I am trying to compile some facts related to one of Dallas's most colorful figures: Bennie Bickers. Maybe someday this will be a scholarly paper or a piece of amateur history or something, but right now it's just a collection of facts (and theories) the really interest me. Here are a few:
- Bennie Bickers owned the University Club from 1953 to 1962.
- The University Club was about a block away from Jack Ruby's Carousel Club on Commerce St.
- There were 12 nightclubs in a six-block square of downtown Dallas in the early 1960s (The Colony Club, The Theater Lounge, The Egyptian Lounge) and a hundred others around town ( Eddie's Room, Top of the Hill Club, The Silver Spur, The Longhorn Ranch Club, The Vegas Club, The Cipango Club, Chez Maurice). I'm not sure about the location of all these places yet.
- According to his testimony, Bickers had known Jack Ruby for approx 20 years dating back to Ruby's time in Chicago.
- Supposedly a meeting took place at the Top of the Hill Club & Casino in 1948 wherein LBJ met with Meyer Lansky, Benny Binion, Benny Bickers, Jack Ruby, and other club owners/ Mobsters to discuss some campaign fundraising from the clubs. At this time, Lewis McWillie was also working at the Top of the Hill.
- McWillie is the one who took Jack Ruby to the Trescornia jail in Cuba in September of 1959. Was Ruby carrying the mob's bribe/bail money to release Santos Trafficante?
- Bickers was likely a lieutenant under Dallas Mob Boss Ben Whitaker.
- Bickers' son Mickey still lives and works in Dallas.
10 comments:
I live in the house that Benny bickers lived in at 1031 kessler Pkwy. we are trying to find out about the history as well.
Benny Bickers Was/is spelled Bennie Bickers
Bennie Heywood Bickers to be exact
What happened to Bennie Bickers Jr. who lives on High Summit.
What info do you have on Bennie Bickers Jr who lives on High Summit.
Why did you not include Bennie Bickers Jr. who lives on High Summit on your blog?
I really don't know much about Mr. Bickers, but thanks for asking. What information can you provide?
why are you interested?? I was mickey's wife
Bennie Bickers sold the University Club to George Owens/Owen in 1962. Owen was a close associate of Dallas attorney Bedford Wynne and also a business partner of Mickey Mantle. He was also alleged to be a husband of Maureen "Mo" Kane Biner before her marriage to John Dean of Watergate fame in 1972.
My father knew Bennie Bickers quite well the story I always knew was that he was Bennie Bennion' body guard when he was in Dallas. Would love to know what you have on old history.
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