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The Bolo

1929 USPC

Mullan, ID

 Delivered to C. Z. Seelig, Wallace, ID
 
 

Wallace, Idaho is the county seat of Shoshone County and Seelig did business around the county. One of the towns they did business in was a small mining town located about 7 miles east of Wallace named Mullan (pop. about 3,000 at the time of chip order).

During prohibition there were several bars and gaming rooms in Mullan including a place called “The Bolo.” Fees were paid to local authorities for “licenses” to sell booze and operate gaming rooms. Mullan’s mayor, Mullan’s city council, the Shoshone County Sheriff as well as many barroom operators--including the Bolo’s—were convicted of Federal liquor violations in December 1929.
 
The following are descriptions of the Bolo from transcripts of the Federal liquor violations trial 1929, the year the chips were ordered.
 

The Bolo also had slot machines at the time. Not certain if Coughlin was the operator at the time of the chip order.  William E. "Blackey" Coughlin" in all likelihood ordered the chips but may have been sent to Federal prison soon after the chips were delivered.  The Bolo was located on Earle Avenue near the Hotel Billberg, either next door or a few doors down.  The Billberg was located at the southwest corner of Earle and 3rd.

 

A description of the gambling in Mullan in the late 1920’s; the Weineger mentioned was the sheriff; the LaGore mentioned ran a place a few doors down from the Bolo; “Blackie Coughlins’s” was the Bolo

pic from the 1920’s looking down Earle Avenue

 

Two BOLO tokens.  The first token is from the year before the chips were ordered.

Sheboygan Press article dated Dec 30, 1929 of the Federal liquor violations trial.