{"product_id":"we-are-in-charge-now-corruption-and-intrigue-in-world-war-ii-cheyenne-paperback","title":"We Are in Charge Now: Corruption and Intrigue in World War II Cheyenne - Paperback","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/reportcopyrightinfringement.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReport copyright infringement\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eRichard Ewig\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCheyenne, Wyoming, was a boomtown during WWII. In 1941, a Quartermaster Replacement Training Center was built at Fort Francis E. Warren, west of Cheyenne, to train thousands of soldiers. The two military installations brought millions of dollars into the Capital City. Like other military communities, Cheyenne saw an increase in vice during the war. Gambling became widespread, as did prostitution and the illegal sale of alcohol.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Fourth Regiment, based at Fort Warren, was African American. Cheyenne had a small population of Black citizens, most of whom lived on the city's West Side. Soldiers in the Fourth Regiment often visited the clubs and restaurants in that part of town. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOnly two months after taking office in 1944, the newly elected mayor, Ira Hanna, along with the chief of police, a captain, and a sergeant, began demanding that African American club owners offer gambling and prostitution and pay \"protection money.\" Shortly after the extortion began, several Black businesspeople, led by club owner Lola West, approached the Cheyenne Police Department and the prosecuting attorney, Byron Hirst. A sting operation was arranged. The four were arrested, tried, and convicted, and all served time in the Wyoming State Penitentiary.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHistorian Rick Ewig's research into WWII-era Cheyenne uncovers the city's many colorful residents, many of whom were exploited by a dishonest mayor and his chief of police. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTheir corrupt racket was brought to a dramatic end by a young county attorney and a group of business owners, led by an African American woman.\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 206\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.56 x 9 x 6 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e April 30, 2026\u003c\/div\u003e\n            ","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53387502780723,"sku":"9798993960036","price":32.92,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0300\/5595\/6612\/files\/FjKDYmTxgJ9798993960036.webp?v=1779440201","url":"https:\/\/www.vysn.com\/products\/we-are-in-charge-now-corruption-and-intrigue-in-world-war-ii-cheyenne-paperback","provider":"VYSN","version":"1.0","type":"link"}