Evanston, Wyoming, about 1940: It was the accepted practice in the town of Evanston for gambling to exist in all of the saloons, and for slot machines to be located in the hotels, restaurants, gasoline service stations, in addition to all of the saloons, even though city ordinance prohibited such things. Police and other city officials simply had deaf ears and blind eyes regarding this activity. Finally, when a few citizens expressed uneasiness about the influence that unlawful and uncontrolled gambling and slot machines would have on their children, a public meeting was called to arrive at some settlement.

It is evident that the slot machine and the in-house gambling were financially very profitable to those who sponsored them, and these persons were reluctant to give them up. In private conversation, prior to the public meeting, the saloon keepers and other businessmen who were involved, made an arrangement with city officials that if they could be allowed to continue gambling and retain the slot machines, they would regularly pay small fines each week to the city treasury, with the understanding that the money would be used to develop city recreational facilities, including a public swimming pool and tennis courts. They then hoped to “buy-off” the objectors.

At the appointed time the public meeting was convened consisting of city officials, leaders of the various churches (LDS was most numerous), representatives of the saloons, businessmen who had slots, and other interested persons.

The previously secret, agreed-upon plan was presented by the city for acceptance or rejection. There was almost unanimous acceptance. The law-breaking would continue, but children would have a play ground, paid for by the offenders. When a stand-up vote was called of those who opposed the plan, Roland J. Matthews, who was sitting near the front, stood up. He turned around to see who else was standing and saw only: Victor W. Matthews, LeRoy E. Matthews, and the Reverend Mr. White, a Methodist minister. Only four had the courage.

The swimming pool and tennis courts were thus produced by an “unholy alliance” between saloon leaders, city officials, and businessmen, clearly on the basis of money, and in the face of openly breaking the law as well as ignoring moral principle.

Several years later, after I returned from my mission, and was working in a hardware and furniture store, one of the prominent saloon keepers came in to make a purchase, and knowing that I was a Matthews and a member of the LDS Church, he gleefully and gloatingly told me that the saloon people considered the Stake President a hypocrite, and that they often laughed at how they had so easily “bought-off” the church leaders. They had no respect for those who did not live by their principles.

Some years later, LeRoy E. Matthews was elected Mayor, and with great moral courage, made good his earlier objection and officially shut down the gambling, took out the slot machines, and ended “the unholy alliance”. He suffered great criticism, threats on his property and stern opposition from many of the saloon men and businessmen.

RJM