Summary

Library of Congress, "Evening Star" (1887): "Police Raid on a Dance House"

Evening Star reports on a police raid against William Dorsey Swann and other drag artists.

Full Text

Police Raid On A Dance House-- Last night, about 10:30 o'clock,several detectives with a squad of officers from the second precinct paid a visit to the house of Pierce Lafayette, a colored messenger in the Pension office, at 1716 5th street northwest, and raided a 'drag' given by a party of whites and blacks. The house is a two-story frame, and is elegantly furnished. Prof. Gardner sat at the piano while those who gave the 'drag' danced with the 'invited guests.' Two of the male dancers were naked. When the officers entered the house the inmates made a rush for the outside and a number of them escaped. The officers arrested several of them, however, and this morning in the Police Court Edward Williams, Benjamin Swann, Daniel Swann, Wm. Johnson, Charles Myers and Dorsey Swann, were arrainged on a charge of being suspicious persons. Five of them, who gave feminine names at the station house, were attired in silks and satins of bright colors. The court required them to each give bonds in default of ninety days.