In the ’40s, restaurant was at the center of U.S. Supreme Court case
Photo at left: X-14 Charcoal Grill in Darien. More Mystery Place photos are GALLERY
This popular eating spot can be found at the southwest corner of the intersection of U.S. Highway 14 and County Highway X in Darien.
In fact, the locations is the same as the name of the restaurant currently at that location — X-14 Charcoal Grill.
The building originally was a private home, and later became the Colonial Club restaurant.
According to Butterfield’s History of Walworth County, the first owner of the property was John Bruce. He bought all of the land on which the early village stood.
The 1857 plat book of the count show that J. Bruce owned property on this corner. This could be either John Bruce, or his brother, James R. Bruce.
A review of later plat books shows the following owners: L.O.K. in 1873, Fulkerson in 1891, Mrs. Olive Fulkerson in 1907, Michael Bennett in 1921, Wadsworth in 1930 and Donald Boltz in 1966.
The latter was a long-time restaurateur.
“A History of Early Darien,” written by Lura Clowes, indicates that Luther Robinson was another owner of the property. She writes that his one acre included the Colonial Club and Pace properties. Her history does not include a date for this ownership.
“A History of Darien, Allens Grove and Fairfield,” compiled by the Darien Bicentennial Committee, shows that Mike J. Bennett, who owned the property n 1921, is buried in the Darien Cemetery. He was born on Christmas Day, 1871, and died Aug. 26, 1946.
When Lyman Arnold was Walworth County District Attorney from 1943-1946, deputies raided the property and found 14 slot machines in operation.
The owners challenged the raid in court, arguing deputies did not have proper search warrants. The case went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, where justices ruled in favor of the county and D.A. Arnold.
the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture.
Feb 12, 2010 at 5 p.m.
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donnaw, thank you for sharing your story. What a great way to grow up! Truly a slice of Americana! Your folks bought the supper club just 6 years after the slot machine raid. Did they, or any of your patrons, happen to be there on that night? If so, what did they tell you about it?
Feb 12, 2010 at 9:27 a.m.
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My father and mother, Don and Mary Boltz bought this supper club from Wadsworth in 1949 and owned it thru the late 1980's. I don't know where the 1966 figure came from. Our family lived in the upstairs apartment, which my dad had completely remodeled. We have many happy childhood memories growing up in Darien--a safe uncomplicated childhood. We all worked in the restaurant and were expected to pitch in whenever asked. Our brother Jack operated the restaurant with mom and dad while he was in college and was an excellent chef. They made the best steaks, fried chicken and fish fry. Those were great days. Mom and Dad worked hard with not many days off during a year but they set a great example for us! Thanks for memories!
Feb 10, 2010 at 9:57 a.m.
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Thank you, Mrs. Hall, for your Mystery Place column! I was happy to learn more about the location of the famous/infamous Darien slot machine raid of 1943! If you and your readers would like to know more details concerning that raid, I can shed more light on the subject based on various local newspaper articles that were written at that time. I'd love to read whatever anyone else is willing to share as well. Thank you!
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