Heard from another "disclaimer"

fred bentivegna

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Been on the phone the last coupla days talking to, Bernie "the Hawk" Schwartz. He was one of the 3 famous top notch 9 ballers from Pittsburg. Incardona, Jimmy Marino, and Bernie. At different times they all played just about as good as anybody -- and for big money also.
Bernie came to DCC and the HOF dinner for the first time and said he really enjoyed himself. He would like to see Paul Brusloff (Jew Paul) inducted next year into the Action Side of the 1pkt HOF. Bernie is good friends with Paul and said Paul would be pleased.

The reason for Bernie's initial call was to curse me out for including him on my one pocket beat list. He said his son had somehow come across his name on the infamous list and he embarrassingly had had to initially deny it vehemently, citing he seldom if ever played one pocket. Which was partly true. It was only after I stirred his 76,77, or 78 yr old memory (I have learned to be careful when giving out someones age) with details such as the table (the corner one by the toilet in The Rack), my backer (the Porno producer, Mike Weldon), the game (either 9 to 8 on my break or straight 9-8 --I spotted him) and the outcome (a short set for either 1k or 1500), did he grudgingly, slightly concede to the possibility that that might have happened. I did soothe his pride somewhat with the consolation that I wouldnt have taken the 6 ball from him playing 9 ball -- which was also true.
All in all, we had a great time on the phone cutting up all the old jackpots. Bernie has been out of the pool loop for about 30 years at least.

I tried to talk him into coming on the forum, but he said he is totally computer illiterate.

He said if it was absolutely necessary I could give SJD his phone number and he would at least partially confirm my story.

Now as to the other disclaim re Steve the Lizard Smith, by you-know-who, quote,"...You couldn't have given him sh*t, playing anything but banks."
I have ordered Steve's book thru Amazon. Bill Porter said I was mentioned a few times in it, maybe the Liz confirmed my claim? :lol (The Liz is probably like all of us oldies, we only have a good memory for the wins)

Beard
 

BillPorter

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Having lent Steve's book to a friend of mine, I can't check on what he said about you, but as I recall, the locale was Hot Springs. BTW, Billy Carrelli has a funny story about you and Little Al Mason in that same locale, many years ago.:D
 

fred bentivegna

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What was the story?

What was the story?

Having lent Steve's book to a friend of mine, I can't check on what he said about you, but as I recall, the locale was Hot Springs. BTW, Billy Carrelli has a funny story about you and Little Al Mason in that same locale, many years ago.:D

Was the story in Liz's book? Carrelli was hanging out with us at Hot Springs then too. He was a trainer with horses running at Oak Lawn Race Track.

Beard
 

SJDinPHX

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He said if it was absolutely necessary I could give SJD his phone number and he would at least partially confirm my story.

Now as to the other disclaim re Steve the Lizard Smith, by you-know-who, quote,"...You couldn't have given him sh*t, playing anything but banks."
I have ordered Steve's book thru Amazon. Bill Porter said I was mentioned a few times in it, maybe the Liz confirmed my claim? :lol (The Liz is probably like all of us oldies, we only have a good memory for the wins) <--This is somewhat true...However, I have long forgotten "both my losses"... Its the 1000's of winners I have trouble remembering...Obviously, not a problem you are burdened with ! ..:D

Beard
I am hesitant to comment on anything you say these days,.. as I do not want to be the one who causes your delicate feelngs, to lead to a coronary...(or worse yet, a 'mob contract' on me)..:eek:

So take your best shot(s), without fear of retaliation..;)

The Duck. <--Is filled with benevolence this fine morning..(BJ from Eva last night..:))
 
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usblues

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Ahhhhh.....

Ahhhhh.....

.....that Hot Springs musta been a gas back then.First Capone,then Titanic,then Freddie etc. etc.Some towns burn bright then there done,sometimes they return,sometimes not.Tombstone,Norfolk,Saratoga,Mississippi River towns.......why did they call him the "Hawk"?None of my business....adieu,James
 

Cowboy Dennis

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Been on the phone the last coupla days talking to, Bernie "the Hawk" Schwartz. He was one of the 3 famous top notch 9 ballers from Pittsburg. Incardona, Jimmy Marino, and Bernie. At different times they all played just about as good as anybody -- and for big money also.
Bernie came to DCC and the HOF dinner for the first time and said he really enjoyed himself. He would like to see Paul Brusloff (Jew Paul) inducted next year into the Action Side of the 1pkt HOF. Bernie is good friends with Paul and said Paul would be pleased.

The reason for Bernie's initial call was to curse me out for including him on my one pocket beat list. He said his son had somehow come across his name on the infamous list and he embarrassingly had had to initially deny it vehemently, citing he seldom if ever played one pocket. Which was partly true. It was only after I stirred his 76,77, or 78 yr old memory (I have learned to be careful when giving out someones age) with details such as the table (the corner one by the toilet in The Rack), my backer (the Porno producer, Mike Weldon), the game (either 9 to 8 on my break or straight 9-8 --I spotted him) and the outcome (a short set for either 1k or 1500), did he grudgingly, slightly concede to the possibility that that might have happened. I did soothe his pride somewhat with the consolation that I wouldnt have taken the 6 ball from him playing 9 ball -- which was also true.
All in all, we had a great time on the phone cutting up all the old jackpots. Bernie has been out of the pool loop for about 30 years at least.

I tried to talk him into coming on the forum, but he said he is totally computer illiterate.

He said if it was absolutely necessary I could give SJD his phone number and he would at least partially confirm my story.

Now as to the other disclaim re Steve the Lizard Smith, by you-know-who, quote,"...You couldn't have given him sh*t, playing anything but banks."
I have ordered Steve's book thru Amazon. Bill Porter said I was mentioned a few times in it, maybe the Liz confirmed my claim? :lol (The Liz is probably like all of us oldies, we only have a good memory for the wins)

Beard

That table at the Rack was the most aromatic:).

Paul should be in some type of HOF for his action status. The man was an animal. I posted just one story on here about what I saw him do as far as playing for a couple of days without rest. I always smile when I envision the Nikes that he wore with the ends cut off both shoes so his toes could stick out the ends. He'd come in wearing probably a $2000 suit & shoes but when gambling he looked hilarious. My first trip ever to the Rack I saw Paul playing Clyde Childress $4000 per game one-pocket on the snooker table, Ronnie Harmelin behind the counter holding the money after each game. He won that night and I fell in love with one-pocket on a snooker table.

Dennis
 

fred bentivegna

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Probably his beak

Probably his beak

.....that Hot Springs musta been a gas back then.First Capone,then Titanic,then Freddie etc. etc.Some towns burn bright then there done,sometimes they return,sometimes not.Tombstone,Norfolk,Saratoga,Mississippi River towns.......why did they call him the "Hawk"?None of my business....adieu,James

Bernie had a hook nose. That might have been the reason. Not a bad looking guy, however. His poolroom in Pittsburg was called The Hawk's Nest. Bernie had a great wife who died a few years back. She probably had more gamble than him. Went everywhere with him and could bark with the best of them. Played very good gin rummy. They both were a daily staple at The Rack.

Beard

Re Hot Springs, lets not forget, Hubert Cokes had a gun fight with the Sheriff of Hot Springs over a woman. Hubert didnt miss, Sheriff dead, and Ellis Cokes, Hubert's son born of the woman in question. Ellis still lives in Hot Springs.
 
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SJDinPHX

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I tried to talk him into coming on the forum, but he said he is totally computer illiterate.

He said if it was absolutely necessary I could give SJD his phone number and he would at least partially confirm my story.

Beard

Not necessary, I'm just happy for you, that you are finding people still 'above ground' and coherent enough to remember whatever YOU tell them to say...JK JK :D

PS..ALL of my peer's are still alive and well...(most of them anyway...Well at least three)...Oops, just read the Obit's...Make that two..:rolleyes:
 

usblues

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Hot Springs....

Hot Springs....

.....though almost as lawless as Hot Springs theres an old mining town in AZ in the mountains called Jerome.Theres a biker bar on the main drag and the mayor also is the bartender.He was about 35 or so when I met him.Maybe the only place with a pool table.More than a few colorful folks in that town.I often wonder about Hot Springs,did the springs dry up or did the freeway system bypass the town?
 

fred bentivegna

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It turned Yuppie

It turned Yuppie

.....though almost as lawless as Hot Springs theres an old mining town in AZ in the mountains called Jerome.Theres a biker bar on the main drag and the mayor also is the bartender.He was about 35 or so when I met him.Maybe the only place with a pool table.More than a few colorful folks in that town.I often wonder about Hot Springs,did the springs dry up or did the freeway system bypass the town?

With all the hurricanes in Fla and the brush fires in CA, many people who require a 2nd home have transplanted to Hot Springs. The town is booming -- economy wise. Situated in a sort of a basin, even tornadoes usually go over or around it.

Beard

Steve the Lizard has included a nice chapter about his Hot Springs experience in his new book. A 30 page preview is available off of this link.
http://books.google.com/books?id=0L3ASL0E9W8C&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

I appear in the book, of course. How did the Liz paint me? You will have to read the book or the preview to find out.
 

Deeman

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.....though almost as lawless as Hot Springs theres an old mining town in AZ in the mountains called Jerome.Theres a biker bar on the main drag and the mayor also is the bartender.He was about 35 or so when I met him.Maybe the only place with a pool table.More than a few colorful folks in that town.I often wonder about Hot Springs,did the springs dry up or did the freeway system bypass the town?

The hot springs are still there, what changed was the perceived value of their medicinal quality. It was most popular up until FDR times but most bathhouses did not survive beyond the late 1950!s. We have a family vacation home there on Lake Hamilton and I have seen most of the changes over the years. My first experience in the 1950's saw pool halls and gambling all over e place as well as the Race Track. In fact, the second and third times I met Fats was there (first time in Blythville). A ton of killings and a play place for vacationing Mafia types then. Entire government corrupt and especially the law enforcement.

Funny seeing all the mob type guys on boats on Lake Hamilton in suits and ties while everyone else was in swimsuits! Kinda made them stand out as the locals said. I heard that Hubert was not then only one to shoot someone there as Ti was supposed to have killed a guy there as well. Junior Goff was supposed to have unloaded a .45 at a guy at arms length but couldn't hit him. All they did was take his gun away. It was said the guy he was shooting at was Bill Clinton's step-father but the sherrif thought little of him!

most of the stuff going on now in Hot Sprimgs supports the retirees and vacationers that have homes in the area. To me, it is much less entertaining than in the past. I'll be there again in July but only for the scuba diving and track.

DeeMan
 

usblues

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I just....

I just....

.....googled Hot Springs Deeman and now I understand the attraction for the gangsters.It was Vegas before Vegas!With water and mountains,and corrupt cops.In the one picture of Main St. in front of the big hotel you can just imagine Titanic and the gangsters sunnin themselves in the big rockin chairs on the porch.Thats where they was sittin when Titanic sprung the watermelon con on em.The Golden Age of billiards,horse races and boxing.Its a must see men,check it out,cheers,Jack
 

fred bentivegna

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Another attraction...

Another attraction...

.....googled Hot Springs Deeman and now I understand the attraction for the gangsters.It was Vegas before Vegas!With water and mountains,and corrupt cops.In the one picture of Main St. in front of the big hotel you can just imagine Titanic and the gangsters sunnin themselves in the big rockin chairs on the porch.Thats where they was sittin when Titanic sprung the watermelon con on em.The Golden Age of billiards,horse races and boxing.Its a must see men,check it out,cheers,Jack


This is just another draw down there. They have (or had) strip joints on downtown Central Ave. The legal age to strip in Hot Springs was 16! Yessir. Couldnt drink, but could strip. Billy Wells an old scuff who bartended down there put together a trio to party with one night. His taste was excellent and it included one 3/4 bull dagger and one aforementioned minimum ager, all from the strip joint. God forgive me.

Beard
 

P00lh0li0

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I heard about that stuff about Hot Springs before too back when I was small but never really believed it. I couldn't believe people from chicago, etc would come all the way to AR to vacation. Then again, I just recently learned to be true that many towns hired former "guests" of various penal institutions like Cummins as law enforcement.
 

fred bentivegna

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First time there....

First time there....

I heard about that stuff about Hot Springs before too back when I was small but never really believed it. I couldn't believe people from chicago, etc would come all the way to AR to vacation. Then again, I just recently learned to be true that many towns hired former "guests" of various penal institutions like Cummins as law enforcement.

...was 1944. I was 4 yrs old. My father used to take his vacations down there, and that was the first year I got to go. My whole neighborhood used to go down there in the spring for their race meet at Oak Lawn Park. In those days there was no winter racing in Chicago.

Beard

Our own forum poster, Champagne (Little Sammy) is the one to see when you are down there.
 
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