Volume 11 , Issue 39

Insight Into Grandpa Bill McGill

William Jacob (John) "Bill" McGill was born 29 June 1880. Bill played baseball in the Major (St. Louis Browns, 1907) and Minor (Austin Senators, 1906 ) Leagues. In his later life he encouraged sports in his two sons (Gene and Robert).

One of the Baseball leagues he played for was the St. Louis Browns around 1907. During and after his baseball days, he came back to Alva, Oklahoma (1909); married my grandmother in 1910; and continued in the furniture business with his Older brother (James Acel McGill, bachelor).

Do your ancestors recall listening to the World Series at the McGill Brothers Furniture Store, in Alva, Oklahoma, where Bill and James McGill brought out their radio and a electronic board that they had fixed up in shape of a baseball diamond and would invite the whole town to keep tabs on the World Series game. I am told everyone shoved into the store during that time of the World Series. I wonder what ever happened to that "electronic board" they used back in the early 1900s?

Vital Statistics From Grandpa's Li'l Notebook

* 27 & 29 March 1931 -- That night there was snow in and around Alva, Oklahoma. Altogether there was 12 inches of snow that year.
* Alva High School building burned. All musical instuments burned. Bob had his horn at factory.
* Oct 29th, 1932 -- Old man Bob took his Marcella Metcalf out for a little model A Ford ride... his first.
* Sept 11, 1934 -- Well! Merle started for OU this morning (ma took him) am anxious to see what the kid is made of. He says he is going in for real work! Guess we will know in a few months. Yes we know! Bob also started to College.
* July 2, 1935 -- Merle went to N. Mex to a little school. Trying to make the grade to go to Dr. School at Okla. City.
* Sept 9, 1935 -- Ma is taking Bob to school at Norman. Merle going to OKC to see about school. Sure hope he gets in. Again time will tell. Here's hoping.
* Sept 7, 1936 -- Bob left for Kemper and Merle went back to Norman.
* Sept. 3rd, 1939, Sunday, 5am, England - War declared - US Germany. Just as well be now as any time. It has to be with "Old Hitler" in there. Guess we will be in there soon.

Click the following link for more on Grandpa Bill McGill's legacy
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