Summary

Library of Congress, "Evening Star" (1896): "Made a Raid"

The Evening Star, a D.C. newspaper, writes on a raid against William Dorsey Swann.

Full Text

Made a Raid Police Interrupt the Festivities at Mr. Wm. Dorsey Swann's.

William Dorsey Swann is the name of a colored man who lives at No. 1504 L street northwest, and last night the police suspected that he was going to give a 'drag' for the benefit of his white friends. Such a gathering has not been raided for several years,. and the police had no idea of the character of the white men whom they were going to find in the place. About midnight Sergt. Jordan got together a squad of officers and went to the house. The house was surrounded, and the officers entered, only to find that they were a little too early, for the gathering was not in full blast.

Four colored men and three white men were found in the house, and Swann was placed under arrest on a charge of keeping a disorderly house. William Alfred, the cook, who wore a long gown, and James Frazier, a member of the entertaining party, were arrested as vagrants, while the white men were summoned as witnesses.

Swann had made elaborate preparations for the entertainment of his guests, and the police took charge of the liquid refreshments, which consisted of beer, wines of various kinds and the most expensive champagne. These liquids were in court today as evidence in the case. A jury trial was demanded in Swann's case, and the colored trio will be tried next week.