Barbara Greenspun remembers 1965: Roxie’s a big part of LV history

Friday, Oct. 20, 2000 | 9:16 a.m.

How could anyone familiar with Las Vegas' history not remember Roxie's?

In his column, reprinted on this page, Hank relates some of the boisterous history of the town's famous bordello and its proprietors, Eddie and Roxie Clippinger.

I remember very well an incident involving the Clippingers, which landed me in hot water.

In December 1950, Hank was in Washington when a basket of fruit arrived at the house. Having been taught the proper thing to do, I wrote a note to the Clippingers thanking them for the lovely gift. I left the note, along with a stack of correspondence, on his desk for signature. When Hank realized what he had signed he was furious -- so angry in fact that he devoted the front page column explaining to our readers what had happened.

Christmas 1951 came and another basket of fruit was delivered. The result was a scathing column telling our readers why he would not accept the gift, which was then sent to the Juvenile Home. The Clippingers got the message.

When the Sun began a series of stories exposing Roxie's, the Clippingers and the politicians they had in their pockets, the Review-Journal tried to claim that Hank had an association with Eddie Clippinger, using my letter as an indication of their friendship.

Nothing could have been further from the truth.