))
Chap.4 -Gamblers - Epis.1 - Westlake Gambling Places - Mervin Ash Prop.
Manage episode 352513910 series 3413422
Content provided by Emmett Shelton, Sr. and Emmett Shelton. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Emmett Shelton, Sr. and Emmett Shelton or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.
Emmett Shelton (1905-2000) shares stories about gambling halls around Westlake, roughly 100 years ago.
Mervin Ash was a big-time gambler and had number of partners around Austin. He sold liquor and ran gambling houses - one at the site of St. Stevens another at the place of the County Line. He got the rich and powerful from Austin in - and got them to bet big money.
One of Austin's notorious gamblers, Jack Duval, was Mervin's partner. After years of problems with the law, Jack got ambushed at a shoeshine parlor on Congress Ave. by two different caliber bullets.
Roy Schnautz opened a gambling club on Bee Creek. It was against the deed restrictions, so Emmett sued them. Interesting settlement.
And then, Emmett tells about the first night of the Cedar Crest Nightclub - predecessor to the County Line on the Hill. Beautiful exclusive place. Magic!
In the end, Mervin Ash made a brazen offer of a new car to the local chief of police in front of the car dealer. That was the last straw. Mervin's undoing was his own vanity.
Music "In the Danger Zone" by Emmett's son Polk Shelton
For maps and other info check out our Facebook page: Our Westlake
Stories told by Emmett Shelton / compiled and submitted by Cynthia Shelton.
79 episodes
Share
