Oral history interview with Elizebeth Dewey Russell conducted by Claytee D. White on March 23, 2024 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Russell talks about her mother, Ruth Bradshaw Dewey, a white woman, who taught at the Westside School (1949-1955), saw Josephine Baker at the El Rancho in 1952, attended the opening night of the Moulin Rouge in 1955, and served as the secretary of the Las Vegas branch of the NAACP for several years. Russell describes living with her mother in the Mayfair deveopment just south of 17th Street at Charleston and graduating from Las Vegas High School. She recalls spending summers with her father, John Bradshaw, in Caliente, Nevada, where he worked as a mechanic for the Union Pacific Railroad.
Oral history interview with Jocelyn "Joyce" Egbalic conducted by Stefani Evans for the Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. Born and raised in Luzon, Philippines, Egbalic recalls her parents' careers as an architectural engineer and draftsman for a municipality. After she graduated high school, the family joined relatives in Minnesota. Joyce eventually relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2003. In this interview, Egbalic discusses her Culinary Union steward duties, job security, medical benefits, and her work as a cocktail server at the Rio versus at the non-union Hard Rock. Digital audio available; no transcript available.
Oral history interview with George Lee conducted by Stefani Evans and Su Kim Chung on February 29, 2024 for the Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Lee describes his four decades of experience as a Las Vegas blackjack dealer (36 at the Four Queens Casino), after leaving behind a career in dance. Lee was selected to originate the role of "Tea" in a 1954 New York City Ballet stage production of The Nutcracker. He also danced in South Pacific at the Thunderbird, and with Carol Channing's revue at The Riviera, and a traveling production of Disney on Parade. After dancing in Alcazar de Paris at the Desert Inn Hotel in 1980, he quit dancing and went to dealer school. He worked swing shift at the Four Queens Hotel, and attended ballet classes at UNLV during the day. Lee, now 89, still works five days a week at the Four Queens. In this interview, Lee talks about ballet, typecasting, discipline, and being "ten times better." He discusses becoming a U.S. citizen in 1959 and changing his surname from Li to Lee.
The Benjamin F. Smith Papers, dated from 1960 to 1969, contains a photocopy of a typed manuscript written by Benjamin F. Smith titled "Lady Luck and I." The manuscript details Smith's life, and focuses mainly on his time in Las Vegas, Nevada and his gambling strategies. The manuscript also contains gambling plays, figures, and charts. The collection also contains photocopied newspaper clippings and a brief biography of Smith written by Larry Evans.
The Marguerite Rice Lyman Papers on Southern Nevada History (1960-1969) consists of six typescripts concerning the history of Nevada. The collection includes information about the Muddy Mission, the history of Spring Valley, Mads Jorgensen, and profiles of Rice family pioneers. It also includes information about Mormon church activities within Nevada.
The J. K. W. Bracken Correspondence (1927-1928) consists of correspondence between J. K. W. Bracken as buyer for the Bruce M. Barnard Co. and seller Bingham Mercantile Company for the purchase of Native American (Navajo) rugs and blankets. It also contains invoices and descriptions of the design significance of the individual rugs. J. K. W. Bracken was the brother of Walter Bracken and they both worked for the Union Pacific Railroad.
The James Moore Short Stories on Gaming, dated 1950 to 1970, consists of three photocopied typescripts of short stories related to gaming in Las Vegas, Nevada. The three stories, written by James Moore, include "The Dice Killer," "Casino Dealer's Best Friend," and "Expert at the Blackjack Tables."
U. S. Senator George S. Nixon Correspondence with William B. Ogden consists of correspondence from 1908 to 1921 regarding the appointment of a postmaster in Gold Mountain and Drumville, both located in Esmeralda County, Nevada. Also included is a Governor of the Territory of Arizona appointment, dated 1880 and a letter to Senator Tasker Oddie from Edwin Denby.
The S. R. Shapiro Collection (1799, 1960-1979) contains gaming instructions, pamphlets, menus, promotional material from travel agents and casinos, and correspondence from Las Vegas, Nevada casinos and casinos around the world. There is also a copy of a French natural history book titled Memories de la Societe d'histoire naturelle de Paris dated 1799. Inside the book are attached advertisements and lottery announcements from English newspapers.
The Edward Clark Papers (1930-1945) contain photographs, a newspaper clipping, an inaugural invitation, and a memorial address delivered in congress for Key Pittman, a United States Senator from Nevada. Also included are National Democratic Convention materials, a Rotary Club bulletin and souvenir booklet, and brochures for various attractions in the Washington, D.C. area.