On the night of November 13, 1956, raids were conducted at ten locations by twenty Wheeling Police officers led by Lt. Murphy. Some fourteen arrests resulted from charges ranging from "exhibition of gambling devices and possession and sale of liquor to unlicensed sale of beer." A listing of the raided locations was printed in the News-Register the next day. They were:
Eric's Steak House, 1429 Market St.--Eric Halverson, 33, proprietor, charged with sale of liquor in violation of the city beer ordinance. He posted bond of $106. Date of the alleged offense was Oct. 18.
Goody-Goody Sandwich Shop, 1022 Market St.--Owner, Earl L. Corkran, Jr., 23, exhibiting gambling device. He gave bond of $500 before Squire Fisher for a hearing Nov. 20.
Covey's Grill, 1057 Market St.--Owner, Anthony J. Zambito, 38, possession of whiskey and exhibiting a gambling device. He gave bond of $106 on the city charge and $500 bond before Squire Fisher on the gambling count.
Sip & Bite Cafe, 1033 Short Market St.--Proprietress, Irene Lirestes, 35, gave bond of $500 for a hearing Nov. 20 before Squire Fisher for allegedly exhibiting a gambling device.
Jai Lai Club, 1407 Market St.--Owner, Myron W. Laney, 47, charged with exhibiting a gambling device, furnished bond of $500 before Squire Fisher.
Ten Club, 1068 Market St., second floor--Owner, Michael E. Vasiliou, 30, charged with exhibiting a gambling device. He also posted bond of $500 before Squire Fisher.
Jim's Bar, 1619 Market St.--Proprietor, Eugene Biagiolo, 34, charged with exhibiting a gambling device on Oct. 30, posted bond of $500 before Squire Fisher. Bernice Martin, 37, a waitress, was charged with sale of liquor on Oct. 30 in violation of the city's beer ordinance and posted bond of $106.
Veterans of Second World War Club, 1411 Market St.--Proprietor, Michael Zavolta, 34, gave bond of $500 before Squire Fisher on a charge of exhibiting a gambling device and posted bond of $106 on a city charge of unlicensed sale of beer. Jean Betz, 24, appeared voluntarily at police headquarters after hearing that a warrant had been issued charged her with exhibiting gambling devices.
Hickory House, 1141 Main St.--Morris Rivlin, 50, gave bond of $500 before Squire Fisher on a charge of exhibiting a gambling device and Harry Rivlin, 65, posted bond of $106 for alleged selling liquor in violation of the city beer ordinance. Morris G. McKeever, 62, and Alice Lynn, 27, a waitress, also were arrested at the same time on city charges of unlicensed sale of beer and posted bonds of $106 each.
Upstairs room also were raided at the same 1141 Main St. address. Arrested was Margaret Mason, 47, on two charges of operating a gambling house. Offenses were charged on Both Oct. 18 and Oct. 26. She posted bonds of $106 for appearance in city court.
Two Wheeling Councilmen were upset that they weren't informed prior to the raids. They protested to City Manager Robert Plummer, who "somewhat sarcastically" replied, "It would be a fine thing to give out notice a week in advance." While no official police comment was made, Chief William Thomas brought up the "general order" that was issued shortly after he was appointed as police chief. This general order commanded police officers "to make arrests when and wherever they observe[d] violations of the law."
Eric's Steak House, 1429 Market St.--Eric Halverson, 33, proprietor, charged with sale of liquor in violation of the city beer ordinance. He posted bond of $106. Date of the alleged offense was Oct. 18.
Goody-Goody Sandwich Shop, 1022 Market St.--Owner, Earl L. Corkran, Jr., 23, exhibiting gambling device. He gave bond of $500 before Squire Fisher for a hearing Nov. 20.
Covey's Grill, 1057 Market St.--Owner, Anthony J. Zambito, 38, possession of whiskey and exhibiting a gambling device. He gave bond of $106 on the city charge and $500 bond before Squire Fisher on the gambling count.
Sip & Bite Cafe, 1033 Short Market St.--Proprietress, Irene Lirestes, 35, gave bond of $500 for a hearing Nov. 20 before Squire Fisher for allegedly exhibiting a gambling device.
Jai Lai Club, 1407 Market St.--Owner, Myron W. Laney, 47, charged with exhibiting a gambling device, furnished bond of $500 before Squire Fisher.
Ten Club, 1068 Market St., second floor--Owner, Michael E. Vasiliou, 30, charged with exhibiting a gambling device. He also posted bond of $500 before Squire Fisher.
Jim's Bar, 1619 Market St.--Proprietor, Eugene Biagiolo, 34, charged with exhibiting a gambling device on Oct. 30, posted bond of $500 before Squire Fisher. Bernice Martin, 37, a waitress, was charged with sale of liquor on Oct. 30 in violation of the city's beer ordinance and posted bond of $106.
Veterans of Second World War Club, 1411 Market St.--Proprietor, Michael Zavolta, 34, gave bond of $500 before Squire Fisher on a charge of exhibiting a gambling device and posted bond of $106 on a city charge of unlicensed sale of beer. Jean Betz, 24, appeared voluntarily at police headquarters after hearing that a warrant had been issued charged her with exhibiting gambling devices.
Hickory House, 1141 Main St.--Morris Rivlin, 50, gave bond of $500 before Squire Fisher on a charge of exhibiting a gambling device and Harry Rivlin, 65, posted bond of $106 for alleged selling liquor in violation of the city beer ordinance. Morris G. McKeever, 62, and Alice Lynn, 27, a waitress, also were arrested at the same time on city charges of unlicensed sale of beer and posted bonds of $106 each.
Upstairs room also were raided at the same 1141 Main St. address. Arrested was Margaret Mason, 47, on two charges of operating a gambling house. Offenses were charged on Both Oct. 18 and Oct. 26. She posted bonds of $106 for appearance in city court.
Two Wheeling Councilmen were upset that they weren't informed prior to the raids. They protested to City Manager Robert Plummer, who "somewhat sarcastically" replied, "It would be a fine thing to give out notice a week in advance." While no official police comment was made, Chief William Thomas brought up the "general order" that was issued shortly after he was appointed as police chief. This general order commanded police officers "to make arrests when and wherever they observe[d] violations of the law."
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