The Philosophy of a Drunk-Roller
A notorious criminal known for robbing intoxicated men in the basement of the Albion block receives a harsh sentence after a blunt admission in court.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Joe Long, alias “Reddy” Long, the notorious drunk roller, was convicted of robbery by a jury in Judge Humes’ court yesterday. The crime was committed on March 14, and William Ross was the victim. On the evening in question, Long fell in with Ross, who was drinking, and induced him to enter the basement of the Albion block with him, knocked him on the head with a pair of brass knuckles, and relieved him of a watch and chain valued at $20. In the course of the trial, the question was asked whether he had been in the saloon on the night in question. “Yes, your honor,” answered Long philosophically, “I admit I was there, and I think that any man caught in that place ought to spend six months in jail.” Judge Humes fell in with his opinion, for he sentenced him to the extreme penalty of five years’ imprisonment.
“I admit I was there, and I think that any man caught in that place ought to spend six months in jail.”
Long’s case illustrates the era’s 'drunk rolling'—preying on intoxicated patrons in the city’s dens—a vice that plagued early Seattle saloons. The casual violence described is a reminder of the lawless side of the city’s nightlife that predated the later temperance movements.
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