This letter was shared with me by Erron Alvey. Erron and I are cousins descending from James Thomas Ross/Meredith and Damey Catherine Graham. I have written about them before. In 2020, I shared that some more photos of James/Jim were found and I hoped that more would be found. Erron is a descendant through Robert “Bob” Leonard Ross, brother to my John “Jack” Ross. Bob’s daughter, Mary, is Erron’s Great Grandmother. It appears that some of Jim’s possessions and photos have come through the generations to her. She provided some photographs and other documents for scanning, I scanned 215 documents in all. Among them, was this letter. Pearlie was married to James Thomas Ross/Meredith Jr. Envelopes suggest Jim was living in Winton, California. None of the letters have an address on them.
The letter is dated 1934. That is right in the depths of the Great Depression. During this time in California, Jim is planning on making his way to the Salt Lake City Temple. There he will make covenants only available in temples. His closest temple at that time would have been St. George. But he has family and friends in Salt Lake City. I don’t know if he made it to Vernal and Lapoint to visit James and Pearlie and their family. But this certainly gives some more insight into the ongoing conversations and relationships that existed. I will share the scans of the letter below. I will also share some of the stash of photos that have come over, unfortunately most are unnamed individuals. Jim was baptized and confirmed 17 April 1898. He received his endowment 20 June 1935 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Damey, who has passed away in 1933, also received her endowment vicariously on the same date. They were also sealed that same date. This letter is 11 months before Jim made the trip and received these ordinances.
Pearlie May Marshall was born 16 September 1892 in Gladesboro, Carroll, Virginia and died 17 September 1976 in Vernal, Uintah, Utah. She married to James Thomas Ross (1895 – 1964) 4 June 1913 in Laurel Fork, Carroll, Virginia. They divorced and she remarried to Ashley Bartlett in Vernal, Utah, 22 November 1938. James Jr and Pearlie had six children: Vesta Virginia Ross (1914 – 2007), Eugene Dale Ross (1915 – 1986), Iola Inez Ross (1918 – 1976), Ernest Howard Ross (1919 – 1922), Sydney Bea Ross (1922 – 2010), and Carma Ross (1924 – 2015). All but Sydney were born in Lapoint, she was born in Rupert, Minidoka, Idaho. Ernest died in Rupert while there.
James and Pearlie Ross
Lapoint, Ut
July 20, 1934
Dear Dad,
We were surely pleased to get your letter as we half been expecting one for some time.
How are you and what are you doing? We are all well as usual and not doing much of any thing.
Are times getting any better down there? Don’t seem to be any better here, besides the water situation is getting serious.
Just enough for gardens and maybe that won’t last.
No hay or grain raised if under the White Rocks Canal and not much under the Government Canal.
Glad you are coming to Salt Lake City to go through the Temple.
Nothing would please me better than to go through with you, but I haven’t a penny now and don’t suppose I will then, but if it is possible I will be there.
One of my neighbors used to work in the Temple. She said you could get some one there to go through with you, but I will if I can get there.
I wish Tom would go and be sealed to you and have our work done but I’ve about given up all hopes.
You must be sure and come on out here whether I can meet you there or not.
It won’t cost much more and we want to see you so bad. The children talk about your a lot. Sydney and Carma are getting to be quite big girls now. Eugene hasn’t grown much since you saw him. Surely sorry to hear Jack had cancer of the stomach. Hope he is better by now.
How are Fannie’s folks?
I wrote her 2 or 3 weeks ago but haven’t heard from her.
Do you still stay with Florence? How are her and her family? Tell her to write and tell all about herself and kiddies.
Where is Orson? How are he and his wife getting along. Where does Mary live and how is her health now.
Dad and Mother are getting quite feeble. They ask about you often. Said give you their love. All the rest are quite well. The depression has hit them all.
Irma and Bill are still here but would like to lie in Calif.
Well, Dad don’t wait so long to write us as we are always anxious to hear from you. Be sure you make your plans to come on here when you come to Salt Lake.
Would like for you to come stay with us. It was not cold here last winter so maybe it won’t be this.
Ross and Hemsley families at October 2025 General Conference
As each child has joined the church at the age of 8 years old, we have made it a goal to take them to General Conference. We took Aliza in 2018, and Hiram in 2022. There is something about literally sitting in the same room as the prophets that is different than listening later, watching from afar, or reading in a magazine. You cannot duplicate the spirit that fills the room when 21,000 people sing We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet! The Tabernacle Choir cannot be duplicated. Period.
It took months of planning, but with the help of family, eight tickets were obtained. We left early Sunday morning to drive down and listen to Sunday morning’s session in Kaysville (Aliza got some road hours for her driving permit too). Before that session was over, we changed into church clothes and drove to Salt Lake City.
Salt Lake Temple under renovation, 5 October 2025
We found our seats as soon as the ushers would let us in. We had a pretty sweet section.
Shortly before the Sunday Afternoon Session began, 5 October 2025
After getting our seats, we took the kids to see some of the sights in the Conference Center.
Jill Hemsley, Paul, Lillian, James, and Aliza Ross
Aliza, James, and Lillian Ross with President Russell M Nelson’s bust
We were surprised to find out President Nelson passed away the weekend before Conference. I found it very interesting to attend a General Conference during an Apostolic Interregnum. I reminded the kids they may never have that chance again.
President Dallin H Oaks and Elders Jeffrey R Holland, Henry B Eyring, and Dieter F Uchtdorf leaving after the Session
We were also fortunate to attend the only session President Oaks spoke. I am very thankful to hear the keys of the Priesthood speak in person. It was a very personal talk, more than I remember him speaking in the past. In the past 125+ years, the Apostolic Interregnum has been very short lived. The opportunity to hear the President of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles also speak as the President of the Church in General Conference has not occurred in 74 years. Tradition always has the most senior Apostle being called, sustained, and set apart as the President of the First Presidency/High Priesthood with two counselors called to the same. That may happen today, 12 October 2025, if past precedent holds true.
Amanda, Aliza, and Lillian Ross with Jill Hemsley
I received my first testimony of a Prophet at Utah State University in 1997. I had joined the Logan Institute Choir. President Gordon B Hinckley was coming to speak at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. We had practiced multiple songs. One of which intrigued me, We Ever Pray for Thee. It was while singing that song that President Hinckley entered the arena. Wow. The Spirit overcome me. I have shared that experience many times, especially in the mission. My first testimony of a living prophet. It was as if every cell in my body jumped for joy and vibrated with excitement.
Bryan Hemsley and Hiram Ross at General Conference
My next prophetic testimony was related to Thomas S Monson. I have to admit, I always struggled a bit with President Monson. The story-telling and poems was too mushy for me, or something. I am not sure what gave me a bit of a burr, probably just personality. President Hinckley passed away and within the next week I was attending an endowment session in the Twin Falls Idaho Temple. I was in the prayer circle. It was then that the officiator included President Thomas S Monson in our prayer. As I repeated the words in the circle I felt the confirmation. The Spirit in that moment testified that President Monson was the Prophet upon the earth. I went away rejoicing and all my qualms with personality were lost.
Aliza and Hiram Ross excited to be in the Conference Center
President Monson also fell asleep in time. The next transition was to Russell M Nelson. After my experiences with Presidents Hinckley and Monson, I expected nothing less than another witness as to whether Russell M Nelson was the Prophet on earth. I prayed for the experience. In fact, Brigham Young taught us to expect to obtain a testimony of the Prophet. Well, in our own home watching General Conference in April 2018, we also participated in the Solemn Assembly. It was during that procedure that I again obtained a witness. No questions. In fact, President Nelson in his administration resolved some of my frustrations with church government and organization.
View of the rostrum from the farthest seats of the Conference Center before Sunday afternoon Session
Who will formally be set apart as the next President of the First Presidency? Tradition certainly would indicate Dallin H Oaks, and I expect the same. I also expect to obtain a witness that he is the Lord’s Prophet and Mouthpiece for the whole earth.
Paul Ross enjoying some light refreshments after Sunday afternoon’s General Conference
Since I really only began attending church regularly in 1997, President Hinckley was the only church president I knew for years. However, I will mention, my Grandma regularly spoke of my Great Grandmother’s connection to Ezra Taft Benson in Whitney, Idaho. Interestingly enough, when President Benson died in 1994, I spent the weekend of his funeral at Dustin McClellan’s home. I remember on Saturday, Dustin’s Mom, Bonnie, watching a funeral. I sat down and watched it for a little while. I remember the Tabernacle Choir. I asked her what it was and remember her telling me it was President Benson’s funeral. I felt something at that moment that made me more curious about the man. I still remember that occasion because the Spirit whispered to me. I have since also received a witness of President Benson. I have received one of every President since Joseph Smith.
Bryan Hemsley and James Ross enjoying Conference
Aliza recently attended a fireside in Rupert where President Emily Belle Freeman attended. I hope my children are gaining the golden strands in their testimony tapestry regarding the leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We were fortunate enough to rub shoulders with President Freeman again and Sister Amy A Wright on Sunday.
Emily Belle Freeman and Aliza Ross in Rupert, Idaho, 21 September 2025
“HELP BUILD LOCK. These foremen and supervisors are working on the Eisenhower lock in placement of concrete. They hail from various parts of the country. Shown are Ward Turner, supervisor, from Arkansas; Manuel Martinez, vibrator, from Mexico; Golden Andra, general foreman, from Idaho; John Catera, foreman, from Utica.
This newspaper article and photo were in the records of Golden Andra. Golden is named in the newspaper, I don’t know/think the second photo is of Golden. It says it came from the Department of Interior, he kept it for some reason unknown to me.
I know this was a significant time in the life of the Andra family. Golden worked and is shown as a general foreman. But I also know that Golden’s brothers Donald and Ross both also worked on the St. Lawrence Seaway. I believe they both worked on the Eisenhower Lock as well.
Golden and Utahna adopted a boy born in 1957 at Bombay, Franklin, New York.
Donald married in 1957 at Hogansburg, Franklin, New York.
Ross told me multiple stories of New York. Unfortunately, I don’t remember any to share.
Since this is Golden, and this article also shares some information in New York, I share it here as well.
“Andra, former Preston man, gets Silver Beaver. The Citizen (Preston, Idaho) 20 March 1986.
“A former Preston man was awarded a Silver Beaver award from the Mt. Whitney Area Boy Scout Council in California recently.
“Golden Andra, son of William F. Sr., and Mary Wanner Andra, of Preston, was one of the two Tulare, Calif., scouters to get the prestigious award, the highest given on the council level.
“Andra, who has been involved in scouting for more than 20 years is serving as district commissioner for the Golden State District, and Explorer advisor for Post 234.
“An active member of the LDS church, he married Utahna Bird of Salina, Utah in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.
“He worked for Morrison Knudsen Construction and the government for many years. He now works in sales for Selig Chemicals and has been in sales for 20 years. He is now buying the old Willard Wanner home in Preston for retirement.
“Andra organized the first charter for the Boy Scouts in Hogansburg, N.Y., for Mohawk Indians, becoming scoutmaster; worked with youth in Pierre, S.D.; Page, Ariz.; Roseville, Calif.; Crows Landing, Calif.; served as a counselor to a branch president and scoutmaster in Manteca, Calif.; scoutmaster, stake missionary, president of the Seventies, president of the MIA in Tulare.
“He also served as High Priest group leader, stake assistant secretary and scoutmaster over all scouts, last year being given the district award of merit.
“The Andras have six children (four living) and three foster children.
Working through the family history book of Golden Andra that was given to me, I opened a page to scan some photos and found a surprise. Behind that photo were some ordination certificates. These are originals. I thought I better get them scanned and preserved. I also uploaded them to FamilySearch and got them linked with the names in the documents.
I think they are valuable for family history. They are also a peek into church history. This gives us the missionaries who baptized and confirmed my Great Grandfather in Germany. I have provided some limited biographies at the end.
Also an original Notification of Birth Registration for Robert Lee Andra, son of William and Mary, who died at birth. I am not sure why the United States Department of Commerce is issuing this Notification, or the Bureau of the Census. There is some history behind this I am not aware. Last, a copy of William’s obituary.
Priest Ordination Certificate (Front)
Priest Ordination Certificate (Back)
Elder Ordination Certificate (Front)
Elder Ordination Certificate (Back)
High Priest Ordination Certificate (Front)
High Priest Ordination Certificate (Back)
Robert Andra Birth Certificate
I had to do some history on individuals listed on the certificates. Some fascinating individuals, obviously some of them local church leaders.
James Richard Bodily – born 11 February 1872 in Hyde Park, Cache, Utah – died 12 April 1967 in Preston, Franklin, Idaho
Wilford Woodruff Emery – born 16 October 1880 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah – died 10 September 1954 in Salt Lake City.
John Edward Hanks – born 30 August 1877 in Salem, Utah, Utah – died 5 July 1970 in Salt Lake City.
William Gibson Palmer – born 16 July 1884 in Croydon, Morgan, Utah – died 15 May 1977 in Preston.
Henry Helaman Rawlings – born 8 April 1893 in Fairview, Oneida, Idaho – died 14 February 1984 in Fairview.
Adelbert Augustine Taylor – born 9 April 1883 in Springerville, Apache, Arizona – died 15 November 1948 in San Felipe de HÃjar, San Sebastián del Oeste, Jalisco, Mexico.
Luther Hovey Twitchell – born 17 October 1878 in Salt Lake City – died 15 April 1962 in Bountiful, Davis, Utah.
We are now in Hindley, Lancashire, England. We drove down here today to crash at the home of Hilton and Rhona McCabe. I met them while as a missionary here about 8 years ago. The friendship has continued and we have kept in contact.
Back on the British Side of the Road
Scotland Motorway
We are waiting to hear word from Salt Lake City. We are supposed to be closing on our home in Oklahoma City. Hopefully everything works out. We will find out tomorrow I guess.
Glasgow City Chambers
Last night we spent our evening in Edinburgh, Scotland. We walked throughout the city, saw the castle, the Holyrood residence, and the cathedral. Amanda got to see her world famous Mary Kings Close. It was very interesting. We got our hostel for the equivalent of $30 which we thought was a gonga deal.
Edinburgh Castle looking north
Edinburgh Castle looking northeast to the Scott Monument and North Sea
We landed in Prestwick on Thursday after flying out early from Charleroi Airport near Brussels. We then picked up our hired car and drove to Glasgow and on to Edinburgh. It took me a little bit, but I quickly adjusted to getting back on the wrong/left side of the road.
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Foog’s Gate – Edinburgh Castle
Half Moon Battery
Walking through Half Moon Battery
Mons Meg
Paul Ross in Mons Meg
It is late and I am too tired to write more of our travels today or of what we did in Edinburgh. We did stop to visit Downham, Clitheroe in Lancashire today where the entire town joined the church and later emigrated to Zion. Now we are back in the old mission. My second visit since being released. It is good to be back.
Nothing too much to report this day. We went to Antwerp for District Conference. It was a live broadcast from Salt Lake City. Yep, we came all the way to attend church in Belgium broadcast to us in English! We did get to hear a blessing in Dutch, but that was about it. For those non-English speakers, it was translated for them in the main chapel.
We enjoyed the rest of the day with the Cazier’s. We enjoyed some sandwiches for lunch, some shrimp/pasta/zucchini dish for dinner. Both were very good. They have been good to us. Letting us use their laundry, spare room, and dining room. They drove us to Vianden, Luxembourg, and Antwerp. I do not know how we will ever repay them. We certainly appreciate their hospitality and friendship.
We are planning on heading out for Paris tomorrow. Although that plan may very well change as we hear of a strike with the French railways. We may reverse our trip and head to The Hague tomorrow instead.
So, in the next few weeks, I am re-posting a series of posts from 2008. Back then, the glorious internet did not easily allow for photos to be included in a blog. Those photos then had to be posted separately as an album. With the updates of technology and wanting to more fully integrate those photos into the original posts from 2008, I am redoing all the posts from our 6 week European trip. This will help me link the photos with the steps of the trip. So, this is the 17 year reunion of this trip with photos integrated into the posts. This will also be fun to reconstruct and give inserts to the trip from 17 years more experience!
I freely edit any and all the posts to correct or update.
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Boy, am I glad June is here! My wife has joined me from Virginia after our long separation due to job and school. What a relief! I don’t have to worry about her stressing herself out or pursued by a much more dashing, intelligent, catch of a man.
We leave this week for what may be the trip of a lifetime. How many times in a lifetime, if ever, does one get to go to Europe for 6 weeks? We will be starting with friends in Belgium, working our way to Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, Italy, Slovakia, Germany, The Netherlands, England, Wales, Scotland, and who knows where else we may stumble. We cannot afford it, but why not live with some reckless abandon for a little while? We leave on the 4th to return on the 16th of July.
Amanda packing for Europe
We signed a purchase contract for a home this month. Somewhere around the 22nd of June we will be closing on a humble home in Oklahoma City. Who would ever have thought my first home purchase would be in Oklahoma City? Did I ever think I would move or live in Oklahoma City. Most certainly not.
Amanda and I just hit all three of the Idaho temples this past week. Amanda had never been to any of them. We have now hit all three Idaho and 11 Utah temples. Before year end, we will have three more in those states to hit to make it complete once again. I am very sad I will be in Oklahoma City when the dedication of the Twin Falls Temple takes place. Amanda and I will be helping with the open house in July. I guess that is some solace for missing the dedication. I believe Idaho Falls and Manti are still my favorite temples. The Rexburg Temple has so many beautiful rooms. However, for some reason I still prefer the sessions that are split up into all their sections. Manti and Idaho Falls Temples both have you moving between all the rooms. Manti has the pioneer value and beauty with a live session, but the simplicity of Idaho Falls with its rooms and movement make it a favorite. Salt Lake certainly has the beauty but the place seems more like a zoo than a temple, especially in the summer with all the sealings.
This past week Amanda spent a day with me at work doing bench testing. It was a beautiful day and we spent nearly all of it in Minidoka. The Minidoka Longhorn Cafe and Whitesides Dairy were enjoyable for me. The wastewater we play with is less than beautiful but it is part of life. Whether we like it or not, we all have waste and somebody has to deal with it. I thought Amanda was going to throw up at one point when we were doing some filtration. She kept it down, luckily. The day turned out well. Except for the fact Amanda picked up a tick somewhere. Not only did she pick him up, the tick dug in and started to sup near the middle of her calf. She was not a happy camper when she discovered him. A little polish remover and it backed right out. Hope it got plenty to eat for the long stay in the septic tank.
For the first time in 8 years since Grandma Ross passed away, all my siblings were back together. Becky was coming through Southern Idaho so Scott organized a BBQ. All five of us where there. It was really quite a bit of fun and I enjoyed myself. Vicki, Dad’s first wife, was there. Dad and Jan were there as well. Andra brought Brian and Daniel and little Daniel was certainly a favorite.
I know I have not been writing as much. Despite more people reading the blog than ever before, I just don’t feel like I have much to write. A couple of people want me to write more relevant things that would pertain to them, but how does one write interesting things for everyone? Then, how does anyone write for someone else and keep their voice and soul into it?
Here are four more clippings from my Grandparents, Milo & Gladys Ross. Grandpa talked quite a bit of baseball in Plain City from his youth. I have shared this photo too where he and Elmer played together on the same team. Visiting with Grandpa, multiple baseball players came up, but Elmer was the one that went on to some fame. Plain City’s history includes excerpts on Elmer.
“Plain City hurler recalls years as major leager
“Relives baseball days; wishes he could start over
“PLAIN CITY – “Baseball is more than a little like life – and to many, it is life.”
“This now famous quote came from the lips of sportcaster Red Barber. But its meaning probably best parallels the philosophy of a mischievous-appearing 66-year-old with a flat-top haircut who toiled on the mound through 28 seasons of professional baseball and now wishes he was just starting his career.
“Elmer Singleton, whose right arm challenged now Hall of Famers while pitching for four major league teams, still lives and relieves at his Plain City home the game he feels has no equal. The lifestyle involved with the sport has been to the liking of the baseball veteran and his wife, Elsie.
“For his contribution to the game, Singleton will be inducted into the Old Time Athletes Association’s Utah Sports Hall of Fame in Salt Lake City ceremonies on Nov. 14.
“”I probably don’t deserve this,” Singleton said modestly of the upcoming induction. “It’s quite an honor for someone coming from a little town like this.”
“The lease Plain City native got his baseball start in that town. His father, a semi-pro, himself, started him pitching at the age of 10 years. While still a teenager, Singleton recorded a 15-0 record as a pitcher in both the A and B divisions of the Weber County Farm Bureau League.
“”We had a good team. The catcher was (the late) Dick Skeen. And, do you know what? I pitched to his son Archie when he was catching in the Boston Red Sox organization,” he said.
Following his good showing in the county league, Singleton was a highly sought-after item. He had been interested in the Cincinnati Reds since they had a class C farm team in Ogden, but a contract dispute nixed that. “They’d only offer me $75 a month and I wanted more,” he said. At the age of 20 he signed with the New York Yankees.
“During that next 28 years he spent four in the low minors, seven in the major leagues and the remaining 16 years with a number of teams in the Pacific Coast League. He took one year off when his oldest son was born.
“Although many of his most memorable performances came in the PCL, he pitched well with the Boston Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Senators and the Chicago Cubs. “Hell, I helped Cooperstown pick up a lot of Hall of Famers,” he quipped as he told of pitching against the likes of Henry Aaron, Ted Williams, Jo DiMaggio and Stan Musial.
“Probably his best major league season was 1959 while with the Cubs as he led the National League in earned run average with a 2.72. “That was the year the Braves won the pennant and I was able to beat Warren Spahn 1-0 in a late season game. I also had wins that year over the Pirates’ 20-game-winner Bob Friend, the Giants’ Sam Jones and the Pirates’ Vernon Law.”
“The ageless Singleton later pitched a shutout for the Pirates at the age of 41, and hurled a no-hitter for Seattle of the PCL at 43.
“Regarded as a very hard-nosed athlete, Singleton chuckled when told of former Ogden Reds’ manager Bill McCorry telling Ogden newsmen in 1949 that “Elmer will make it. He’s about two-third ornery and that’s the main ingredient for being a good major league pitcher.”
“”Back then, knocking batters down was legal,” Singleton said. “I remember the day when pitching for the Pirates, the Braves were working us over pretty good so Manager Billy Herman put me in and told me to take care of things. I knocked everybody in the lineup down except Spahn and, ya know, the Braves didn’t score another run off me for more than a year.”
“Singleton displayed a “not guilty” expression when asked about his reputation among baseball players and t news media of throwing a spit ball. He wouldn’t confirm nor deny loading them up, just said “I had a good slider. My slider always broke down.”
He placed the blame for the present high salaries among players on the team owners.
“”The players any more don’t read the Sporting News, its the Wall Street Journal. I’m sure players enjoy playing the game as much now as we did, but they just want to be paid more for it. They turn everything over to their agents while they play.
“”But the owners brought it on themselves. It used to be a business for owners, but now its just a pasttime and tax writeoff,” Singleton said.
“After finishing his baseball career as a PCL coach in the Pacific Northwest in 1961, the Singletons resided in Seattle until returning to Plain City four years ago where they obtained the second oldest house in the town and remodeled into a comfortable home.
“He has no regrets over a life of baseball. “I wish I could start it all over. Look! I still have two straight arms,” he said has he extended them.
“What does he do to occupy his time now?
“”Oh, I help my brother some on his farm, garden a little and help people who need help. I also watch some baseball on television but sometimes that really disturbs me,” he answered.
“Tidbits from the Sports World
“Elmer Singleton of Plain City, righthanded hurler of the Pittsburgh Pirates, looks for the Pirates to be serious contenders for the National league pennant during the 1949 season. Elmer is at San Bernardino, Calif., now, awaiting the opening of spring training for the Pirates this coming week.
“Singleton started his baseball career with the Plain City Farm Bureau team prior to World war II.
“He pitched for Idaho Falls, Wenatchee, Kansas City and Newark before going to the majors. He joined the Yankees first and was later sold to the Boston Braves for two players and $35,000 cash.
“Pittsburgh obtained Singleton from the Braves for a fancy sum. He is ready for his third season with the Pittsburgh club.
“Last year Elmer lost three games by single runs. He was used most as a relief pitcher last season. He hopes to take his regular turn this season.
“Before leaving for the coast Singleton said: “I believe the National league race will be a thriller right down to the wire. Naturally I’m pulling for our club to come through and land the pennant.
“”My ambition in baseball is to get to play in a world series. I hope to realize this dream before closing my diamond career.
“Elmer Singleton Rates Praise
“The “best pitched game” ever witnessed at Seals’ stadium went down in the record book as a defeat for Elmer Singleton, San Francisco right-hander, writes James McGee, San Francisco newspaperman.
“Singleton started his baseball career with Plain City in the Weber County Farm Bureau league back in 1938. Since that timehe has worn a number of major league uniforms.
“Writes McGee: “The big Seal righthander pitched 12 1/3 innings of no-hit ball against Sacramento, April 24, yet lost 1 to 0.
“”That was the best-pitched game I ever saw,” his manager, Tommy Heath, declared. But, as it turned out, it was not quite good enough. Singleton, who set a Seals stadium record and etched his name in Seal history, had the bad luck to meet a tough opponent, Jess Flores, Sacramento’s veteran righthander.
“Flores was effective. The Seals got to him for eight hits, compared to the three singles from Solons finally wrenched from the reluctant Singleton. But the three Solon hits came in succession in the first half of the thirteenth inning, Eddie Bockman, spelling Manager Joe Gordon at second base; Al White and finally Johnny Ostrowski did the damage, Bockman scoring.
“Singleton admitted he was tiring in the thirteenth.
“”It wasn’t that I pitched to so many hitters. It was the strain of the thing,” he said. “All through the early innings I knew I had a no-hitter going. I had to be careful with every pitch. I never pitched one before and I wanted it.”
“Umpire Don Silva vouched that Singleton was careful.
“”He had great stuff. His fast ball was good, but his curve was particularly good. And he was hitting the corners of the plate all the time,” said Silva. “His control was almost perfect.”
“Walked Four
“Singleton walked four men, one of them purposely. He retired the first 18 men to face him before he faltered and walked Bob Dillinger, first man to face him in the seventh.
“In the seventh, the Solons had him in jeopardy for the only time until they finally scored.
“Singleton was within one out of tying the Coast league record for no-hit innings when Bockman got the first hit, a sharp roller through the hole between third and short, in the thirteenth.
“Dick Ward, pitching for San Diego in 1938, went 12 and two-thirds innings of a 16-inning game against Los Angeles without a hit. He eventually won, 1 to 0.
“Ironically, the greatest game pitched at Seals stadium in its 22-year history was pitched in virtual privacy. Only 790 spectators were there at the start with about 1000 fans leaving the park before the end of the game.
“Sports Tid Bits
“Great Falls postmen have accepted the challenge of members of the Ogden post office and have wagered $125 that the Electrics finish ahead of the Reds in the 1952 Pioneer league race.
“Harold Stone of the Ogden post office department informed this corner of the acceptance Saturday night. Two years ago the Ogdenites lost a similar wager.
“George East, landowner of some of the finest duck shooting grounds of the area, is living like Noah of old at his home in West Warren. Genial George says that instead of duck problems, the trash fish from the lower Weber are visiting him and drinking out of his flowing well.
“The ducks have been winging their way annually in George’s direction for nearly four score years. Some years there has been so little water that the migratory birds have avoiding George’s feeding and nesting grounds. Not this year, however, George says as there is more water flooding the pasture lands than in many, many years.
“Herb Woods went out to look the situation over this week. George told Herb he could find his favorite blind by use of maps and a deep diving suit – but Herb did not want to get his nose wet.
“Hal Welch, our so-called game expert, says there is consternation among the sportsmen about the pheasants that will be lost because of their nests being destroyed by the floodwaters. He admits that there will be no shortages of mosquitoes for sportsmen, however.
“Screwy Situations
“The 1952 baseball season still is an infant but here are some of the crewy things that have taken place:
“An umpire – Scotty Robb – got fined, for pushing of all people, Manager Eddie Stanky, of the St. Louis Cardinals.
“Leo Durocher of the Giants protests Augie Guglielmo’s call of a third strike on one of his hitters but nothing happens. We thought questioning a third strike meant automatic banishment.
“A Phillie, Stan Lopata, fails to run from third base with two out, the batter reaches first on an error and Lopata is left stranded as the next batter is retired. And Manager Eddie Sawyer was coaching at third.
“”The Giants are leading the Braves by two runs in the eighth inning yet Leo Durocher lifts his number four hitters, temporarily Henry Thompson, for a pinch slugger. You don’t lift your number four batter in any situation, says wise baseball men, but then who says Thompson (not Bobby) is a number four hitter?
“Roy Campanella, a good number four hitter, bunts in a tie game. Another old baseball adage is that “you don’t bunt your number four hitter.” We disagree with that one. In this case Campy’s bunt paid off for the Dodgers as the next batter singled home the winning run.
“W.S.C. Loses
“PULLMAN (AP) – Idaho defeated Washington State 15-12 in Northern division gold matches Saturday.
“B. Elmer Singleton
“PLAIN CITY – Bert Elmer Singleton, passed away Friday, January 5, 1995 at his home in Plain City. He was born June 26, 1918 in Plain City, Utah, a son of Joseph and Sylvia Singleton.
“He married Elsie M. Wold January 20, 1939 in Ogden, Utah.
“He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
“He played professional baseball for twenty-four seasons, originally signing with the New York Yankees Baseball Organization. His chosen vocation provided he and Elsie the opportunity to live in Pittsburgh, Pa., Boston, Mass., Chicago, Ill., Havana, Cuba, [Caracus, Venezuela], Seattle, Wash. and several other cities in the Midwest and on the West Coast.
“He retired from professional baseball in 1964 and returned to Plain City in 1980. Upon his return he actively lobbied for the Meals on Wheels program for Plain Cities Seniors. He helped with 4-H programs and worked with gifted children.
“He was chosen as Player of The Year for the State of Utah in 1939. He was inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame in 1984. He was chosen as the Pacific Coast League most Valuable Player for years 1955 and 1956.
“Surviving are his sons, Joe F. of Chugiak, Alaska and Jerry E. of Tacoma, Washington and his brother, Don R. of Plain City. He has two grandchildren, Joe E and Shelby J., residing in Anchorage, Alaska.
“He was preceded in death by his loving wife Elsie on January 31, 1988 and brothers, Earl and Harold.
“Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 11th at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd.
Friends may call at the mortuary on Wednesday, January 10th from 6 to 8 p.m. and Thursday 10 to 10:45 a.m.
“Internment, Plain City Cemetery.
Back (l-r): William Freestone (manager), Norman Carver, Glen Charlton, Fred Singleton, and Elmer Singleton. Middle: Clair Folkman, Dick Skeen, Albert Sharp, Abe Maw, Milo Ross. Front: F. Skeen, Walt Moyes, Arnold Taylor, Lynn Stewart, Theron Rhead.
Sagacity 