Mrs. John Steinbeck’s Tale of Woe

Crimes / Violence / Punishments: Suicide, Divorce / Annulment, Gambling, Games / Races: 21 / Blackjack, It Really Happened, John Steinbeck, Newell Benningfield, Reno--Nevada, West Indies Club (Reno, NV)2 Comments

1948-1950 Tragedy struck when the wife of famed American novelist, John Steinbeck, was in Reno, Nevada for a quickie divorce from him after 5½ years of marriage. In 1948, while establishing residency in The Biggest Little City, Gwyndolyn “Gwyn” Conger Steinbeck developed a relationship with Leonard Wolff, a wealthy, former U.S. Army Air Forces bombardier…

Was Betting on “Old Maid” Legal?

Gambling Laws / Regulations, It Really Happened, Nevada8 Comments

1861-present Since becoming a U.S. territory, Nevada has undergone periods of full, partial and no legalization of gambling. Here’s a timeline of what types of games of chance legislators allowed or disallowed and when:   1861: GAMBLING ABOLISHED: The initial Nevada Territorial Legislature banned the dealing, running, opening, conducting or playing of any game of…