NP 1 Apr 1949 – Swank Night Club to Close April 10 – April 1 – The Club Continental swanky night spot here will be closed for an indefinite period beginning April 10, Manager Bernard Glatt announced today. He declined to give any reason for closure, nor would he predict when the club might be reopened.
NP 7 Sept 1949 – Crusading Constable Greeted With Bullets in Gambling Raid on Ohio River Night Spot.
Ironton, O., Sept. 7 – Lawrence county’s colorful slot machine-wrecking constable last night reported three bullets sizzled past him as he attempted to raid an Ohio river night spot. Joe Rigney said he was attempting to enter the Parrot Club near Proctorville, 20 miles east of Ironton, when two slugs crashed through a wooden door about six inches from his body.
Rigney, described by neighbors as fearless but peaceful,” was unarmed when he demanded admittance to the club. He quickly returned home, got two revolvers, and returned to the club. … he arrested its operator and two employees. There were slot machines there, but he didn’t bother with them. The operator, James Tost, age 40, was charged with shooting at an officer intending to kill and sell whisky illegally in the dry territory. The two employees, Andy Brag, 30, and Andy Bailey, 23, were charged with resisting an officer.
The constable, who staged a one-person slot machine war in Rome township last March, said he went to the club last night, rang the club’s doorbell, and demanded admittance. He said he shouted he was an officer of the law. The three bullets crashing through the door were his only answer.
Gets Hunting Patronage.
The Parrot club, a small establishment just a few hundred feet from the Ohio river, is frequented by Huntington’s residents.
Whisky cannot be sold across the bar in West Va. Last March, Rigney raided several river night spots and broke up 16 slot machines with a pole axe… last March, Rigney said he smashed four slot machines at the Parrot club.
The Parrot Club is about three miles from the Club Continental, one of four Ohio nightclubs recently attacked by Gov. Frank J. Lausche as dens of organized gambling. Since the governor’s attack, no raids or arrests have been made at the Club Continental.
No Evidence of Gambling
Two special grand juries were called in Lawrence county to
probe reported gambling. In both instances, the juries reported no evidence of organized gambling in
the county.
Tost, Brag, and Bailey were arraigned before Magistrate Frank Miller of nearby Athalia. Tost pleaded guilty to the charge of selling whisky illegally.
But he pleaded innocent to the charge of shooting at Rigney. Brag and Bailey pleaded innocent of the charges of resisting an officer. All were released on $300 bonds for hearings.
NP 15 Sept 1949 – Parrot Club Operator Agrees to Leave Ohio
The operator of the Parrot club at nearby Proctorville has agreed to close his establishment and leave Ohio, Lawrence County Prosecutor Louis Sheridan reported.
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