The great thing about working in an archive is that things are discovered through customer requests. While searching for cemetery photos, I came across photos related to Mildred Noble's funeral. She was the wife of Herbert “The Cat” Noble, a famous Dallas gambler in the 1940s who was the target of the car bomb that took her life. I knew about Noble, but this side of his story – that his wife was killed in his place – goes down numerous rabbit holes that can be traced in the Dallas Public Library archives. This is one of his.
Herbert Noble ultimately died on August 7, 1951, and his feud with then-Dallas gambling magnate Lester “Benny” Binion, which began in 1946, ended with Noble's involvement in gambling, which Binion requested as “protection.” The case was terminated after refusing to pay an increase in profits. Mr. Noble survived at least 10 times, including multiple gunshot wounds and two car bombs in 1949. He ultimately died from an explosive device found in his driveway while retrieving his mail. His death was featured in time Magazine a week later.
What else happened that year when poor Mildred unfortunately passed away? I found many fascinating images from 75 years ago. All taken in his 1949 year, they cover a wide range of events. Other photos related to organized crime in Dallas included a series of photos showing authorities raiding a policy gaming gambling operation in December 1949. Policy games work like a lottery, with people betting on numbers to: Their selection will be drawn by lottery. The illegal policy ring was run in part by Urban Distribution Company and none other than Benny Binion.
It depicts images of Dallas' Mexican American community, including work and religious life. Other photos show streetcars transporting Dallasites to various destinations, and a view from the top of Akard Street shows many of Dallas' iconic buildings, such as the Adolphus Hotel. I am.
Several of the pieces I have compiled here focus on Dallas' African American community during the era of segregation. This includes images of Dallas public school extracurricular activities and newspaper carriers who worked at the schools. dallas express. Founded in 1893 by W.E. King, this weekly newspaper focused on the African American community, but closed in 1970. Readers relied on the newspaper to provide news coverage not found in newspapers. dallas times herald or dallas morning news Of that era.
For decades, the State Fair of Texas operated as a segregated event in Dallas, with African Americans allowed to enter the fair only on designated days. Photographer Marion Butts captured the events of his October day in 1949.
1949 also featured other notable events in Dallas history, including a large celebration celebrating the opening of Dallas' first television station, KBTV, owned by oil magnate Tom Potter.it will later be acquired news In 1950, AH Belo Corporation, owner of WFAA radio, was formed and became WFAA-TV.
Finally, one of my favorites is the Starlight Operetta image.s This was the precursor to the Dallas Summer Musical, which was later held at Fair Park.
Enjoy this photo gallery depicting various aspects of life in Dallas in 1949. All in the Dallas Public Library archives.
Contact the Dallas Public Library's Dallas History and Archives Department at (214) 670-1435 or email. [email protected] Questions about the many fascinating photo resources available.
Brandon Murray, librarian and archivist in the Dallas History and Archives Department at the Dallas Public Library, writes about North Texas history: D Magazine. Click here to learn more about this series.
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Brandon Murray
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Brandon Murray is a librarian and archivist in the Dallas History and Archives Department at the Dallas Public Library. He writes…
