John Mushmouth Johnson

thumb|A man who gambled had no business with money. John "Mushmouth" Johnson (1856 – September 13, 1907) was an American gambling king and businessman who ran many illegal gambling houses throughout Chicago. He popularized the "Policy game" previously started in 1885 by Samuel Young, known as "Policy Sam." For 17 years, he remained as the black gambling kingpin in Chicago, in operation of The Emporium and The Frontenac, two of the most popular gambling houses in Chicago at the time. He established connections with authorities and political parties, protecting him and his gambling houses from most police raids and criminals. Quotes A man who gambled had no business with money. Quoted in Black Gangsters of Chicago (Chapter: 'The Rise of the Policy Kings') by Ron Chepesiuk (2007). When my family went in for religion and all that, I didn't really fancy so much learning and went out to see where the money grew. Some of those who know me say I found it. Chepesiuk You bother me anymore, I'll have you in the penitentiary, and you'll stay there 'til I let you out. Johnson to Thomas Hawkins, Chepesiuk. A man that gambles had better be without money, anyway, I may put it to some good use; you wouldn’t know how. The Pekin: The Rise and Fall of Chicago's First Black-Owned Theater (Chapter: Prologue) by Thomas Bauman (2014). What else is there for a colored man to do? The Legacy Of John “Mushmouth” Johnson, Chicago’s Black Gambling King by Robyn McNeil (December 1, 2022) The Black Gambling King of Chicago by Michael LaPointe (April 7, 2020) I didn’t exactly do much book learning, I went out to see where the money grew. Some of those who know me say that I found it. Robyn McNeil and Michael LaPointe I bought a lot on a prairie where a town afterwards was located. Robyn McNeil and Michael LaPointe We used to have a little gambling here, but the dust is an inch thick upstairs.You can’t judge by this. All the rest of the week, it will be like a graveyard. Robyn McNeil and Michael LaPointe You’ll hear from me down in Africa shootin’ craps. Robyn McNeil and Michael LaPointe Quotes about Johnson For a man who has got all the coin Johnson is said to have, he is the closest colored man in the world." A man; quoted in Black Gangsters of Chicago (Chapter: 'The Rise of the Policy Kings') by Ron Chepesiuk. Naoroji lost all the money he took from playing poker in Johnson's place; we have his confession for that. We may have a fight on our hands against influences, of which we know nothing, but we will know of them, and the public will know of them, before we get through with Mr. Johnson. Edward Rueb; Chepesiuk. Half a dozen stud poker games were in operation, and the checks were piled high in front of most of the white and black gamblers who surrounded the tables.“Mushmouth” Johnson, serene and smiling, stood by and watched the play... A Chicago Tribune reporter (June 14, 1903); quoted in The Pekin: The Rise and Fall of Chicago's First Black-Owned Theater (Chapter: Prologue) by Thomas Bauman (2014). Johnson is so high in the regard of the boss that he is given free rein in the operation of the bungaloo games and in promoting policy in general among the colored population. Forces Arising to Crush Policy by Chicago Daily Tribune (May 3, 1903); Bauman. Every two years during the mayoral campaign, Johnson would give $10,000 to the Democrats and $10,000 to the Republicans. Thus, his gambling establishment was protected regardless of the winner. An autobiography of Black politics (Chapter: Politics: The Mother of Strange Bedfellows) by Dempsey Jerome Travis (1987) External links Category:1856 births Category:1907 deaths Category:Businesspeople from the United States Category:People from St. Louis Category:African Americans