The Weldon Rogers stories I promised to share...

JoeyA said:
The one guy who has been mentioned in this forum from time to time that has to rate up there with the "best" of the rogues is "Low Down Dirty, Stinkin' Red". I never got a chance to meet this scoundrel and I am the lesser for it. The stories told about this cunning rascal always made me smile.

I may have his name slightly askew but those that knew him will surely give Red his due. Right now, I am smiling thinking about Red, standing on a makeshift ladder, looking through the top window at the pool game taking place in which he had made a wager; waiting at a distance and discreet vantage point to see the outcome of the game in case he needed to make a quick exit to avoid having to pay.

JoeyA
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I'll tell you about Red in a moment but first let me thank Grady for his terrific story about Jr. Weldon. We always called him Junior back then. He was a legendary gambler, much like Jack Cooney. He snuck around pretty good and not a lot of guys knew who he was. I know he ran with Ronnie quite a bit also. That's a pretty strong pair to draw to!

I knew Bakersfield Bobby real well since he grew up in Bakersfield and I had the big pool room there in the 70's. Bobby moved back and forth between the San Joaquin Valley in California and Arizona (Eloy is right). He was a foreman for the crop picking teams. Bobby actually worked picking crops when he was a teenager and was strong as an ox. He could fight too if he had to. Bobby and Peter Gunn (Lin Wesson) were both from Bakersfield and they grew up playing against each other as teens. Peter Gunn was another legendary bar table champion, although he once dusted Tacoma Whitey for 60K back around 1970. A monster score back then. Peter was built like a Fullback, 6' tall and solid as a rock. No one ever messed with him.

Both these guys played great bar pool, on a par with Junior. Of course they all knew each other! I was good friends with Eddie Bellmore too. He was around Hollywood the same time I was. He was a very friendly guy and liked to play pool, even though he wasn't any good. I couldn't believe it when I saw him walk in on crutches. He had been paralyzed from the waist down. This big rugged guy was now a cripple but he never complained.

More to come.
 
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Thanks for sharing your experiences Grady, much appreciated and I would love to hear more. I live in Enid and one of the older shortstops named Clarence Burls (sp?) who was a drilling supervisor in the 70's and later owned a room in Enid has shared several stories about Longdale and the action that came through that tiny little town. He worked in the Woodward area at the time and was frequently in action in Longdale, curious if thats someone you might remember? Hope all is well.

Todd
 
West of the Mississippi, Grady and Junior (along with Ronnie, Keith and Cooney) were the most well known high rollers. Every pool player in the country went through Grady's pool room in Colorado Springs. He was what Freddie would describe as a "straight ticket." Either you busted Grady or he busted you! I would see these guys a month or so later, after they hit L.A. and were heading north to Frisco. Every hustler had my poolroom on his map!

They knew all about me, that I would play anyone who walked in the door ten and twenty dollar 9-Ball or $25-50 One Pocket. They also knew not to play me any Banks. I beat all the guys who did, except Wade Crane. After we played they would tell me stories about the road traveling across America. And I swear every one of them had been in Grady's pool room.

Now let's talk about Preacher Red, aka Low Down Dirty Red. Just for JoeyA, my buddy for life. Red would hustler anyone and everyone, he didn't discriminate. I would see him EVERYWHERE, especially the new family style pool rooms. He would hustle kids for $2 and get working stiffs to bet a dollar or two playing Eight Ball, the only game they knew. He would work a guy for an hour or more playing "sociable" pool, until he could talk them into playing for a couple of dollars. He delighted in stealing ten or twenty bucks from helpless guys (or kids) like that.

Red actually played pretty decent One Pocket, by far his best game. I played him three times. He beat me the first time for $5 a game. Then a few years later I got him back, but he was pulling every move imaginable - stealing balls out of my pocket, moving the bead on the wire when I went to the restroom, moving balls on the table when I wasn't looking, EVERYTHING you can imagine he would do!

The third time I played him was in a new poolroom on the outskirts of Vegas, called the Corner Pocket. We played $10 One Pocket and he won the flip for the first break. I was playing much better than and won the first game, and he quit. He wouldn't even let me break one time. :wink: But that was Red. He made a nice score when his mother died (at age 99). He got her house in L.A. and sold it for 200K. She didn't have a mortgage, so he got all the money. Naturally the IRS didn't get a cent as Red never filed a tax return in his life. He got all that money out of the bank as quickly as he could and bought a big motor home, which he lived in the rest of his life. Just let the Feds try to find him. :rolleyes:

He would spend most of his time around Vegas, eating cheap (or free) meals and getting all kinds of comps. He knew Don King from when they were kids so he would get a few tickets to all the big fights in Vegas. And sell them naturally! He always had stuff to sell, either cheap cues or other pool stuff. I bought a very cool cane he made for himself. It had an Eight Ball on the end for a handle. Still have it (make me an offer :smile:). I also bought his entire collection of old pool mags and still have them in the big plastic containers he kept them in, hundreds of them. He knew he was dying and wanted to get rid of everything he could. By the way, Red always carried his .44 Magnum, so it was bad news for anyone trying to rob him.

Red died about seven or eight years ago. He was in his late 80's. I don't think he had a friend in the world. Sad. I was probably as close to a friend as he had, and he would rob me in a heartbeat!
 
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HumdingerBarry said:
Great Musings as you call them Grady, I was playing mostly Bar action back in the late 60's and early 70's spending much time in AZ. Tucson, Phoenix and Flag. Had the honor of watching Weldon Rodgers play on a couple of occasions. Saw him take a guy off by offering to play him left handed. Junior plays left handed. LOL. Last I heard many years ago he had a room in Scotsdale ?? Remember Surgio Vargus or Wilfred from Grants, NM. Funny we didn't bump into each other. I pretty much stayed in orange county SOCAL. Humdingers, Daisy Mays, Playgirl. Once in a while would run up to Medford and stay upstairs with one of the sweety's in the bar right in the middle of town. Hung out in Eugene and played at the Golden Canary (The Dirty Bird) The action was unbelievable. Gave Jim leiberman ( Jungle jim from funny car fame) the 7 for $300 a game. he lost $3000 and then bought me dinner.LOL. Good luck finding Junior.
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Hey Barry, I remember you. Not a bad little shortstop. We may have played somewhere, I'm not sure. You probably would remember better than me. :smile:
 
jay helfert said:
West of the Mississippi, Grady and Junior (along with Ronnie, Keith and Cooney) were the most well known high rollers. Every pool player in the country went through Grady's pool room in Colorado Springs. He was what Freddie would describe as a "straight ticket." Either you busted Grady or he busted you! I would see these guys a month or so later, after they hit L.A. and were heading north to Frisco. Every hustler had my poolroom on his map!

They knew all about me, that I would play anyone who walked in the door ten and twenty dollar 9-Ball or $25-50 One Pocket. They also knew not to play me any Banks. I beat all the guys who did, except Wade Crane. After we played they would tell me stories about the road traveling across America. And I swear every one of them had been in Grady's pool room.

Now let's talk about Preacher Red, aka Low Down Dirty Red. Just for JoeyA, my buddy for life. Red would hustler anyone and everyone, he didn't discriminate. I would see him EVERYWHERE, especially the new family style pool rooms. He would hustle kids for $2 and get working stiffs to bet a dollar or two playing Eight Ball, the only game they knew. He would work a guy for an hour or more playing "sociable" pool, until he could talk them into playing for a couple of dollars. He delighted in stealing ten or twenty bucks from helpless guys (or kids) like that.

Red actually played pretty decent One Pocket, by far his best game. I played him three times. He beat me the first time for $5 a game. Then a few years later I got him back, but he was pulling every move imaginable - stealing balls out of my pocket, moving the bead on the wire when I went to the restroom, moving balls on the table when I wasn't looking, EVERYTHING you can imagine he would do!

The third time I played him was in a new poolroom on the outskirts of Vegas, called the Corner Pocket. We played $10 One Pocket and he won the flip for the first break. I was playing much better than and won the first game, and he quit. He wouldn't even let me break one time. :wink: But that was Red. He made a nice score when his mother died (at age 99). He got her house in L.A. and sold it for 200K. She didn't have a mortgage, so he got all the money. Naturally the IRS didn't get a cent as Red never filed a tax return in his life. He got all that money out of the bank as quickly as he could and bought a big motor home, which he lived in the rest of his life. Just let the Feds try to find him. :rolleyes:

He would spend most of his time around Vegas, eating cheap (or free) meals and getting all kinds of comps. He knew Don King from when they were kids so he would get a few tickets to all the big fights in Vegas. And sell them naturally! He always had stuff to sell, either cheap cues or other pool stuff. I bought a very cool cane he made for himself. It had an Eight Ball on the end for a handle. Still have it (make me an offer :smile:). I also bought his entire collection of old pool mags and still have them in the big plastic containers he kept them in, hundreds of them. He knew he was dying and wanted to get rid of everything he could. By the way, Red always carried his .44 Magnum, so it was bad news for anyone trying to rob him.

Red died about seven or eight years ago. He was in his late 80's. I don't think he had a friend in the world. Sad. I was probably as close to a friend as he had, and he would rob me in a heartbeat!
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WOW. Even with the last paragraph, you still had me smiling. Do they even have any of those kind of scoundrels around anymore?
JoeyA
 
D.L.D.S.Red

JoeyA said:
WOW. Even with the last paragraph, you still had me smiling. Do they even have any of those kind of scoundrels around anymore?
JoeyA
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Here's an old post I made somewhere:

His name was Charles "Dirty-Low-Down Red" Jones. AKA Preacher Red. At one of the Las Vegas Stardust tournaments, Red got a name promotion from Eddie the Hat Burton. He raised Red up to Dirty-Low-Down-Stinkin'-Red. Red seemed pleased with the upgrade. He played a little better than shortstop speed. I loved him. I have him rated as the 3rd greatest sharker in the world behind Ronnie Allen and Chicago's Fonzi Daniels. Once, at the Stardust in Vegas, I was shooting a difficult proposition bank shot with a certain amount of shots allowed to make it (15). Steve Mizerak was betting against me, and I had my whole bankroll up (about $400). Preacher Red (AKA Charles Jones, & D.L.D.S. Red) was presiding over the bet and counting the shots. With my whole BR up I was dogging it slightly, and the shot count was at 11. Red was sensing my shakyness, and at the count of 12, he repeated, "11," giving me an extra shot. That little edge motivated me enough to finally make the shot on the 15th (actually 16th) and last try. Naturally, Red eased over to me later and put his hand out for some "consideration" for his part in my score. I gladly paid off. All the bad things said about Red are probably true.
Little side-light: Red died recently in Vegas, an old man. Artie Bodendorfer and Red's mother attended the funeral.

Beard
(Jay, Artie told me Red's mother was still alive then.)
 
freddy the beard said:
Here's an old post I made somewhere:

His name was Charles "Dirty-Low-Down Red" Jones. AKA Preacher Red. At one of the Las Vegas Stardust tournaments, Red got a name promotion from Eddie the Hat Burton. He raised Red up to Dirty-Low-Down-Stinkin'-Red. Red seemed pleased with the upgrade. He played a little better than shortstop speed. I loved him. I have him rated as the 3rd greatest sharker in the world behind Ronnie Allen and Chicago's Fonzi Daniels. Once, at the Stardust in Vegas, I was shooting a difficult proposition bank shot with a certain amount of shots allowed to make it (15). Steve Mizerak was betting against me, and I had my whole bankroll up (about $400). Preacher Red (AKA Charles Jones, & D.L.D.S. Red) was presiding over the bet and counting the shots. With my whole BR up I was dogging it slightly, and the shot count was at 11. Red was sensing my shakyness, and at the count of 12, he repeated, "11," giving me an extra shot. That little edge motivated me enough to finally make the shot on the 15th (actually 16th) and last try. Naturally, Red eased over to me later and put his hand out for some "consideration" for his part in my score. I gladly paid off. All the bad things said about Red are probably true.
Little side-light: Red died recently in Vegas, an old man. Artie Bodendorfer and Red's mother attended the funeral.

Beard
(Jay, Artie told me Red's mother was still alive then.)
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I think not. Red was well past 80 himself. Youngblood told me he had inherited his mom's estate (the house) some 10-12 years before. That old broad may have been his sister. I'm pretty sure he had an (older) sister. She might have been after his motor home, since he screwed her on their mom's estate. That's what I'm betting on. :rolleyes:
 
Grady said:
I will indeed attend the DCC. It's not too early for getting in my ring game(s). Thanks much for all the positive responses to my Weldon tales.
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Grady, I gave junior's phone no. to my son(Ktown D) to PM you. HE said to call.
 
Old Pueblo Billiards 75-80

Great stories Grady, I used to manage old pueblo billiards for Weldon in Tucson, AZ. from 1976-1980) He almost always was on the road. I ran the night shift, and saw lots of talent roll through. I do remember watching Weldon play one handed on the 3 bar tables near the front door. I was there when an 17/19 year old Earl the pearl came into Old Pueblo Billiards, I don't recall the outcome back then.
Did you ever gamble there?
I do remember Alabama Sam Bona?, I just knew him as Alabama Sam, I think him and Barry ? used to travel together. Back then I was just a greenhorn learning the game with Steve Knight's(Arizona/socal) player old Joss west cue stick. Never knew how good my boss was back then, that place was a social happening, lots of games, women, stuff.
It seems to me that Weldon didn't gamble as much at OPB. I do remember a Mexican, who he would play on the bar box every weekend, but other than that not much, and some great casual golf games in the back room on the 6x12.
Just to refresh your memory OLD PUEBLO BILLIARDS was on the corner of Speedway and Alvernon, and had eight HUGE glass windows near the front. Maybe the place was too open for him!!!!
I would just love to hear some stories about his action in Tucson.\
Thanks
Andy Ginthum
 
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Longdale?

Grady said:
I will indeed attend the DCC. It's not too early for getting in my ring game(s). Thanks much for all the positive responses to my Weldon tales.
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Wow, who would have thought Longdale would have that kind of action! Sounds like you had some good times in Ok. Did you ever run into Norman Hitchcock or Herman the German from Okc? When people would ask what is this thing called stroke I would point them to Norman who had a beautiful stroke. One of the strong players from Enid was Randy Estes, might have been too young in those days. Thanks for the stories and like I've said before there should be a place on AZ just for road stories and the good old days. Our generation (your gen) was awesome in many ways not just pool.
 
"confessions of a pool hustler"

Hey Grady, all of the things you say about Weldon are right on the money. I hung around with Weldon and we went to a few spots together, he is a class act no doubt. I had the mis-fortune of being behind him on the road for a few months down in Mississippi and Florida. Every where I went he had just came through and busted all of the pool players all taht was left were crumbs to be had, haha ! He was going by the nickname "Gator" ! Like you said he would take down the cash no matter how tough the game was, he's a great guy !
 
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