Putnam patriot., 1928-11-15
Cops Raid Crap Game on Pool Table In Front Street
 Place
Proprietor Pays $lil.l4 and Ere.
 quentes S Each

They were all present in the little court across the river. Tuesday morn ing. When the roll was called, over yonder. in the building where the city dads sit Tuesday nights, once a month, where Putnam's finest occupy a section of the basement. where AL bert keeps the home fires burning, and where the studious go for their library books, instead of answering present" each and every they an- swered guilty" It was record day in Judge Geissier's court. It was not a record to be proud of. the prose cutting attorney stated, but still 1t was a record. Thirty-four all sizes and ages, and all familiar with the click of the African dominos.
 Nearing Midnight
 The story starts at late hour last Saturday night. In fact it was near ly the Sabbath morning when Cap tain Jarvis of the local police force and Sergeant Lizard, ditto, accompa- nied by Sergeant Gardner and Officer Scranton of the state police depart ment, entered the bowling and pool par,or and gambling sanctorium rndcT the renovated ruins of the old Ghickering House on Front street, Wi'fred Renoit, prop.
 When the officers entered they saw. around a green covered pool table, a compact row of humanity, two deep. It was not an easy task to get to the tahie's edge but there were clicks and spoken words that denot- ed to an experienced ear that crap game was in full swing. When those nearest tine money and the dominos sensed that the "cops" were appear ing at the party. there was general confusion. Some of the money dis appeared. Some of the bones rat tied out of sight. One or two of the sharp shooters edged toward the door but only to find more bluecoats on guard 10 shoo them back into the company they were trying to desert. And rumor has it that several old vets escaped by margin of minutes. They had left the place before the raid. Someone over in the court house said they were prominent citizens" but no names were mentioned.
 Interest Fades
 Of course by this time there was no further interest in the crap game. The shooting was broken up, as it were, hy the sudden interruption of rank outsiders IL was the shootin- ist lot of shooters that the police had ever eorralled. The officers had months ago faded the Bucket of Blood" and the Hole in the Wall, but the Front street joint outnum hered these raids to such a degree that they were really nothing by com parison. What to do with the spec ulators was the question. There was no room for any such regimental outfit at the police station. II they ! were walked through the street it l would cause alarm. The next and only thing remaining was to ake a neat little list of the offenders names and order them to appear in court, | Tuesday at 9 m. This was done l while ihe clock was striking the mid night hour. None of those ordered fo appear failed to show up.
 Show No Fight
 Tuesday morning came at last. The !
  basement of the municipal building was klled with young men and mid dle aged men and four minors. Some were taking the matter lightly; others saw prison bars in shadowy form. The police and the prosecutor were busy, and so was the judge, to make sure all were on hand and accounted for. The prosecutor held brief pre- opening session to determine if any of the accused wished to fight" the l case. None had any fighting spirit left and all kept silence when asked if they intended to go to trial. This matter being settled court was con Vened.
 The thirty-four prisoners occupied most of the court room. Many spec tators stood up. The state police occupied the prisoners box, the pro bation officer was given a seat in front of the pen, and Patriot re- presentative was squeezed in between.
 Wilfred Benoit, the proprietor of the place, was first put to plea. His answer 10 the complaint was between