State v. Baker

Williams, President :

Wiley Baker and Dick Rader were indicted, tried and convicted, and adjudged by the circuit court of Cabell county to pay a line of $50.00 each, and the costs of their prosecution, for ‘keeping a common gaming-house; and they have brought the case here by writ of error.

Is the keeping of a common gaming-house a violation of the law of this state? We think it is. It was certainly an offence at the •common law. “Common gaming-houses are a public nuisance at common law, being detrimental to the public, as they promote cheating and other corrupt practices; and incite to…