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November 29, 2009

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Longtime Las Vegan known as Mr. Frontier dies

Monday, June 2, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

Saiger died Saturday. He was 93.

Saiger became known as Mr. Frontier, serving as a casino host at the local resort for a number of years.

A native of Poland, the former Los Angeles truck driver moved to Las Vegas in 1942.

In Los Angeles, he toured the country as a stunt rider with Victor McLaughlin's Light Horse Troop.

That led to one of his most memorable jobs.

As a publicity stunt, he spent a month in the 1940s riding a horse between the downtown Las Vegas post office and the Last Frontier, then a distant resort on the budding Strip, delivering mail pony express style.

Saiger became a close friend of the late billionaire Howard Hughes and often recalled casino cruising with Hughes, and having to pick up the tab.

"He never carried a dime," Saiger once recalled of Hughes.

Saiger is survived by his wife, Reba; a daughter, Deborah Palladino of Henderson; a son, Gordie Saiger of Henderson, and a sister, Gertrude Saiger of Los Angeles.

Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday at Palm Mortuary-downtown.

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