Always stylishly dressed, usually with an elegant hat and a fur coat draping her slender figure over a stunning dress, Madame St. Clair is "The Numbers Queen of Harlem." Originally from the French island of St. Croix in the West Indies, at 40 "Queenie" or "Madame" controls over thirty numbers or "policy" games in Harlem, the only woman to wield such control among New York City's organized crime figures, resisting pressure from "Dutch" Schultz in particular.

She is also a noted businesswoman, founder of one of the few banks that will loan money to people of her race, among other enterprises. She also funds numerous philanthropic organizations.

Her most trusted associate (and enforcer) is Elwood "Bumpy" Johnson, a formidable figure at the negotiating table and even more so after negotiations break down.


The numbers game is an illegal lottery played especially in poor neighborhoods throughout Harlem. It is also known as the “policy racket” or the “daily number” or bolito in Italian. Bets are placed, usually on small slips of paper on what numbers will be randomly selected. Runners pass the winning numbers from headquarters, the “policy bank,” and distribute them to bookies throughout the area for players to
check in and collect winnings.