Our Westlake
Austin/Westlake/Texas - Roughly 100 Years Ago. As told by Emmett Shelton Sr.(1905-2000). He was the Original Developer of Westlake Hills, Criminal Defense Lawyer, Political Operative and popular local Storyteller.
Our Westlake
Ch5 Early South Austin Pt.1 Dice Winnings and Hill's 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. Emmett represented one such gambler who turned his talent into a legend.
Sgt. Posie Hill (future co-owner of Hills Cafe) was an expert dice player in east Austin in the 1930s. In WWII, he was stationed in Honolulu. 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.
Posie created a South Austin landmark with his talent. Many Austinites have lifelong memories of events in their lives that wouldn't have been the same without Hill's Cafe. Thanks Posie
#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.
Tags: Austin historyHills Cafe. Emmett SheltonAustin Gamblers
For maps and other info check out our Facebook page: Our Westlake
Stories told by Emmett Shelton / compiled and submitted by Cynthia Shelton.