Friday, October 26, 2012
A R C H I V E S
Read---; THE DIFFICULT 1930`s
Thunder Butte
About Thunderbutte.com
Thunder Butte, in South Dakota, has featured prominently in my family's history since 1913. Also known as "Wakinyan Paha" to the Lakota, its religious and cultural significance to the Lakota goes back much further in time, still. Rising from the dry, rolling prairie grasslands in Ziebach County, in northwestern South Dakota, the butte is located on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation.
From the top of the butte, you can see for miles in every direction. There are not many people here, although the land is alive with the memory of those who walked here before us. Taking in the quiet of the plains as they reach to the horizon, you can well imagine the way the world was before we were here, and what it may look like long after we have moved on.
--Mike Crowley
Michael Crowley
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Previous Posts
•Babe Mansbridge - Champion Bronc Rider
•Walking Sam
•Neal Crowley
•Author of Thunder Butte Blog Will be in Faith
•Bigfoot Afoot on the Prairie?
•Dinosaur Bones -- a Key to Economic Development?
•Weather Hat Company Has a Thunder Butte Style
•Thunder Butte Earns a Place in Wikipedia
•Saddle Sore, A Poem
•Early Photo of Thunder Butte
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November 15, 2009
Crowley Ranch House at Thunder Butte Creek
Joseph Crowley on Horse with Crowley Ranch House at Rear, Probably 1926
Some weeks ago on a visit to California, I pulled my grandmother's old photo album out of a closet and uncovered a trove of old photos -- including a few of photos of the house my Dad grew up in on a leased spread several miles south or southwest of Thunder Butte on Thunder Butte Creek. The ranch was called the 7A- (or "Seven A Bar"), and was leased from R.L. Foster, Jr. Interestingly, I went looking for the place last July, but couldn't find any ranch roads or tracks that ran out that way. And, with three foot high hay and grass covering the country -- Gene Ulrich who is in his 90's said that it was the tallest he had ever seen it -- I wasn't wandering far from the visible ranch roads. Still, these photos bring to life a little bit what the country looked like and what the conditions were like where my Dad grew up.
The photo above has 1936 printed on the back, but more likely is from 1926. It shows my Uncle Joe, who would have been about 16 at the time, on top of a horse in front of the Crowley ranch house. The original photo is only 2 inches by 3 and the left hand side is entirely washed out. I attempted to bring out some more of the detail with PhotoShop, but you can see that when there isn't much to work with, this is about as good as the results get. The next photo, below, also is probably from the same period and shows a horse tied up in front of the house. The photographer's shadow is in the foreground. One interesting thing is that the photo shows packed earth built up around the base of the house. The purpose would have been to help keep the place warmer in the winter. Again, there isn't much detail to work with here, but if you click on the image to enlarge it, you can barely make out a cat, a child's wagon, and a dog directly in front of the house.
Crowley Ranch House, Probably in 1926
The next three photos are all dated from 1926. The first shows two horses tied up in front of the house. The next shows my grandmother (Mayme Crowley) and a tall cowboy, Glenn Tate, with a horse in front of the house. Glenn used to stay at the Crowley's place. A younger fellow, perhaps my Uncle Neal or Joe, is at the left in the background. The last photo shows what looks like my Aunt Cece chopping wood in front of an outhouse. Cece would have been only eleven in 1926, and it looks like another kid is sitting in the foreground facing away from the camera -- this is probably my Dad, who would have been five.
Crowley Ranch House with Horse Tied Up Out Front, 1926
Mayme Crowley and Glenn Tate with Horse at Crowley House, 1926
Possibly Cecelia Crowley Chopping Wood in Front of Outhouse, 1926
--Mike Crowley
Mike Crowley Sunday, November 15, 2009
1 Comments:
Hello,
I tried to make a comment previously but don't know if it worked. My great grand father was Wes Walenta. I read a portion of your blog to my dad, Don Walenta. He rembers, I assume your father Gene Crowley. He would be open to chatting with you.
You can email me at suzwalenta@yahoo.com
Anonymous, at November 17, 2009 6:30 PM
Post a Comment
THE DIFFICULT 1930`s
THE DIFFICULT 1930`s is repeated here.
It gives background to eaglecruagh.blogspot.com
Mike Crowley Wednesday, November 23, 2005
(0) comments
November 03, 2005
The Difficult 1930's
South Dakota was stricken hard by drought during the 1930’s. Harold Breimyer, in his book, “Over-fulfilled Expectations: a Life and an Era in Rural America,” recounts doing survey work in Ziebach County in 1938. According to Breimyer, “Ziebach County in 1938 was barren. Only a handful of homesteaders was still to be found.” Among them were the Crowleys, who had settled near Thunder Butte in 1913.
Breimyer says, “They [the homesteaders] had taken up their 160 acres before World War I. A few years of good crops and wartime high prices had offered a false hope that was extinguished with all the tragedy that James Michener describes in Centennial.” Michener’s book, “Centennial,” is a tribute to the West and all of the dramatic hopes and conflicts spurred by generations of fur trappers, cowboys, homesteaders, ranchers, and gold seekers.
In many ways, Ziebach County and the area around Thunder Butte were typical of the West that Michener described. French fur trappers passed through the country beginning in the 1650’s, to be followed by successive waves of Americans seeking their fortune as explorers, ranchers, and homesteaders in the dry lands of the West.
During the 1930’s, according to Breimyer, “South Dakota may have suffered more than any of the (then) forty-eight states from depression and dust-storm drought.” Often, when people think of the 1930’s droughts and the migrations they caused, they think of the poor sod farmers from Oklahoma who picked up and moved west. Few people probably know that while Oklahoma lost 2.5 percent of its population during the 1930’s—almost 60,000 people—according to T.H. Watkins, writing in “The Hungry Years,” South Dakota lost seven percent of its inhabitants, and just short of 50,000 people. Ziebach County was among the hardest hit areas—losing almost 30 percent of its population during the 1930’s. These numbers understate, though, the masses of people—300,000 to 400,000 according to some estimates—from around the country who were on the move, looking for jobs, better land, or a new place to put down roots.
Soon after 1940, most of the Crowleys gave up the toil of ranch life near Thunder Butte and moved to California. Tom Crowley stayed behind for awhile, until his wife and the rest of the family had gotten settled in the San Francisco Bay Area. Only Neal Crowley remained and prospered for years afterward in the town of Faith, not very distant from the family’s former home.
Mike Crowley Thursday, November 03, 2005
(0) comments
It gives background to eaglecruagh.blogspot.com
Mike Crowley Wednesday, November 23, 2005
(0) comments
November 03, 2005
The Difficult 1930's
South Dakota was stricken hard by drought during the 1930’s. Harold Breimyer, in his book, “Over-fulfilled Expectations: a Life and an Era in Rural America,” recounts doing survey work in Ziebach County in 1938. According to Breimyer, “Ziebach County in 1938 was barren. Only a handful of homesteaders was still to be found.” Among them were the Crowleys, who had settled near Thunder Butte in 1913.
Breimyer says, “They [the homesteaders] had taken up their 160 acres before World War I. A few years of good crops and wartime high prices had offered a false hope that was extinguished with all the tragedy that James Michener describes in Centennial.” Michener’s book, “Centennial,” is a tribute to the West and all of the dramatic hopes and conflicts spurred by generations of fur trappers, cowboys, homesteaders, ranchers, and gold seekers.
In many ways, Ziebach County and the area around Thunder Butte were typical of the West that Michener described. French fur trappers passed through the country beginning in the 1650’s, to be followed by successive waves of Americans seeking their fortune as explorers, ranchers, and homesteaders in the dry lands of the West.
During the 1930’s, according to Breimyer, “South Dakota may have suffered more than any of the (then) forty-eight states from depression and dust-storm drought.” Often, when people think of the 1930’s droughts and the migrations they caused, they think of the poor sod farmers from Oklahoma who picked up and moved west. Few people probably know that while Oklahoma lost 2.5 percent of its population during the 1930’s—almost 60,000 people—according to T.H. Watkins, writing in “The Hungry Years,” South Dakota lost seven percent of its inhabitants, and just short of 50,000 people. Ziebach County was among the hardest hit areas—losing almost 30 percent of its population during the 1930’s. These numbers understate, though, the masses of people—300,000 to 400,000 according to some estimates—from around the country who were on the move, looking for jobs, better land, or a new place to put down roots.
Soon after 1940, most of the Crowleys gave up the toil of ranch life near Thunder Butte and moved to California. Tom Crowley stayed behind for awhile, until his wife and the rest of the family had gotten settled in the San Francisco Bay Area. Only Neal Crowley remained and prospered for years afterward in the town of Faith, not very distant from the family’s former home.
Mike Crowley Thursday, November 03, 2005
(0) comments
Thursday, October 25, 2012
MONTCLAIR (Oakland)-----KATHLEEN--------CHOWS
MONTCLAIR (Oakland , CA)
Back --- the honeymoon over,
back to the COP job.
We had moved into the "shack"
in the woods on a mountainside.
Mary Ellen left alone all day,
sometimes all night, we needed
a dog.
I always liked Chow Dogs they
had tried to save my life a couple
of times.
We went to Mrs. Renz Chow
kennel and bought one. then two,
then another and another.
Soon a beautiful baby girl was
born, Kathleen.
Then half the mountain collapsed
in a heavy rain. The house next
door was swept into the street.
I heard the roaring sound and
raced into the backyard with the
baby.
We moved out, bought a house in
San Leandro, all on one floor, big
back yard.
Now we were happy.
We took all the Chows with us and
kept them on tethers in the back
yard, then we buildt a kennel, then
we got rabbits, then we got pigeons
and chickens and
Then we planted a huge garden
and we were happy.
Then there was Michael, a round
little guy and we were thrilled to
have a boy. St. Michael was the
patron of the Police, so he was
Michael.
And we were happy.
Then Mary Therese was born.
and she was a round little cherub
And we were happy.
Then Maureen Angela and she was
a doll.
But, before we knew it, Patricia
Ellen and she and Maureen were
inseparable, then
Sean Patrick was born and
then we were happy
Ah, finally Eileen Marie was born
and we were afraid she would never
walk---- she scoooted.
Mary Ellen drove them to school
at the school named after a saint
and then we really were happy.
But it did`nt stop---- Yes, the babies
stopped coming, but they had then
started to Moreau High School in
Hayward, CA. and some prospered
with straight A grades and some
got in trouble and some were just
plain Irish, but
then we were happy.
----- John Crowley
Back --- the honeymoon over,
back to the COP job.
We had moved into the "shack"
in the woods on a mountainside.
Mary Ellen left alone all day,
sometimes all night, we needed
a dog.
I always liked Chow Dogs they
had tried to save my life a couple
of times.
We went to Mrs. Renz Chow
kennel and bought one. then two,
then another and another.
Soon a beautiful baby girl was
born, Kathleen.
Then half the mountain collapsed
in a heavy rain. The house next
door was swept into the street.
I heard the roaring sound and
raced into the backyard with the
baby.
We moved out, bought a house in
San Leandro, all on one floor, big
back yard.
Now we were happy.
We took all the Chows with us and
kept them on tethers in the back
yard, then we buildt a kennel, then
we got rabbits, then we got pigeons
and chickens and
Then we planted a huge garden
and we were happy.
Then there was Michael, a round
little guy and we were thrilled to
have a boy. St. Michael was the
patron of the Police, so he was
Michael.
And we were happy.
Then Mary Therese was born.
and she was a round little cherub
And we were happy.
Then Maureen Angela and she was
a doll.
But, before we knew it, Patricia
Ellen and she and Maureen were
inseparable, then
Sean Patrick was born and
then we were happy
Ah, finally Eileen Marie was born
and we were afraid she would never
walk---- she scoooted.
Mary Ellen drove them to school
at the school named after a saint
and then we really were happy.
But it did`nt stop---- Yes, the babies
stopped coming, but they had then
started to Moreau High School in
Hayward, CA. and some prospered
with straight A grades and some
got in trouble and some were just
plain Irish, but
then we were happy.
----- John Crowley
Monday, October 22, 2012
THE ROAD SPLITS----WHICH WAY ?
THE ROAD SPLITS
(Which way to go ? )
Doing cop work, working midnight to 8AM, always tired.
A friend, Andy Caverly, born in Scibereen (sp) Ireland.
Told me he had this gorgeous cousin, single, lived in town.
I was mildly interested, I had met a lot of cousins and they
were all the same, don`t ask.
I was invited to a party----thrown by Andy and his friends.
She was there and I was there and then I found out that
was the reason for the party, to make us miserable like
they were.
It was not like that, I just liked to poke fun at marriage.
So, we went on a date--- it did`nt work well at all.
Actually she stood me up. 'Guess it was not that bad, I had
been led to expect that of women.
Then Andy fixed it so I would meet her again. We acted
friendly toward each other `cuz we did`nt want to seem
unapreciative toward out frinds. Then I discovered the
real Mary Ellen Zudis. She was really a nice person.
After about six weeks we decided to get married. A long
long trail my friend---- Something like 60 years later and
we are still on the same road , the one that we chose way
back then.
First I had to talk to the priest where she went to Mass,
then that priest had to talk to my priest, then they contacted
her parish priest in St. Charles , Illinois where she grew up.
All the priests talked to the parents and the other priests and
they all decided that we were not that bad.
I had a 1949 Oldsmobile convertible.... Damn, I loved that
car---- so did she. She went home to make arrangements for
us to get married and I had the Olds lubed and the oil changed.
George Rasmussen worked my shift and my beat to take my
place while I was gone and I went.
Do you know ? The roads back there follow the section lines.
You go down the road for a mile and it makes a sharp turn to
the left, another mile and it makes a sharp turn to the right.
That Olds barely go moving before we had to turn.
Oh, I forgot to mention. When we decided to get married we
bought an old vacation house, (a shack) up in the Montclair
section of Oakland, California. Then we bought a king size
bed. I worked with Off. Stan Baker, he agreed to fix up the
shack so we would have a place to sleep when we got back.
This is getting boring--- so, I will save you a little pain and
continue this later. You can pretend you read it--that`s all
right.
----- John Crowley
(Which way to go ? )
Doing cop work, working midnight to 8AM, always tired.
A friend, Andy Caverly, born in Scibereen (sp) Ireland.
Told me he had this gorgeous cousin, single, lived in town.
I was mildly interested, I had met a lot of cousins and they
were all the same, don`t ask.
I was invited to a party----thrown by Andy and his friends.
She was there and I was there and then I found out that
was the reason for the party, to make us miserable like
they were.
It was not like that, I just liked to poke fun at marriage.
So, we went on a date--- it did`nt work well at all.
Actually she stood me up. 'Guess it was not that bad, I had
been led to expect that of women.
Then Andy fixed it so I would meet her again. We acted
friendly toward each other `cuz we did`nt want to seem
unapreciative toward out frinds. Then I discovered the
real Mary Ellen Zudis. She was really a nice person.
After about six weeks we decided to get married. A long
long trail my friend---- Something like 60 years later and
we are still on the same road , the one that we chose way
back then.
First I had to talk to the priest where she went to Mass,
then that priest had to talk to my priest, then they contacted
her parish priest in St. Charles , Illinois where she grew up.
All the priests talked to the parents and the other priests and
they all decided that we were not that bad.
I had a 1949 Oldsmobile convertible.... Damn, I loved that
car---- so did she. She went home to make arrangements for
us to get married and I had the Olds lubed and the oil changed.
George Rasmussen worked my shift and my beat to take my
place while I was gone and I went.
Do you know ? The roads back there follow the section lines.
You go down the road for a mile and it makes a sharp turn to
the left, another mile and it makes a sharp turn to the right.
That Olds barely go moving before we had to turn.
Oh, I forgot to mention. When we decided to get married we
bought an old vacation house, (a shack) up in the Montclair
section of Oakland, California. Then we bought a king size
bed. I worked with Off. Stan Baker, he agreed to fix up the
shack so we would have a place to sleep when we got back.
This is getting boring--- so, I will save you a little pain and
continue this later. You can pretend you read it--that`s all
right.
----- John Crowley
Thursday, October 18, 2012
DOG FOOD
Ana Zudis
So I'm at Wal-Mart buying a bag of Purina dog food for my dog. While in the check-out line, a woman behind me asked if I had a dog. Why else would I be buying dog food, RIGHT??? So on impulse I told her that no, I didn't have a dog, I was starting the Purina Diet again, and that I probably shouldn't because I ended up in the hospital last time, but that I'd lost 50 pounds before I awakened in intensive care with tubes coming out of most of my orifices and IVs in both arms. I told her that it was essentially a perfect diet and all you do is load your pockets with Purina Nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry. The food is nutritionally complete so it works well and I was going to try it again. (I have to mention here that practically everyone in line was now enthralled with my story.) Horrified, she asked if I ended up in intensive care because the dog food poisoned me. I told her no, I stepped off a curb to sniff a poodle's butt and a car hit me. I thought the guy behind her was going to have a heart attack he was laughing so hard. Better watch what you ask me and be prepared for my answer. I have all the time in the world to think of crazy things to say. Now that you've read this I have to confess, I copied it. Now copy and share - make someone else laugh.
Thank you Ana. "The woman" in this story is in every store and nearly every story. She is just the woman who has no regard for what other people think---- I am referring to th ewoman who asked if you have a dog. You are to be congratulated. You did not ignore the woman, you educated her. Thank you, --- --- John Crowley
So I'm at Wal-Mart buying a bag of Purina dog food for my dog. While in the check-out line, a woman behind me asked if I had a dog. Why else would I be buying dog food, RIGHT??? So on impulse I told her that no, I didn't have a dog, I was starting the Purina Diet again, and that I probably shouldn't because I ended up in the hospital last time, but that I'd lost 50 pounds before I awakened in intensive care with tubes coming out of most of my orifices and IVs in both arms. I told her that it was essentially a perfect diet and all you do is load your pockets with Purina Nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry. The food is nutritionally complete so it works well and I was going to try it again. (I have to mention here that practically everyone in line was now enthralled with my story.) Horrified, she asked if I ended up in intensive care because the dog food poisoned me. I told her no, I stepped off a curb to sniff a poodle's butt and a car hit me. I thought the guy behind her was going to have a heart attack he was laughing so hard. Better watch what you ask me and be prepared for my answer. I have all the time in the world to think of crazy things to say. Now that you've read this I have to confess, I copied it. Now copy and share - make someone else laugh.
Thank you Ana. "The woman" in this story is in every store and nearly every story. She is just the woman who has no regard for what other people think---- I am referring to th ewoman who asked if you have a dog. You are to be congratulated. You did not ignore the woman, you educated her. Thank you, --- --- John Crowley
Monday, October 15, 2012
OUR HEROES---- Today and The Old Days
OUR HEROES ----- Today and Yesterday .
There is an interesting photo on my page in one of the groups today. The photo shows a man standing on a rock overlooking a precipice of the Grand Canyon. Just behind the man is a large bear. That pic demonstrates the youth of today, the way I see it. Youth has been made to see them selves as worthless in the eyes of the world.
The solution is to either jump into space (another word for cyber space) or be devoured by the conflicts of state and culture.
I offer no apology for religion, it needs none, but it is a very real and important part of the complex problem faced by our society.
In the old days a common expression was, "there are no atheists in fox holes". indicating that if you did not recognize God, you would when the loss of life was immanent. In World War ll for example, we had many heroes. Audi Murphy, The Five Sullivan brothers who all died in their ship.
All took a chance defending their shipmates and their country, but it was a chance. We have a new kind of hero today. Foremost in my mind is the 14 is the year old girl in Pakistan who faced almost certain death by the cult followers and bigots. She is fighting to live at this moment because some fanatic shot her.
There is no doubt this girl is a hero among heroes.
Mother Theresa who devoted her life to salvation of the poor in the slums of the world. Just the latest, the young man who stepped off the precipice, he left the security of earth and stepped into space from a balloon at some altitude like 24 miles above earth.
Many of us faced the possibility of dropping from a sniper bullet.. But most of us had a chance to live. The heroes today step off into the unknown, whether cyberspace, politics, or experiment. many of them are facing almost certain death.
A horde of young men and women today feel defeated. They no longer see the heroes in their culture. Many no longer see God in their families, or in their culture. They are defeated and this is the curse of our time. The defeat seen by our young.
Awww ! Who am I kidding ? You knew that long ago---- things have been going down hill. We need more heroes , fast ! ----- John Crowley
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Sunday, October 14, 2012
March 12, 1951 Appointed Police Officer
City of Alameda
Appointed Police officer
March 12, 1951
I was trained by Jack Fink, Mickey
Preminger, Al (Elwood)McCart,
Bill Mills, Bob Carlson , John Hacking,
Pat McDermott, and many others.
Those who became COPS soon after
me, some on the same list were Noah
(Pat) Garrett, Danny (Gaetano)
Magliocco, Pete Ege.
I attended an academy at Santa Rita,
Alameda County Jail .
Soon after graduation from the Academy
I was used in various ways. As a new
and unknown I was used to infiltrate
prostitution rings (suspected), abortion
madams, horse betting and illegal
activities in the bars.
After a brief probation I was assigned ,
according to seniority, to eighteen
months of patrol on midnights, that is
midnight until 8:00 A.M.
At that time an officer had to serve as
a sworn officer for five years before
eligible to take the Sgt. exam.
It will be very difficult to remember
the most interesting people or events.
I will refer back to these times when
reminded or when asked about specific
incidents. There were many, People`s
park riots in Berkeley for example.
The last day I worked, Naval Air Station
Police were involved in a high speed
chase. They only had old pick-up trucks
and asked me to take over the stop.
I pursued the vehicle at speeds of over
100 MPH through Alameda. My friend
Greg Martin then assumed the chase
and I shut down.
My last day at work .......as a COP.
----- John Crowley
Appointed Police officer
March 12, 1951
I was trained by Jack Fink, Mickey
Preminger, Al (Elwood)McCart,
Bill Mills, Bob Carlson , John Hacking,
Pat McDermott, and many others.
Those who became COPS soon after
me, some on the same list were Noah
(Pat) Garrett, Danny (Gaetano)
Magliocco, Pete Ege.
I attended an academy at Santa Rita,
Alameda County Jail .
Soon after graduation from the Academy
I was used in various ways. As a new
and unknown I was used to infiltrate
prostitution rings (suspected), abortion
madams, horse betting and illegal
activities in the bars.
After a brief probation I was assigned ,
according to seniority, to eighteen
months of patrol on midnights, that is
midnight until 8:00 A.M.
At that time an officer had to serve as
a sworn officer for five years before
eligible to take the Sgt. exam.
It will be very difficult to remember
the most interesting people or events.
I will refer back to these times when
reminded or when asked about specific
incidents. There were many, People`s
park riots in Berkeley for example.
The last day I worked, Naval Air Station
Police were involved in a high speed
chase. They only had old pick-up trucks
and asked me to take over the stop.
I pursued the vehicle at speeds of over
100 MPH through Alameda. My friend
Greg Martin then assumed the chase
and I shut down.
My last day at work .......as a COP.
----- John Crowley
Saturday, October 13, 2012
WIPING UP A FEW SPILLS
CORRECTIONS, FIXING THNGS
( accidents-- I never make mistakes)
USS ROCHAMBEAU
I said , "the prop turned". Actually
there are two props, each about
12 feet in height.
BOYLE PHARMACEUTICALS
It sounded like I was hired and
went back to San Francisco.
Actually they kept me for about
two weeks. I learned how all the
pills were made, how Valtiva is
mixed and spent hours looking
at all the pretty girls on the
packaging lines. Learning that
Boyle people did not fraternize.
Each of the places where I worked
is a story in itself. I will go back
from time to time and paint a
few pictures of things that took
place. Things like meetings where
I explained action of the modems
in an ATM machine. I have never
used one to this day.
Read and enjoy (I hope)
---- John Crowley
( accidents-- I never make mistakes)
USS ROCHAMBEAU
I said , "the prop turned". Actually
there are two props, each about
12 feet in height.
BOYLE PHARMACEUTICALS
It sounded like I was hired and
went back to San Francisco.
Actually they kept me for about
two weeks. I learned how all the
pills were made, how Valtiva is
mixed and spent hours looking
at all the pretty girls on the
packaging lines. Learning that
Boyle people did not fraternize.
Each of the places where I worked
is a story in itself. I will go back
from time to time and paint a
few pictures of things that took
place. Things like meetings where
I explained action of the modems
in an ATM machine. I have never
used one to this day.
Read and enjoy (I hope)
---- John Crowley
Friday, October 12, 2012
PHARMACEUTCAL TO POLE LINE HARDWARE
BOYLE PHARMACEUTICALS , inc.
And a great time was had by all.
About three years selling drugs and
I was getting nowhere. I started to
look around for oportunities.
I was actually tired of driving long
distances, waiting interminably to
see clients and I was not getting
rich, not even well off.
Then an officer of General Electric
offered me a job, built it up . Said
as soon as I learned the business
they would promote me sales and
this business paid dramatically
better than drugs.
It was a dumb move. The officer
that made all the great promises
was fired for being a drunk and
I just kept spinning my wheels.
I quit.
Back to the want ads. Actually
a guy in the warehouse at G.E.
told me about it. He said, "you
wouled make a good cop, of
course you would have to go to
school first and take a lot of
courses or you would`nt make
it."
That did it. Tell me I can`t do
something and I`ll do it.
Took the next exam, I passed
number one, went to academy
and the rest is history , well it
accounted for nearly thirty
years of the rest of my life.
It was a turbulent time--- I was
popular with the press, a
Captain was jealous tried to
get me fired--- the men came
to my defense .
Oakland City College and an
AA in Administration of Justice.
A B.A in Social Psychology.
An MA in Public Administration.
Peace Officer Standards and
Training awarded me all the
certificates up to and including
a Management Certificate.
Then I left and was made Manager
at Alameda Patrol Service , a year
or two, then I was hired by
Burns International Security
Services , Inc. for about three years.
Sales of Guard Services and alarms.
Then I was hired by Alarm Network
as Manager in San Carlos, Calif.
Alarm Network was a subsidiary of
Eureka Federal Savings bank.
My friend Jim Isom was paid $1,000
for finding me for EFS.
I realize that very little has been said
about most of these jobs, but they
date back in history and create small
interest today.
For anyone who is interested, I have
a few comments to make about
incidents that took place over the
years---- just ask.
----- John Crowley
And a great time was had by all.
About three years selling drugs and
I was getting nowhere. I started to
look around for oportunities.
I was actually tired of driving long
distances, waiting interminably to
see clients and I was not getting
rich, not even well off.
Then an officer of General Electric
offered me a job, built it up . Said
as soon as I learned the business
they would promote me sales and
this business paid dramatically
better than drugs.
It was a dumb move. The officer
that made all the great promises
was fired for being a drunk and
I just kept spinning my wheels.
I quit.
Back to the want ads. Actually
a guy in the warehouse at G.E.
told me about it. He said, "you
wouled make a good cop, of
course you would have to go to
school first and take a lot of
courses or you would`nt make
it."
That did it. Tell me I can`t do
something and I`ll do it.
Took the next exam, I passed
number one, went to academy
and the rest is history , well it
accounted for nearly thirty
years of the rest of my life.
It was a turbulent time--- I was
popular with the press, a
Captain was jealous tried to
get me fired--- the men came
to my defense .
Oakland City College and an
AA in Administration of Justice.
A B.A in Social Psychology.
An MA in Public Administration.
Peace Officer Standards and
Training awarded me all the
certificates up to and including
a Management Certificate.
Then I left and was made Manager
at Alameda Patrol Service , a year
or two, then I was hired by
Burns International Security
Services , Inc. for about three years.
Sales of Guard Services and alarms.
Then I was hired by Alarm Network
as Manager in San Carlos, Calif.
Alarm Network was a subsidiary of
Eureka Federal Savings bank.
My friend Jim Isom was paid $1,000
for finding me for EFS.
I realize that very little has been said
about most of these jobs, but they
date back in history and create small
interest today.
For anyone who is interested, I have
a few comments to make about
incidents that took place over the
years---- just ask.
----- John Crowley
Thursday, October 11, 2012
JOB SEARCH---- POST WWll
THE BIG JOB HUNT--- post WW ll
Beverly and her parents having settled
me with a nice older couple in Long
Beach, I set about a serious search for
work--- a good job.
Omar McGee, Beverly`s father insisted
on taking me around to old friends to
introduce me and open doors.
I insisted first on canvassing the job
market myself.
First I started in downtown Los
Angelos. Knocking on doors, filling
out applications in empoyment offices
and answering newspaper ads.
Nothing worked. Servicemen were
being discharged by the hundreds of
thousands . It seemed that every
other man on the street was about
my age.
OK., Mr. McGee. Your turn.
Mr. McGee and I started early one
morning. We were met with the
utmost civility at every stop.
We went to the famous Hollywood
drugstore where actors and actresses
had been "discovered". The owner
of the store offered to give me a job
in the back room, learning the
pharmaceutical business.
Minimum wage. I could`nt hack it.
We called on an old friend of McGee`s
The co-owner of a famous line of
beauty products. A similar result.
We interviewed with producers,
directors, photographers until we
were ready to drop, but no "big"
offers.
After leaving the McGee`s one after
noon, I walked by an insurance Co.
and on impulse asked to talk to the
owner. The owner was a fine young
woman, about 30, actually beautiful.
We talked for a long while and she
asked if I would be interested in
working as her Administrative Assist.
Phew ! It did not require a great
imagination to think how Beverly
would like me working here.
I just sat on this offer. Thought
about it --- then sat on it.
I decided my chances were better
in the Bay Area and left.
JOB SEARCH IN SAN FRANCISCO.
An ad in the newspaper kept coming
to mind--- Paris Supply Company.
Fair salary plus commission. Lots of
inducements to a young man out of
work. I`m hired ? What do we sell ?
Beauty supplies ? I thought it over,
then , decided to give it a try.
Calling on beauty shops. Not bad,
my sales were excellent, the people
were all nice---But I could not stand
the smells--- so, I kept looking.
The War Assets Administration in
Alameda, California. Right where
I lived. A government agency for
the sale of war surplus merchandise.
The pay was excellent and my title
was Pharmaceutical Agent.
My job, selling pharmaceuticals.
After about six months my conscience
was really bothering me. I had never
been able to find any pharmaceuticals
to sell.
One day a fellow by the name of Bog
Crain and I decided to quit and start
our own Surplus Sales Company.
We painted the length of our bldg.,
with CRAIN - CROWLEY RETAIL --
WHOLESALE---HARDWARE AND
TEXTILES. Figuring that would
cover almost anything we could dig up.
This part is a long, long story---I will
abreviate as much as possible.
We became about the most popular
surplus dealers in the Bay Area.
Not only did we get a lot o f choice
deals, but we managed to work deals
for other dealers.
Down the line we got an order from
the Army of Chiang Kai Scheck ,
Emperor of China, to supply his
expanding army wth tents, blankets
and all the living neccessities to
pursue his battle against the
Communists encroaching from the
North.
So, we did --- we found it all and
contracted for everything from
Coast to Coast. Then, our agents
hired to front the deal, told them
where everything was located and
when we returned the deal was
gone.
We managed to recover a couple
hundred thousand, but our dream
of riches had vanished and our
moral bit the dust.
Bob took a job mixng printer`s ink
in San Francisco and I became the
Administrative Assistant to the
owner of Instantsteam in Oakland.
One night in Bakersfield, California,
perusing the Los Angelos paper, I
saw the ad of Boyle and Company,
Pharmaceutical Mfg. Salesman
wanted. I called , "Can you come
in to see us?" I walked in to their
office the next morning and they
hired me as thier representative in
the San Francisco Bay Area. Nice
salary, nice commission and a new
car furnished, plus all expenses.
Now that was a job !
Before picking up my new car for
the return trip, I dropped down to
visit Beverly-----Sorry her Momma
said, Beverly is being married.
He has a place in the Canjon and
he is very substantial.
So, I picked up my new car and left
for home----- again.
----- John Crowley
After 4 1/2 years----- CIVILIAN !
My name finally came up. Why did it take so long
to get out ? Because I had no dependants.
No job to go back to , no dependants, single,
dumb, uneducated---- The Navy was in no rush
get us back on the street, so they discharged
everyone else first, then finally we dregs.
Why have`nt I told you about all the exciting
things that happened ? Because they were
not exciting at the time. What you might
consider exciting , I thought of as just another
day at the office, or sweat shop, or sewing up
wounds, or what ever you need to call it.
I will think of some of those adventures and
go back and tell you all about them-----
Remind me. OK ?
So, somebody gave me a bus ticket to Portland,
Oregon. In Portland a ship was to pick us
up and take us to San Francisco.
In Portland, a ship (No , I don`t know the name
of it. It was a big GRAY ship). We filed on
and the fog came in and we sat in the middle
of the river for a week and a half. The
sailors on the ship told us they could not
move because they might hit a mine.
Finally, back on the high seas, then under
the Golden Gate and in to the middle of the
street in San Francisco. You heard right.
The Captain signaled for full reverse as he
moved in to a berth, so the engine room
turned her up to high power, fast and th e
bow of the ship sliced into the Emarcadero
for about 30 feet.
All the servicemen standing at the rail, went
flat.
Then an anouncement over the loudspeakers,
"All contraband will be confiscated as you
leave the ship". "Anyone with contraband
will be detained ". One could hear the instant
rain of guns and other contraband as it was
thrown over the side.
I walked off the ship with my Japanese rifle
over my shoulder and boarded a bus bound
for "Camp Stoneman" somewhere near
Livermore , California to be discharged.
We sat at a table while a young sailor
typed out a small sheet of paper with the
story of our life, handed us the paper and
we were given a bus ticket back to
San Franciso. Arriving there, I called home
and somebody came over and picked me up.
The next morning, bright and early , I was
in front of the Employment office. Damn,
I needed a job and soon.
No, there were no jobs, but we can give you
$52 for 20 weeks.... NO ! I did`nt want
government money . I wanted a job.
For a couple of weeks I went to San Francisco
day after day, then to Oakland , day after
day until I decided there were no jobs.
Letter from Beverly---- Come down here,
Daddy can get you a job.
So, first I bought a new suit, they were all
cut from surplus officer`s pinks.
Beverly picked me up at the bus depot. They
had arranged for a room with an old couple
who loved me and I them, out on American
Blvd., in Long Beach.
----- John Crowley
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
all older ARCHIVES
ARCHIVES
Monday, October 1, 2012
FEBRUARY ----2012
About Thunderbutte.com
Thunder Butte, in South Dakota, has featured prominently in my family's history since 1913. Also known as "Wakinyan Paha" to the Lakota, its religious and cultural significance to the Lakota goes back much further in time, still. Rising from the dry, rolling prairie grasslands in Ziebach County, in northwestern South Dakota, the butte is located on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation.
From the top of the butte, you can see for miles in every direction. There are not many people here, although the land is alive with the memory of those who walked here before us. Taking in the quiet of the plains as they reach to the horizon, you can well imagine the way the world was before we were here, and what it may look like long after we have moved on.
--Mike Crowley Michael Crowley
Create Your Badge Monday, October 1, 2012
FEBRUARY ----2012
About Thunderbutte.com
Thunder Butte, in South Dakota, has featured prominently in my family's history since 1913. Also known as "Wakinyan Paha" to the Lakota, its religious and cultural significance to the Lakota goes back much further in time, still. Rising from the dry, rolling prairie grasslands in Ziebach County, in northwestern South Dakota, the butte is located on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation.
From the top of the butte, you can see for miles in every direction. There are not many people here, although the land is alive with the memory of those who walked here before us. Taking in the quiet of the plains as they reach to the horizon, you can well imagine the way the world was before we were here, and what it may look like long after we have moved on.
--Mike Crowley Michael Crowley
Create Your Badge
Previous Posts
•REO Speedwagon
•Just an Old Line Shack
•Pictures and Video
•Old Line Shack
•Saddle Tree
•Thunder of the Butte
•Why No Blog Posts?
•Thunder Butte Now on Facebook Too
•Oh I Only Want to be a Cowboy
•The Long Trail Home
Archive
•current
•February 2005
•March 2005
•April 2005
•May 2005
•June 2005
•July 2005
•August 2005
•September 2005
•October 2005
•November 2005
•December 2005
•January 2006
•February 2006
•March 2006
•April 2006
•May 2006
•June 2006
•July 2006
•August 2006
•September 2006
•October 2006
•November 2006
•December 2006
•January 2007
•February 2007
•March 2007
•May 2007
•July 2007
•August 2007
•September 2007
•October 2007
•November 2007
•December 2007
•January 2008
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•May 2008
•June 2008
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•October 2008
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•May 2010
•June 2010
•July 2010
•August 2010
•October 2010
•November 2010
•December 2010
•January 2011
•April 2011
•December 2011
•January 2012
•February 2012
My Links
Cheyenne River Lakota Nation
Ziebach County History (USGenWeb)
Ziebach County Historical Society
South Dakota Office of Tourism
State of South Dakota
South Dakota Magazine
Faith, South Dakota
Faith Chamber of Commerce
Dupree, South Dakota
Town of Isabel
Timber Lake, South Dakota
Timber Lake Historical Society
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
Defenders of the Black Hills
S.D. Watch
Owl Tipi Art
Who links to me?
February 04, 2012
REO Speedwagon
Using the REO Speedwagon for a Photo Shoot, 1936
Here's an interesting photo taken near Thunder Butte (background on the right) in 1936 with my grandmother, Mayme Crowley, sitting on the running board of an old REO Speedwagon truck. Her son, Neil, is sitting on the hood of the truck and her brother, Joe Shockley, is sitting on the fender. A friend, Bill Williamson, is standing with a foot propped up on the truck. Of course, it could have just been the sun in her eyes, but Mayme does look downcast. The photo was taken on the occasion of Joe's planned departure from the area. Joe was a long-time resident of Glad Valley.
--Mike Crowley
Mike Crowley Saturday, February 04, 2012
(2) comments
Posted by agudwun at 11:25 AM
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Followers
Blog Archive
▼ 2012 (97)
▼ October (49)
THE CAPTURE OF JAMES DANGEROUS GIST.
BACK TO MARE ISLAND---- as a patient.
ROCHAMBEAU (cont) ESPIRITO and NOUMEA
AT WAR WITH HATE A Story by Eagle Cruagh (John...
U.S.S. ROCHAMBEAU (# 1)
ArchivecurrentFebruary 2005March 2005April 2005May...
BEVERLY JEAN McGEE Long Beach, Ca.
MEDICAL TRAINING 2
MEDICAL TRAINING
WORLD WAR II HOSPITAL CORPSMEN
INDUCTION to NAVY (En route Omaha, Nebraska)
Doing the washing aboard Navy Tin Can.
Leaving Faith , South Dakota en route to Join the...
PARKED CARS (END) TRUCK DRIVING (BEGIN)
LOCATING CALIFORNIA
NOTRE DAME FINISHED ----HOME. 10-5-2012
FIRST COMMUNION
ARRIVAL ---- NOTRE DAME ACADEMY
CONTENTS ------FORWARD------ARCHIVES
February 04, 2012REO Speedwagon Using the REO Spee...
Wednesday, October 3, 2012February 04, 2012 ...
REO SPEEDWAGON
Connecting: THUNDER BUTTE.COM and eaglecruagh.blo...
THUNDER BUTTE CREEK (Doan ranch)
THUNDER BUTTE TRAIL DRIVEA Poem by Eagle Cruagh ...
10-2-2012 SOUTH DAKOTA COWBO...
HIGH SCHOOL PAST, SUMMER IS OVER The mail just cam...
10-2-2012 SO...
FEBRUARY ----2012 About Thunderbutte.com Thunder B...
January 22, 2012Just an Old Line Shack The Old Lin...
January 07, 2011Thunder Butte Now on Facebook TooI...
April 01, 2011Why No Blog Posts?Dear readers, you'...
About Thunderbutte.com Thunder Butte, in South Da...
November 04, 2010Far from the Golden Arches Remote...
October 31, 2010Halloween Trickery on the PrairieH...
August 28, 2010Photos from the Faith Centennial Pa...
July 28, 2005The Big Drought: Turning Grasshoppers...
June 25, 2010Long Time Glad Valley Resident, Rex W...
About Thunderbutte.com Thunder Butte, in South Da...
May 23, 2010Massive South Dakota Tornado Not exac...
March 04, 2010Lemmon Family's Baby Book For Sale o...
February 26, 2010Once You've Heard the OwlListen t...
November 22, 2009Earl Engebretson Earl Engebretson...
October 11, 2009Babe Mansbridge - Champion Bronc R...
About Thunderbutte.com Thunder Butte, in South Da...
June 01, 2009Dinosaur Bones -- a Key to Economic D...
May 24, 2009Weather Hat Company Has a Thunder Butt...
About Thunderbutte.com Thund
Previous Posts
•REO Speedwagon
•Just an Old Line Shack
•Pictures and Video
•Old Line Shack
•Saddle Tree
•Thunder of the Butte
•Why No Blog Posts?
•Thunder Butte Now on Facebook Too
•Oh I Only Want to be a Cowboy
•The Long Trail Home
Archive
•current
•February 2005
•March 2005
•April 2005
•May 2005
•June 2005
•July 2005
•August 2005
•September 2005
•October 2005
•November 2005
•December 2005
•January 2006
•February 2006
•March 2006
•April 2006
•May 2006
•June 2006
•July 2006
•August 2006
•September 2006
•October 2006
•November 2006
•December 2006
•January 2007
•February 2007
•March 2007
•May 2007
•July 2007
•August 2007
•September 2007
•October 2007
•November 2007
•December 2007
•January 2008
•February 2008
•March 2008
•April 2008
•May 2008
•June 2008
•July 2008
•August 2008
•September 2008
•October 2008
•November 2008
•December 2008
•January 2009
•February 2009
•March 2009
•April 2009
•May 2009
•June 2009
•July 2009
•October 2009
•November 2009
•January 2010
•February 2010
•March 2010
•April 2010
•May 2010
•June 2010
•July 2010
•August 2010
•October 2010
•November 2010
•December 2010
•January 2011
•April 2011
•December 2011
•January 2012
•February 2012
My Links
Cheyenne River Lakota Nation
Ziebach County History (USGenWeb)
Ziebach County Historical Society
South Dakota Office of Tourism
State of South Dakota
South Dakota Magazine
Faith, South Dakota
Faith Chamber of Commerce
Dupree, South Dakota
Town of Isabel
Timber Lake, South Dakota
Timber Lake Historical Society
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
Defenders of the Black Hills
S.D. Watch
Owl Tipi Art
Who links to me?
February 04, 2012
REO Speedwagon
Using the REO Speedwagon for a Photo Shoot, 1936
Here's an interesting photo taken near Thunder Butte (background on the right) in 1936 with my grandmother, Mayme Crowley, sitting on the running board of an old REO Speedwagon truck. Her son, Neil, is sitting on the hood of the truck and her brother, Joe Shockley, is sitting on the fender. A friend, Bill Williamson, is standing with a foot propped up on the truck. Of course, it could have just been the sun in her eyes, but Mayme does look downcast. The photo was taken on the occasion of Joe's planned departure from the area. Joe was a long-time resident of Glad Valley.
--Mike Crowley
Mike Crowley Saturday, February 04, 2012
(2) comments
Posted by agudwun at 11:25 AM
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Followers
Blog Archive
▼ 2012 (97)
▼ October (49)
THE CAPTURE OF JAMES DANGEROUS GIST.
BACK TO MARE ISLAND---- as a patient.
ROCHAMBEAU (cont) ESPIRITO and NOUMEA
AT WAR WITH HATE A Story by Eagle Cruagh (John...
U.S.S. ROCHAMBEAU (# 1)
ArchivecurrentFebruary 2005March 2005April 2005May...
BEVERLY JEAN McGEE Long Beach, Ca.
MEDICAL TRAINING 2
MEDICAL TRAINING
WORLD WAR II HOSPITAL CORPSMEN
INDUCTION to NAVY (En route Omaha, Nebraska)
Doing the washing aboard Navy Tin Can.
Leaving Faith , South Dakota en route to Join the...
PARKED CARS (END) TRUCK DRIVING (BEGIN)
LOCATING CALIFORNIA
NOTRE DAME FINISHED ----HOME. 10-5-2012
FIRST COMMUNION
ARRIVAL ---- NOTRE DAME ACADEMY
CONTENTS ------FORWARD------ARCHIVES
February 04, 2012REO Speedwagon Using the REO Spee...
Wednesday, October 3, 2012February 04, 2012 ...
REO SPEEDWAGON
Connecting: THUNDER BUTTE.COM and eaglecruagh.blo...
THUNDER BUTTE CREEK (Doan ranch)
THUNDER BUTTE TRAIL DRIVEA Poem by Eagle Cruagh ...
10-2-2012 SOUTH DAKOTA COWBO...
HIGH SCHOOL PAST, SUMMER IS OVER The mail just cam...
10-2-2012 SO...
FEBRUARY ----2012 About Thunderbutte.com Thunder B...
January 22, 2012Just an Old Line Shack The Old Lin...
January 07, 2011Thunder Butte Now on Facebook TooI...
April 01, 2011Why No Blog Posts?Dear readers, you'...
About Thunderbutte.com Thunder Butte, in South Da...
November 04, 2010Far from the Golden Arches Remote...
October 31, 2010Halloween Trickery on the PrairieH...
August 28, 2010Photos from the Faith Centennial Pa...
July 28, 2005The Big Drought: Turning Grasshoppers...
June 25, 2010Long Time Glad Valley Resident, Rex W...
About Thunderbutte.com Thunder Butte, in South Da...
May 23, 2010Massive South Dakota Tornado Not exac...
March 04, 2010Lemmon Family's Baby Book For Sale o...
February 26, 2010Once You've Heard the OwlListen t...
November 22, 2009Earl Engebretson Earl Engebretson...
October 11, 2009Babe Mansbridge - Champion Bronc R...
About Thunderbutte.com Thunder Butte, in South Da...
June 01, 2009Dinosaur Bones -- a Key to Economic D...
May 24, 2009Weather Hat Company Has a Thunder Butt...
About Thunderbutte.com Thund
THE CAPTURE OF JAMES DANGEROUS GIST.
THE CAPTURE OF James Dangerous Gist
and other things.
The Gunnery range was taking shape with
great instructors.
The SADs made their debut. SAD stands
for Specialist Articifer Devices. It was said
that the SADs were "washouts" from Navy
flight school--- scuttlebut.
They built the drone aircraft that were used
for targets on the shooting range. We had
regular aircraft from the nearest Navy Air
bases tow targets normally.
The first students moved in in mamoth busses
carrying students from all the allied nations.
We had 50 mm and 40 mm guns on the line
and 3 inch and 5 inch guns to fire on the
towed targets.
AATC was equipped with all the bells and
whistles of a small hospital.
My steady job was Pharmacist. I compounded
and dispensed all the medicine and anaethetics
used at sick bay and in surgery.
When I had the duty, it meant that I handled
all emergencies, held sick call in the morning
and looked after the patients in our little
hospital.
After a couple of months I took an examination
and made first class, Pharmacist Mate 1/c .
Before I lef t the service I made Chief Pharmacist
Mate. That rate was temporary for six months
and I left the service before the six months had
elapsed, so I never knew if I was considered, in
the record, a Chief or a First Class.
Oh, yes.... James D. Gist returned to the base and
we became good friends.
There were numerous interesting adventures at
this base, some heroic and others slightly odorous.
Beverly eventually returned to her home in Long
Beach. We had an Executive Officer whose name
I do not remember, but the enlisted men just
referred to him as "numb nuts". He was discharged
before me and Beverly called to tell me that he had
come to their door and tried to get her to go out
with him and her father told him to get lost or hurt.
Finally we won the war and after 4 1/2 years I had
to go to work again.
Check the next segment and I`ll tell ya all about it.
Before the end I even became good friends with the
Doctor, Jocob Marks from Chicago. He even
attended our wedding many years later.
---- John Crowley
BACK TO MARE ISLAND---- as a patient.
BACK TO MARE ISLAND
---THEN SOUTH DAKOTA
------AATC, PACIFIC BEACH WASHINGTON
Someone,somewhere accused me of changing
my name---- not so---- My name at birth
was Eugean John Crowley, in school it had
been shortened to Gene, then when the Navy
issued i.d. cards , it read: John Eugene Crowley.
I was pleased with my new name so never
bothered to correct the Navy.
BACK TO MARE ISLAND
This was the beginning of a long series of
physician`s examinations and a confusing
series of conflicting diagnoses. After a certain
time with one diagnosis the Navy had a rule
that the patient had to be "Surveyed", that
is re-examined and possibly re-diagnosed.
First the survey recommended removal
of my apendics. I refused--- then they
agreed, error. Then, they wanted my
gall bladder, I objected , so they found
some sort of liver disease--- I would`nt
let them take that either.
I had been surveyed the maximum number
of times so the ward medical officer
offered me the following solution.
1--- Go on a 30 day leave, stay drunk
and then take assignment to a
cold climate.
2----Take a medical discharge from the
Navy.
Since I had never had any input as to my
duty in the service, had no problem with
the Navy, I decided to just take the offer
of getting drunk and let them send me
any damn place they saw fit.
I caught the train in Oakland, got off in
Lemmon , South Dakota, where I had
gone to high school.
Then I received orders to the U. S. Navy
Receiving Station, Treasure Island , Ca.
At the time I finally was discharge from
the service, I had been through the
Receiving Station at Treasure Island
something like thirteen times.
At Treasure Island I received orders to
the Anti-Aircraft Training Center,
Pacific Beach , Washington.
--- A very cold place---- I was told.
At Chehalis, Washington I left the train
and transferred to a local bus for the
trip to Pacific Beach. On the bus was
a Pharmacist Mate 3/c by the name of
James David Gist. I was a 2/c which was
a higher ranking petty officer(satire).
We arrived at AATC to find that it was
more or less under construction and we
were the first hospital staff. The next
morning Gist was gone. It seems he
did`nt like the place and went A.W.O.L,
absent without leave.
Beverly Jean McGee was not far behind.
Soon after my arrival along came Bev.
Just thought I would mention that .
We went to the Catholic priest in Aberdeen
Washington and asked him to marry us.
The priest talked to us, was very happy
to meet us and suggested we come back
after the war and he would marry us.
We found her a nice room with a great
family, the Devine`s in Aberdeen.
I discovered that Aberdeen (and Pacific
Beach) were colder than a sled dog`s feet.
It rained when it was not snowing or
sleeting and strangely my tropical fever
was gone.
I find this is beginning (still) rambling ,so
Aberdeen , Hoquiam and Pacific Beach
will be contnued at a later time, together
with Humptulips, Moclips and Aloha.
----- John Crowley
---THEN SOUTH DAKOTA
------AATC, PACIFIC BEACH WASHINGTON
Someone,somewhere accused me of changing
my name---- not so---- My name at birth
was Eugean John Crowley, in school it had
been shortened to Gene, then when the Navy
issued i.d. cards , it read: John Eugene Crowley.
I was pleased with my new name so never
bothered to correct the Navy.
BACK TO MARE ISLAND
This was the beginning of a long series of
physician`s examinations and a confusing
series of conflicting diagnoses. After a certain
time with one diagnosis the Navy had a rule
that the patient had to be "Surveyed", that
is re-examined and possibly re-diagnosed.
First the survey recommended removal
of my apendics. I refused--- then they
agreed, error. Then, they wanted my
gall bladder, I objected , so they found
some sort of liver disease--- I would`nt
let them take that either.
I had been surveyed the maximum number
of times so the ward medical officer
offered me the following solution.
1--- Go on a 30 day leave, stay drunk
and then take assignment to a
cold climate.
2----Take a medical discharge from the
Navy.
Since I had never had any input as to my
duty in the service, had no problem with
the Navy, I decided to just take the offer
of getting drunk and let them send me
any damn place they saw fit.
I caught the train in Oakland, got off in
Lemmon , South Dakota, where I had
gone to high school.
Then I received orders to the U. S. Navy
Receiving Station, Treasure Island , Ca.
At the time I finally was discharge from
the service, I had been through the
Receiving Station at Treasure Island
something like thirteen times.
At Treasure Island I received orders to
the Anti-Aircraft Training Center,
Pacific Beach , Washington.
--- A very cold place---- I was told.
At Chehalis, Washington I left the train
and transferred to a local bus for the
trip to Pacific Beach. On the bus was
a Pharmacist Mate 3/c by the name of
James David Gist. I was a 2/c which was
a higher ranking petty officer(satire).
We arrived at AATC to find that it was
more or less under construction and we
were the first hospital staff. The next
morning Gist was gone. It seems he
did`nt like the place and went A.W.O.L,
absent without leave.
Beverly Jean McGee was not far behind.
Soon after my arrival along came Bev.
Just thought I would mention that .
We went to the Catholic priest in Aberdeen
Washington and asked him to marry us.
The priest talked to us, was very happy
to meet us and suggested we come back
after the war and he would marry us.
We found her a nice room with a great
family, the Devine`s in Aberdeen.
I discovered that Aberdeen (and Pacific
Beach) were colder than a sled dog`s feet.
It rained when it was not snowing or
sleeting and strangely my tropical fever
was gone.
I find this is beginning (still) rambling ,so
Aberdeen , Hoquiam and Pacific Beach
will be contnued at a later time, together
with Humptulips, Moclips and Aloha.
----- John Crowley
ROCHAMBEAU (cont) ESPIRITO and NOUMEA
CONTINUING USS ROCHAMBEAU TO
ESPIRITO SANTOS and NOUMEA.
We approached many groups of small islands apparently deliberately as the Captain of the ship was trying to avoid submarines. By very slowly cruising through these shallow, coral infested waters, submarines could not follow and it would cut down on the chances of our being hit by a torpedo. We came so close to some small islands that natives paddled out to the ship and tried to climb aboard. It was so shallow in places the bottom was clearly visible, but astern the props were kicking up pure mud.
After thirty days we arrived in Espiritu Santos Bay in the New Hebrides islands, now known as Vanuatu. Our stay in the New Hebrides was only about ten days while Marines disembarked and there were other exchanges and landings of personnel. Several men were taken off the ship by hospital personnel from a hospital ship at anchor in the harbor. One of those men was my old friend from Napa, Ole Olson. I never saw him again and I have always wondered if he survived. Dengue was not long lasting like malaria, but it was much more severe at onset and many people died from it.
One of the most impressive incidents of the war occurred one morning. I awoke to the most loud and persistent droning which vibrated the ships and the waters. Going on deck I discovered the droning noise was caused by the entire Torpedo Boat fleet moving out of Espiritu Santos en route to new headquarters on Guadal Canal. The entire harbor was full of torpedo boats and they were strung out across the ocean all the way over the horizon. What an impressive sight! I had no idea we had that many torpedo boats in our fleet.
One morning, we heard a solitary plane coming out of the west. He was low and headed directly toward us. Of course, the Japanese Zeros were always a threat. General quarters was sounded and we all donned our helmets. The plane as it got closer was determined to be one of our own, he was dipping his wings from side to side as though in a salute and was directly over us and in an instant he hit the main mast of a tanker anchored next to us. The plane exploded and there was nothing found of most of the plane nor the pilot. Later it was determined that the young officer piloting that plane was the same young officer I had beaten up in the boxing match a short time earlier. It gives one pause. I have often thought of this. I nearly hated this man when we were aboard ship, now I was seriously deflated, maybe guilt ridden.
Soon after leaving the New Hebrides on a clear moonlit night with a sea as smooth as glass, our engines stopped. For three days and nights we sat marooned on this glassy sea, waiting for the periscope that would pop up out of the water, signaling a torpedo attack on us. Nothing happened to us, but we witnessed several air battles and one night an ammunition ship blew up and the air and sea were filled with fireworks. We didn't know it at the time, but we were sitting marooned in the middle of the Coral Sea Battle. We were way off our course, but the Captain had followed a zig zag course in order to avoid submarines which were reported to be plentiful in the area. The war went on.
This is a recitation of actual events. It is
not considered interesting, it is not an
adventure--- it was boring as hell then and
I`m sure you will find it boring now.
Sorry about that, please bear with me.
Probably a week later we arrived in the
bay at NOUMEA , NEW CALEDONIA.
Thrill, thrill--- it llooked like any other
tropical flat place in the Pacific ocean.
We anchored at a pier in Noumea and
we spent a lot of time just sitting on deck
or lining the rail, watching natives work.
One of the great life lessons was learned
at this time.
A giant pole , like a great , large telephone
pole lay along the dock. A contingent of
Balinese men, tiny little men, about 20 of
them came one day and spent an interminable
amount of time sitting on, measuring,
discussing, arguing, hugging and kicking
the pole ---- suddenly as one man they got
up picked up the pole in their little arms
and walked away with it.......
----- leaving us open mouthed and bewildered.
None of we big strong Americans, to gether
or separately could have moved that pole.
I have often thought of that incident. It has
been a life-long inspiration and lesson.
Trucks picked up we Hospital Corpsmen and
transported us about five miles to Mobile
Hosptal # 5. At the gate to the hospital ,.
leaning on the gate post was my cousin,
Tracy Gulden. He had been hospitalized for
a bad eye. 8,000 miles from home and the
first person I saw was my first cousin.
Max Hastings, some other guy and I were
assigned to a tent.
Soon a platoon of Marines came to our
tent asking for me. The Marines carried
two large cases of beer, a gift from their
commander--- something to do with the
boxing match aboard ship .
Colonel Carlson, of Carlson`s Raiders, a
Marine outft was hospitalized at Mob. 5,
for a check-up . A kid by the name of
Fisher and another Hospital Corpsman
from Oakland, California and I went to
the Colonel and asked if we could join his
outfit. He said "sure" and we were in.
This was after several transfers and other
adventures in which we found ourselves
back at Mob 5.
Colonel Carlson apparently needed us and
the Ward Medical Officer discovered I had
a fever and entered me as a patient to
undergo further testing.
A couple days after that we received word
that my two friends had been killed at the
landing of another island--- I think it was
Tarawa. I have never been sure. It was a
bad memory , better forgotten.
Something like thirteen (13) months had
passed and I was sent back to the states with
a diagnosis of a jungle fever.
------- John Crowley
This segment is sort of cryptic. Yes it seems
like that to me too. This part is no big deal.
ESPIRITO SANTOS and NOUMEA.
We approached many groups of small islands apparently deliberately as the Captain of the ship was trying to avoid submarines. By very slowly cruising through these shallow, coral infested waters, submarines could not follow and it would cut down on the chances of our being hit by a torpedo. We came so close to some small islands that natives paddled out to the ship and tried to climb aboard. It was so shallow in places the bottom was clearly visible, but astern the props were kicking up pure mud.
After thirty days we arrived in Espiritu Santos Bay in the New Hebrides islands, now known as Vanuatu. Our stay in the New Hebrides was only about ten days while Marines disembarked and there were other exchanges and landings of personnel. Several men were taken off the ship by hospital personnel from a hospital ship at anchor in the harbor. One of those men was my old friend from Napa, Ole Olson. I never saw him again and I have always wondered if he survived. Dengue was not long lasting like malaria, but it was much more severe at onset and many people died from it.
One of the most impressive incidents of the war occurred one morning. I awoke to the most loud and persistent droning which vibrated the ships and the waters. Going on deck I discovered the droning noise was caused by the entire Torpedo Boat fleet moving out of Espiritu Santos en route to new headquarters on Guadal Canal. The entire harbor was full of torpedo boats and they were strung out across the ocean all the way over the horizon. What an impressive sight! I had no idea we had that many torpedo boats in our fleet.
One morning, we heard a solitary plane coming out of the west. He was low and headed directly toward us. Of course, the Japanese Zeros were always a threat. General quarters was sounded and we all donned our helmets. The plane as it got closer was determined to be one of our own, he was dipping his wings from side to side as though in a salute and was directly over us and in an instant he hit the main mast of a tanker anchored next to us. The plane exploded and there was nothing found of most of the plane nor the pilot. Later it was determined that the young officer piloting that plane was the same young officer I had beaten up in the boxing match a short time earlier. It gives one pause. I have often thought of this. I nearly hated this man when we were aboard ship, now I was seriously deflated, maybe guilt ridden.
Soon after leaving the New Hebrides on a clear moonlit night with a sea as smooth as glass, our engines stopped. For three days and nights we sat marooned on this glassy sea, waiting for the periscope that would pop up out of the water, signaling a torpedo attack on us. Nothing happened to us, but we witnessed several air battles and one night an ammunition ship blew up and the air and sea were filled with fireworks. We didn't know it at the time, but we were sitting marooned in the middle of the Coral Sea Battle. We were way off our course, but the Captain had followed a zig zag course in order to avoid submarines which were reported to be plentiful in the area. The war went on.
This is a recitation of actual events. It is
not considered interesting, it is not an
adventure--- it was boring as hell then and
I`m sure you will find it boring now.
Sorry about that, please bear with me.
Probably a week later we arrived in the
bay at NOUMEA , NEW CALEDONIA.
Thrill, thrill--- it llooked like any other
tropical flat place in the Pacific ocean.
We anchored at a pier in Noumea and
we spent a lot of time just sitting on deck
or lining the rail, watching natives work.
One of the great life lessons was learned
at this time.
A giant pole , like a great , large telephone
pole lay along the dock. A contingent of
Balinese men, tiny little men, about 20 of
them came one day and spent an interminable
amount of time sitting on, measuring,
discussing, arguing, hugging and kicking
the pole ---- suddenly as one man they got
up picked up the pole in their little arms
and walked away with it.......
----- leaving us open mouthed and bewildered.
None of we big strong Americans, to gether
or separately could have moved that pole.
I have often thought of that incident. It has
been a life-long inspiration and lesson.
Trucks picked up we Hospital Corpsmen and
transported us about five miles to Mobile
Hosptal # 5. At the gate to the hospital ,.
leaning on the gate post was my cousin,
Tracy Gulden. He had been hospitalized for
a bad eye. 8,000 miles from home and the
first person I saw was my first cousin.
Max Hastings, some other guy and I were
assigned to a tent.
Soon a platoon of Marines came to our
tent asking for me. The Marines carried
two large cases of beer, a gift from their
commander--- something to do with the
boxing match aboard ship .
Colonel Carlson, of Carlson`s Raiders, a
Marine outft was hospitalized at Mob. 5,
for a check-up . A kid by the name of
Fisher and another Hospital Corpsman
from Oakland, California and I went to
the Colonel and asked if we could join his
outfit. He said "sure" and we were in.
This was after several transfers and other
adventures in which we found ourselves
back at Mob 5.
Colonel Carlson apparently needed us and
the Ward Medical Officer discovered I had
a fever and entered me as a patient to
undergo further testing.
A couple days after that we received word
that my two friends had been killed at the
landing of another island--- I think it was
Tarawa. I have never been sure. It was a
bad memory , better forgotten.
Something like thirteen (13) months had
passed and I was sent back to the states with
a diagnosis of a jungle fever.
------- John Crowley
This segment is sort of cryptic. Yes it seems
like that to me too. This part is no big deal.
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