Ch 4 Austin Gamblers Ep 2 Hustlers Easy Money & Hills Cafe

         Emmett Shelton (1905-2000) was a defense attorney for some of Austin's most notorious hustlers and shares first-hand tales from roughly 100 years ago, 
        The Depression years brought out the hustlers who were looking for a quick buck. Money-making machines, kidnapping, pigeon drop, hot diamonds, loaded dice and the sign game were popular hustles. 
         Local leaders were often victims.  Isaac Bledsoe, Austin music businessman, lost $10k on a money-making machine and was later kidnapped and held for ransom. His kidnapper refused to give the money back and went to the penitentiary; the bounty went to open a cafe in Austin. Blacky Hart was a local hustler who sold hot diamonds out of the back of another local cafe. 
         Posie Hill (future owner of Hills Cafe) was an expert dice player in east Austin in the 30s. In WWII, he was stationed in Honolulu and in one night he won $30k in a gambling house (2024 value $565,500). When he got back to Austin, Posie used the winnings to partner with Charles Goodnight in Hill's Cafe on South Congress. 

#austingamblers
#austinhistory
#austinhillscafe

Music: "In the Danger Zone" by Emmett's son, Polk Shelton

For maps and other info check out our Facebook page: Our Westlake

Stories told by Emmett Shelton / compiled and submitted by Cynthia Shelton.