Sheriff Cochrane’s War on the Gambler: A Raid That Left Wheels of Fortune in Police Hands
In a sweeping crackdown on vice, Sheriff Cochrane and his deputies arrested thirteen gamblers and seized an arsenal of gambling devices, while a decomposed body was pulled from the harbor.
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Sheriff Cochrane's War on the Gambler
When the cases of thirteen gamblers arrested early Friday morning by Sheriff Cochrane and deputies were called for preliminary hearing in Justice Soderberg’s court at 1 o'clock yesterday afternoon, Judge J. L. Murphy, who had been retained with Col. J. C. Haines by the defendants, announced that he wished to withdraw from the defense and that he would have nothing more to do with the matter.
Deputy District Prosecuting Attorney Wilson asked for a continuance of the case until 1:30 today, as important witnesses for the prosecution were not at hand. The cases were continued by Justice Soderberg accordingly.
As the gamblers were leaving the court-room, Deputy Sheriff Jackson arrested four of them—James E Griffin, one of the proprietors of the M. and N. saloon; Teddy Gottlieb; K. W. Way; and Louie Rodgers—on charges of vagrancy subscribed to by Sheriff Cochrane. They were required to give bonds in the sum of $100 each for their appearance on this charge at 1 o'clock today, Charles W. Mullen becoming surety for all four.
Sheriff Cochrane also raided the Esmond and Orpheum saloons yesterday. At the former place Hank Carlton and Ed. Huntley, the alleged proprietors of a gambling game, were arrested but none of the appurtenances belonging to a gambling game, other than the tables, were found. These were placed in charge of a special deputy sheriff and the two men were released upon giving bonds in the sum of $300 each for their appearance before Justice Soderberg today on charges of gambling.
At the Orpheum two wheels-of-fortune, boxed ready for whipping, were found and placed in charge of a deputy sheriff. The sheriff now has possession of several wheels-of-fortune, a large number of faro, poker and roulette tables, cards, chips, case-keepers and other gambling devices without number. What disposition is to be made of these "lay-outs" will probably be settled upon the return of District Attorney Ronald.
Deputy Sheriff Jackson yesterday stated that over 70 warrants had been issued for the arrest of gamblers and other idle and dissolute persons on charges of vagrancy, but that very few of them could be served as the men wanted had taken timely warning and left for Tacoma, Portland and Spokane Falls.
This report captures a classic 'vice raid' era in Seattle’s history, where law enforcement targeted underground economies like gambling dens. While the specific targets have shifted from faro tables to digital platforms or modern vice crimes, the tension between municipal enforcement of morality laws and the resilience of illicit markets remains a recurring theme in urban governance.
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