KOM League Flash Report for 9/18/2020 --------------------- Late summer hummingbird

The KOM League

Flash Report

For

September 18, 2020

 

For those who have inclination to torture themselves, another Flash Report is posted on Flickr at: www.flickr.com/photos/60428361@N07/50353241978/

 

This is quote from the concluding paragraph of the last report. “It will take, however, a couple of readers to send a comment in order for this old guy to dust off the keyboard and try to write another report in a week or two.” Surprisingly, a “couple” of responses were received and they are the nucleus of this report, following the obituaries.

 

How can a person write about the death of someone on September 9 and the person didn’t pass away until September 13? Well, prescience isn’t something with which this old guy is blessed. The major trait possessed is being slow. When thumbing through the list of former KOM leaguers known to be alive in 2019, or part of it, a surprise was looming. In short order the obituary of a former Bartlesville Pirate was found. It wasn’t under his first and middle names but rather the initials for those names. Upon first glance it was assumed the deceased passed away in 2020 but paying closer attention it was discovered the obituary had occurred the previous year.

 

A couple of links follow. Clicking on the links will add a great deal to the enjoyment of this report. In the comments section of this story is a video link I’m sure any sports fan will enjoy. So, when you get there don’t miss checking it out.

 

The Passing of Ernest Cleo Leslie Jr.

www.legacy.com/obituaries/lubbockonline/obituary.aspx?n=e...

 

www.kcbd.com/2019/09/14/former-lubbock-isd-superintendent...

 

Lubbock- Dr. E. C. Leslie, Jr. passed away on September 13, 2019, following a brief illness. The family will host a time of fellowship and remembrance from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday, September 20, 2019, at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers. Family and friends will gather to celebrate his life of 88 years at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 21, 2019, at Monterey Church of Christ. Family and friends are invited to share memories and expressions of sympathy, and view Dr. E. C. Leslie's life tribute at www.memorialdesigners.net.

 

E. C. was born February 12, 1931, to Ernest Cleo and Estelle Deason Leslie in Kansas City, Missouri. He graduated from Paseo High School in Kansas City, MO, in 1947 and then went on to attend Central Missouri State, where he received his Bachelor of Science in 1952. E. C. married Johnnie Kaneaster in Kansas City, Missouri. He received his Master's degree in Education at Texas Tech University in 1957, and his Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Texas Tech University in 1970.

 

At the age of 19, he signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates and played in their minor league system for two years. His baseball career was cut short by the Korean War as he was called to serve in the U.S. Army in 1952. He returned to baseball and played for two additional years in the minor leagues. During this time with the Lubbock Hubbers, he and his wife decided to make Lubbock their home.

 

Dr. E.C. Leslie served with the Lubbock Independent School District for more than 30 years. He began his career in 1957 as an American history teacher and baseball coach at Lubbock High School. In 1961 he became a counselor at Lubbock High and later served as the school's Assistant Principal and Principal. After serving as the principal of Lubbock High for four years, he became Assistant Superintendent for Lubbock ISD. In 1984 he was named Lubbock ISD Superintendent and served in that role until his retirement in 1989.

 

E.C. was a founding member of Monterey Church of Christ, where he served as an elder, deacon, bible school teacher, and Christian mentor. He was involved in many community and professional activities, contributing both as a member and as President on the boards of numerous civic organizations. He was honored with multiple awards from the communities he served. Although he received much recognition, he valued his relationship with God and family as the highest possible achievement.

 

In his free time, he could be found on the tennis court, at a ballgame, or playing bridge. He loved watching his grandkids play sports and weekly coffee and laughs with his Wisdom Club. Late in his life, he became the primary caretaker for his wife, Johnnie, who had dementia. He was a model of love, patience, commitment, and humility to all who knew him. He has run the race and received the ultimate prize of heaven, finally rejoining the love of his life.

 

Those left to cherish his memories include his children; Leigh Leslie and husband, Fred Curdts of Silver Spring, MD; Tim Leslie and wife, Susan of Lubbock, TX; grandchildren, Logan Leslie and wife, Courtney; Brent Leslie and wife, Kyleigh; Evan Curdts, Lydia Curdts; and sister, Judy Denney.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest Cleo, Sr. and Estelle Leslie; wife, Johnnie Leslie; and sister, Marilyn Klick.

 

Special thanks to Legacy of the South Plains and Hospice of Lubbock who lovingly cared for him during the last months of his life.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family of Dr. E. C. Leslie has requested memorial donations be made to Lubbock Christian University/ E.C. Leslie Family Endowed Scholarship, Lubbock Christian University Advancement, 5601 19th Street, Lubbock, Texas 79407, lcu.edu/support-lcu/student-scholarship/, or the Children's Home of Lubbock, P.O. Box 2824, Lubbock, Texas 79408, childshome.org/giving/.

 

Ed comments:

 

E. C. played on the 1950 and 1951 Bartlesville Pirate teams. In 1950 he played in 115 games and hit .265. He split his time between playing second base and shortstop. In 1951 he returned to play the bulk of his games at second base. He hit .271 that season and managed to play in 210 official games in the KOM league without losing a baseball by hitting it over the fence, in fair territory.

 

For a video of Leslie’s life click here. It is an excellent synopsis of his life. vimeo.com/343543783

 

Leslie played his two seasons for the same manager, Tedd Gullic. Three of his teammates at Bartlesville later played with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Those playing at the big league level were Ed Wolfe, Brandy Davis and Ronnie Kline. Among that group Wolfe made it into three games, Davis 67 and Kline had 736 appearances. All three of those fellows were with the Pittsburgh Pirates for part of the 1952 season. Wolfe and Kline were then gone by 1953 for military duty. Davis was a former Marine who had served his country prior to signing with the Pirates.

 

After the Korean War Kline returned to pitch for nine big league teams in a 17 year career. The clubs were the Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Angels, Detroit Tigers, Washington Senators, Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves. www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=kline-...

 

When the research began to document the KOM league Kline was contacted and generously shared many photos and recollections of his time at Bartlesville, Oklahoma for parts of the 1950 and 1951 seasons. He regretted not being able to finish the 1951 season with Bartlesville for they were fighting for a pennant and New Orleans, where he and Brandy Davis were sent in mid-August was going nowhere. Brandy Davis didn’t relish leaving that KOM league club either.

 

A funny story arose as to how Kline and Davis were contacted to report to New Orleans. It has been shared in many of my previous writings and if you have the book “Majoring in The Minors” your task is to look it up. For those of you who didn’t invest in that magnificent tome you will have to request a “Special showing” of that story. The basic story is how Al Solenberger hung up, three times on Branch Rickey when the Pirate GM called their hotel room in Pittsburg, Kansas. Gee, now I’ve done gone and told the story.

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Howard Powles 1948 Carthage Cardinals.

 

www.crainsonline.com/obituaries/Howard-Powles/#!/Obituary

A photo of Powles, in his later years, is on the aforementioned site.

 

Official Obituary

 

Howard Powles, 93, of Dongola (Ill.), formerly of Tamms, passed away Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at the Illinois Veteran’s Home in Anna.

 

Howard was born June 30, 1927 to Roy and Lorene Powles of Mill Creek. His passion in life was baseball. Howard signed with the St. Louis Cardinals and later the Brooklyn Dodgers. He was a lifelong Cardinal fan. He was a WWII veteran having served in Japan. Howard was a longtime hardware salesman and worked for both Belknap Hardware and Witte Hardware. He was also a volunteer firefighter with the Tamms Fire Department.

 

Howard is survived by sons, Stan (Alison) Powles of Golconda and Jeff Powles of Anna; daughter, Betty Powles of Anna; stepchildren, Kerry Hunter, Lisa (Wayne) Downs, Kyle (Laura) Hunter; grandchildren, Hilary Powles, Emily Powles, Fred (April) Terbrak, Martina Terbrak, Justin Hunter, Kendra Miller, Kayla Hunter, Dereck Hunter, Melissa Lowry, and Emily Downs; sisters, Louise “Tyne” (Bob) Thompson of Mill Creek, Fern Thompson of Dongola, Imogene Lynn of Marion; several great and great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

 

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Ella Albright and his second wife, Charlene Hunter Powles; daughters, Treva Powles and Sandra Terbrak; parents, Roy and Lorene Powles; sister, Delores “Toots” Wilson; brother, Frank Powles; brothers-in-law, Don Lynn and Jack Wilson; granddaughter, Crystal Terbrak and grandson, Nicholas Downs.

 

Visitation will be held from 11:00am-1:00pm on Saturday, August 22, 2020 at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms. Funeral Services will be at 1:00pm on Saturday at the funeral home with Rev. Brent Gordon officiating. Interment will follow at Beechwood Cemetery in Mounds with full Military Honors by the Illinois Honor Guard and local veterans.

 

Groups of 50 people at a time will be allowed in to pay their respects. Those attending the visitation and funeral service are requested to observe customarily accepted social distancing procedures. All attendees are reminded that, in accordance with recently announced State of Illinois guidelines, masks or face coverings are required in public spaces.

 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Veteran’s Honor Flight of Southern Illinois and can be mailed to 10400 Terminal Drive, Suite 200, Marion, Illinois 62959.

 

Ed comments:

 

Howard Raymond Powles was a lefthanded pitcher who showed up at Carthage at the start of the 1948 season and was released to May 10th. He had initially been signed by the St. Louis Cardinals who shuttled him around in 1947. He began that season on the Fresno, Calif. roster and he was then assigned to Lenoir, NC. At the end of the 1947 season he was assigned to the Winston Salem, NC club who retained his contract for 1948. That is how he wound up in Carthage to start the 1948 campaign.

 

Following his release by Carthage his time with the St. Louis Cardinal organization was concluded. He didn’t play in 1949 but he was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers who assigned him to Cairo, Ill. They optioned him to Centralia, Ill. on June 19, 1950 and four days later he was released outright. Anyone caring to follow his career can do so by viewing this link. digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll3/id/85010/...

 

There aren’t many details this writer can add to what is contained in the obituary. Only one conversation was ever conducted with the deceased and his time was so brief, with Carthage, that he didn’t have any significant memories of the town or his teammates.

 

With Powles passing there are only three remaining members of the 1948 Carthage Cardinals. Namely; William Hall Hatch, James Koukl and Arthur Lee Wilson. None of those guys were born in California but according to personal detective work it is believed they are all residing in the “Rolling Blackout State.” Hatch was from St. Louis, MO while Arthur Lee Wilson was from New Albany, Indiana. Contact has never been established with either of that pair. However, Koukl has been located and lot of communication has gone back and forth with the Chicago native.

 

Had there been space a thorough review would have been done on Wilson. He is a fellow who can be traced through the Sporting News index cards. Yes, it’s plural. His United States playing days and his Mexican league experience is on separate cards. Check it out if you are a fact checker.

digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll3/id/35442/...

 

digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll3/id/174300...

 

_____________________________________________________________________________

Ralph Tielsch and a former teammate.

 

Upon speaking with Ralph Tielsch once more, following an 18-year absence of so, I decided to share this with Robert Schwarz of Orchard Park, New York. “Contact has been attempted to reach all the living members of the 1950-51 Iola Indians informing them of the passing of Howard Hunt. Ralph Tielsch and I talked for about an hour this morning and he said to tell you "Hello." I told him I was going to contact you today and pass along his telephone number.

 

He had great stories about you guys returning home at the close of the 1950 season. If you would like to get in touch his number is 724 327-______.

 

There aren't many of the Iola players still around so I'm counting on you to hang in there.

 

Belated response

 

John, I JUST opened this email of yours with Tielsch’s phone number in it. To the point, I just got off the phone with him. WOW!!!! Thanks so much for ‘making it happen. Of course, I told him how memorable it was for me to have won the batting crown that year: 1950; and batted .360. Ha Ha ‘Quite a guy, Ralph Tielsch. Happy Labor Day. Bob s

 

Ed reply:

 

Glad you two celebrated Labor Day together. The last game you two ever played together was Labor Day of 1950. Since that time I see your batting average went up 100 points and Tielsch's ERA went down by a comparative amount.

 

Schwarz’s response

 

So long, John. ‘Been nice for me, a ‘hacker’ who spent ‘umph, how short a time in the K O M. In my book, you “led the league in all important STATS” To you and your handsome family, I (think I’m) signing off. ‘Just had my 93rd b’day. That’s the trte (truth).

____________________________________________________________________________

Word from a former Iola batboy.

 

Thanks for the information on Bill Wigle. He was one of the older members of our team, but I always enjoyed him. He roomed a few doors from where we lived along with the other Canuck, John Brkich.

 

Are there any of this team still above ground?

 

Vernis and I celebrated our 60th wedding anniversary on May 1st. Not much of a celebration due to the virus but we’re doing fine.

 

I enjoy your Flash reports and admire your amazing memory and writing.

 

Hope that you are well. Thanks--Larry Flottman—Lawrence, Kansas

 

Ed comment:

 

All the names of the living former members of the 1952 Iola Indians were shared with Flottman. One person named was Vic Damon. He asked if it would be possible to share his address or e-mail. It was and I did. In that same e-mail he said, “I have a picture of him with Chuck Sisson that I would forward to him or you. I think that I sent you copies earlier.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Enjoyed banana girl

I had never heard of the "banana girl" before so I found that to be quite interesting. Curtis Heider

 

Ed reply:

 

My goal is to come up with stuff no one today knows anything about. I hate to parrot what others are reporting.

 

____________________________________________________________________________

Exceeded expectations

,

I believe I have passed your “test to see if anyone is really on the receiving end of these missives” as I just enjoyed a fun read of your latest Flash Report!

 

The “History of the Wigle Family and their Descendants” published in 1931 has provided me with some ideas about writing some my own family history. However, like you, I will no doubt have a supply of unclaimed copies of my efforts when I finally get it done.

 

I for one, believe that you have exceeded your goals for the Flash Reports. Your way of telling the stories about KOM League players, managers and communities which hosted the teams is very entertaining and so well researched.

 

Keep on keeping the memories alive John, as your recollections of the “good old days” is very much enjoyed!

 

Have a great long weekend and stay healthy & safe. Tom Ashcraft--Tucson, Arizona—(Ed note.) Long time member of the administration at Arizona State Univ. and son-in-law of the man who lived longer than any former KOM leaguer—Shannon Deniston.

 

Ed reply:

 

Congratulations on making it through the report. A number of people commented about some aspect of it. All my weekends are extended since I retired and all the English Cockers went to heaven.

___________________________________________________________________________

Bowers of the Whiz Kids not Bowers of Bartlesville

 

Hey John. I'm Steve Bowers I used to be in Branson and you were looking for another fellow named Bowers in Branson.

 

I thought you might like a story. My step dad, Paul Epps, grew up in West Plains in the '30s and '40s until he joined the navy for late WWII. He grew up with or went to school with Bill Virdon, had a band on the radio opposite Porter Wagner and the people that became famous after leaving the Ozarks.

 

Paul was short and stocky tried to play a little softball in Springfield wasn't real good at it, he was much better selling cars for Don Wessel when everyone liked big shiny bumpers and fancy flashy hubcaps. I got to meet Mickey Mantle one afternoon, he was a friend of Don Wessel and he came to Springfield to buy his wife (new wife?) a fancy Delta 88 Olds if I remember right. Got to shake his hand (I) could not ask for a signed ball they had business to take care of.

 

Mickey Owen got Paul a ball signed on a trip to New York while still Sheriff in Greene County.

 

Paul got several balls from Bill and Mrs. Virdon who he stayed friends with. I still have the Pirates and Astros balls, they bring back memories.

 

I read your Flash Report down here in Mountain View, Arkansas where am living now. Steve Bowers

 

Ed reply:

 

Good hearing from you again. I never have heard from Eugene Kyle Bowers but I know where he lives.

 

All those names sound familiar including Don Wessel.

 

If Mantle was buying a new car for anyone and it wasn't Merlyn then it was a girlfriend. He never married a second time.

 

Your step-father was well known for singing in a quartet known as Three Sharps and a Flat with Porter in high school.

A few moments later

 

It just came to me. The Jim Bowers I called you about was a former member of the Baxter Springs Whiz Kids. He had played with that team when the Heavin boys were on it.

 

Ed comment:

 

For those who are curious as to who Paul Epps was and who his famous friends were this link to his obituary will take you to a front row seat. www.legacy.com/obituaries/news-leader/obituary.aspx?n=pau...

_______________________________________________________________________

Former Kansas City A’s batboy makes contact, twice

 

Jim Jay of Kansas City and their A’s batboy in 1956-57, made a comment regarding some of the items in previous Flash Reports and was surprised to learn of the death of Delores Liston. She was the lady who kept her husband Warren, from playing competitive baseball decades after he had to give up the professional version of the game.

 

Equally, surprising to me was a note Jay sent a few days later about the death of a doctor here in Columbia, Missouri. Here was his note. “John: my high school buddy passed away Sept. 5 in Columbia, Dr. Jerry Foote. He also was the visiting team bat boy in 1955-56. He got me my bat boy job with the A's. I've known Jerry since grade school. We are coming to his service this Friday 1-3. Can you and Noel meet Jeanne and I about 11:15 to 11:30 at your favorite eatery? We can visit briefly. We would like to see you both. Maybe you've seen the obit, it mentions two baseball greats that Jerry had been around.”

 

In honor of the former visiting Kansas City A’s batboy this old batboy will meet the Jay’s for lunch today (9/18/). The following link contains the obituary for Dr. Foote. It makes for great reading. www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/columbia-mo/jerry-foot...

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Heavin of Baxter Springs

.

There were some nice comments about the identifying the remains of Hadley Heavin who had two brothers who became teammates of Mickey Mantle after WWII. The intent of one comment on that subject wasn’t determined so no response was attempted. Here is the comment that was understandable. “I was moved by the story of Hadley Heavin (I think I got that right). It took 4 years longer than I've been alive to find him and return him home, but they did it. 79 years since Pearl Harbor and the story is still not done. Jerry Hogan—Fayetteville, Ark.

____________________________________________________________________________

A late breaking story

 

As this report was about to be tucked into bed an e-mail was received containing this question. “John, Is this the Jim Snyders who played for the Independence Browns in 1952?

www.legacy.com/obituaries/argusleader/obituary.aspx?n=jam... Thanks, Jack Morris”-Baseball necrologist

 

This is the content of the reply to the aforementioned inquiry. “That’s my buddy. At our very first KOM league reunion he was the first one to show up and I became his chauffeur for a few days. At that time he was a widower at the next reunion Lorraine came with him. It is odd that I was checking on him yesterday since I hadn’t heard from him for a while.”

 

Shortly after that reply another question as well as an additional obituary site was shared by Jack Morris. This one said “His obituary on the funeral home website give more details - www.jurrensfuneralhome.com/obituary/james-jim-snyders

 

Is that a picture of him as a player in the background or is that just a stock photo for former baseball players’ obits?

 

Ed reply:

 

That is a real photo of him taken in 1952. He gave me one of those photos and I think a copy of it is in one of my books. His individual photo is on page 289 of the long forgotten book, Majoring in The Minors. That uniform was a 1947 hand-me-down from the New York Yankees. When the Browns franchise was transferred from Pittsburg to Independence in 1952 they wore those old Yankee uniforms with a St. Louis Browns patch attached to the right sleeve.

 

When Bartlesville transferred their franchise to Pittsburg, in mid-1952, they wore their old uniforms until the owners vacated the team and took everything, including the uniforms. Pittsburg then borrowed the 1949 Chicago Cub uniforms Carthage had worn in 1950 and 1951.

Is the answer to your question sufficient?

 

Snyders’ obituary:

 

James "Jim" Snyders

 

Sioux Falls, SD Larchwood, IA - James P. (Peter) Snyders, age 90, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota formerly of Larchwood, Iowa passed away Monday, September 14, 2020 at Dow-Rummel Village Health Center in Sioux Falls.

 

A private family Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, September 17, 2020 at The Church of St. Mary in Larchwood with Ftr. Sunny Dominic, celebrating. Burial will follow in the Larchwood Cemetery.

 

There is a livestream link available to view the service at www.jurrensfuneralhome.com

The service will be available to be viewed for 90 days. (Ed note: If anyone views it, let me know.)

 

James "Jim" Snyders was born on November 26, 1929 in Larchwood, IA to Joseph and Lorena (Ripperda) Snyders. He attended St. Mary's Catholic School in Larchwood, where he met his high school sweetheart, Ruth Krier, and graduated in 1947. On April 11, 1950, Jim and Ruth were united in marriage at St. Mary's Catholic Church. From his early childhood, Jim began growing his baseball career and was often seen in the park playing with his brothers and friends.

 

Jim was a dedicated father and husband to his wife and nine children, working at John Morrells from 1953 to 1983 and starting Snyders Sanitary Service in Larchwood in 1968, before retiring in 1992. After Ruth passed away in 1994, Jim married Lorraine Young in 2000 and moved to Sioux Falls, where they spent their lives together. Surviving years of cancer, Jim spent his retirement watching his grandchildren play ball and gathering with his children. Jim was a member of the Church of St. Mary in Larchwood and became a member of the St. Lamberts Church in Sioux Falls.

 

Left to cherish his memory are, his wife, Lorraine Snyders of Sioux Falls, SD; his children, Mike (Glenda) Snyders of Sioux Falls, SD, Larry (Peggy) Snyders of Sioux Falls, SD, Shelley (Jeff) Gerber of Queen Creek, AZ, Randy (Denise) Snyders of Sioux Falls, SD, Robin Baranowski of Solomons, MD, Joe (Deb) Snyders of Larchwood IA, Sandra (Paul) Lundberg of Brandon, SD; son-in-law, Mike Metzger of Larchwood, IA; 24 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; sister Dorothy Kelly of Mesa, AZ; sisters-in-law, Karen Viereck, Mariel Krier, Bonnie Krier; and countless friends.

 

Welcoming him into heaven is his wife Ruth Snyders; son, Mark Snyders, daughter, Cheryl Metzger; parents, Joseph and Lorena Snyders; brothers, John, Bernard, Robert, and Raymond; and sisters, Veronica Scholten and Theresa Bruggeman.Condolences may be sent to The James Snyders Family at 409 N Westview Drive Brandon, SD 57005.

 

Ed comments:

 

Snyders first signed a contract with the St. Louis Browns organization in 1948. He didn’t play professionally after that until 1952. The Sporting News index card shows a career of mostly player transactions. digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll3/id/130668...

 

His ball playing days were mostly in the amateur ranks and he played well into his golden years in senior leagues. As recent as the late 1990’s he would send along items he had won as a member of national champion teams. He was proud of the fact he could still play. Snyders was a sturdy built guy who looked like he should have been a catcher. When relating that feeling to him he stated that he didn’t care for that kind of torture.

 

Playing senior baseball is how Snyders came to know that the KOM league was being remembered by an old guy in Missouri. While attending a game at Lesterville, South Dakota he became engaged in conversation with a gentleman by the name of Ray Scherschligt. As they compared notes on their past each mentioned they had played in the KOM league. Scherschligt, a member of the 1948 Ponca City Dodgers, told Snyders someone was looking for former KOM leaguers and shortly thereafter he was on the telephone relating his experiences regarding the 1952 Independence, Kansas Browns.

 

With great trepidation Scherschligt’s name is mentioned. The last word from him was that he was residing in Alpena, South Dakota. One of his teammates from Ponca City, Dick McCoy, has been trying to make contact with him for a couple of years. He has solicited my assistance and that hasn’t reaped any rresults. Scherschligt was 95 years on the 1st day of February and it is speculated that he is in a nursing home in Alpena where his wife, Mary Jane, passed away in 2017. If anyone has a clue as how to get in touch with him, let me know and in turn McCoy will be notified.

 

HOLD ON!!! A telephone number has just been found that is attributed to Scherschligt and it looks like he could be in a town other than Alpena. That will be revealed in the next report after a “trip” is made to Mitchell, South Dakota to check it out. Since Dick McCoy lives in Omaha, Nebr. which is a lot closer to South Dakota, than here in the Missouri “Badlands,” he should be the one who gets the assignment to contact his former teammate.

 

Done