The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-10-13
GAMBLING CLEANUP
CITY AND COUNTY LAW EN-
FORCEMENT OFFICIALS GET
ELEVEN GAMBLERS IN
EARLY SUNDAY
MORNING RAID
Subsequent Inquisition Discloses Big
Den In West End of County

Den in West End of County
One of the most effective gambling
cleanup raids in recent years was
made last Sunday morning about two
a. m. on a local rooming house by a
number of City and County law en-
forcement officials headed by Chief
of Police Weltz.
Early Saturday evening, City At
torney a. J. Wiles got tip that the
rooming house in question would be
the scene Of big game that evening.
He Immediately notified the officials
in question who with the help of the
City Manager and the County Engin-
eer, planned and executed raid that
netted eleven of the violatOrs, ten of
whom were Immediately lodged in
the Ellis County Jail. 1t had been
Justly feared that shots would be fired
and during tn eexecution of the plan
a little difficulty was encountered to
get to the basement that held the
gamblers. whereupon the Chief of
Police called the Fire Truck with the
fire hose to drown out the rats" if
necessary. When the Fire Truck
threw its light on the scene, cries of
let us out, We surrender were
heard from below.
Previous to the arrival of the Fire
Truck. the keeper of the house had
oeen secured, who with his noisy keys
and kicks against the door, attempted
20 give signs to the gamblers to get
away. The trick was soon discovered,
then the Chief suddenly grabbed the
keys TO unlock the door, when from
within a shotwas fired, evidently in
tended for the officer, but the same
nit the rooming house keeper in the
leg. Soon each member of the raid
ing party had been stationed to guard
the house on all sides. c. ]. Lore
ditsch on the West with his baseball
bat; Bin McAuley, the night mar
shall, and Harry Gross of the Golden
Belt Gargae on the north, while City
Attorney Wiles guarded his post at
the east side door which leads into
the den. Inside Chief Weltz was re-
ceiving the prisoners from below,
handing them over TO Sheriff Lore
ditsch and City Manager Seng for
search and detention.
All day Sunday and part of Mon
day gambling inquisitions were con-
Quoted before B.. c. Arnold. Justice
of the Peace. which inquisitions dis
closed the fact that big gambling
operations in popular den have been
going on in the west end of the coun-
" for some time.
The rooming house keeper was ar
rested on charge of keeping and
maintaining gambling den and is
out on 100000 bond. The gun
toter has been charged with assault
with deadly weapon, and Jack Daven-
port has been charged with knowingly
gambling in gambling den, all three
felony charges while the others were
charged with gambling only.
The Knights of Columbus and the
Daughters of Isabella held limitations
sor large classes in their respective
halls, Sunday afternoon. Both orders
met at the banquet hall of the knights
of Columbus in the evening, where
good things to eat were served and an
interesting program was rendered,
and all present had an enjoyable time
Tony Sarg's Marionettes, which
have been all the rage in New York
for the past three seasons, are to be
in Hays, November %. There will
be a matinee in the Sheridan Coli
scum at $3.50 p. m, presenting a
Night in Greenwich Village" RIP
Van Wrinkle" will be shown at the
same place on the evening Of the same
day
On Thursday evening, Miss Eliza
beth Condit entertained some Of the
busiess girls at her home. The even
ing was spent playing bridge. The
following guests were present: Misses
Ruth Francis, Julia Mullen, Freda
KnOche, Mae Hawkins, Mabel John
son, Helen Lobdell, Susan Mullen
Bess Leahy, and Miss Nelson. Re
freshments consisting of angel food
and sherbet were served.
Judge l. T. Purcell and Mr.. Phil
brick went through Hays, Monday
morning, enroute to Russell, where
they are holding court this week.
A car load of apples and sweet
potatoes were sold from the track
Tuesday.