The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer

How Youthful 'Gents' Comported Themselves Here.

NOT AN ARREST IN TWO DAYS
OF THE NEW YEAR IS THE RECORD AT THE POLICE OFFICE

BUT THIS MORNING'S POLICE
COURT IS NOT A BLANK—THE
THEATRE HAT LAW GIVEN ITS
FIRST TEST AT THE GRAND
OPERA HOUSE ON NEW YEAR'S
DAY—MANY RECEPTIONS AND
ENTERTAINMENTS.

Perhaps the most remarkable showing made by the New Year is the record at the police office. At midnight—the close of the second day of the year—there had not been an arrest recorded on either the first or second. This is indeed remarkable, and if kept up Captain Bennett and his efficient force will find themselves figuring in the municipal list of indispensables. Probably New Year's Day was the only holiday in many years that has passed without an arrest being made, and it's not likely there will be a duplication of the record.

Although the first and second days of the year passed without the police force figuring to the extent of an arrest, it was by a very slim margin, for at the Saturday night performance of "A Jay in New York," at the Grand Opera House, the new state theatre hat law nearly caused one. A lady and gentleman came in the theatre and sat down in front of a gentleman. Her hat was of the Gainsborough variety, and it was reasonable that the man in the seat immediately behind should feel inclined to kick. His request made through the usher was sharply refused. The pair were informed of the state law requiring women to take off their hats, but still the woman refused. Then Officer Bowers was called in, but again there was a refusal to comply with the law. Then the officer was compelled to lead the woman from the theatre. The man became rather loud in his comment on the officer's action, and he, too, was taken in tow, but both were allowed to go. This was the first time force had to be used to enforce the hat law, and it will probably result in more general compliance with its provisions in the Wheeling theatres.

The first arrest of the new year came just after midnight this morning. It was no ordinary one either, if the man was charged with being a "vag."

The arrest was a sort of co-operative scheme, and incidentally illustrated a common sidelight to a "hard luck" story. A few minutes before Officer Michaels led his man to the cells, the latter held an informal reception at the Windsor. Into the hotel he wandered, a fairly well dressed individual, a crippled (?) arm by his side, and using a cane.

His woeful countenance and his pathetic story elicited the sympathy and perchance a few nickels, from the traveling men sitting in front of the clerk's desk. While he eked his mission, Homer Carpenter, the hotel's night watchman, let his eye fall upon him. It was an evil eye for Mr. Vag., as he found out the next instant, for when he approached Homer, jingling the guineas in his pocket, and cautiously asking "Where's the bar?" Homer fell upon him with all his welter weight, and bore him to the ground.

The stranger wanted to stop and explain, but Homer wanted to see him explain on the street outside, and it took him but a short space of time to push and drag the unwilling stranger along the narrow hallway to the Twelfth street entrance. At the door the stranger again wanted to explain that he didn't intend "spendin' his coin at no bar." Homer gave him one grand bounce out on the pavement, just as Officer Michaels was leisurely passing by. The officer received him with open arms and the new year was saved from being a cold, cheerless blank.

New Year's Day was given its usual observance in Wheeling. The old custom of receiving calls was in evidence more than has been usual for several years in this community, and the number of houses receiving callers was much larger. Entertainments at the Y. M. C. A., Carroll Club and elsewhere drew large audiences, and the attendance at the Grand was large both afternoon and evening. The day passed off quietly, there being very little of the noise and drinking that sometimes characterize holidays.