Friday nights in "Wide-Open Wheeling" were changed forever on December 10, 1971. Wheeling Police Chief Edward Weith led more than 25 officers and men on raids at downtown bars. The raids were all conducted simultaneously at 11 p.m. after days of preliminary undercover investigations with aid from two state agencies. The warrants were prepared secretly. Only Police Chief Edward Weith, Mayor James Haranzo, and Police Clerk Charles Timberlake (the typist), and state and federal agents knew about the warrants. Next, telephone calls were made at 9 p.m to the 25 men who took part in the raid. The participants were only told to report to the city building at 10 p.m. The News-Register published the names, home addresses, and at what location the arrests was made:

                               -George Lekanudous, 52, of 208 South Penn St., Menu Bar and Grill, 2601 Chapline St., possession of whiskey and possession of gambling equipment.

                        -Charles Jacovetty, 58, of 1617 Jacob St., J&C Bar, possession and sale of whiskey.

                        -Ruby Jean Murphy, 20, of 143 Fourteenth St., same bar, sale of whiskey.

                        -Ernie Sinkarow, Valley View, Ernie's Cafe, 1110 Sixteenth St., sale of whiskey.

                        -Joseph Woodrow Long, Box 109, Elm Grove, same bar, possession of whiskey.

                        -John Joseph Billota, 27, Menu Bar, possession of whiskey.

                        -Betty Elizabeth Lewis, 46, of 50 Thirteenth St., Sammy's Bar, 3529 Jacob St., possession of whiskey.

                        -June Irene Williams, 48, Martins Ferry, Club Della's, Short Market Street, sale of whiskey.

All those arrested had to post bond of $506 apiece. Their hearings were scheduled for later the next week in Wheeling Municipal Court.

            The raid at the Menu Bar was the most sensational. Chief Weith and his team of police officers approached the bar at 11:00 p.m. to begin their raid. Unfortunately, two of the Menu Bar's customers were exiting and caught site of police. They ran back inside to tip off the bar owner. Sure enough, when the police tried to open the door, it was locked. Undaunted, Chief Weith yelled out "Open the door, I am a police officer. I have a search and seizure warrant."  Weith could plainly see Menu Bar owner George Lekanudous through the frosted glass of the front door. Lekanudous made no attempt to open the door, so Weith repeated his statement two more times. When the door still was not opened, Weith kicked it in and continued with the raid. The raid at the Menu Bar turned up "a gambling device known as the "Clock," decks of playing cards, 18 tipboards and five punchboards. Weaponry taken as evidence included four pistols:  a Colt .38 special, a Smith and Wesson .38 special, a High Standard .22 Magnum Derrigner, and a .22 blank gun manufactured in Italy. Ammunition for the weapons was also confiscated, along with "a blackjack, a pair of brass knuckles and a package (of) M-80 firecrackers."  The Christmas spirit was alive at the Menu because one case of the confiscated liquor contained gift-wrapped half-gallon bottles with bright ribbons on top.

            Comments by officials concerning the raid showed agreement on the goal of curbing illegal activity downtown. Chief Weith told the News-Register:

This isn't stopping tonight. We're going to continue to stage raids and clamp down on all illegal activities. We're trying to protect the legitimate private club operators in our city who purchase the necessary licenses to sell whiskey. They pay a fee to sell whiskey and operate a private club and deserve to have their investment protected.

Mayor James Haranzo said that the raids were:

...closing the door on Wheeling as an open city...This should emphasize that the chief is taking over the law enforcement in the city with a free hand, with no interference from council...Wheeling no longer is going to have the reputation of being an open city.

            Mayor Haranzo didn't have to worry about Councilman William Muegge interfering with the raid. Muegge's comments showed support:

The so-called untouchables are no longer untouchable, as far as I'm concerned...The chief has the absolute support of council in his efforts to stop any illegal activity going on in the city.

Wheeling's heavy industry reorganized itself to fill orders for war supplies during the Civil War. This including iron and steel plate, as well as cannonballs, both for the North and South. Labor was at a premium, so wages were high. The population of Wheeling swelled, placing increased demands on available forms of entertainment. This point was raised by the Intelligencer in December, 1863. The entertainment available in Wheeling during the war years became more intellectual in nature as a result of the better tastes of the newcomers. The Intelligencer noted that before the war, the popular amusements included "negro spirituals, circuses, and 'lower forms of amusement.'"  Now, typical entertainments included "Artemis Ward" and the "Sanford Operatic Troupe," both of which had also appeared in Washington, D.C.

A list of $250 federal gambling stamps purchasers from Ohio County were released by the Associated Press and published in the News-Register on October 2nd and 6th, 1964. The list of purchasers holding gambling devices for Ohio County totaled 162. They are listed below:

                        Howard O. Allen, the Club House, 12 Sixteenth St.

                        Alpha Inc., Tom's, 89 Edgington Lane.

                        American Legion Home Inc., Post 89, 1050 Chapline St.

                        American Legion Post 1, 1119 Chapline St.

                        BPO Elks Lodge 28, 32 Fifteenth St.

                        Joseph A. Baller, Baller's Bar, 14 National Rd., Triadelphia.

                        Alex Bazo, Club 40, Dixon Run Dr., Triadelphia.

                        Carroll Albus, Armor Raiders Club, 1913 Warwood Ave.

                        Edith Amends, Amend's, 245 Kruger St.

                        Victor P. Basil, Vic's Bar, 4001 Jacob St.

                        Bella Via Restaurant, 1 Burkham Ct., Elm Grove.

                        Bertha Blake, Redman Club, 2208 National Rd.

                        C & Z Inc., Rt. 3, Elm Grove.

                        Della Elemons, Della's Restaurant, 2108 Main St.

                        Vi            ctoria Crain, Happy Hollow, Elm Grove.

                        Clyde Dunn, Pappy's Bar, 4710 Jacob St.

                        Eagles, 9344, 944 Main St.

                        Edress Eberhart, Triadelphia Lunch, Triadelphia.

                        Eric's Steak House Inc., Waddles Run.

                        Esquire Supper Club Inc., Twenty-ninth St., Blvd.

                        Clyde E. Ferguson, Central Lunch, 1142 Eoff.

                        Bessie Ferlise, Order of the Pioneer Inc., 1427 Market.

                        Fort Henry Club, 1324 Chapline St.

                        Charles H. Gebhardt, Gebhart's Tavern, Valley Grove.

                        Gabrel George, J., G & G Coffee Shop, 2 S. Penn St.

                        Thomas Hupp, Elm Grove Pool Room, 2279 National Rd.

                        Louis Izso, Del-Lou Lounge, 3 Waddles Run, Greggsville.

                        Robert L. Jacovetty, Bob's Bar, 4506 Jacob St.

                        Robert Lee Lantz, Fulton Tavern, 458 National Rd.

                        Richard M. McCroskey, Downs Grill, 523 S. Penn St.

                        John McFadden, McFadden's, 98 Washington Ave.

                        Angel M. Martinez, Labor Temple Inc. of Wheeling, 1506 Market St.

                        David J. Miller, Jr., Valley View Inn.

                        George & Melissino Morris, Sam's Diner, 2231 Warwood Ave.

                        Oh Henry Sportsman Club, 1605 Wetzel St.

                        Lucy Panico, Lucy's Bar, 3648 W. Jacob St.

                        A.J. Perrotti, Tony's Restaurant and Bar, .12 Sixteenth St.

                        Pioneer Bar B-Q Inc., Ridge Crest Rd., Bethlehem.

                        W.J. Roman, and Mary Lee, Forrest Inn.

                        M. J. Saymansky, Cork & Bottle, 39 Twelfth St.

                        Larry A. Stultz, Hobb Club.

                        L. Thomas and Mary M. Biery, Tom's Bar, 93 National Rd., Triadelphia.

                        Town Club Inc., 48 Twenty-seventh St.

                        Betty J. Welshans, The B & E Lunch & Tavern, 2222 Warwood Ave.

                        Charles J. West, Corner Cafe, 2177 National Road, Elm Grove.

                        Raymond E. Williams, Ray's Tavern, 105 Eighteenth St.

                        Betty E. Zymbroy, 31st St. Cafe, 61 Thirty-first St.

                        Robert L. Bever, Ye Olde Alpha, 48 Carmel Rd.

                        Edward and Margaret Bishop, Eddie's Lunch, 2909 McColloch St.

                        Steve Blazina, Silver Rail Bar, 224 Twenty-ninth St.

                        Barbara A. Bowman, Barb's Bar, 1619 Market St.

                        Brookes Inc., River Rd.

                        Louis A. Bush, Steel Bridge Sandwich Shop, 114 S. Penn St.

                        Ina Byrne, Lambus Cafe, 110 Sixteenth St.

                        Club Villa Inc., 97 North Seventeenth St.

                        D.C. Veterans Association, 704 Warwood Ave.

                        Hazel Carlisle, Hazel's Coffee Shop and Bartenders Lounge, 1217 Main St.

                        George Cater, Cater Brothers, 1613 Market St.

                        Cave Club Inc., Twenty-fifth St.

                        Cedar Rocks Town Club Inc., 2160 National Rd.

                        Checkerboard Inc., 4 Anderson St.

                        Stone House Restaurant, RD 2, Triadelphia.

                        Bernard Conniff, Conniff's, Clearview.

                        Andrew Cavanas, Zane Bar and Grill, 141 Zane St.

                        Lester S. Dae, The Salad Bowl, 117 Sixteenth St.

                        Ben H. Deiters, Island Sandwich Shop, 74 New Jersey St.

                        Pete Dormas and Theodore Troullos, Bridge Bar and Coffee Shop, 950 Main St.

                        Margaret Cruschel, Choo Choo Bar, 69 Forty-third St.

                        Michael F. Duplaga, Swing Club, 336 National Rd.

                        Ferdinand Falland, Falland's Confectionery, 164 Zane St.

                        Orval L. Fisher, The Lane, 113 Edgington Lane.

                        Eagles, Aerie 1891, 2334 National Rd.

                        Fraternal Order of Owls, 307 Warwood Ave.

                        Fulton Social Club, 550 National Rd.

                        Myron Griffith, Carroll's Grill, 50 S. Broadway St.

                        Gilbert Hazzard, Gilbert's Place, 927 Terrace Ave.

                        Edward Humway, Island Social Club, 34 Zane St.

                        BPOE of World, Triadelphia.

                        Island Athletic Club, 135 Virginia St.

                        Italian American Citizens Club Inc., 2279 National Rd.

                        Edna M. and Harry A. Hohnson, Old Dad's Bar, Valley Grove.

                        Jolly Inc., 1057 Market St.

                        Alphonse and Ronald Joseph, Al and Lou's, 2341 Chapline St.

                        Kain Club Inc., 3544 Jacob St.

                        Evelyn L. Kannan, Embassy Stag Bar, 27 Fourteenth St.

                        George Kannan, Kannan Cigar Store, 1323 Market St.

                        Thomas J. Kavanas, Mountaineer Club, 1016 Market St.

                        Mathew E. Kellas, Snack Shack, 422 Main St.

                        Gerald William Kinder, Johnnie's Inn, 216 Warwood Ave.

                        John Frank Kolodzi, Mattie's Lounge, 329 New York St.

                        Joseph Krumski, Auditorium Cafe, 1031 Short Market St.

                        Bernard L. Kuntz, DiCarlo's Bar & Lounge, Fourteenth & Main.

                        R.C. Kurner, Moxies Bar and Grill, 96 Washington Ave.

                        August Lekanides, Club Henry, 121 East Cove Ave.

                        William D. Liaos, 20th St. Grill, 29 Twentieth St.

                        Charles W. Linskey, Kennedy Sea Food, 1016 Market St.

                        Irene Lirestes, Sip and Bite, 1933 Market St.

                        Wheeling Moose Lodge, 67, 1208 Chapline St.

                        William H. McGee, Fish Bowl, 2751 Chapline St.

                        William W. McGee, J and C Bar, 1617 Jacob St.

                        Glenn R. McKeets, 11th Street Cigar Store, 1100 Market St.

                        Frank McKown, Green Lantern, 1610 Wood St.

                        Betty Malarski, Betty and John's Tavern, 3941 Jacob St.

                        James Markis, LaSalle Lunch, 39 Eighteenth St.

                        Jeanette's Bar, 3529 Jacob St.

                        Polish National Alliance Club, 2162 National Rd.

                        Geneviever Mellot, Latin Quarter, 2824 Warwood Ave.

                        George E. Munas, Oasis Cafe, 2146 Main St.

                        Charles A. Norton, 14th Street Bar, 44 Fourteenth St.

                        Ohio Valley Yacht Club, 110 S. Front St.

                        Meno Orphan, Coffee Pot, 1611 Market St.

                        Thomas Palmer, Palmer's Cafe, 2350 Chapline St.

                        Catherina Panepinto, Knotty Pines, 30 Junior Ave.

                        Daniel Papini, Danny's Bar and Grill, 106 N. Seventeenth St.

                        Clara M. Parker, Parker's Grill, 1035 Mount DeChantel Rd.

                        Thomas Pazzopane, American Italian Club, 86 Sixteenth St., rear.

                        A.J. Pietras, 15th Street News Stand, Market St.

                        Polish American Political and Athletic Association Inc., 4410 Jacob St.

                        Ada Reed, Petri's Place, RD 2, West Alexander, Pa., Valley Grove.

                        John Rewakosky, Oscar's Coffee Sup, 4031 Jacob St.

                        James P. Ritchea, Edgewater Inn, RD 3, Elm Grove.

                        Morris J. Rivlin, Owls Club 3080, 1141 Main St.

                        Roneys Point Truck Stop Inc., Rt. 40, Triadelphia.

                        Lenora D. Rothermund, Eddie and Nora's Tap Room, 3516 Jacob St.

                        Florence Rotterstein, Jupiter Bar, 2340 Market St.

                        Rudolph B. Rust, Rust Grill, 3719 Eoff St.

                        George and Louis Saseen, Saseen's Grill, 1413 Jacob St.

                        Joseph and Abdoo Saseen, Joe's Grill, 1413 Jacob St.

                        Nancepe Saseen, Cottage Bar and Lounge, 38 Eleventh St.

                        Edward L. Schafer, Buleard Inn, 239 Twenty-ninth St.

                        Marion Schlatt, Tropicana Lounge, 113 S. Penn St.

                        Shipley, Shia and Alfred Shipley, New Sportsman Bar, 1425 Market St.

                        Donald G. Sasarcick, Valley View Inn, RD 1.

                        Sixteenth Street News Inc., 1600 Market St.

                        Nick Stefanow, Nick's Snack Bar, 2205 Main St.

                        Ukranian American Citizens Club, 4145 Rear Wood St.

                        Helen Valentino, Aero Grill, 178 Sixteenth St.

                        Minnie Valentino, Tino's, 49 Twenty-seventh St.

                        Anna VanNetter, Ann's Avenue Bar and Grill, 2514 Warwood Ave.

                        Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 825, 29 Fifteenth St.

                        Veterans of Second World War Inc., Post 1, 8 Bank St.

                        Tom Wakim, Wakim's Pool Room, 2181 National Road.

                        Warwood Veterans Association, Sixth and Hazlett Ave.

                        Frances Watson, Canadian Club, 104 Sixteenth St.

                        Harley E. West, Duquesne Club, 139 E. Eleventh St.

                        West Virginia Snake Club, 7 Eleventh St.

                        Wheeling Country Club Inc., Bethany Pike.

                        White Front Cafe Inc., 1531 Market St.

                        J.W. Witzberger, The Leap, 1080 McColloch St.

                        Alice Wojtasek, Time In, 2606 Chapline St.

                        Wayne A. Wood, Glenwood Lunch, 610 National Road.

                        George Yoho Sr., Cy's Royal Bar, 1409 Market St.

                        Michael H. Zambito, Castaways, RD 4, Peters Run Rd.

                        Vincent J. Zanke, Zanke's Corner Grill, 1701 Wood St.

                        Albert Zavolta, Don's Bar, Twelfth St.

                        William Zien, Rendezvous, 2135 National Road.