Terre Haute's Red Light District in 1917 - Part II

The jury which heard the slot machine case against saloon owner Charles Denning in Terre Haute City Court on Aug. 8 and 9, 1917, deliberated for eight hours without reaching a verdict.

Special Judge Samuel C. Stimson was compelled to declare a mistrial.

On several occasions during the trial, defense attorneys Charles C. Whitlock and Felix Blankenbaker were incensed by Judge Stimson's remarks.

The lawyers strenuously objected when Judge Stimson referred to the state's chief witness, Indianapolis private detective Ora V. Pogue, as a "reputable person."

Whitlock later asserted that Stimson went into the jury room shortly before 6 p.m. on Aug. 9, to inquire as to the status of deliberations and to inform jurors that there was "no reason you should not agree."

In early September, Stimson filed charges before the Vigo County Bar Association against Whitlock, claiming that, around 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 9, the lawyer "encircled me with his arms and pushed me forcefully against a brick wall" while using "vile language."

Whitlock denied touching the judge except to grab his arm when Stimson "tried to strike me."

Earlier in the week, the Indianapolis News, through editor Henry W. Blodgett, blasted the Terre Haute administration and Mayor James M. Gossom, claiming:

"The red light district, which the government, through L. Ert Slack, United States attorney and the decent people of the city propose to close, is the most sinister influence for evil in Terre Haute.

"Its ramifications extend everywhere. They reach into the business interests of the city. Business men rent houses in the restricted districts and use their influence with police authorities to protect their tenants.

"The red light district has elected mayor after mayor. It has elected judges of the courts and prosecuting attorneys, and even lawyers who practice in the courts fear its influence . . .

"Three jitney buses are owned by a woman of the underworld and other women have provided money to put jitneys into service. The saloons and resorts of the Sixth Ward never pretend to obey the law. They operate every hour of everyday and every day of the week . . .

"The mayor cannot help but know that at Fourth and Cherry streets is a saloon dance hall and resort that has not its equal in depravity in the United States. He cannot plead ignorance of the Red Onion at First and Eagle streets, and he must know about Tony Kerza's place in Taylor-ville . .

"The master hand of Terre Haute politics has stretched out and the master hand is the Terre Haute Brewing Company. The closing of the red light district meant the loss of power and the loss of money to this political brewing company . . .

". . . the Terre Haute Brewing Company did not wish slot machines. Why? Because slot machines cut down on the business of those saloons which have the sign of the Terre Haute Brewing Company hung on them . . ."

Meanwhile, rumors flowed that Mayor Gossom's "second vacation" was spent at Ike Delph's fishing camp south of Prairieton, allegedly nursing a black eye acquired during a domestic quarrel.

As the November election approached, there seemed to be little local Democrats could do to salvage the city ticket. Several leading Democrats, including attorney Adrian Beecher, decided to campaign for Republican Charles S. Hunter.

On Sept. 8, Terre Haute Chief of Police Sylvester Doyle asked Vigo Circuit Court Judge Charles L. Pulliam to transfer the pending cases against Frank "Buster" Clark and Eddie Gosnell out of the hands of Prosecutor William E. Horsley.

The Terre Haute Rotary Club endorsed Doyle's proposal. After asserting that he did need assistance, Horsley succumbed to the appointment of attorneys John O. Piety and Thomas F. O'Mara as special prosecutors.

"The Good Government League" evolved into a citizens' "Committee of Fourteen" composed of 14 civic leaders devoted to providing funds to "clean up the city" through payment of private detectives and, if necessary, special prosecutors.

It was headed by Rotary Club President Charles McKeen, owner of the Columbian Laundry, and included Charles H. Houck, John L. Crawford, James A. Cooper, Paul Bogart and James S. Royse.

On Sept. 20, a Vigo County grand jury returned four indictments each against Clark and Gosnell for receiving stolen slot machines and automobile tires, affirming charges previously filed in City Court.

Three days before the election, the Saturday Spectator published portions of the transcript of impeachment hearings against Mayor Gossom conducted by the City Council in late September and early October 1915.

The impeachment attempt, ironically conducted by Gossom's future city attorney Charles S. Batt, fell one vote short. Had it succeeded, Gossom would have been the third Terre Haute mayor impeached within 10 years.

On Nov. 6, 1917, Hunter defeated Gossom by 2,762 votes.

Terre Haute's notorious "Red Light District" reopened once again the following day.

Continued next week