Historian Revisits Minnie. "Not A Moocher"; Other Surprises.

   Historian Bert Blyleven of the University of Chicago takes on a biography of the ephemeral depression era figure known for decades as "Minnie the Moocher". Speaking about his new book, Blyleven said "Her nickname, 'The Moocher'? Totally unfounded! There is quite a lot of evidence to support the assertion that Minnie never took a dime from anyone after the age of 25.

   "Minnie actually made quite a good living working the carnival circuit as a professional goldfish toss player. Not only was she NOT a moocher, but she was often very generous. For example, on numerous occasions, she housed and fed her good friend San Francisco Fan. Fan was often having trouble with her man, who had a gambling problem.

   "Don't forget, after being arrested for kicking the gong around, it was Minnie who gave Smokey the bail money. Why she didn't simply give it directly to the sheriff, I have not been able to ascertain.

    Perhaps the most serious accusation against Minnie, is that she was a red hot hoocie coocher. Blyleven says he finds no reason to think so. "Minnie was really pretty alright. Contemporary accounts have her variously baking for children, helping elderly neighbors, and even doing volunteer work. I hope that my book "Minnie the Pretty Good Lady" will help to set the record straight. I think that most of these accusations are a result of rumors started by her on again, off again boyfriend, Smokey, a cocaine addict."

   Blyleven has already begun research on his next book, in which he asserts that Napoleon was actually well over six feet tall, and made "a hell of an omelet."