I don't know what prompted it, but Jack Bailey came to mind this morning. He didn't have anything to do with the Nevada Club, but he was "old Nevada."
Reno, late fifties, the Primmadonna, Jack was a box man and a floor boss. I don't know his background, but I do know it would be of interest. My guess would be that he worked in many of the old "joints" around the country, he was another one of those that did not talk too much about their past, and, you knew enough to not ask.
Jack liked nice, expensive clothes and suits. He would come to work wearing a nice suit and an expensive pair of shoes, generally, alligator or some exotic leather. We had lockers, and Jack would head to his locker, take off those expensive shoes, and put on a pair of old shoes, with worn soles, some even had holes in them. If the occasion arose, and some customer complained about losing money or being broke, he was sometimes given a glimpse of a worn shoe, with a hole in it, just to emphasise just how poor we all were.
I remember on one occasions, someone from the Accounting Department approached Jack at the table, called him aside, and asked if he could PLEASE cash some of his old paychecks. He apparently would go home on payday and throw his paycheck in a drawer at his home, and forget about them.
Just another of my Nevada acquaintances that came in and out of my life, but left a lasting impression. The only guy I ever knew who had to be asked to cash his paychecks.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
A great site with a lot of information
A great link with much interesting information about the history of the club.
http://www.oldreno.net/nevadaclub.htm
http://www.oldreno.net/nevadaclub.htm
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
What was his name?
In the 50's there was a well known "slot" man who owned real estate in Reno. Some friends of mine rented from him. Alice Tuttle and Jeanette Fenner were two of them. I think his aame was Bob, but not sure of his last name. His photograph hung in every casino in Nevada. He was GREAT with slot machines. He had one of every kind in his basement.
I never figured out how he did it, I don't think he drilled or anything like that, he seemed to work the handle and that did his work for him.
The last I heard of him, a "group" got together at Harold's Club, Keno. THEY hit a $1.10 Eight Spot for $25,000. He was in on it and was the one to go to the counter to pick up the 25M. Instead, someone in the group got antsy, and when he went to pick up the money he was arrested. Problem with most "hits," too many people get involved and someone rats out the rest. "Too many cooks spoil the broth," so to speak.
Ralph Roberts, from Southern Indiana, a great guy, was on the floor at the Primm for a while, last I saw him he had a small club in Fallon, I think it was. He had the pit, little to no money. If someone broke a 20, they would have to take it next door to get 20 more silver, operating on a shoestring. I remember one of his suits, nice black material, but a red silk lining. Always wanted one of those. One of the first things I get when I hit the lottery. Double breasted black, twin vents, 1/2 inch cuffs on the sleeves, red silk lining. Would like to be buried in that.
Jim and Alice Tuttle always had fantastic Christmases. The saved their "tokes" and spent them on Christmas. That amounted to a great deal of money in those days. Alice did 21 at Harolds and Jimmy worked at different stores, but always good ones, a "store" being a casino. I worked with him at The Lodge at Tahoe once.
Ray Slattery, "Slats," worked for Fitz, one heck of a nice guy. He was and had been a professional bowler, but somehow got sidetracked. Slats, like most of us, loved to party. In those days it was a full time party with a little work done in between. Slats got wrapped up in it, decided he had to "get out." One morning, he packed his stuff and we drove him to the outskirts of Tahoe, let him out, and he started thumbing his way to California. Never heard from him after that. I used to watch the PBA in hopes of seeing him on there, never did.
A neat "fraternity" of people, all different walks of life, never got to know many of them well, like "ships passing in the night," so to speak, but never forgotten people. Many unique, some with questionable backgrounds, like Doc Ledford at the lake, as nice as they come, but you never asked about his "past" or his future. There was a lot of that in Nevada in those days.
But some never to be forgotten "friends."
I never figured out how he did it, I don't think he drilled or anything like that, he seemed to work the handle and that did his work for him.
The last I heard of him, a "group" got together at Harold's Club, Keno. THEY hit a $1.10 Eight Spot for $25,000. He was in on it and was the one to go to the counter to pick up the 25M. Instead, someone in the group got antsy, and when he went to pick up the money he was arrested. Problem with most "hits," too many people get involved and someone rats out the rest. "Too many cooks spoil the broth," so to speak.
Ralph Roberts, from Southern Indiana, a great guy, was on the floor at the Primm for a while, last I saw him he had a small club in Fallon, I think it was. He had the pit, little to no money. If someone broke a 20, they would have to take it next door to get 20 more silver, operating on a shoestring. I remember one of his suits, nice black material, but a red silk lining. Always wanted one of those. One of the first things I get when I hit the lottery. Double breasted black, twin vents, 1/2 inch cuffs on the sleeves, red silk lining. Would like to be buried in that.
Jim and Alice Tuttle always had fantastic Christmases. The saved their "tokes" and spent them on Christmas. That amounted to a great deal of money in those days. Alice did 21 at Harolds and Jimmy worked at different stores, but always good ones, a "store" being a casino. I worked with him at The Lodge at Tahoe once.
Ray Slattery, "Slats," worked for Fitz, one heck of a nice guy. He was and had been a professional bowler, but somehow got sidetracked. Slats, like most of us, loved to party. In those days it was a full time party with a little work done in between. Slats got wrapped up in it, decided he had to "get out." One morning, he packed his stuff and we drove him to the outskirts of Tahoe, let him out, and he started thumbing his way to California. Never heard from him after that. I used to watch the PBA in hopes of seeing him on there, never did.
A neat "fraternity" of people, all different walks of life, never got to know many of them well, like "ships passing in the night," so to speak, but never forgotten people. Many unique, some with questionable backgrounds, like Doc Ledford at the lake, as nice as they come, but you never asked about his "past" or his future. There was a lot of that in Nevada in those days.
But some never to be forgotten "friends."
Monday, November 29, 2010
Gone but not forgotten ....................
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 ..............
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 ..............
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 ...........................................
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