Foundation for Test Case Laid: Race with Betting is Run at City Park and All Concerned Are Arrested, Daily Racing Form, 1908-12-17

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FOUNDATION FOR TEST CASE LAID. Race with Betting Is Run at City Park and All Concerned Are Arrested. New Orleans, La.. December 1G. One race was rim at City Park track this afternoon at 2 oclock, with four horses in the field. Bets were freely made by the detectives and spectators that crowded through the gates to witness the performance, and when efforts were made to cash in the lcts the police got busy ami arrested W. W. Lyles. or Kentucky, manager of the enterprise; Placide Fri-gerio and It 01. Sheffield, liookmakers. Affidavits were also made against Samuel F. Heaslip. president of the Now Orleans Jockey Club, and Edward Corri-gan. neither of whom was on the grounds, the latter being in Lexington. Ky. Todays test of the iLocke anti-racing law and the fireworks attending it. provide a new chapter in racing history it New Orleans. Prior to the attempt at racing the local directors of the New Orleans Jockey Club held a meeting at noon, and declared against the test of Corrigan and Lyles. and President Heaslip asserted that unless the directors voted to refuse the use of the track to Mr. Lyles that he would resign. Despite this protest, ostensible if not real, the race was run and the arrests followed. The track was Hooded with police. The patrol wagon stood at the gate. Inspector OConnor, acting Mayor Mcltaeken. and Bstriet Attorney Adams were all at t!o track, bristling with a desire to prosecute and uphold the Locke law. Chief of Detectives Reynolds and the speaker of the house. Dupre. together with an army of over thirty policemen, were also on the grounds. The test was conducted by W. W Lyles. who is believed to have been representing Mr. Edward Corrigan. He admitted in a "speech to the crowd that lie had received the Jockev Clubs warning, but insisted that he did not Intend to violate the law. However, the law was violated according to the ollicers. Detectives Coyle. McOabe and Glynn arrested R. M. Sheffield and W. W. Lyles. Captain Louis Rawlins and Sergeant Leroy took charge of Placide Fri-gerio. The detectives did the betting and when the money was accepted arrested the bookmaker. Fourteen dollars was wagered. The prisoners were released on 00 bond. At 2 oclock alKut 200 persons gathered at the City Park to see the test race. Four horses were in the race Olaycella, Billy Strong. Malceon and Mr. Knapp. The race was a quarter-mile dash. In the betting ring, with the issuance of the first tickot. things began 4o get lively and many bets were made. In the betting on the race Mayeeila opened up favorite, at -1 to 5. while the other horses were held at 2 to 1. Special Officer Joe McCabe was the first to make a liet. He was followed bv others and at last so much money was shoved at the bookmaker that he asked every one to get awav from the booth. No attempt was made to Interfere withthi-lwtting until after the nice was run. and as soon as the result was announced and an attempt made to cash the ibets the police became active. When the horses were called to the post they received a royal reception. Malecon. with Duggan up. was the first to parade, and was followed bv Mav-colla. with NcHvcom up. Then came Billy Strong, with Lynch up. and the last one was Mr. Knapp. with A listen t up. Starter Sullv sent them off to a good start, and it was nip and tuck to the finish. Mayeeila winning by a scant length, witli Billv Strong a dozen lengths in front of Mr. Knapp. Tin winner was given a hearty cheer and then the crowd all rushed in to see the arrests made. After the race tl:o only person showing a winning ticket was James 01. Smith, who wagered 2 to 1 on Mayeeila. After the arrests Inspector OConnor declared that President Heaslip and Edward Corrigan were not ion the grounds. "If they had been," declared the inspector, "they would have been arrested." In a statement tonight. President Heaslip declared: "I was surprised today when I learned that .Mr. Lyles proposed to make a test of the Locke law. I immediately called a meeting of tho directors for today at noon and resolved to resign if the lward sanctioned 01 r. Lyles plan. The gentlemen who are responsible for the Lockt. measure were sincere and 1 am sure they lielieved when they had the measure passed that they were serving the best Interests of the people. If there is to be any change from the present condition it must not be in the shape of finding a technical loophole in the Locke bill. If it develops tWit racing as conducted here for many years is essential to the prosperity of the city, this must be revealed through the voice of the community." Attorney E. Howard McCaleb has been retained by Mr. Lyles and his associates. Captain Alex Brewster, veteran of the Crescent City Jockey Club, went on the bond o all three of the ones arrested.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1900s/drf1908121701/drf1908121701_1_3
Local Identifier: drf1908121701_1_3
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800