Holdup at Sharkey's

Long before MGM built its casino in Springfield, persons interested in gambling had to seek out illegal sites to place their bets. One of these was Sharkey’s, which was located on Longmeadow Street at the state line. A century ago, in December 1920, Sharkey’s made the news. At 3:15 in the morning on December 20, seven masked bandits held up a gambling party which was being held at Sharkey’s café and they got away with about $15,000 in cash and $5,000 in jewelry. Twenty-six gamblers, many of them high rollers from Springfield and NYC, were robbed. Here is the story from one who claimed to be “on the inside” as reported in the Springfield Republican of December 20, 1920.

“The gunmen were led to the second floor and three of them stood outside, the other four entering the room. Much gun play followed and the gamblers were told to ‘shell out and damn quick about it.’ There was some hesitating by the gamblers. One of them approached ‘Blue Patton’ and relieved him of $300. Joe Marshall, another player, handed over a diamond ring worth $1200. John Madden gave up a valuable watch and chain and $1000 in cash. About $400 was Herman Manner’s contribution and Jack Roache lost $1200 in bills. The bandits met some opposition from Terry Goldberg. He gave them $300 and one of them asked for a ring that Goldberg was wearing. Not wishing to lose the ring Goldberg pretended he couldn’t get it from his finger. “Give me the hammer,” shouted one gunman and a wicked looking wrench was produced. Goldberg received a blow on the hand and immediately gave up his ring. “Sam the Baker”, an Italian, put a valuable ring in his mouth and managed to hang on to it. When the robbers found nothing on the Italian, they struck him on the head with a revolver. The man who ran the game and the roll hid behind a curtain but was detected in the act by one of the robbers, and badly beaten for his attempted detection.”

The robbers then quickly left the building, took the spark plugs from the car in which they had come, cut several telephone wires, then left in a car with New York plates. The gamblers returned to Springfield. The article asserted that these gambling sessions have been regular features of the nightlife of Sharkey’s. Most of the gamblers had made their fortunes through the sale of liquor, an illegal activity during Prohibition. John Sharkey charged $10 for the rental of his back room. Not surprisingly, the state police visited Sharkey’s after this incident and arrested John when they found that he had a gambling device. This device was a slot machine, but it was not a slot machine like you would find at MGM today. This was a small, portable machine that accepted pennies. And, if you won, you won a cigar. Sharkey pled guilty to this crime and paid a $50 fine.

Vintage cigar slot machine

Aside from hosting these nefarious activities, Sharkey's had a dance pavilion and sold gasoline and fuel.

Sources: Springfield Republican, December 20, 1920; January 5, 1921

Contributed by Elizabeth Hoff, Longmeadow Historical Society Board Member

Originally published December 10. 2020

"Instantly Killed by a Bull" The Death of Young Gaius Bliss

Have you ever noticed this gravestone in the Longmeadow Cemetery? While not common, causes of death were sometimes included on gravestones in the 18th and 19th centuries. The largest number of these seem to be for accidental deaths--perhaps meant as a cautionary tale.

"In memory of Gaius son of Mr Gaius and Mrs Eunice Bliss who was instantly killed by a Bull Nov 16, 1814 aged 15"

In 1814, 15 year old Gaius Bliss was "instantly killed by a bull." While horses were used for farm work as well as transportation, oxen were critical for much farm work. They were less selective about what they ate, they needed less gear for control and they were very smart. Typical training could take up to four years, and the animals could learn dozens of commands. According to an issue of Old Sturbridge Visitor, (Summer 2011), oxen start out as a male bull calf, and once neutered they are called steers. They earn the title of oxen when they have been trained to obey commands such as: haw (turn left), gee (turn right), or whoa--we all know what that one means!

In spite of their intelligence, they are large animals, weighing in at nearly a ton when fully grown. We don't know exactly what happened to young Gaius, and the fact that his stone says "bull" and not oxen might suggest a different beast, but the process of yoking or unyoking oxen was inherently dangerous, as these animals have large horns. Another gravestone with a similar story in Warren, MA states that 14 year old Joseph Kar "who was killed June 30th 1770 by onyoking a pair of Oxen." Young boys were often given the responsibility of training a team of oxen.

Young Gaius' unexpected and tragic death was a reminder to all of his family and neighbors of the fragility of life and that tomorrow was promised to no one. A journal belonging to his cousin Hannah Bliss, also of Longmeadow, is now in the collections of the MA Historical Society archives. She mentions the incident in her journal:

"Novem 17 Thurs

Have this morning heard of the death of Cousin Gaius Bliss he was killed by a bull surprising was his death to me O may this solemn dispensation of thy holy providence be the means of preparing of us all for our own great and last change."

A similar fate in Warren, MA 1770

1390 Longmeadow Street, Home of Gaius Bliss

Betsy and Al McKee have made a study of gravestones, with a special interest in causes of death found on gravestones. Their photo collection of gravestones numbers more than 30,000.

Contributed by Betsy McKee, Board Member, Longmeadow Historical Society

Originally published December 3, 2020

Thanks and Giving: Emeline Colton's Friendship Journal

On this day of Thanks and Giving, we wanted to reach out to our friends near and far and share a recent and wonderful addition to the Longmeadow Historical Society's collection: Emeline Colton's Friendship Journal from the 1820s. In this charming book are collected small gifts of written verse and sentiment bestowed upon Emeline by friends and family. It is a prime example of how donor dollars help us to fulfill the mission of the Longmeadow Historical Society to preserve our town's history and inspire public awareness of the people, places, and events that have contributed to Longmeadow's history.

Emeline Colton's Friendship Journal Storrs House Museum Archives

Marbled cover typical of 1820's journals like Emeline Colton's

This little gem was listed on eBay this past summer as an “Antique 1822 MANUSCRIPT FRIENDSHIP BOOK Handwritten Journal POETRY New England.” It belonged to Emeline Colton (1804-1863). A bit of quick research proved a good Longmeadow connection as she was born and raised here, and made our purchase worthwhile. Such treasures inside! Dozens of pages of kind messages and copied verses by friends of young Emeline. Friendship albums served exactly this purpose: young friends could pen thoughts and wishes as gifts to each other. Based on the sheer volume and content we can imagine Emeline to be a devoted friend to those in her circle in 1820’s Longmeadow.

One of the inscriptions in particular jumped out to us as it belongs to “E. Newell” - Edwin Newell, son of local stone and grave-cutter, Hermon Newell. Their house today is at 60 Williams Street, though in 1822 at the time of E. Newell’s inscription it was located at the present site of Center School on the green.

Two pages of E. Newell's beautiful penmanship

"E. Newell, Longmeadow Nov. 30, 1822"

On November 30, 1822, Edwin inscribed a poetic sentiment in beautiful penmanship the idea that, “The true art of life is, to fill up our hours / with works for the good of mankind; /Here, here’s a vocation, well worthy the power, / Of the best and the loftiest mind...” This idea is particularly poignant considering Edwin Newell himself would be dead and buried within four years at age 24, his headstone artfully carved by his own father and featuring the symbolic weeping willow.

Newell Family Home - today located at 60 Williams Street

Edwin Newell's Headstone Carved by his father, Hermon Newell in 1826 Edwin was only 24 years old at the time of his death

Next week on Giving Tuesday, we hope you will leave us a token of friendship like those left in Emeline Colton’s journal. Please consider a donation to the Longmeadow Historical Society so we can continue to make purchases like these and uncover more clues about life in Longmeadow long ago.

Happy Thanksgiving, dear friends!

Contributed by Melissa M. Cybulski, Board Member, Longmeadow Historical Society

Originally published November 26, 2020