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- <text id=89TT1027>
- <title>
- Apr. 17, 1989: American Notes:South Dakota
- </title>
- <history>
- TIME--The Weekly Newsmagazine--1989
- Apr. 17, 1989 Alaska
- </history>
- <article>
- <source>Time Magazine</source>
- <hdr>
- NATION, Page 31
- American Notes
- SOUTH DAKOTA
- The West Gets Wilder
- </hdr><body>
- <p> After Jack McCall shot Wild Bill Hickok in the back during
- an afternoon poker game in the Saloon Number 10 a century ago,
- gambling became a part of the rugged Wild West image prized by
- Deadwood, S. Dak. But in the 1960s the tiny town (pop. 1,900)
- nestled in the Black Hills outlawed gambling. And when the
- town's four brothels were shut down as public nuisances by a
- posse of federal, state and local law-enforcement personnel in
- 1980, Deadwood's tourist trade began to fade. "When we had open
- gambling here, when we had the cathouses, we had hunters by the
- droves," says Ted Williams, a downtown businessman. "Most of
- them forgot their guns at home."
- </p>
- <p> Now townsfolk are betting that Deadwood's tourism would be
- rekindled by the return of limited gambling. This week local
- voters are expected to approve a law allowing blackjack, poker
- and slot machines in the town. According to Mayor Tom Blair,
- all proceeds from the gambling, which could amount to as much
- as $600,000 annually, will be used to restore Deadwood's
- historic buildings. With bets on card games limited to $5,
- players should be able to enjoy a game without having to watch
- their backs.
- </p>
-
- </body></article>
- </text>
-
-