Major Players in Belmont
The Belmont Development Company
The Belmont Development Company was incorporated in August of 1917. A group of men with ties to Little Rock, the required resources, and political and social status decided to create an entertainment district of the highest quality and moral standards. How the men met each other, or what their connection to each other is, is still unclear. A professional baseball player, a former sheriff, a judge, an insurance agent, and a banker leased the 320 acres of land from the orphanage along with the Military Department.
An Arkansas Democrat article from August 31st, 1918 titled "Little Rock Indeed Fortunate in Having Such A Hotel As the Belmont At Camp Pike" describes the men as "a group of public spirited and far seeing men." Some of the group owned and operated businesses in Belmont. W. G. Erskine leased the first two lots, building a cigar and confectionery shop. These men sank their money and dreams into Belmont, gambling on what they felt was a sure bet.
W.G. "Big Bill" Hutton
His political record shows his passion and commitment to ideas of prohibition and "clean and modest" vices and entertainment. He served as a local sheriff between 1912 to 1916, and also was elected as the Pulaski County Treasurer from 1908 to 1910.
Hutton is best known for his raids on brothels, gambling rings, and illegal bars in North Little Rock. His involvement in establishing a safe entertainment hub for troops and locals follows his public service focuses.
Judge Allen Hughes
1870 to 1939
Originally from Jonesboro, Arkansas, this farmer's son was a widely popular attorney and Circuit Judge.
Highlights from his career are his legal work with the Singer Sewing Machine Company and the St. Francis Levee Board, and his appointment and work on the impeachment committee for Tennessee Judge Edgington in 1916.
Judge Allen Hughes sits with his wife and children for a family portrait.
Bob Allen's baseball card for his position with the Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball team (Above)
Bob Allen in the back row, third from the left in the Boston Baseball club group photo, 1897. The team was called the "Boston Bean Eaters." (Right)
Robert "Bob" Allen owned a ball field in Belmont. He was a major league ball player between 1890-1900, playing for teams such as the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Philadelphia Nationals, The Cincinnati Reds, and the Boston Beaneaters.
Highlights from his career are his legal work with the Singer Sewing Machine Company and the St. Francis Levee Board, and his appointment and work on the impeachment committee for Tennessee Judge Edgington in 1916.
Robert "Bob" Gillman Allen
1867 to 1943
Washington Gordon Erskine
He was a Memphis native and was the president of the company that developed the city of Belmont. W. G. Erskine lived from 1878 to 1947. In addition to his investment in the city of Belmont, he also helped finance or manage W. E. McGhee Grocery Company (1904), the Assembling Machine Company (1909), and a local bank in Memphis. Erskine and another gentleman named W. L. Smith, a potential partner in an insurance company, are the only two men that don't have obvious or well-known ties or associations to Arkansas.
T. J. Davis
He served as the secretary and treasurer for the Belmont Amusement Company. Not much is known about Mr. Davis at this point in time beyond his work for the Belmont Amusement Company.
"Clean Amusements"
"It is the purpose of the company to lease parcels of ground for high class concessions, such as moving picture theaters, billard halls, bowling alleys, and all classes of good and clean entertainment. Nothing but high class amusements will be permitted. There will be no gambling, drinking or anything whatever that is objectionable."
-Daily Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR)
August 26th, 1917 Page 5
Members of the 42nd Infantry Division play a game of Craps and place bets.
