Little Man Popwell

Julius Oral "Little Man" Popwell (June 1, 1912–May 19, 1966) was one of the most famous poker players from the first half of the 20th century. His preferred game was five card stud, and he often went on the road to play against other poker legends such as Johnny Moss, Henry Green, Aubrey Day, and Oscar Webbey. He was posthumously inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame at Binion's Horseshoe Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas in 1996.

The 5'-6" tall Popwell weighed over 300 pounds. His nickname "Little Man" came from his billiards prowess as a boy, when he regularly beat men over twice his age.

After World War II, Popwell operated lotteries, craps tables and card games from his home in Shelby County. He was raided many times and, in the mid 1950s was convicted of gambling and income tax evasion totalling nearly $400,000 in penalties.