NOTE & UPDATE: There’s a comment here on this post from DACI (see comments down at the bottom of the page) that corrects much of the information in this post. There was a kernel of truth and much speculation in the story I recount here from my older neighbor regarding Major Riddle, and because of this, it’s important to take my anecdotes with a grain of salt and then read the comment by DACI for a more complete truth. I very much appreciate the updated information from her, because it gives a much clearer picture of Major Riddle and his life.
A while back, I was looking up the history of our house in the Old Northside Historic Plan, and I noted that the third owner of our house was Charles L. Riddle, who owned a lighting store in town in the 1920’s. I found a picture of the store in the Indiana Historic Archives, and posted it to my blog. We found out a bit more about the Riddle family today.
We were out working in the yard this afternoon, and stopped to have a chat with our neighbor Mr. K——, who’s an older fellow (graduated from Arsenal Tech in 1949) who once lived in the house next door. His son K—– owns the house now, and we’ve chatted with him many times, but we hadn’t ever talked to his dad.
He filled us in on what it was like to live there as a kid, and who owned what houses, and what some of the houses that burned down used to look like, and generally gossiping and telling us about some of the scandals in the neighborhood, which is HUGELY entertaining coming from a 77 year-old man.
He was telling us that when he was a kid, (in the late 1930s and early 1940s) the house was owned by “Old Lady Riddle” – her name was Susan, Charles’ wife. Charels died in 1925, apparently, and she owned the house after. Her son was a Major Arteburn Riddle, who grew up in our house and started a trucking company during the Depression here in Indiana. He was a generation older than Mr. K——–.
He told us that Riddle got rich during the Depression because he would sell rigs to his truck drivers and finance their purchase, then when they were 3/4 paid for, he would lay them off and foreclose on the loans by taking the rigs, so he had a reputation as a shady guy. (See DACI comment for more on this.)
Then he said that Major Riddle (all this time, we’re thinking “Major” as a military rank, but that was his actual first name) took all his “trucking” money and went to Vegas and bought into the Dunes Hotel, and after that he was really rich.
When he got to that part, I remembered that K—– had mentioned this story awhile back, too, but at the time I was more interested in Kurt Vonnegut, who lived for a while with his grandparents on 13th street, right around the corner from us, so I forgot about the Dunes Hotel story. Our neighborhood had some relatively famous residents in Indianapolis history.
Anyways, Major Riddle was married, but he came back to visit his mom one day with another woman — in a big convertible Cadillac with fins and a set of longhorns on the front. I wish I could describe word-for-word what Mr. K——- said, because it was classic — he said he couldn’t remember the woman’s name, but she was famous: “that woman. You know, that woman they were all shooting each other up for out there in Vegas.” She got out of the car, and took her fur coat out (in was in a garment bag?) and they walked up on to the porch, and Old Lady Riddle opened the door, and said:
“You can come in, but that whore has to stay on the porch.”
Which everyone around heard, because they were all out gawking at the car. And then he talked a bit more about the fancy Caddy, and mentioned that Riddle bought a 1960 Cadillac for Old Lady Riddle “before that, all her cars were Packards.” And because it was too big to fit in the garage, “they tore down the garage and built that one” – pointing at our rather spacious one car garage. He remembered them building it.
And then he went on to talk about Major’s sister, (? don’t know who this was; turns out Major didn’t have a sister) and how she made picnics every week on our front porch and invite all the neighbor kids from all around to eat, and Old Lady Riddle would have fits, because she didn’t want them all at her house.
And from there he talked about the neighborhood changing in the 1950s from an all-white neighborhood to a mostly black one, and how the neighborhood got poorer and many of the lovely homes burned down.
So after we came in I sat down and started searching for Major Riddle and the Dunes Hotel, and found quite a lot.
It becomes apparent that Riddle’s trucking company here in Indiana had some pretty serious mob connections, and that he was involved with the Teamsters in Chicago and Vegas, too. And he was a major figure in early Vegas history, buying into the Dunes in 1956, bringing the very first topless Burlesque show to Vegas, and raking in loads of cash and making Vegas a hot spot for high rollers and wealthy gamblers. Major Arteburn Riddle was a pretty famous guy, and he may have slept in the Murphy bed in our house. (It was installed in 1924. Don’t worry, we bought a new mattress for it.)
Riddle also appeared on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in 1962 to hawk his book, “The Weekend Gambler’s Handbook” to promote the Dunes.
There’s an entire thread on rec.gambling.poker about “The Takeoff of Major Riddle” which was apparently some huge poker scam involving fleecing Major Riddle at the Aladdin Room at the Dunes. This is why it’s better to gamble on trusted online gaming sites like parhaat pelisivut.
I haven’t figured out who the floozy on our front porch was yet, but I’m hoping to track her down.
And it occurred to us to wonder what might be under the garage floor, and under that weird spot of different-colored concrete in the basement. 🙂
In all, it’s made for a very entertaining afternoon of googling, and we have a theme for our next party, too. And my next pet will be named “Major Arteburn Riddle” after our esteemed mobster pal and former resident.
After learning all this, though, we realized we know most of the people who’ve owned/dwelled here: Joseph Caylor, Dennis Jenkins, Charles Riddle/Susan Riddle/Major A. Riddle, the Zimmermans, James Q. Mease, Dylan Wissing and Johnny Socko Band, Julie Wohead and friends, and the Mineart-Koutek family. Our house has a pretty colorful history.
and discovered that the “woman they were shooting each other up over in Vegas” – Virginia Hill – was indeed having an affair with Major Riddle, however, she probably wasn’t the floozy made to stay on the porch. (see comments from Riddle family members below.)
That is so incredibly cool. It’s gotta be so neat to find that kind of history in your house.
You are naming your dog after my great grandfather =/
I wanted to let you know – that isn’t an indication of disrespect – we don’t have any kids, or we’d consider naming them after Major Riddle. Our pets are beloved members of our family.
He loved dogs, and I think would be honored. Pets are like family to many and are very much loved!!
Speaking of finding history in your house – well, maybe you had better look under that odd spot in the concrete? Just a thought.
For a story about Major Riddle in the late 60’s, see page 32 of ” The Battle for Las Vegas: The Law Vs. the Mob” (by Dennis Griffin)
Riddle is not named, but it is him.
The unlucky band was named ‘Grape Grog’.
If you read this story, please post here and tell me what you think.
Great story, my greatgrandma was the nanny to the Riddle kids while in Chicago, then for a while in Vegas.
And in the 60’s Major brought her out to Vegas for a couple weeks.
Hi. I stopped by after googling Major A Riddle (I read _The Weekend Gambler’s Handbook_ years ago). Not surprisingly, much of the statistical analysis in the book is faulty; one wonders whether to fault Riddle’s incompetence as a gambler or his need to fill the Dunes with incompetent amateurs.
Be that as it may, I wonder if the name of the mob chippy you are looking for is Virginia Hill?
I knew Major Riddle in late 60s & early 70s. His last wife was a good friend of mine before and after moving to Las Vegas and later marrying Mr. Riddle. I visited them many times in Las Vegas. Then I moved out of the US about 35 years ago and lost touch. Her name was Marion Fieffer. I was wondering if someone might know what happened to her after Major Passed. If so, please email me at bobirw@msn.com .
Thanks,
Bobby Irwin
Marion Pfeiffer was his late wife I haven’t seen her since I left Vegas but she is still around she always had me call her aunt instead of grandma because it made her feel old
I met Marion and she was a very sweet person . Major gave her the gift shop in the Dune’s. After he died she had been living near me. My dad had driven , Major’s stutz Bearcat from LA. as a favor for her, I’d sure love to see her today since I’m back in Vegas, gosh 32 year’s ago !
I am Major A. Riddle’s great grandaughter. Daughter of his grandaughter whom lived with him. I would like to say that some of the information was incorrect. He didnt have a sister named sara He was an only child. ANd bobby irwin marian riddle still lives in las Vegas n.v.
U must know my mother Debra Crossley/Braglia ??
If your mother is Debra Crossley,I knew her. How is she? I am Celeste’s mother.
Hi, I was doing research on my family. I was told Major A Riddle was my great great uncle. That my grandma, his niece, worked for him at the Dunes when my mom was a child. We might be related.
That is true. He did not have a sibling. My mom is Major’s great niece. She spent her Christmas’s at Major’s house in Vegas. Major was my grandmas uncle.
Hi,
My name is Norma Jean Fulmer. I go by my initials N.J.. Your Great Grandma, Lena was our nanny when we lived outside of Chicago. She was a wonderful Lady. It’s funny but I don’t remember much about my parents in Chicago. But I remember Lena being there, taking us fishing with bamboo poles, chasing me with a spatula when I didn’t listen. I was fascinated when she pulled out her false teeth to tease us. She had a beautiful voice. She made great sacrifices to support her family and to be our nanny. I will never forget her. I have a picture of her standing on our back porch.
I have been to visit Dorothy Ross in Freeport and talk to her on occasion. Would that be your Grandmother?
Regards,
N.J. Fulmer
Norma, just a note to say hi and hope you get this response. We knew each other for a while. I was a cadet at Western Military and you were at Montivello. We lost track with each other after I went to Vietnam. Hope you are happy and healthy. I think of you often. John
Hello John,
I do remember you and times at Monticello. I also remember you kindness and concern toward my brother, Chuck. You probably do not know that he took his life in his senior year.
I have been married twice, three children, 4 grandchildren. I have a wonderful man in my life, it’s been 5 years
Hope all is well with you,
Take Care
N.J. Fulmer (Norma Jean Riddle)
N.J,
Glad you are doing great. I remember what happened with your brother. You were the one that told me. I’ve been married for four years now. I was a Navy diver and senior bomb disposal tech for the majority of my adult life, two tours in Vietnam and wound up all over the world. Got out in 1988 and went to work for the Veterans Affairs Medical Center for the next 30 years, 1 month and 22 days. But who is counting. I have one daughter who is 22 years old and doing well…..I hope. Just retired from the V.A. In December and trying to figure out what I’m going to do with all this time. Wildlife and outdoor photography will take up most of my time.
I have to say you were a very bright spot in my life and I wish you the very best.
Would love to keep in touch if possible. Coyote1948@comcast.net.
John
Dear Norma,
I found our name on this internet thread. We spent the summer of 1967 together on a tour to Europe through Westlake School for Girls with french teacher Marco Hauert. I remember you went home early and flew out of Rome to see your fiancé sho was at boot camp. Your cousin Larry was also on the tour and he flew back with us to LA and upon arrival had learned that his father had died and theres was no one to pick him up at the airpot. My family took him home and he spent the night with us and why father bought an airline ticket and he flew to Las Vegas the next day. I always wondered what happened and how our lives took off in different directions … college etc . Hope all is well and my love to you and Larry . xxxooo Joan Sullivan Aldrich
Norma Fulmer, this message is for you…we were girlfriends at Hyde Park Jr. High. Do you remember the day about 10 of us girls decided to “ditch” school? Of course we were found out! My parents were furious with me because my dad was a bartender in the lounge of the Dunes and they were certain that he would lose his job over the incident. Well, of course he did not lose his job. Your daddy was very kind and a great business man. I moved away, back to Chicago and lost touch with you. I have often wondered where you are and hope that your life has been good. Your bedroom was decorated so beautifully and the white carpeting in your living room must have been 3 inches thick. In my first home, I put the identical carpet in my living room.
All Best,
Georgi Komon Gold(Georganne Zapantis)
Hi Georgi, I remember your name however I do not remember the events that you spoke of in you correspondence. Sounds like it was a fun day.
Best Wishes, N.J. Fulmer
Hi NJ! It’s me Nicky!
Hi Norma. I met you in the 60’s at Ann Lenzens house, you went to school either at Monticello with her or Penn Hall (it’s been too many years now). I was Ann’s best friend for many years back in St. Louis. I always think of you when I visit Las Vegas. You were always so sweet and unspoiled as a young teenager.
Hi, I am sorry that I do not remember you, however I am still in touch with Ann. Have been to St Louis a few times to visit. I have very special memories of Monticello and Anne’s family. Thank you for the nice comments. I hope all is well with you. N.J. Fulmer (Norma Jean Riddle)
Well, who I am is only important to who is giving the facts here. My grandfather was Major Riddle and he became guardian of me when I was eight years old. I have personal knowledge of many of the things you have written by way of my grandmother’s diary, my grandfathers stories to me, and research. The story you’ve been told is very typical for stories that get handed down and are told by others that end up having very little truth. The facts tend to change, and unless you get the whole picture you can come to a wrong judgment about a person. I would like to set the record straight since my grandfather is not here to speak for himself and only Celeste Stone tried to bring some light on the subject.
First, the story of how Major got his money is inaccurate. The story of him taking people’s rigs and laying them off and keeping the rig is so far from the truth. Instead he worked for a company that was foreclosing on a loan on several rigs as they were in default, and he asked his company to extend the loan and he made a deal with this other guy who was losing money with his company, that if he would give him a partnership he would turn the company a round and make it a winner. The man agreed, and Major saved his company and the jobs of the worker and made the company money. He was known for turning businesses around. He never took advantage of people he helped them.
He did have some shady businesses such as the Plantation in Indiana and Chicago, as they up front seemed like a dance place but in the secret rooms they were a gambling and alcohol place during prohibition, and got raided and he paid off officials. He did run some money over the Chicago Indian state line for Al Capone and had a guy on each side of his running boards in a Packard with machine guns as he carried a vast amount of money, and would pay off the cops that stopped him. This is how he also made money as well as investing in oil.
Then he was asked to go to Las Vegas and help a struggling Dunes hotel out, because he had a golden touch in helping struggling businesses. He did turn around the Dunes and created many jobs, he was a man with vision. He was the pioneer of the buffet for locals and charged very little.
Susie Riddle was his Mothers name and he had no sister. He was an only child. His wife at the time of the story of a women coming to the house is partially true, however, even though he did date Virginia Hill, he never brought her to his mothers house. He was married to Frances May Reno (Renault).
The woman that my grandmother did not want him to bring in the house was Norma, Norma Jean Fulmer’s mother. She was a showgirl and having an affair with my grandfather while he was married to Frances, then when my grandmother abruptly died at the young age of 36, shortly after my grandfather brought Norma, to his mother’s house to meet her, as now he did not have to hide the affair. He wanted to marry her, Susie did not like Norma and felt she was a floozy, as in those days if you were a showgirl, you would have been considered this, and compile that she was his mistress. That she would come wanting to marry my grandfather shortly after the death of Frances was not the sign of a wholesome girl, that was bread with morals and class, more of a women who was a gold digger, and she came pregnant in her first trimester.
My Great grandmother did not want her stepping foot in her house disrespecting the memory of our grandmother Frances who just recently died, who knew and married my grandfather when he was still living at home and did not have money. Frances was 16 when she met Major Riddle. Though Major and Norma married against Susie’s wishes, Norma became an alcoholic and had to live with Major’s infidelity. That karma thing came back to bite her. Susie and Norma never really liked each other ands Susie would often tell her, “Blood is thicker than water”.
Although the story of him dating Virginia Hill is true, he would never have brought her to his mothers or family as he was very respectful of his mother and loved her very much, and would never bring a woman to sleep there. My Great Grand mother and my grandmother Frances had strong Christian values. Frances worked for charities and also helped in the war efforts and was educated and helped in secretarial work for her husband. She was also very beautiful.
Setting the record straight,
Debra.
DACI: I enjoyed reading your comments! I actually am writing a novel partially set in Las Vegas in the early 1960s. Major Riddle is one of the many characters briefly mentioned … he used to play craps at the other casinos, with a pretty showgirl from a cast at the Dunes holding his chips for him (and she was strictly an escort, no funny business). He’d tip her from his winnings. I was wondering how to describe his speaking voice? Deep, muscular, Kentucky accent, Midwest twang??? Any help you can send my way would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Also wondering if Major Riddle spoke with a Kentucky drawl or Midwest twang.
Hi Mike, enjoyed your comment and would love to connect, please leave your email, and I will contact you via email! Sincerely , Debra
Tell em Deb !!!!! =]
Sounds Like a BOOK to me !!!!
Hi Cynthia, Great to see you here!!!
Hi aunt deb
I,m the grandson of Major riddle, he raised me from 14 years old, until he asked away in 1982, and shared with me many stories I find my sister Debbie,s story to be very accurate. But she left out one thing, my grandfather, would use his trucking company to run whiskey from Canada to Chicago, during the depression. My mother was Jane Frances Croysdill and is intured in the riddle plot at crown hill
Larry Croysdill
Larry do you remember a friend of yours Danny Den Hartog?
Hi. I was an employee of the Dunes and am writing a book about the wonderful place. Major was very nice and his granddaughter Fran was a friend. Please give her my name and my deepest apologies, for my rude behavior years ago. Geno Munari. Munari@msn.com.
Hi Debra, I was just talking to my brother about the the sixties and seventies growing up in Vegas. We remember you growing up in our neighborhood behind Our Lady of LV Church. You used to come over and swim at our house frequently. Let me me now if you get this message Michele
Hi Michelle, just saw this. I remember . Thank you for reaching out. Definitely would love to connect.
The person thought to be Majors Sister was my grandma, Sue Ann. His niece. She would make picnics in the yard.
Wow the last comment from DACI made me cry because the first time I read this article it upset me because I always thought of the major as having a huge heart and actually carried about people. My mom and my dadboth told me story’s about how he helped the community he even gave money to open boys and girls clubs that are still open and used to this day in Las Vegas. He wasent perfect but he had a really big heart.
Hi William, Your great grandfather, Major was a very complicated man. He had a large heart for children but yet could be all business. I remember some very special, cute times that he & I spent, although only a few. He loved to fish and loved to work. He was very smart at making a business work, although he was not always successful. Major was a charming and successful man who attracted women. His wives were his best friends. He had other acquaintances but few were trustworthy friends. No he wasn’t perfect but he left a legacy during an exciting and glamorous era.
Hope all is well with you and give my best to your Dad. Love, N.J. your great aunt (Norma Jean Riddle)
Just a short note. I met Norma Jean While I was at Western Military Academy in Alton I’ll. I was lucky to have dated her afor a very short time and have fond memories of Norma. I was also privileged to meet Major Riddle and his wife. They, along with Norma Jean took me to diner and a movie in St. Louis. I don’t know anymore about Mr Riddle but know that he was very nice and a class gentleman. N.J., I wish you all the best. John Lentz
Billy,I was glad to shed some light on the subject, I am glad you got to read it.
It is frustrating to read things that simply were not true, and you hope that some person would speak up and stop the untruths from spreading, instead of helping spread it by saying nothing. I want to continue to set the record straight I loved him despite his flaws . I saw a warm and loving man, that was highly focused in business, and not only a mathematical genius, but creative.
I was sad when the Dunes went down, but the hotel built there is beautiful and more of my taste. I love art, and detailed Architecture.Its just very pricy. The Bellagio.
Do you know that some people believe he gambled all his money away instead of the conspiracy to bankrupt his estate and businesses in-order for others to get wealthy off of what he spent his life building.
The owners of the property which the Silver bird stood on wanted it back, they put all their guys in key positions with in the estate, even had their guy Ed Nigro representing the sale. Once we got Mel Close removed for conflict of Interest, it was to late to really recover, so much damage had been done, I had hoped we could salvage the oil company and gas,, but Mel borrowed against it, driving it into debt.
Logic should give reader an idea of what really happenedby reviewing the facts. The Silver Bird was up for sale. I recently found a letter by a gentleman named John wanting to purchase it and wanting Mel Close to get back with him . The offer amount would have been substantial, but what happens? ED Nigro is in charge of the sale . Ever read the Nigro report? He was famous for bringing in his crew to try and help struggling hotels, the estate paid him 5 thousand a month. He was also famous for bankrupting them. Remember the Aladdin?
Nigro does not seem to have any luck selling it and it goes up for auction , someone offerss a low bid that does not get excepted, I think 8 million, cant remember off hand, but that would have been better than nothing No bid was excepted and the hotel went back to the property owner Perry Thomas, Kenny Sullivan,Jeromme Mack to name a few, I remember tiger investments, First Security. Look up wiki with Ed Torres name, it states Major Riddle sold it to him. No he did not,we never saw a penny of that money, Never forget Perry Thomas , Kenny Sullivan, Jerome Mack who owned the land turned around after they got it back and sold it 2 weeks later,
Our grandfather had a 60 year lease and had invested 25 million alone to make it the biggest casino in LasVegas at the time. . He needed a high rise, and needed Perry Thomas to give him a loan for it, that is when the stop gap will came into play. He died before ever getting the loan to build a high rise. After the auction 2 weeks later miraculously Nigro has a buyer but not for us for the land owners, The buyer is Ed Torres he buys the lease for 25 million. Then our biggest money maker the Silver Nugget, gets a buyer? Guess who?…………………Ed Nigro, he offers I believe 5 million but has to up the bid as we brought someone in to court to bid , and they had a higher bid and would give us a percentage, but who does the judge go with? Eddie boy. Ed Nigro being the supposed seller, isn’t that a conflict of interest? This was why I went toArizona to find an attorney to remove Mel Close and tried to get back what they gave away. No he did not gamble his money away. The people involved in this want people to believe that and discredit him, so that no body asks questions, They do not want him remembered they never gave this great pioneer a street, Nothing was done to preserve his memory. Why? Better to forget and let all this misdoing get buried in the sand. His name can fade away, then others can recall some story they heard.Thomas and Mack got their name everywhere, along with Wynn, who Thomas took under his wing in the beginning. Thomas was president of Valley Bank.
They say the mob died out of Vegas, they no longer control or exist there . Follow the money. The truth is they just haave other titles. I know for a fact Perry Thomas had dealings with them, when my grandfather let Perry and the group he brought into the Dunes to buy stock to help the Dunes, my grandfather believed he was getting away from some of the mob control in the Dunes, instead Perry brought them in from Chicago, with another name. That is why our grandfather liked his own places , and they were more successful.They had no mob affiliation in running the place. Silver nugeet, Silver City, Silver bird.
I also have very fond memories of Him, Like him singing to me in the morning this song” good morning to you, good morning to you, good morning dear deba doo good morning to you” fresh squeezed orange juice, cooking fried bologney and having me try his famous raw burger with red onions. Our Ice cream nights , both of us liked vanilla, with banana, pineapple, or carmel. Neither of us were chocolate fans like others in the family. I lived with Marion and Maje(grandpa) I remember the roses he sent me and signed it, ” from a secret admire.” He had me going for awhile wondering who could have sent them, then I noticed Marion’s and it had the same writing. I remember when he flew down to watch me in a play and brought me flowers, I loved his smile slightly slanted, with one hand in his pocket.His sense of humor and his gentleness with animals, like the dwarf bunnies he had. I liked how he would go out in the garden and pick fruit and eat it off the tree. He would always want me to eat a banana, for patassium as he had a friend who died because of lack of it, I think it was Jake Gottlieb.How he would tell me you are going to get berry berry, if you do not eat your veggies.The father like saying,” do as I say and not as I do.” LOL. His commercial where he would say, ” Baron of beef” with a slight accent being he was from Kentucky , promoting the buffet, He thought he was so good, but he made me laugh. I would love to get that commercial. My boyfriend at the time, “Guthrie, ” use to do a great imitation of him. Then his story to me of why I should wait until I am married, he told me about how My grandd mother made him wait even after thhe wedding, but he failed to tell me its becaause they eloped and went to each others separate house after, I read that in her story. His paper boy story of how he started. Knowing he believed in me. He knew I was honest and always believed me and went to bat for me at the Catholic School he sent me to, where most parents would maybe have sided with the priest and nun. He knew I had a mind of my own, and I loved when he compared me to My grandmother Frances, because I knew how much he loved her and her fiery ness. He told me how he came home one time at 3 am and she had a skillett waiting, he would recall this and laugh about it.He told me a lady never swears, or uses the word”Fart” so I made up the word fluffy. He gave me a safe place to live free from physical abuse, and he would listen to me sing and perform for him and his friend Obie Obilander(SP) when I was 9, and Obie said you need to put her in acting, although that did not happen I was involved in school plays. I also remember how he loved Marion’s cooking, and her homemade macaroni and cheese.
Billy,I was glad to shed some light on the subject, I am glad you got to read it.
It is frustrating to read things that simply were not true, and you hope that some person would speak up and stop the untruths from spreading, instead of helping spread it by saying nothing. I want to continue to set the record straight I loved him despite his flaws . I saw a warm and loving man, that was highly focused in business, and not only a mathematical genius, but creative.
I was sad when the Dunes went down, but the hotel built there is beautiful and more of my taste. I love art, and detailed Architecture.Its just very pricy. The Bellagio.
Do you know that some people believe he gambled all his money away instead of the conspiracy to bankrupt his estate and businesses in-order for others to get wealthy off of what he spent his life building.
The owners of the property which the Silver bird stood on wanted it back, they put all their guys in key positions with in the estate, even had their guy Ed Nigro representing the sale. Once we got Mel Close removed for conflict of Interest, it was to late to really recover, so much damage had been done, I had hoped we could salvage the oil company and gas,, but Mel borrowed against it, driving it into debt.
Logic should give reader an idea of what really happenedby reviewing the facts. The Silver Bird was up for sale. I recently found a letter by a gentleman named John wanting to purchase it and wanting Mel Close to get back with him . The offer amount would have been substantial, but what happens? ED Nigro is in charge of the sale . Ever read the Nigro report? He was famous for bringing in his crew to try and help struggling hotels, the estate paid him 5 thousand a month. He was also famous for bankrupting them. Remember the Aladdin?
Nigro does do not sale it and it goes up for auction with a low bid that does not get excepted, I think 8 million, cant remember off hand, but that would have been better than nothing No bid was excepted and the hotel went back to the property owner Perry Thomas, Kenny Sullivan, to name a few, I remember tiger investments, First Security. Look up wiki with Ed Torres name, it states Major Riddle sold it to him. No he did not,we never saw a penny of that money, Never forget Perry Thomas , Kenny Sullivan, Jerome Mack who owned the land turned around after they got it back and sold it 2 weeks later.
Our grandfather had a 60 year lease and had invested 25 million alone to make it the biggest casino in LasVegas at the time. . He needed a high rise, and needed Perry Thomas to give him a loan for it, that is when the stop gap will came into play. He died before ever getting the loan to build a high rise. After the auction 2 weeks later miraculously Nigro has a buyer but not for us for the land owners, The buyer is Ed Torres he buys the lease for 25 million. Then our biggest money maker the Silver Nugget, gets a buyer? Guess who?…………………Ed Nigro, he offers I believe 5 million but has to up the bid as we brought someone in to court to bid , and they had a higher bid and would give us a percentage, but who does the judge go with? Eddie boy. Ed Nigro being the supposed seller, isn’t that a conflict of interest? This was why I went toArizona to find an attorney to remove Mel Close and tried to get back what they gave away. No he did not gamble his money away. The people involved in this want people to believe that and discredit him, so that no body asks questions, They do not want him remembered they never gave this great pioneer a street, Nothing was done to preserve his memory. Why? Better to forget and let all this misdoing get buried in the sand. His name can fade away, then others can recall some story they heard.Thomas and Mack got their name everywhere, along with Wynn, who Thomas took under his wing in the beginning. Thomas was president of Valley Bank.
They say the mob died out of Vegas, they no longer control or exist there . Follow the money. The truth is they just haave other titles. I know for a fact Perry Thomas had dealings with them, when my grandfather let Perry and the group he brought into the Dunes to buy stock to help the Dunes, my grandfather believed he was getting away from some of the mob control in the Dunes, instead Perry brought them in from Chicago, with another name. That is why our grandfather liked his own places , and they were more successful.They had no mob affiliation in running the place. Silver nugeet, Silver City, Silver bird.
Thanks for setting the record straight Debra, I have no idea why the stories surrounding Major’s life is stretched. Heard Major was a very charitable and generous man to employees, friends and the community of Las Vegas. He was related to James Riddle Hoffa, both coming from the Hoosier state.
Major was entrepeneurial at very early age in his life and authored a book. The lights were turned out in Las Vegas for one minute with respect to Mr. Riddle after learning of his passing.
RIP Major A. Riddle
Dan, Thank you for your response and kind words. After reading through the responses here I believe I have to set the record straight again. However it may take a while. Suddenly I am being slandered. Yes he was a generous man, and I believe he cared about others. If he was related to Jimmy we never knew it, perhaps some distant cousin, I did find some documents that would not allow him into Italy because they believed he was mob affiliated and related to Jimmy Riddle Hoffa. I hope all is well with you. God bless and again thank you!
Norma Fulmer, this message is for you…we were girlfriends at Hyde Park Jr. High. Do you remember the day about 10 of us girls decided to “ditch” school? Of course we were found out! My parents were furious with me because my dad was a bartender in the lounge of the Dunes and they were certain that he would lose his job over the incident. Well, of course he did not lose his job. Your daddy was very kind and a great business man. I moved away, back to Chicago and lost touch with you. I have often wondered where you are and hope that your life has been good. Your bedroom was decorated so beautifully and the white carpeting in your living room must have been 3 inches thick. In my first home, I put the identical carpet in my living room.
All Best,
Georgi Komon Gold(Georganne Zapantis)
This message is for the dispiteful debra, who part of her story was correct about major being very helpful to the community and part of the story on how he got started, but her slander has gone overboard. How dare you slander Norma Riddle as she was the sweetest most caring person I’ve ever known. Your grandmother was no saint as were none of majors wives. He lived on the wild side and he attracted wild woman.Do you even reallize how many times he was married. He brought on the infedelity, dont blame any of the wives or even girlfriends. If you want to tell the truth on history, why dont you tell the story that I heard that debra, majors granddaughter stole all of major riddles daughter nancy’s money and she has continually stolen from whats left of the riddle estate with her personal lawyer fees. Everyone of her family members including her daughter would have some inheritance if it weren’t for her greed and a few others. This author wants to hear facts not your personal quirks with the Norma Riddles family, and your theory on whether it was Norma or Virginia. I’ve heard both were there before. You don’t realize major riddles story didn’t die when he died, as it still continues. Every adult at the time of his death stole from every child under 18 at the time and every unborn greatgrandchild, by changing majors will, with your family settlement agreement that gave all adults a larger share than the minor grandchildren and great grandchildren. The adult grandchildren including debra gave theirselves a higher share than minor grandchildren. Absolutely disgusting what the adults did to the children. Also I heard his last wife Marion stole from the family and had to sign away her rights to anything else. All this is part of major riddles history and is heard through stories and online research, so these stories are not my opinion, just part of his saga, maybe fact or fiction.
BRAVO !
Majors Friend? LOL, Norma Jean is this you or one of your groupies? because thats the only people that would actually quote or should I say Parrot your Pathetic fabricated Lies, because like you they cant handle the truth.
Who are you? I would love to hear more about my great-grandfather from you please email me anytime or look me up on Facebook my name is Thomas Croysdill my email is murdaman702@gmail.com
Norma Riddle was a wonderful lady, very devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was kind to everyone she met and loved by everyone I knew. She did everything she could to support her husband Major Riddle including caring for his mother, Susie Riddle for several years prior to her death. Norma & Susie had become very close over the years. Norma also cared for 4 of Major’s Grandchildren for several years when they needed a home. She did the best she could. Yes she was an alcoholic but she was self-sacrificing to help others. Comments that were made regarding affairs of Major with Norma or Virginia Hill are unsubstantiated, and only allegations made out of spite toward me by a granddaughter that my mother, Norma Riddle, took into her home. Too bad that one has to resort to bad mouthing the deceased, when they cannot defend themselves. signed N.J. Fulmer (Norma Jean Riddle)
Yall fight way too much over money that the majority is going to be paid to creditors anyways I kind of miss when everyone was talking on good terms.
You tell em
Hi Norma Jean. I’m sure you won’t remember me, but my name was Kathy Vick then and my dad owned the Richfield service station across the street from the Sahara behind Foxy’s. I was only in Las Vegas from the fourth through seventh grade. I went to John S Park elementary school and then in seventh grade to John C Fremont. It must have been at school that we met. I can still picture you today and always think of you when I think of Las Vegas. We were friends at school and I can remember you gave me tickets to go to the buffet at the Dunes. You were always extremely kind and I’ve never forgotten that. I now live outside of Boise, Idaho. I hope life has been kind to you and that you are happy.
My name is Jim McClary and I too am a relative of the Riddle family. Susie Riddle’s sister was my mother’s grandmother. In the 50’s, I spent as much time in their houses as they did, almost. I basically grew up in Susie Riddle’s house on North Broadway in Indianapolis, it was a second home. (We called her “Auntie” and her sister we called “Mommy”). I grew up knowing Major and his kids, as well as their kids. Nancy and Janie were a big part of my growing up, although Janie spent a lot of time in various hospitals. Norma Jean was one of my favorite cousins. Even after the Major moved to Vegas, we saw him and the family whenever they returned to visit in Indiana. They would come to our house to visit and us kids would force them to play Blackjack with us (which I know was a pain in the rear for them, but they did it for us). I have a brother and a sister–each time one of us had a birthday, Major would send us that many silver dollars as a present. We all thought that was a big deal. Eventually, my parents divorced and after my mother, SueAnn (McCollum) McClary remarried, we moved to Vegas in 1967. I lost contact with everyone after about 1969–but at one time, the whole Riddle family was a major part of my growing up. (Norma Jean, I would love to hear from you, if we can figure out how to get in contact. My mother, SueAnn, is still alive, but suffers from dementia.)
When I said I knew Major’s kids, “as well as their kids”, I mean Janie’s children–Nancy never had any children.
After coming across this blog yesterday, I was very excited. It brought back a lot of memories, and stories I had been told when I was younger. After having a night to think about everything I read here, something’s became clearer to me. In the blog, the Mr. K that was mentioned, was the next door neighbor, a man named Kenworthy. I knew that family well in the 50’s and early 60’s. The sister of Major, a girl thought to have been named Sara (as mentioned by Celeste Stone), that had all the picnics for the neighbor kids, was actually his cousin, SueAnn McCollum (my mother). Susie Riddle, and her sister Nanny McCollum (my mother’s grandmother) raised my mother. My mother lived in that old house on North Broadway for many years, and her and Major grew up together, almost as brother and sister (though Major was several years older, they were very close)
I never knew Frances Riddle (Nancy and Janie’s mother). She died before I was born. I did, however, know Norma Riddle and loved her as a kid does love family. Her (and Major’s) visits were always exciting times for us and she was always as nice and loving as she could be with my family. And getting to see my cousins (Norma’s kids) was always a big deal also. The visits were few after they all moved to Las Vegas. But then resumed, after my mother remarried and we moved to Vegas in 1967. (I remember Norma Jean taking me so I could buy my first motorcycle.) I would go see Major, on occasion, at the Dunes, as we didn’t live too far from it. And eventually, Major gave me a job there when I turned 18.
Many of the comment left here are from distant cousins of mine. If any would ever like to get in contact, leave a message. I will check back from time to time, and we’ll make arrangements.
Hi Jim, I am the youngest of Janie’s children.. I would love to hear from you. debra.ilunga@yahoo.com
Hi Debbie. I’ll be sending you a private email shortly. Thanks for contacting me. It’s nice to hear from you.
This is for Norma Jean-or just Norma as I knew her! Don’t know if you remember me-Paula Hauser from Penn Hall? I’ve thought of you many times over the years. And the terrible loss of your brother before you left. Always wondered what became of you and am glad you are happy and healthy. I’ve tried to find Ann Lenzen since about 1970! Do you know how I might be able to contact her?
Major invested several million dollars with my father in the Oklahoma oil fields. His name was Nelson Geyer. I met Major when I was working for my father when I was 15. He once gas my dad a well in Stevens Co Oklahoma because he thought it was a dry hole. The came in at 1,000 bbls a day and 6 million ft of gas.
I drove a taxi for Yellow Cab in Las Vegas, owned at that time by Francis Riddle. I believe she was awarded the company in her divorce from Major Riddle. She was affectionately known as “Old Lady Riddle”, only behind her back. I know of no one with the balls to say that to her face. LOL Ms. Riddle was tough, a bit crusty but very loyal and good to her drivers. Knowing her and her devout Mormon beliefs I can visualize her saying something such as, “You can come in but that whore stays on the porch.”