The drawing of the nickels preceded the “Jackpot” story and illustrated that slot-machines and gambling in Mississippi had to be hidden behind locked doors at that time. In certain states it was legal, but not in Mississippi…this applied to alcohol as well…”The hotel had a back- room behind the café’s kitchen that also housed slot machines. Of course, at the time I didn’t know they were illegal; I just enjoyed pulling the handle with the big red ball on the end of it…I hit the 777 jackpot on several occasions, and nickels went flying everywhere!”
