Davenport Democrat Davenport, Scott, Iowa July 20, 1924 Davenporters' Thirst Was Satisfied Decade Ago by 200 Saloons Two hundred saloons flourishing in Davenport was the highest point of municipal saturation reached here in the old days before the successive waves of reform eliminated old "Bucktown" and turned that old resort district into wholesale and business section. Before the reform Davenport was known throughout the country as one of the wettest and most wide-open cities in America. Most of those saloons ran wide open the year 'round, never closing for a single hour day or night. When the midnight closing law was first put into effect, many of the proprietors had to rush to the locksmiths to order keys, never before having occasion to lock their doors. But there was something worse than saloon. There were things far worse. There was "the dump" operated under the disguise of a saloon, which was no more than a rendezvous for thieves and other criminals. There was the all night wine room, harboring men and women and girls and boys of tender years. Painted women freely roamed the streets of the city. Gambling houses and assignation resorts ran openly and without restraint. It was these conditions that led the late Bishop Cosgrove during a visit to Chicago, to term Davenport the wickedest city in the world. And it was under such conditions as these that the Mabray gang made its headquarters here for several years, swindling their dupes out of millions on fake horse races, prize fights, land deals, false tips on the stock market, etc. It was Rev. Giglinger, at that time secretary to Bishop Cosgrove, who demanded the first reform. He confined his efforts to what he considered the greatest evil-the wine room. Under threat of enforcing the prohibition law, he compelled "Brick" Munro, "Jock" Manwaring, "Perl" Galvin, "Clay" Woodward, and other east-end saloon keepers to suppress their wine rooms and bar women and girls from their places of business. As Rev. Ginglinger had no organization behind him, the effect of his reform was but temporary. Davenport's Latin quarter, variously called Bucktown and the Red Light district, included most of the region west of Perry street to the government bridge, and extending from the river to Third street. It is estimated that in its most flourishing days Bucktown contained no fewer than 40 saloons and almost as many houses of ill repute. The latter also sold liquor. In addition to its saloons, "dumps" and sporting resorts, "Bucktown" contained a number of variety theaters. There was the Standard, the Bijou, and the Orpheon. They operated wine rooms and drinks were served throughout the performances. The "programs" as they were called oftentimes continued until the early hours of morning. At Brick's Pavilion the lights burned merrily and the "bear cat", the Cubanois glide," and other "classics" were in full swing from 8 o'clock at night until 7 o'clock in the morning. The whole east end after nightfall was one blaze of lights and the sounds of revelry, of discordant orchestras, mechanical pianos, broken-voiced sopranos, and shuffling feet floated upon the night air. For years, Brick Munro was known as the King of Bucktown. His famous pavilion, according to his own statement, oftentimes entertained as many as a thousand people on a single night. His weekly receipts it is said, never ran short of $2500 and generally exceeded this sum. To use his own words, his place was a gold mine. Davenport's gambling houses were also famous all over the west. There was the Eldorado, the Senate, the Saratoga, the Ozark and many others. Continuous poker games running three to four days and at times as long as a week were not infrequent. Bert Smith, who in later years made and lost a fortune on "bookmaking" at Hot Springs was generally the promoter of these games of endurance. Among the best known "boss" gamblers were Sam Stucky, "Smokey" Reese, Hughey Corrigan, Ike Gray, "Cully" Flannigan, Charlie Gordon and Os Reynolds. Cathy Joynt Labath Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/index.htm Iowa Old Press http://www.IowaOldPress.com/