Baptists, Bootleggers, and Everything in Between

Baptists, Bootleggers, and Everything in Between

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Baptists, Bootleggers, and Everything in Between
Baptists, Bootleggers, and Everything in Between
Chief Askew's Diary: June 10, 1930

Chief Askew's Diary: June 10, 1930

He cracks down on slot machines in the city; they were a plague on the nation

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Kathryn Smith
Jun 10, 2025
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Baptists, Bootleggers, and Everything in Between
Baptists, Bootleggers, and Everything in Between
Chief Askew's Diary: June 10, 1930
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“We started out this morning investigating the Slot machines in the City and found most of them to be straight out Gambling Devices, according to our Judgment,” Chief Askew wrote.

While this brings to mind the prefect of police in Casablanca proclaiming himself “shocked, shocked” to find gambling going on at Rick’s Cafe, Chief Askew wasn’t the only law enforcement official cracking down on slot machines. Paid subscribers can read on.

This colorful 1930s slot machine is being offered by a dealer on eBay.

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