Omaha’s Darker Side Gambling Men and Friendly Women

GAMBLERS WORK THE RIVER James “Umbrella Jim’ Miner James “Umbrella Jim’ Miner George H. Devol George H. Devol William “Canada Bill” Jones William “Canada Bill” Jones Dan Allen Dan Allen George Devol William “Canada Bill” Jones

3 Card Monte Gamblers worked in pairs Gamblers worked in pairs One set up the game, while the other got lost in the crowd One set up the game, while the other got lost in the crowd The operator let others win a few games The operator let others win a few games The #2 guy comes up and wins more than a few games The #2 guy comes up and wins more than a few games Others believe it to be easy and begin to play hard and lose hard Others believe it to be easy and begin to play hard and lose hard Meet up later and split the $$$ Meet up later and split the $$$

Dan Allen: “The Gentleman Gambler” Dan sets up his gaming room on the 2 nd floor of a pawn shop Dan sets up his gaming room on the 2 nd floor of a pawn shop Players never had to leave the table, waitresses came and served food/drinks Players never had to leave the table, waitresses came and served food/drinks Players could send their valuables down to the pawnshop below by a “dumb waiter” and get a fair price for their watches, etc. Players could send their valuables down to the pawnshop below by a “dumb waiter” and get a fair price for their watches, etc. The money would come back up and the player never left the table The money would come back up and the player never left the table Dan ran an honest operation Dan ran an honest operation

Anna Wilson: Omaha’s “Madame” Born in Boston, she moved to Omaha in 1875 and set up shop around 9 th and Douglas Streets. Born in Boston, she moved to Omaha in 1875 and set up shop around 9 th and Douglas Streets. She was known for having the prettiest and “best” girls in Omaha She was known for having the prettiest and “best” girls in Omaha She took in girls who had nothing and gave them a job and a fair cut of their earnings She took in girls who had nothing and gave them a job and a fair cut of their earnings She had a reputation of getting girls back on their feet She had a reputation of getting girls back on their feet She provided medical care to her girls - rarely done in that day She provided medical care to her girls - rarely done in that day

Anna Wilson and Dan Allen Anna kept to only 1 man during her time in Omaha – Dan Allen Anna kept to only 1 man during her time in Omaha – Dan Allen Customers who frequented Anna’s and Dan’s places were the elite of Omaha, due to it being clean and safe. Customers who frequented Anna’s and Dan’s places were the elite of Omaha, due to it being clean and safe. Customers were never treated poorly and never ripped off Customers were never treated poorly and never ripped off Dan died in 1884, Anna never loved again – no church would marry them due to who they were Dan died in 1884, Anna never loved again – no church would marry them due to who they were She committed herself to making better lives for her girls She committed herself to making better lives for her girls She begins to invest in real estate She begins to invest in real estate She dies in 1911 worth nearly a million $$ She dies in 1911 worth nearly a million $$

Anna Wilson and Clarkson Hospital Anna Wilson gives nearly all her fortune to charity Anna Wilson gives nearly all her fortune to charity She sells the mansion to the city for $25K on strict instructions that it become a medical facility for women She sells the mansion to the city for $25K on strict instructions that it become a medical facility for women She demands to be buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery among Omaha “upper class” She demands to be buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery among Omaha “upper class” Knowing that she will be dug up and moved, she orders that 5 feet of concrete be poured atop the grave. Knowing that she will be dug up and moved, she orders that 5 feet of concrete be poured atop the grave. The house becomes Clarkson hospital The house becomes Clarkson hospital

Anna Wilson - today To this day every Memorial Day at Prospect Hill Cemetery, a brass band will play at her grave To this day every Memorial Day at Prospect Hill Cemetery, a brass band will play at her grave Her story is always told on Memorial Day as well Her story is always told on Memorial Day as well A single Red or Yellow rose will be placed atop the grave at the end of the ceremony A single Red or Yellow rose will be placed atop the grave at the end of the ceremony

Celebrating Anna Wilson