Freddy the Beard did you know Glen Knowles?

H

huckster

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Freddy,
I was wondering if you knew Glen Knowles when he lived in Chicago? He and I spent a lot of time togather at the end of his life. He was a strong one pocket player and good banker (picked up his bank game in Chicago) Any info would be appreciated. Anyone else please chime in i hold Glen in very high regards in my memories.
 
Glen

huckster said:
Freddy,
I was wondering if you knew Glen Knowles when he lived in Chicago? He and I spent a lot of time togather at the end of his life. He was a strong one pocket player and good banker (picked up his bank game in Chicago) Any info would be appreciated. Anyone else please chime in i hold Glen in very high regards in my memories.
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Of course I knew Fat Glen from Ohio. Whatever he would win he would send home to his wife. We played often, in Johnston City and Detroit. He was a lot of fun to play with. We never played in Chicago though. He was a turned-out hustler.

the Beard
 
I went to Wisconsin with Glen Knowles in the '80s and Glen ended up playing at Romaines High Pockets. Well that room closed at midnight and Glen did not know it. He was stalling with a guy (?) in a game of banks. The manager came over at midnight and started to pull the light chain. Glen asked for one more shot. With the managers hand still on the chain, Glen banked four and out in about 4 seconds. That's what I called---Shooting the lights out.

Glen was a great guy---He had a great story about an embarassing episode in Tijuana making a hasty retreat from a house one night (while naked) and ended up under another house face to face with a Pit Bull. Only Glen could tell the story so you would laugh for days.

He is missed.
 
freddy the beard said:
Of course I knew Fat Glen from Ohio. Whatever he would win he would send home to his wife. We played often, in Johnston City and Detroit. He was a lot of fun to play with. We never played in Chicago though. He was a turned-out hustler.

the Beard
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Thanks for the replies he taught me as a sixteen year old kid to play one 1pocket the right way.
 
Red Fox

I was in Detroit at the famous Rack with Glen when I witnessed a memorable turnaround. Glen was playing, I forgot who, for big money, getting staked by the black dope dealer Red Fox. Glen was dogging his brains out and lost about 10k for Red. He sh*t all over himself, shaking like a leaf. Unperturbed, Red gave Glen $600 more to take home and said they would play again the next day. Red said Glen might stop dogging it if he could go to bed with some money in his pocket. Glen went home with the feel of a bankroll to calm his nerves. In the morning, Glen fired the $600 off to the wife Western Union, came back to the Rack and played the same guy. A now becalmed Glen pounded the guy for about 20k.

the Beard
 
Glen Knowles

huckster said:
Freddy,
I was wondering if you knew Glen Knowles when he lived in Chicago? He and I spent a lot of time togather at the end of his life. He was a strong one pocket player and good banker (picked up his bank game in Chicago) Any info would be appreciated. Anyone else please chime in i hold Glen in very high regards in my memories.
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Huckster,

I knew Glen Knowles well when I lived in Canton from 1970-1976. I played daily at the College Bowl on N. Market, a lively place for pool. Glen worked for a time for Joel Dyne who owned Dyne Amusements, a travelling carnival. Glen travelled with the carnival for about 9 months a year, and would spend winters in Canton. He lived in Alliance. Glen went with me to a couple of the Dayton Joe Burns tourneys at Forest Park, in about 1972-3. What a one-pocket player!!! By the way, I bought my Gold Crown 1 from Joel Dyne in 1973, and still have it!

Glen was a gentle soul, and a great player.

Will
 
ibuycues said:
Huckster,

I knew Glen Knowles well when I lived in Canton from 1970-1976. I played daily at the College Bowl on N. Market, a lively place for pool. Glen worked for a time for Joel Dyne who owned Dyne Amusements, a travelling carnival. Glen travelled with the carnival for about 9 months a year, and would spend winters in Canton. He lived in Alliance. Glen went with me to a couple of the Dayton Joe Burns tourneys at Forest Park, in about 1972-3. What a one-pocket player!!! By the way, I bought my Gold Crown 1 from Joel Dyne in 1973, and still have it!

Glen was a gentle soul, and a great player.

Will
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Will,
I know Joel Dyne pretty good I used to play poker with him about once a month at Baldy's (Joel plays better pool than people think. he is no slouch). I live in Alliance and I took Glenn on his last road trip before he passed. Speaking of Joel at my best I played around his speed, but we never played. His son played me some 10 a game 9ball and was stuck around 30 games and never complained. he seemed like a good kid. You would never guess Joel had money by the way he showed up to the pool room (sweats, old hat and tshirt) Joel is a very intelligant man, if you sit and talk to him for awile and I still remember his distinct voice. Did you ever frequent Baldy's billiards? or the silver cue?
 
I don`t think they were around when I lived in Canton. I loved the years we lived there, the College Bowl was a great place. Fred Martin, Rocco, Harry the Head (once in a while), Dave Wisdom, Chicago Joe Riggie, Don Willis (once in a while), Nick Varner, Emil Glocar, etc. I played a lot with Meredith Copedesh (Cope) who gave me the last 2.

Lenny Weaver was a good friend. Is he still around?

Will
 
Also, is Joel Dyne still around? He lived on Middlebranch Road, just north of the College Bowl.

Will
 
ibuycues said:
I don`t think they were around when I lived in Canton. I loved the years we lived there, the College Bowl was a great place. Fred Martin, Rocco, Harry the Head (once in a while), Dave Wisdom, Chicago Joe Riggie, Don Willis (once in a while), Nick Varner, Emil Glocar, etc. I played a lot with Meredith Copedesh (Cope) who gave me the last 2.

Lenny Weaver was a good friend. Is he still around?

Will
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Will,
Lenny Weaver is still around and he seems to get healthier everytime I see him. I consider him a friend. For about a two year period Lenny and myself dominated the Alliance, Louisville bar tournaments. He is a slight favorite on the box over me, but I have played once so far this year (I play poker my bankroll is 100 times healthier). He is hitting them stronger then ever. the first time I met him he was still working at sugardale's and he used to practice brfore working midnights. He gave Steve "The Greek" Stavros the sixball for $10 a game and robbed him. I only gambled with him once. he got a little out of line and offered me the 8ball on the box, but quit after six games even. I ran a three pack and he unscrewed. He can be an odd guy about his cues, and his health. He fasts for 21 days a year and loses about 20 pounds. If he ever quit going to rinkydink bar tournaments and tested his game he could be a very capable shortstop. You knew my Grandfather? (Don Willis) Did you ever play him when he was still playing like a champion early 40's- the early 60's?
I liked Fred Martin a lot he was a nice guy he would talk to me for hours. What era do you think played better in Canton? Don Willis, Harry the Head, Fred Martin, Emil Glocar, Garten Bierbower, Barry Hixon etc. or the guys now? Troy Frank, Chris Szuter, Mario Cilliti, Dancin George, Kenny K, Randy Stuart, Dave Brown, Brian Jackson, Dennis Jackson, Mike Vero, Dave Myers, Jerry Wolf, Tim Clark, Ben Zimmer, etc
 
Hi Huckster,

Thanks for the note!

Your grandfather Don Willis was older when I was in Canton, from 1970-1976. I knew him well, but he was not playing actively in action, usually just doing his wing shots and terrific trick shots.

Lenny and I were good friends, played a LOT together and went to tournaments together. I am glad to hear he is doing well and is still active in pool. Please pm me how to reach him, I would like to be in touch with him again.

It is tough to say which generation is better, both of them in North Central Ohio are great! By the way, you mentioned Jerry Wolf, I used to play him when he would come down from Akron.

Will
 
Come-Backs

freddy the beard said:
I was in Detroit at the famous Rack with Glen when I witnessed a memorable turnaround. Glen was playing, I forgot who, for big money, getting staked by the black dope dealer Red Fox. Glen was dogging his brains out and lost about 10k for Red. He sh*t all over himself, shaking like a leaf. Unperturbed, Red gave Glen $600 more to take home and said they would play again the next day. Red said Glen might stop dogging it if he could go to bed with some money in his pocket. Glen went home with the feel of a bankroll to calm his nerves. In the morning, Glen fired the $600 off to the wife Western Union, came back to the Rack and played the same guy. A now becalmed Glen pounded the guy for about 20k.

the Beard
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Freddy,
I really enjoyed reading about this come-back story of Glen.

Best Regards,
Hal in Ohio
 
Don Willis and Glen Knowles

Don and I became good friends, although he was a generation and a half older than I."Cowboy" Jimmy Moore was real close with Don. I never knew two classier individuals. Because of our age differences, I never played either man for money but I did compete against Jimmy in three exhibitions.
I did play Glen at "Beanie's" joint in Arlington; this would have been about67 or 68. We didn't know each other and we had much fun playing $50 One Pocket. He moved better than I did and I didn't miss many balls in those days. I think we broke even. That was the trip where Joe Tetro from Detroit staked me to a trip to Arlington. I still get kidded once in a while about taking my one piece cue on the plane.
I was extremely honored to get to play "Rotation Slim" on the same trip He was in his eighties and I had a tough game with him at One Pocket.
 
Glen Knowles

Glen was my father.. I was too young to see much of his playing in his prime.. Plus he was away from home quite a bit. I enjoyed reading the posts and would like to see if anyone has other stories..

Thanks- Kevin Knowles
 
freddy the beard said:
I was in Detroit at the famous Rack with Glen when I witnessed a memorable turnaround. Glen was playing, I forgot who, for big money, getting staked by the black dope dealer Red Fox. Glen was dogging his brains out and lost about 10k for Red. He sh*t all over himself, shaking like a leaf. Unperturbed, Red gave Glen $600 more to take home and said they would play again the next day. Red said Glen might stop dogging it if he could go to bed with some money in his pocket. Glen went home with the feel of a bankroll to calm his nerves. In the morning, Glen fired the $600 off to the wife Western Union, came back to the Rack and played the same guy. A now becalmed Glen pounded the guy for about 20k.

the Beard
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Red was no dummy.

Reminds me of "Jew Paul" playing some guy for $50 per game and betting the rail thousands. The other player was about busted when Paul dropped $500 on the floor so the guy could continue play.
 
ironman said:
Red was no dummy.

Reminds me of "Jew Paul" playing some guy for $50 per game and betting the rail thousands. The other player was about busted when Paul dropped $500 on the floor so the guy could continue play.
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LOL! I remember hearing this story in Orlando, December of last year. We were dining at an expensive steak restaurant where the meals begin at 50 bucks, without sides.

The player who told the story, I think, was the player who picked up the $500 on the floor. We all enjoyed that story.

I heard that "Paul" doesn't engage in games of stake today the way he used to, but he sure was a pool legend and provides for some great pool stories. :D

JAM
 
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