Tho prisoners were bundled
into the automobile and arrnigned be-
fore Justice Of the Peace Louis Raj
sig, who was aroused from his bed. He
hold thor, IN 60 0U0 rach r,,l Lo;I