Tank plant at Ford Motor Company’s Highland Park facility in Michigan, early 1940s

1943

A site protection officer disciplined nine workers for shooting dice in a restroom and instructed them to report to the labor relations officer. This happened during the night shift at the Ford Motor Company tank assembly facility at Highland Park in Michigan, on a Friday night in April, during World War II.

Four of the men, instead, fomented a sympathy strike, causing a 2:45 a.m. shutdown. During the morning of the day shift, another 4,200 employees refused to work.

Union officials pleaded with them to return to the job, which they did, by noon.

1934

When police raided an illegal gambling den in Kingston, Washington, one of the players present, Raymond Johnson, swallowed the dice. In court after his arrest, the judge gave him 30 days to “digest” and produce the dotted cubes.

Unfortunately, it’s unknown how everything turned out in this case.

Photo from freeimages.com: by Katinka Kober

1895

When two small boys appeared in a San Francisco, California court for shooting craps, the arresting officer testified. Then this transpired:

Judge: “Are you sure the boys were shooting craps?”

Officer: “Of course, I am.”

Judge: “How many dice were they using?”

Officer: “Four.”

Judge: “Case dismissed. I would advise you to study the game of craps before you make any more arrests. Only two dice are used in shooting craps.”

1890

Judge Beckley Campbell conducted court in a Benicia, California saloon.

After hearing the evidence and deciding on a verdict in cases, he meted out punishments based on the result of tossing two dice in a cigar box.

Double fours, for instance, would mean eight days or months behind bars, depending on the crime. With a repeat offender, Campbell would skip the proceedings and go straight to the dice.

Photo from freeimages.com: by Jason Morrison