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Van Cise Project
Things are heating up for the race to name Denver's new Justice Center and jail. Mayor Hickenlooper has now officially called for proposals, and petitions are being circulated. The decision-making process gets underway Dec. 10. There is, apparently, some stiff competition from a few other worthy Coloradans who shall remain nameless.
For our part, hard-copy petitions are now being circluated in Denver by the Van Cise family and Larry Bohning, and Scott, Jeff and I are working on a couple of videos for YouTube. We may also get the Mayor and City Council to have a look.
Please sign our online petition to have the jail named for Lou's nemesis, Denver DA Col. Philip Van Cise!
-CJ
Buda and the Badgers
Ever seen some old movie where some sweet young things lures a Senator or other big shot up to her room — only to be surprised in flagrante by a snoopy photographer? Just Hollywood's overactive imagination? Not so...
This is Buda Godman, aka Helen Strong, aka Alice Williams. A looker, no? Paramour of the flamboyant Blonger bookmaker Homer "Dapper Jackie" French, she also dabbled in blackmail, jury tampering, grand larceny — and the odd "badger game".
According to 1916 articles in the New York Times, Buda, posing as a convent girl from a respectable family induced a wealthy Chicago businessman to travel with her to New York. Alone in a hotel room, three men, including French, burst in, and threatened to bust Edward R. West of the C.D. Gregg Tea & Coffee Company for violating the Mann Act. Godman finished the play by pleading hysterically with West to bribe the men.
The Mann Act, or United States White-Slave Traffic Act, was introduced in 1910 after the U.S. attorney in Chicago claimed that young European girls were being abducted and brought to the States to work in Chicago brothels. The Act criminalized transport of "any woman or girl for the purpose of prostitution or debauchery . . . or for any other immoral purpose". The Act turned out to be a useful tool in the extortionist's arsenal.
Godman pled guilty, but jumped bail, only to show up a few years later trying to fence the Glemby Jewels.
-CJ
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