Thanks for the additional info buddy and please keep it coming.
Btw, was alderman Louis Anderson on the same level as DePriest previously was? Meaning in power and stuff...
Absolutely TD.
1920s Highlight Pt.2 ( end)
* In late 1928, a grand jury summones by Sheridan Bruseaux ( Chief Investigator) aimed at Policy Sam, Julius Benvenuti, Walter Kelley, Dan Gaines, Charles Ferrill, DePriest, and Clarence "Pop" Lewis. Clarence owned the Monte Carlo Policy Wheel & Platinum Lounge inside the Vincennes Hotel at 601 E 36th St. None of the subpoenas reached due to everybody skipping town to Detroit.
* While in Detroit, the Policy Kings establish partnerships with locals such as the Kelley brothers operating the Tia Juana Interstate Policy Wheel with Ledell "Lee" Williams and Floyd " Bee" Mitchell.
* A new grand jury was sworn in and another probe into the Policy activities in the 2nd, 3rd, & 4th wards. This time a star witness emerged by the name of Harry Lewis. He was the former secretary of Dan Jackson and gave the testimomy that dealt a heavy blow to the Policy operators. He exposed how payoffs were made ( $50-300 to cops & politicians) , named prominent politicians whom was taking bribes, and exposed the revenue of the Tia Juana wheel ( $80,000 a day over 4 drawings).
* Harry's testimony led to the indictment of DePriest, Charlie Ferril, Bennie Hirshberg, Maxie Barbour, Frank " Bat" Lewis, Patrick Brady, Dan Jackson, Jack Hardy, and Carter H. Hayes. The remainder of the investigation was put on hold due to Jackson's wife pasting away from health complications in October. Along with the holiday season during the interim, the grand jury was dismissed.
*In 1929, John Swanson , as State Attorney, continued the focus on the policy operators picking up where the grand jury had left off. At that time it was an estimated 200 policy wheels active from 22nd to 79th streets and payoffs were disguised as campaign contributions through the America First Campaign. Yet a significant event would shift focus away from the policy racket and put the full attention of the public, law enforcement , and State's attorney: St. Valentine's Day Massacre.
*On May 15th, 1929 Dan Jackson died from acute flu. The grand jury was dismissed and central control of his Policy racket was up for grabs. Al Capone being jailed in Philly on phony gun charges and congress soon repealing the Volstead Act marked a shift in the 1930s. Chicago would have more than 10,000 gambling joints, 30 alone in the Loop within steps of each other with the city streets littered with gambling receipts. The 30s will develop a major Policy syndicate.
