***
In a Uniontown PA
Cemetery
Here lies the body
of Jonathan Blake
Stepped on the gas
instead of the brake
Continued from last
issue. . .
Some of the
dealers at the Brown were: Jim Dolan, Earl Whitehead (from New York), Howard
Johnson, Cliff Marshall, Fred Dixon, Frank Dixon, Pete Dixon, Fred Tulley,
Jake Grigsby, Claver Grigsby, Joe Henson, Harry “Pop” Henson, I always thought
Pop was a dealer but Virginia says he was a cashier. Pop’s wife, Laurie, was a
good friend of my mother and as a youngster I was in their house quite a bit.
It always struck me as odd that Pap smoked Lucky Strikes and Laurie smoked
Bull Durham, roll your own. Harry also wore hundred dollar suits and fifty
dollar shoes. A lot of money for back then. I don’t suppose that Laurie Henson
ever got out of the town of French Lick, attended a movie or ate in a fine
restaurant. Although Tom Taggart vigorously denied any association whatever
with the gambling industry it was a well known fact in French Lick that he got
his “take” from Ed Ballard. It
was also common
knowledge that the governor of Indiana got his “kick back”. Many people tried
but no one was ever able to connect Tom Taggart with the gambling
establishments that existed all around his hotel properties.
The Elite Club ;
Just what the name implies, a dining and gambling club that was elegant in
every way. They also booked nationally known nightclub acts for the
entertainment of their patrons. This club was built by Joe Ballard, Ed’s
brother. Logan Ballard, also a brother, had an interest in the club. These two
brothers also owned the Grand Hotel on Macinac Island, Michigan. Logan Ballard
died in 1923 and Joe passed away in 1930. After his death, Joe’s wife, Olive,
assumed control of his gambling empire. For two or three years she called upon
her first cousin, Tom Ellis, to manage the Grand Hotel. It was a well-known
fact that Olive Ballard was the richest woman in the Valley. When Governor
Schricker closed all the gambling spots in Indiana, Olive Ballard sold the
Elite to the American Legion at a very decent price. I don’t remember about
this but she may have donated it to them. Young Tom Taggart also donated the
Taggart limousine, a Rolls Royce automobile, I forget the year but the Legion
still pulls it out on special occasions. The American Legion Post 76 still
owns the building. Some dealers : Jim Dolan, Cliff Marshall, Pete
Dixon.
The Gorge
Inn:
This exquisite
gambling and dining club was also owned and operated by Joe Ballard