Lions Club treated to Dallas history 101
, Managing Editor
10-11-2007
The Ennis Noon Lions Club received a history lesson Wednesday when Jim Gatewood spoke to the club concerning 1920s gambling and DFW history.
Gatewood is a Dallas historian who has written books covering both sides of the law. His bibliography is made up of works including Dallas “Super Cop” Captain Will Fritz, Dallas gambler and mob boss Benny Binion, preacher J. Frank Norris and boxer Lew Jenkins.
Gatewood’s program Wednesday touched on Norris, Jenkins and their connection to a casino in 1920s Arlington called the Top O’ Hill Casino.
“This was Las Vegas before there was Las Vegas,” Gatewood said.
The Top O’ Hill Casino was located at the current site of Arlington Baptist College. Gatewood said had he known of its existence when he attended school in Arlington he would have done anything to be a part of that scene. The casino sat on 37 acres and was previously owned by two sisters who had a tea garden that looked out toward Fort Worth.
Fred Browning wanted to build a “fortress for gamblers,” according to Gatewood, and the Top O’ Hill was that spot.
“Browning caught the spirit of the 1920s and he caught the oil rich wanting to gamble,” Gatewood said.
During Gatewood’s research for his book about Top O’ Hill Casino he met a man at a state history marker dedication ceremony that worked for Browning. Another source of information for Gatewood’s book was a deposition from a mafia enforcer and previous manager of the Top O’ Hill Casino – along with managing the Cuban casinos for the mob – that connected Texas philanthropist Sid Richardson to the casino. According to Gatewood, Richardson would appraise the property oilmen put down as collateral for a loan from the casino, which usually ended up in the possession of the casino after the gamblers continued to lose. Richardson would also make decisions regarding the future of the property as to whether or not it was wise to sell it.
Gatewood’s program also touched on Jenkins rise from a carnival bare-knuckle fighter to World Light Weight Champion by age 23. Gatewood said Jenkins’ story is one a movie producer needs to option because it is a fascinating story that he is very proud to have down in writing forever.
Gatewood greeted club members following the program and sold and autographed books. Gatewood’s books are titled “Captain Will Fritz and the Dallas Mafia,” “J. Frank Norris – Top O’ Hill Casino – Lew Jenkins and the Texas Oil Rich,” Benny Binion: The legend of Benny Binion, Dallas gambler and mob boss” and “Decker.”
Prior to Gatewood’s program, David Averitt was inducted as the newest member of the club with Miles Strunc as his sponsor.
The Ennis Noon Lions Club meets Wednesday at noon at the Ennis Country Club.
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