The Daily Dispatch: December 23, 1861., [Electronic resource]

Another Descent upon the Gambling Houses. The excitement consequent upon the first demonstration upon the gambling houses of Richmond having pretty much died away, the police authorities of the city quietly concocted a plan for another brilliant dash at the sporting men, who were supposed to be pursuing their avocation in fancied security, despite the legal proceedings in the Courts and the bitter diatribes in some of the newspapers. Accordingly, on Friday night last, about 12 o'clock, three parties of police officers and watchmen started out to carry the scheme into execution. The first, headed by officer Benjamin M. Morris, proceeded to the splendid establishment of Frank Allen, corner of 14th and Franklin streets, arrested the proprietor, and captured a lot of apparatus, including sundry faro tables and a curiously devised machine called ‘"shove-it-up-a-spout."’ Mr. Allen was released on bail to appear before the Mayor on Monday.

The second party, led by officer Reuben T. Seal, entered the house of Richard Copeland, on Main street, opposite the Spotswood, and took the proprietor into custody, together with his table, hips, cards, twenty-eight dollars and twenty-five cents in money, and the negro door-keeper.

The third party, under the lead of officer Wm. N. Kelly, went to the house of Fleming Morgan, on 14th street. Whether the proprietor ‘"smelt a mice"’ or not, we are unable to say; but the policemen found the place deserted. and nothing left to confiscate.

On Saturday morning, Richard Copeland appeared at the Mayor's Court, accompanied by his counsel, M. Johnson, Esq., to answer a charge of keeping and exhibiting a game called faro-bank. There was no point of special interest in the testimony, except on occasional difference of opinion between the Mayor and Mr. Johnson touching the rules and regulations of gambling houses; and the developments in regard to the unceremonious scampering of amateur sportsmen when the Philistines suddenly appeared in their midst — A good many new packs of ‘"Sam Hart's squared linen playing cards,"’ some sweat cloths, and other playthings were exhibited in Court as the plunder of the expedition. The Mayor, after hearing the testimony, remanded Copeland to be indicted under the gaming law, and admitted him to bail in the sum of $1,000 for his appearance on the 2d Monday in February. The summary sentence of burning was passed upon the gaming tools seized by the officers.

Wm. Selden, free negro, was arraigned to answer the charge of keeping the door of a faro-bank establishment; and it appearing by competent testimony that he opened the door to let two gentlemen out about the time the officers went in, on the night of Friday last, he was also remanded for indictment.