talk with her to see if she recognizes any of the names.

I will also have a discussion with my father. He still lives in the area (Mt. Pulaski) and last time I talked with him (a week ago) he said that he recalls Al Capone coming to Springfield every once in a while. He did not know where he went there, only that he was around from time to time.

He also mentioned a place called Gingham Gardens.

As I have mentioned before, my Grandfather's place (that I have chips from, that failed to open) was called The Corner and was located at 401 E. Monroe in the basement of the hotel he owned (I think it was called Springfield Hotel) which was entered from 224 4th Street. The property was located at the corner of 4th Street and Monroe, hence the name "The Corner". (These are where the T-mold "TCL" chips were to be used.

An earlier gaming operation that my Grandfather ran was Harmony Hall, which was originally called Roy Smith's Harmony Hall. It was outside of Springfield (in the County) but still on Monroe.

My Mother tells me that most of the places were called "bust-out joints" as they offered craps that were rigged. In fact, her oldest brother (now deceased) worked for my Grandfather as a stickman. As a kid I can remember him giving cautionary lessons to his kids and their cousins (me) about the dangers of craps. He showed us a skill he developed in swapping out gaffed dice for good dice. Please don't think he was givingh us lessons in how to cheat. The scenario was that over the years he was also interested in magic (sleight of hand stuff) and often entertained us. Anyway, the point I'm making is that the impression I have is that "honest" gaming was not offered!

Speaking of dice, I do have a lone die from the Harmony Hall operation that has a hot-stamped musical note on it. (I'll see if I can scan it and post it here.) Since my Grandfather was partial to Taylor and Co., perhaps the die is from there and there might be a record. Did Taylor sell gaffed dice?

Jim