I have no idea what downtown Reno looks like, have not been there in MANY years. I think I was fortunate to be out there in the "good old days."
Harold's Club, the Nevada Club, the Cal Neva, the Golden Hotel, the Primm, Horseshoe, Kelleys, the Mapes and the Riverside, all great places, and I think that most are gone.
No more "colorful" owners, all corporations with no identity.
I was in Harold's the morning that Harold put a cover on wheel, sent a group of college kids on their way with their winnings, big winnings. Harold said, "You boys have your college paid for," and he closed the wheel. They had a system, played for a number of days, everyone went to Harold's to see the kids from the University of Nevada that had figured out a "wheel system." They were a great draw.
As I recall, they got their winnings to well over $100,000, and they started dropping money. So, he told them to take their $100,000 and leave, and they did. He put the word out, "NO playing in town." I heard that they went to Vegas and lost it. I think that was in the Fall of '56. Harold's got millions of free advertising out of it.
Lincoln Fitzgerald, owner of the Nevada Club trained many of the dealers in Nevada. He didn't care for, and usually didn't hire bartenders or cab drivers. Other than that, you might have a shot at being a dealer. Hey, he hired me. Fitz is one of the more memorable people I have met in my lifetime.
There should be a monument, somewhere in Reno, giving credit to Fitz and Harold for their part in the growth of the state of Nevada. All else of theirs is apparently torn down.
One more. We had a bartender at the Primm who was an ex-wheel dealer, and had worked for Harold's Club. According to Dave, when Harold first opened, he was dealing he wheel, somewhere near the front door. He spun the ball, it jumped the track, outside the door, into the gutter, and down a drain. They were new and small, had a heck of a time finding another one ..............
Monday, November 29, 2010
The Nevada Lodge
Lake Tahoe, late 50's, before the Olympics, and one of the first times the North Side was open during the Winter months. It was great, not very crowded, had the Crystal Bay Club, the Lodge, the Cal Neva when Sinatra had it, a drug store and a few other places, and that was it. We had it pretty much all to ourselves.
That clear, pine scented mountain air, the deep blue color of Lake Tahoe, I loved it.
At first, I had a room in a basement unit in a place, nice room, about 100 yards away from The Lodge where I worked. I think Fitz started me out on days. Doc Ledford, I think was the Shift Boss, many rumors about him. I have related this before, but thinking of Doc brings the story back.
Early one morning, few customers, one gal, 21 dealer was due for a break, no one to relieve her. Doc put me on the 21 table. Well, I always got nervous dealing, and my hands would sweat. Some customers came in and came to my table. I looked over at Doc, and he said, "Deal to them."
I did had a good game going, not sure how the table did, but dealt to them for a half hour or so. When they left, I took the deck, set it down, and did the normal "fan" across the table. One problem,, the cards were stuck together and the whole deck moved across the table, which everyone in the house seemed to see. Never lived that down.
Fitz always wanted me to be a 21 dealer, we tried everything. He even had me soak my hands in formaldehyde once, got it from an undertaker. It didn't work, but I will never forget the odor.
I used to put in my eight hours at the Lodge, then cross the street to the Crystal Bay Club and spend the evening. Jack, don't recall his last name, was the bartender, got to know him well. I remember Slim, one of the owners, and some others whose names escape me. Slim was a genuine "Nevada Character," a part of Nevada history. Rumor had it that he had participated in the '39 Olympics in archery, but don't know that for sure.
Before the North side started staying open in the Winter, they say that many of the dealers lived up there, and when they would close in the Winter, they would go on unemployment. Since there was no office up there, someone would drive up from Carson City with their checks, and pass them out in the Crystal Bay Club. All these folks made a LOT of money in the Summer, had nice homes and nice cars. On "check" day, the parking lot at the Crystal would be full of nice cars, they would all meet inside, get their checks, many would endorse them, throw them on the back bar, and have a BIG party till the checks ran out. They say it was a blast.
On a number of occasions we would be in the bar at the Crystal in the morning, either from the night before, or getting an early start, and a group of us would head to someones place for breakfast. There were sometimes a few, and sometimes a crowd, We had great times. Bacon, eggs, home fries in a Cedar Log Cabin on Lake Tahoe, gets no better than that.
I still vividly remember that pristine lake, like it was in those days, a few clubs, a drug store, with soda fountain, Spanish Leather, oh such fond memories.
That clear, pine scented mountain air, the deep blue color of Lake Tahoe, I loved it.
At first, I had a room in a basement unit in a place, nice room, about 100 yards away from The Lodge where I worked. I think Fitz started me out on days. Doc Ledford, I think was the Shift Boss, many rumors about him. I have related this before, but thinking of Doc brings the story back.
Early one morning, few customers, one gal, 21 dealer was due for a break, no one to relieve her. Doc put me on the 21 table. Well, I always got nervous dealing, and my hands would sweat. Some customers came in and came to my table. I looked over at Doc, and he said, "Deal to them."
I did had a good game going, not sure how the table did, but dealt to them for a half hour or so. When they left, I took the deck, set it down, and did the normal "fan" across the table. One problem,, the cards were stuck together and the whole deck moved across the table, which everyone in the house seemed to see. Never lived that down.
Fitz always wanted me to be a 21 dealer, we tried everything. He even had me soak my hands in formaldehyde once, got it from an undertaker. It didn't work, but I will never forget the odor.
I used to put in my eight hours at the Lodge, then cross the street to the Crystal Bay Club and spend the evening. Jack, don't recall his last name, was the bartender, got to know him well. I remember Slim, one of the owners, and some others whose names escape me. Slim was a genuine "Nevada Character," a part of Nevada history. Rumor had it that he had participated in the '39 Olympics in archery, but don't know that for sure.
Before the North side started staying open in the Winter, they say that many of the dealers lived up there, and when they would close in the Winter, they would go on unemployment. Since there was no office up there, someone would drive up from Carson City with their checks, and pass them out in the Crystal Bay Club. All these folks made a LOT of money in the Summer, had nice homes and nice cars. On "check" day, the parking lot at the Crystal would be full of nice cars, they would all meet inside, get their checks, many would endorse them, throw them on the back bar, and have a BIG party till the checks ran out. They say it was a blast.
On a number of occasions we would be in the bar at the Crystal in the morning, either from the night before, or getting an early start, and a group of us would head to someones place for breakfast. There were sometimes a few, and sometimes a crowd, We had great times. Bacon, eggs, home fries in a Cedar Log Cabin on Lake Tahoe, gets no better than that.
I still vividly remember that pristine lake, like it was in those days, a few clubs, a drug store, with soda fountain, Spanish Leather, oh such fond memories.
Friday, November 26, 2010
November Memories
Holidays like this always make me think back to my days in Nevada. Had some great Thanksgivings out there, invited friends in, generally had a crowd at the house.
But also, spending Thanksgiving in a casino, always seemed a little depressing for our customers. They were taking in a long weekend and a great few days in Reno. And of course some time up on the mountain doing some Winter sports.
I thought of old Hoot Havens, actually Jerry, and his Ford, the one where the top moved down into the trunk. I thought of Don Eammelli and some of the deals we got him into. I remember the "Crap Suckers" he bought, a truckload, cleaned your drains. They ended up in his basement, water and heat turned them into one big blob. Or, the watches he bought, all pinwheel movements, the one we sold to the dealer as a gift for her son, set it on the TV, got heated, when he opened it, the crystal popped off, hit the ceiling.
Jeanette Fenner, worked at Harold's Club, rented an apartment from the "Slot" guy, Bob I think, Had his picture posted in all casinos in the state. He hit a lot of jackpots, way too many. Alice Tuttle rented from him, had the basement apartment. I think Alice worked at Harold's also. Both 21 dealers. I remember stories of when she was married to Jimmy, they saved their tokes all year (which was a LOT of money in those days) and splurged them on each other at Christmas.
Fitz and Meta always come to mind. I wish I had stayed with Fitz, big mistake leaving him. Rumors were that I would have gotten the Bal Tabaran to manage, or at least have a nice job there, when he bought it up at the lake. I don't know how far I might have gotten if I had stayed with him.
Danny Fagan always comes to mind, Mark, Bettye Johnson, Thelma Ganz, all were part of my early training at the Nevada Club. It's hard to believe that I outlived the old Club. It is gone, I am still here. The largest part of Nevada history was lost when they tore down Harold's and the Nevada Club. Times change, I guess. I would not recognize Reno today. I will just keep the fond memories.
But also, spending Thanksgiving in a casino, always seemed a little depressing for our customers. They were taking in a long weekend and a great few days in Reno. And of course some time up on the mountain doing some Winter sports.
I thought of old Hoot Havens, actually Jerry, and his Ford, the one where the top moved down into the trunk. I thought of Don Eammelli and some of the deals we got him into. I remember the "Crap Suckers" he bought, a truckload, cleaned your drains. They ended up in his basement, water and heat turned them into one big blob. Or, the watches he bought, all pinwheel movements, the one we sold to the dealer as a gift for her son, set it on the TV, got heated, when he opened it, the crystal popped off, hit the ceiling.
Jeanette Fenner, worked at Harold's Club, rented an apartment from the "Slot" guy, Bob I think, Had his picture posted in all casinos in the state. He hit a lot of jackpots, way too many. Alice Tuttle rented from him, had the basement apartment. I think Alice worked at Harold's also. Both 21 dealers. I remember stories of when she was married to Jimmy, they saved their tokes all year (which was a LOT of money in those days) and splurged them on each other at Christmas.
Fitz and Meta always come to mind. I wish I had stayed with Fitz, big mistake leaving him. Rumors were that I would have gotten the Bal Tabaran to manage, or at least have a nice job there, when he bought it up at the lake. I don't know how far I might have gotten if I had stayed with him.
Danny Fagan always comes to mind, Mark, Bettye Johnson, Thelma Ganz, all were part of my early training at the Nevada Club. It's hard to believe that I outlived the old Club. It is gone, I am still here. The largest part of Nevada history was lost when they tore down Harold's and the Nevada Club. Times change, I guess. I would not recognize Reno today. I will just keep the fond memories.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
A Nevada Memory
An old memory from the late 50's came to mind this morning. I have a new website up for my 78 birthday, 78 Birthday Site and I have a foto page, was looking at that, and some memories came floating back.
I was working at the Primm, graveyard, 3 am to 11 am, which left a lot of good daylight time to get into trouble. Some mornings I would go straight home, make a b-line to my car, which then was a Studebaker Golden Hawk, and head home.
Then, some mornings, after a good winning night, Ernie Primm, the owner, or someone, would offer to "Let me buy you guys a drink" at the bar, and Dave would fix us up. On some occasions, previous customers from the night would see we dealers at the bar, and also buy us one.
One particular morning, Ernie bought one, then two, then some customers followed suit, and before long, a party was "goin on."
Around 2 or so, the party started breaking up, for them, not for me, I wanted to keep it going, but was running short of money. Well, we could always "draw" on salary at the Primm, but Mr. Roberts, the casino manager, who was one of the finest "gentlemen" I have ever known, got the picture, saw was was happening, and about to happen, and said "No" to the draw.
So I left the Primm, walked down the back alley, and there, behind the Horseshoe Club, were three nice, bright, shiny, stainless steel, 5-gallon milk cans. I am not sure how it all came about, or even who I was with, but I partnered with someone, put a sign on the milk can ........... the Cutty Sark and Milk Fund.
It was Winter, and "Slim" one of the owners of the Crystal Bay Club at Lake Tahoe, got us drinking his "Winter" drink, Cutty Sark and Milk. I don't know if I ever liked it, or even thought about it, but in the Winter, I often drank it.
I was living on North Virginia then, almost across from the University of Nevada, split rent on a house with another guy, don't remember his name.
Anyway, I started making the rounds of clubs, people I knew, friends, etc., collecting for the "fund."
I was having a good time, so were my "donors" maybe have a drink with them and collect the change or they would put money in the milk can. This went on till around 5 in the afternoon. I must admit I do not remember a lot of it, but apparently, at some time, for some reason, I invited some to our "Kickoff Party" on North Virginia, and gave them the address. Not sure when I started doing that.
About 8, something woke me up. After a very long time, I realized I was lying on the couch, in our living room, surrounded by people, mostly strangers, in a room full of people, mostly strangers, who were having a party, celebrating the kickoff of the Cutty Sark and Milk Fund.
And there was I, in my shorts, surrounded by probably 50 people, all looking at me.
As I walked to my bedroom, I was sent off with a thunderous applause, for the founder, of the Cutty Sark and Milk Fund.
At one time, Don Eammelli, my Shift Boss, had that can and was keeping it as a souvenir, I was told he had it in his Recreation Room as a reminder of the good old days.
Those were the days ...........................................
I was working at the Primm, graveyard, 3 am to 11 am, which left a lot of good daylight time to get into trouble. Some mornings I would go straight home, make a b-line to my car, which then was a Studebaker Golden Hawk, and head home.
Then, some mornings, after a good winning night, Ernie Primm, the owner, or someone, would offer to "Let me buy you guys a drink" at the bar, and Dave would fix us up. On some occasions, previous customers from the night would see we dealers at the bar, and also buy us one.
One particular morning, Ernie bought one, then two, then some customers followed suit, and before long, a party was "goin on."
Around 2 or so, the party started breaking up, for them, not for me, I wanted to keep it going, but was running short of money. Well, we could always "draw" on salary at the Primm, but Mr. Roberts, the casino manager, who was one of the finest "gentlemen" I have ever known, got the picture, saw was was happening, and about to happen, and said "No" to the draw.
So I left the Primm, walked down the back alley, and there, behind the Horseshoe Club, were three nice, bright, shiny, stainless steel, 5-gallon milk cans. I am not sure how it all came about, or even who I was with, but I partnered with someone, put a sign on the milk can ........... the Cutty Sark and Milk Fund.
It was Winter, and "Slim" one of the owners of the Crystal Bay Club at Lake Tahoe, got us drinking his "Winter" drink, Cutty Sark and Milk. I don't know if I ever liked it, or even thought about it, but in the Winter, I often drank it.
I was living on North Virginia then, almost across from the University of Nevada, split rent on a house with another guy, don't remember his name.
Anyway, I started making the rounds of clubs, people I knew, friends, etc., collecting for the "fund."
I was having a good time, so were my "donors" maybe have a drink with them and collect the change or they would put money in the milk can. This went on till around 5 in the afternoon. I must admit I do not remember a lot of it, but apparently, at some time, for some reason, I invited some to our "Kickoff Party" on North Virginia, and gave them the address. Not sure when I started doing that.
About 8, something woke me up. After a very long time, I realized I was lying on the couch, in our living room, surrounded by people, mostly strangers, in a room full of people, mostly strangers, who were having a party, celebrating the kickoff of the Cutty Sark and Milk Fund.
And there was I, in my shorts, surrounded by probably 50 people, all looking at me.
As I walked to my bedroom, I was sent off with a thunderous applause, for the founder, of the Cutty Sark and Milk Fund.
At one time, Don Eammelli, my Shift Boss, had that can and was keeping it as a souvenir, I was told he had it in his Recreation Room as a reminder of the good old days.
Those were the days ...........................................
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Some information
Riverside Hotel and casino in Reno employee Lewis J McWillie
McWillie told the Warren Commission that he was a "key man" at Lansky's Tropicana Casino in Cuba. Lewis J. McWillie worked in the Tropicana Hotel in Havanna and after that he had worked in the Capri Hotel Casino, he worked for years in Cuba for New York racketeer Meyer Lansky. In january 1961 left Lewis J McWillie Cuba with strong feelings of hostility to the Castro regime. (source Warren commission hearing). McWillie first went several months to Aruba and Curacao and then he went to work in the Cal Neva Lodge and shortly there after he worked in the Riverside Hotel of the Detroit borgata.
Riverside Hotel and casino in Reno owner Mert Wertheimer killed?????
Mert Wertheimer a gambler who is close to Moe Dalitz and Meyer Lansky invested for the Licavoli mob in the Riverside Hotel and casino in Reno. Graham had Frank Foster kill Mert Wertheimer in Reno who had the Riverside Hotel. Foster and Ted Newberry had clipped reporter Jake lingle.
Riverside Hotel and casino in Reno bankrupt
The Riverside Hotel of the Detroit mafia in which William Miller was coowner declared bankruptcy in 1962 after they had gotten a loan of 2,75 million dollars from the Teamsters pensionfund and McWillie starts to work in the Thunderbird.
McWillie told the Warren Commission that he was a "key man" at Lansky's Tropicana Casino in Cuba. Lewis J. McWillie worked in the Tropicana Hotel in Havanna and after that he had worked in the Capri Hotel Casino, he worked for years in Cuba for New York racketeer Meyer Lansky. In january 1961 left Lewis J McWillie Cuba with strong feelings of hostility to the Castro regime. (source Warren commission hearing). McWillie first went several months to Aruba and Curacao and then he went to work in the Cal Neva Lodge and shortly there after he worked in the Riverside Hotel of the Detroit borgata.
Riverside Hotel and casino in Reno owner Mert Wertheimer killed?????
Mert Wertheimer a gambler who is close to Moe Dalitz and Meyer Lansky invested for the Licavoli mob in the Riverside Hotel and casino in Reno. Graham had Frank Foster kill Mert Wertheimer in Reno who had the Riverside Hotel. Foster and Ted Newberry had clipped reporter Jake lingle.
Riverside Hotel and casino in Reno bankrupt
The Riverside Hotel of the Detroit mafia in which William Miller was coowner declared bankruptcy in 1962 after they had gotten a loan of 2,75 million dollars from the Teamsters pensionfund and McWillie starts to work in the Thunderbird.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
The Hoard ....
THE NEVADA "FITZGERALD" HOARD
The numismatic press has already covered Ron Gullio's
recent purchase of a Nevada casino warehouse hoard
of U.S. silver dollars and other material. Here are a few
excerpts from a June 3 Associated Press article about
the find:
"When coin dealer Ronald J. Gillio gazed in the musty
warehouse on the outskirts of Reno last year, he could
not believe his eyes: Inside were boxes and boxes of
commemorative casino spoons, matches, key chains
and coasters - gambling junk accumulated over decades.
Locked in safes in the warehouse was what he really
was after - bags and bags of silver dollars, more than
100,000 in all. There were also thousands of casino
chips in denominations from $1 to $100, old casino
counting machines, a Seeburg jukebox and three
vintage roulette wheels, including one with a rare
single zero slot.
Gillio, of Santa Barbara, Calif., bought it all - junk and
treasure - for an undisclosed price. The property had
been accumulated by the late Lincoln Fitzgerald, who
at one time owned the Nevada Club in downtown
Reno, the Nevada Lodge at Lake Tahoe and
Fitzgeralds in Reno.
Gillio dubbed the find "the Fitzgerald's hoard."
"Some of the items were displayed in Las Vegas
recently at an antique arms and coin show. Gillio
figures the face value of the coins and chips is about
$500,000.
"It is amazing what some people keep," he said.
"Things other people would throw away, Fitzgerald
kept. I guess he had a sentimental attachment to them.
It took us 60 days to clear out the warehouse."
"In the Fitzgerald stash, he found empty bags from the
Carson City Mint dating to the 1880s. While not
particularly valuable, Gillio figures the bags and other
gambling memorabilia have historical significance for
Nevada.
He plans to donate some items to the Nevada
Historical Society in Reno and the Nevada State
Museum in Carson City, which is in the same building
that housed the mint."
The numismatic press has already covered Ron Gullio's
recent purchase of a Nevada casino warehouse hoard
of U.S. silver dollars and other material. Here are a few
excerpts from a June 3 Associated Press article about
the find:
"When coin dealer Ronald J. Gillio gazed in the musty
warehouse on the outskirts of Reno last year, he could
not believe his eyes: Inside were boxes and boxes of
commemorative casino spoons, matches, key chains
and coasters - gambling junk accumulated over decades.
Locked in safes in the warehouse was what he really
was after - bags and bags of silver dollars, more than
100,000 in all. There were also thousands of casino
chips in denominations from $1 to $100, old casino
counting machines, a Seeburg jukebox and three
vintage roulette wheels, including one with a rare
single zero slot.
Gillio, of Santa Barbara, Calif., bought it all - junk and
treasure - for an undisclosed price. The property had
been accumulated by the late Lincoln Fitzgerald, who
at one time owned the Nevada Club in downtown
Reno, the Nevada Lodge at Lake Tahoe and
Fitzgeralds in Reno.
Gillio dubbed the find "the Fitzgerald's hoard."
"Some of the items were displayed in Las Vegas
recently at an antique arms and coin show. Gillio
figures the face value of the coins and chips is about
$500,000.
"It is amazing what some people keep," he said.
"Things other people would throw away, Fitzgerald
kept. I guess he had a sentimental attachment to them.
It took us 60 days to clear out the warehouse."
"In the Fitzgerald stash, he found empty bags from the
Carson City Mint dating to the 1880s. While not
particularly valuable, Gillio figures the bags and other
gambling memorabilia have historical significance for
Nevada.
He plans to donate some items to the Nevada
Historical Society in Reno and the Nevada State
Museum in Carson City, which is in the same building
that housed the mint."
Names to remember
Just thinking about the old Nevada Club brought back some names:
Mark De Santel
Oscar Dykes
Emma Baker
James Erwin
Wilford Nolan
Emmett Shea
Vern Peterson
Ed Beaty (Not sure if Beaty or Beatty)
Bettye Johnson
Thelma Ganz
Danny Fagan
Doc Ledford
Carl Konarske (Meta's Brother)
Jeanette Fenner
Alice Tuttle
I could probably list most of the dealers in Nevada at that time, most got their start with Fitz. Not many clubs then, and none trained but Fitz and Harold did some. Generally you started with Fitz and went elsewhere.
Mark was my shift manager when I started, the first one I talked with when reporting in to work my first morning. He is the one that sent me off to shill.
I remember most of them by their first names. I worked with Eddy Beaty many times, there were many rumors about him.
All of these folks were referred to by their first names. We seldom used their last names, but I do remember them by their first name.
Danny Fagan I worked with many times, and he helped me a lot when I was in training, an extremely nice guy. His brother also worked in the casinos.
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