Remember New Ken nightlife

I'm somewhat baffled by the location of the Mannerino houses. In 59, 60, I made deliveries to a house on Charles ave. to what I believed to be Sam's house and I think Vic and Minnie lived there too. I always saw Sam's wife, Minnie and her daughter there. At the time, Kelly made his home in the Miami area in Fla.
I assume there may have been some moving in the early 60's when Vic went to prison. Has my memory failed me???

Olderndirt wrote:

I'm somewhat baffled by the location of the Mannerino houses. In 59, 60, I made deliveries to a house on Charles ave. to what I believed to be Sam's house and I think Vic and Minnie lived there too. I always saw Sam's wife, Minnie and her daughter there. At the time, Kelly made his home in the Miami area in Fla.
I assume there may have been some moving in the early 60's when Vic went to prison. Has my memory failed me???

Sam lived on Highland, with Vic and Minnie. Kelly lived on Charles, but, after a point, spent a lot of time in Florida. In the late 50's, Kelly bought property from Sam in Allegheny Twp. and built a "cottage" where he spent a lot of time in the summer. He hosted meetings there. He frustrated the FBI because he never had a phone installed at the cottage that they could tap. They surveyed the property for the feasability of planting a bug in the cottage, but decided against doing so. The did have the Ken Iron & Steel in NK bugged for a while.

At some point in the late 50's Sam was in hiding, whereabouts unknown. Maybe the deliveries you made were during that period. Perhaps he was hiding on Charles Ave.

In any case both Sam and Kelly's families seem to have retained the Highland and Charles Ave. properties for some time after their deaths.

Sam was at 201 Highland Ave. Kelly was at 540 Charles Ave. Kelly's cottage, I think, was at 5571 Shearsburg Rd., Allegheny Twp.

Margie wrote:

Sam was at 201 Highland Ave. Kelly was at 540 Charles Ave. Kelly's cottage, I think, was at 5571 Shearsburg Rd., Allegheny Twp.

I thought you could put some light on my dim memory Margie. I'm still wondering though. In 59, 60 Sam was at New Ken Iron daily or almost daily. He spent a lot of time there dabbling in the oil industry. I was told, I think by Vic, that a couple of women that worked there made a lot of money buying and selling oil stock on Sam's advice. During that time, I don't remember Kelly being in the area more than a few days at a time. I think he was pretty well planted in Miami. I know he sent couriers to New Ken on occasion. Middle aged guys, summer suits and briefcases. I was never at the property in Allegheny Twp. or Highland Ave. though. There was a lot going on at the Bon Fire then. Meetings, parties, gambling in the basement that's now the downstairs bar.

[The "summer cottage" is standing as it was. I handled the transfer of that property, several years ago. It is owned by the Barker family.

Ambrose Kid -60 wrote:

[The "summer cottage" is standing as it was. I handled the transfer of that property, several years ago. It is owned by the Barker family.

According to the FBI files, the first cottage was destroyed. Subsequently, a new house was erected, twice as large as the first. On March 6, 1977, Special Agent T. A. Meek, Jr., observed that construction of Mannarino's new home, located on RD1, Leechburg, Pa., was almost complete.

There was much speculation at the time as to the cause of the explosion. Some felt it was merely an accident. Others felt it was an insurance job. Someone from the state police even speculated that it was a bombing done in retaliation for some "business" moves the boys were making at the time. I don't know if the mystery was ever solved.

Olderndirt wrote:

<quoted text>
I thought you could put some light on my dim memory Margie. I'm still wondering though. In 59, 60 Sam was at New Ken Iron daily or almost daily. He spent a lot of time there dabbling in the oil industry. I was told, I think by Vic, that a couple of women that worked there made a lot of money buying and selling oil stock on Sam's advice. During that time, I don't remember Kelly being in the area more than a few days at a time. I think he was pretty well planted in Miami. I know he sent couriers to New Ken on occasion. Middle aged guys, summer suits and briefcases. I was never at the property in Allegheny Twp. or Highland Ave. though. There was a lot going on at the Bon Fire then. Meetings, parties, gambling in the basement that's now the downstairs bar.

I got to thinking about the two houses, Highland Ave. and Charles Ave. The two houses look very different. As best I can remember, one looked to have been built in the '30s, a more traditional structure, and the other was of a more modern design. Do you remember the appearance of the house to which you made the deliveries?

I believe I read in the FBI files that Sam actually had at least one successful oil well drilled. And I think he had some interest in natural gas drilling as well.

Margie wrote:

<quoted text>
I got to thinking about the two houses, Highland Ave. and Charles Ave. The two houses look very different. As best I can remember, one looked to have been built in the '30s, a more traditional structure, and the other was of a more modern design. Do you remember the appearance of the house to which you made the deliveries?
I believe I read in the FBI files that Sam actually had at least one successful oil well drilled. And I think he had some interest in natural gas drilling as well.

I won't swear to it Margie but as best as I can remember, the house on Charles was a dark brick at least 2 story. I think it may have been a fair distance up from the street.

I remember most the gun running episode. My father somehow knew one or more of the guys involved. What airport was used? I think it was across the river in Allegheny County.

Tom R wrote:

I remember most the gun running episode. My father somehow knew one or more of the guys involved. What airport was used? I think it was across the river in Allegheny County.

The airport where Carlucci's red Caddy was spotted was Remich Airport, in West Deer. I think the bust occurred in a Ohio airport with some arrests in Fla. Margie is more familiar than I about the details.

The guns were stolen from the NIKE installation in Rural Ridge. They were too heavy for the plane to stay air borne and the plane had to land at an air strip in either WV or OH.

My Dad worked with a Sam Remich at Braeburn. Might be a relative.

The pilot was arrested at Morgantown, WV, forced down there on information provided by US Customs. The plane had been flagged as suspicious following the appearance of its serial number on a list of planes being used to fly arms to Cuba. The list was confiscated during a raid in Florida of a boat loaded with arms and uniformed Cuban rebels, early in October, 1958.

The guns were stolen from a National Guard Armory in Canton, Ohio. Apparently over 300 rifles and some machine guns were stolen. The plane Sutor was piloting had about 120. The remainder may have been shipped on an earlier flight.

Interestingly, I haven't found anything so far that indicates that this burglary was ever solved. Hard to believe, don't you think.

Sam Remich and Tony Remich (owner of Remich Airport) were brothers.

Tom R wrote:

My Dad worked with a Sam Remich at Braeburn. Might be a relative.

Arnold Boy wrote:

Sam Remich and Tony Remich (owner of Remich Airport) were brothers.<quoted text>

Sam & Tony Remich were my uncles.

re: There was a lot going on at the Bon Fire then. Meetings, parties, gambling in the basement that's now the downstairs bar.
AND you know this how? I worked there in the mid 60's and I have to say this wasn't the case. Well yes meetings and parties as this is normal business.

Bon Fire Alumni wrote:

re: There was a lot going on at the Bon Fire then. Meetings, parties, gambling in the basement that's now the downstairs bar.
AND you know this how? I worked there in the mid 60's and I have to say this wasn't the case. Well yes meetings and parties as this is normal business.

You keep this up you will be sleeping with the fishes!!!!!!
"keep your friends close and your enimies closer"

There is no mafia, there is no mafia, there is no mafia

Does anyone remember the name of the boat dock/club on the river at the foot of 18th St. in Arnold?

Margie wrote:

Does anyone remember the name of the boat dock/club on the river at the foot of 18th St. in Arnold?

I always thought it was called the Arnold Boat Club.