In July and August of 2010, Tales from the Morgue ran a series about a murder at the opening night party of the Silver Slipper night club. It was noted at the end of the series that the club had burned down in the 1930s, but detailed information had not been found. Until now.
The Silver Slipper night club had bad luck from the beginning, as noted in the story of it's last gasp. From the Arizona Daily Star, Jan. 9, 1934:
FIRE ENDS STORY OF SILVER SLIPPER
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Bad Luck Which Began in 1928 Follows El Sahuaro
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The Silver Slipper, latterly know as El Saguaro club, burnt to the ground, a complete loss, early yesterday morning, after a five year record as southern Arizona's unluckiest enterprise. Originating from an unknown source, fire left nothing but a few smouldering walls of the well-known dance hall, two miles out on Broadway. Apparently originating about daylight, the caretaker, Ray Orcutt, was chased from the blazing building shortly after 5:30, escaping the flames but leaving his effects behind.
The damage was said yesterday to be complete and assessed at $15,000. As El Saguaro club, the old Silver Slipper had been reopened Dec. 1 by E. A. Jacobs and W. A. "Buster" Robson. The more than four year old jinx on the establishment apparently forgotten, it got off to a flying start as a popular dining and dancing place. The revived club was managed by Dell Crosby, formerly of Los Angeles.
As the Silver Slipper, the East Broadway resort got off to a bad start when, on its opening night, Oct. 13, 1928, George B. Echols shot and killed James Mills. Echols was later acquitted by a Pima county jury of murder charges. The Silver Slipper fell into disrepute and, at one time, was said to be a county gambling resort. Later it was closed. Last year it housed four families, living in it as an apartment house. Then, with repeal, it was refitted and reopened, and its short bid for life was again stilled by yesterday morning's fire.
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It would appear that when death occurs at a new establishment on opening night, perhaps one should demolish the building at once and start fresh.
A link to the original series is at the upper right of this article.
