The hundred or so “establishments” that composed Lemont’s Smokey Row between 1893 and 1897 called themselves saloons, clubs, gambling halls, brothels, or dance halls. They had names like The Standard Club, The Big Casino, The Palace Saloon, The King of Hearts, Ted Boyle’s Place, Jawoski’s Place, Mazzie’s Place, and The Silver Dollar. Typically, in addition to liquor and gambling, women were part of the “trade”, and entertainment such as nude dancing was readily available.

The women and the saloons changed their names as frequently as they changed their clothes. The “female companions” of the day were extremely greedy. On payday, after the workday ended, the tops of the workers’ heads could be seen bobbing along as they approached Smokey Row, and the competition began. Women didn’t wait for the men to arrive but rushed out clothed in exotic dress—and a range of undress—to entice and latch onto a “gentleman” for the night. Often, the “ladies of the evening” fell to battling each other over patrons, sometimes wrestling in the front yard of a resident.

The cost of a prostitute in a house of ill repute could be as little as twenty-five cents. Prostitution wasn’t legal, but the “ladies” kept business going by paying protection to town officials. Saloon and gambling-house owners similarly passed a few dollars for “blind eyes.”

One such lady, Hattie Briggs, was over six feet tall and weighed 250 pounds. Her trademark was a long red coat. Hattie made her fortune by stealing from her customers, grabbing a victim, taking his money, and throwing him out the door. She was so successful that her friends flocked from out of town to join her, setting up their own businesses. The result was an increase in rentals of vacant buildings, so that honest businessmen profited from Hattie’s trade too.

Another middle-aged woman, Sarah Brown, gave her name as “Sarah Bernhardt.” She was so popular among the patrons of Smokey Row that when she was arrested in one of the town’s infrequent raids, a mob estimated at over a hundred men fought each other to post her bail.

To be continued…

Where you will find me!

October 19, Sunday morning, you will find me at a vendor booth at:

The Annual Run with the Nuns

Mount Assisi 13860 Main St. Lemont

* Sunday, Oct. 19th, Race Day beginning at 7:30 AM

You can also register as a VIRTUAL RUNNER until Race Day.

Registration/Information Link: MAA Run with the Nuns

October 29, Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. I’ll be talking at the Lemont Library about The Ghosts of Lemont. This is a free program.

News

Those of you who have read my memoir, Staying Alive is a Lot of Work: Me and My Cancer, or who follow me on Facebook, will know that I am a survivor of head and neck cancer.

I am proud to be able to announce that I have recently been selected to be an Ambassador for the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance. This organization works closely with the American Head and Neck Society, and with SPOHNC, Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer. The mission of these organizations is to provide awareness of Head and Neck Cancers and to provide support to the victims and caregivers of this nasty disease. As an Ambassador I will help in this mission.

I will be representing the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance at the David Rubenstein Forum at the University of Chicago on October 24, as part of a panel discussion at the International Tracheostomy Symposium titled Beyond Survival: Redefining Quality of Life in Tracheostomy Care.

Praise for Last Call at Smokey Row

Delighted with this five star review from Readers’ Favorite Reviews:

 Last Call at Smokey Row, a captivating novel by Pat Camalliere, beautifully portrays a slice of life from a recently bygone era, blending the mundane with the bizarre. Engaging and masterfully composed, Last Call at Smokey Row by Pat Camalliere is an easy-to-read yet sophisticated story tinged with nostalgia and familiarity. The novel explores multiple themes, including loneliness, self-discovery, friendship, and the fragility of life. Character development is outstanding, featuring a range of personalities from good-natured barflies to unexpected villains … The pace is smooth and consistent, which, combined with one of the most impressive writing styles I’ve ever encountered, creates a relatable and immersive read. Overall, it is a truly excellent work that will appeal to fans of various genres, and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

            — Reviewed by Gaius Konstantine for Readers’ Favorite