The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1922-07-18
FORTUNES WON, LOST
IN BIG GAMING HOUSE
SCENES IN ONE OF CHICAGO'S
MOST NOTORIOUS GAMBLING
DENS ARE DESCRIBED.
THOUSANDS IN STAKES
Great Sums Lost Without Twitch in
Faces. How Entrance to Room Is
Gained. Patrons Are Planned" for
Guns. All Watched Closely

The three-story store and once
building at the southwest corner OF
31st street and Indiana avenue has
much the same outward appearance as
hundreds of other buildings in Chica-
90. But inside it is like none other,
for if contains the biggest gambling
house now operating in Chicago. he
stakes are high-thousands of dollars
change hands without a tWltch IN
faces, made almost eXpressionless by
the lust of gaming, no oaths at losses,
nor smiles at gains. Its patrons num-
bers hundreds daily, drawn from all
parts of the city, says the Chicago
News
Incidentally, the success OF the big
gambling house marks the return to
power of Dan Jackson, who was head
Of the syndicate which controlled
gambling in the black belt for several
wears. How this syndicate collected
hundreds of thousands of dollars Tor
protecting the gambling places was
told in the Daily News year ago. The
syndicate was put out of business then,
but recently Jackson became active
again and now at least dozen gam
bling houses are operating under his
supervision. Some places pay regular
weekly sums while in others Jackson
is a $3.50 partner in the profits.
Watch Entrance Closely.
Two visitors to the big game had an
interesting experience. Some time was
spent on the outside observing the
maneuvers Of the patrons and locating
the entrance which, at first, contrary
to usual expectations, is through the
main entrance to the building on 3lst
street. With dentists signs, the names
of a detective agency and business con-
Germs prominently displayed at the en-
trance the effect is at once to dlspel
suspicion as to the destination OF those
entering Close watch is maintained
for Investigators of reform organize
tons.
A middle-aged man stepped from a
taxi hurried into the building and up
the steps. The two visitors followed
Outside noisy cabaret jewellers were
making their way homeward. At the
entrance a cripple begged those who
had been favored by luck to buy his
pencils Opposite him a nervous youth
was anxious to sell cheap some S lip
over needles.
Up one flight of stairs and down the
corridor to the right is encountered
the first sign of the big game-a
heavy, specially built wooden door
with a peep-hole the size OF small
saucer.
Visitors Made Prisoners.
Through the hole could be seen the
face of a giant negro. The middle
aged man ahead had been admitted
quickly and the door closed as the
two visitors came up. The careful scru-
tiny of the lookout man was greeted
roughly in language which no reform
investigator would use. The negro, re-
assured, opened the door even more
quickly than the visitors expected.
Here came one of the real surprises
When the door shut behind them and
bolts were shot into place the pair
found themselves practically prisoners
1t was narrow passageway about
ten feet long which led from the first
door to another similarly REINFORCED
and equipped with a peep-hole
Through this another black face peer
ed
Famed" for Guns.
Three husky negroes constituted the
guard in the passageway and they
quickly famed" the visitors for guns
passed muscular hands over the hips
side and breast pockets. Under the
deft and firm fingers even badge
would have been quickly detected.
Course | know you, but | have to
search YOU" the leader of the guard
replied when he was reminded OF tbs
times which never existed that the Wis
itors had been there before.
"Pass the gentlemen" he finally
said, and the second door opened.
Here was revealed a scene which