November 4, 1931

Leo Patrick McLaughlin married Florence Paul of Texas on the day after his second marriage ended. They divorced in 1936. “Missing” court documents and the fact that several of his siblings never married only added to the intrigue felt by the citizens of Hot Springs (Garland County) regarding McLaughlin’s marriages. McLaughlin, who reigned as mayor of a corrupt Hot Springs for almost twenty years (1927 to 1947), was the undisputed boss of Garland County politics. During his time in office, many underworld characters frequented Hot Springs’ spas, and gambling became one of the town’s most popular forms of entertainment. Even today, many recall McLaughlin as one of Hot Springs’ most memorable personalities.