KEY WEST LOU / WHORE HOUSE PROPRIETORS DIFFICULT TO CONVICT IN 1830’S KEY WEST

William R. Hackley was an attorney who settled in Key West in 1829 and remained till 1857. During certain of those years, he was a government attorney.

He complained on this day in 1830 juries were reluctant to convict those who owned and operated houses of prostitution. Hackley appears to have taken his position seriously during those his young years.

On November 6, 1830, he wrote: “One case of indictment against R.W. Cussans for keeping a disorderly house was tried but the juries at this place necessarily composed of men of no character and indeed impossible to get any jury here who will decide according to their oath.”

Juries at the time were composed of drunken and vagabond fishermen. What did Hackley expect?

An excellent lunch yesterday. Food and company the best. I was Steve Thompson’s guest at Louie’s Backyard. We sat at “Steve’s table,” the same one he has sat at when dinning at Louie’s all  these years. An inside corner table by the windows.

Steve is one of the most interesting persons I have met. I enjoy his company and his tales of old Key West. I made notes and will relate some of his recollections over the course of the next few weeks.

Met Patty. A Louie’s waitress for years. Obviously she and Steve know each other well.

On my way to Louie’s, I ran into the traffic jam of all traffic jams. A bicycle/auto accident on North Roosevelt Boulevard near U.S. 1.

I came onto U.S. 1 via Collee Road. Oh, the traffic! The Miami newspaper said the traffic jam ran 5 miles up U.S. 1.

It took me close to an hour trying to move from College Road to the Boulevard. I finally moved onto the shoulder and drove the short distance to the rear entrance to the Marriott. Took a shot. Worked out well. I entered the Boulevard at the farthest Marriott entrance. No traffic in either direction. I felt like Little Jack Horner.

The motor cyclist died. No further details are available.

Manchin has taken to referring to Biden adversely. Over the coal issue. Manchin makes himself sound like the coal miner champion. He is far from it. West Virginia coal mining has decreased dramatically over the years. It is not the huge industry it once was. Though Manchin makes it sound like it is and he is the reason why.

A 2020 study revealed only 11,418 West Virginians were employed in the State’s coal mining. Nine thousand one hundred twenty nine worked underground and 2,289 above ground. Coal mining represented only 5.8 percent of West Virginia’s economy.

Numbers for 2021 revealed coal employment numbers even lower. The lowest since 1890.

Manchin has to run for reelection in 2024. I believe he will change parties and run as a Republican. He acts like one. Her might as well wear the cloak of one. I mentioned yesterday he believes adjustments have to be made to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. He wants to cut them.

College football a major enterprise today. Billions of dollars involved.

On this day in 1869, Rutgers and Princeton played the first college football game ever. Rutgers won 6-4.

They played with a soccer ball before 100 fans.

Syracuse/Pittsburg yesterday. My Syracuse is killing me. Pittsburg won 19-9.

Pittsburg looked terrific. Deserved to win.

Syracuse sucked throughout. Orange blood was pouring from my veins.

This week valid reasons for the loss.

Syracuse quarterback Garrett Shrader did not play again. Freshman Carlos Del-Rio Wilson his replacement. He was terrible. As good as he looked last week, he looked terrible this week.

Something going on between Coach Babers and star running back Tucker. Tucker carried only 13 times gaining only 29 yards.

Star receiver Gadsden rarely had the ball thrown his way.

Pitt’s star running back Israel Abanikanda did not play at all. Injuries. Pitt won without him.

Syracuse now 6-3, having lost its last 3 games.

Be well.

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