Material Type

Recording

Date Range

1978

Fonds

Pioneer Researchers Association Oral History Project

Creator

Pioneer Researchers Association

Physical Description

1 cassette tape; digital copy

Physical Condition

Excellent

Acquisition Source

Pioneer Researchers

Scope and Content

Side A - Married to Elbert Beauford Siler "Si", professional ball player in southern Alberta. - Biographical information: Bom in St. Louis, Missouri in 1897. Family moved to Oklahoma shortly thereafter, where she attended school. Following her graduation in May 1914, the family moved to Champion, Alta. She describes the first year in the small prairie town. - Describes Champion. Businesses, economic conditions. - Champion's Professional Ball Team: Team was financed by Danny Harper of Champion and Milt Moffatt of Lethbridge. The years 1916-1918 were prosperous in that area and players for the team were imported from other area. - Champion coal mines: Ellis, Ontario, Bluson(?), and the Rose or Roads - Si was born in Lexington, Kentucky in April 1896. He was training for the Brooklin Dodgers at Everett, Washington when the war broke out causing professional ball to be suspended. Unable to enlist, he went to Vancouver, BC to play where he was noticed by an Edmonton manager who asked him play. Moffatt spotted him in Edmonton and asked him to play for Champion. - Married 7 July 1917, in the Knox Church at Lethbridge. - Information about the professional ball league in Southern Alberta: Their division had 4 teams in it - Champion, Nobleford, Barons, and Vulcan. Mentions the other divisions and Si's teammate and lifelong friend, Slim Hanes. - Si played for Claresholm in the 1 920's. At that time teams practiced from 2-4 pm Mon thru Fri and played games and tournaments on the weekends. Si was paid $350.00 per month plus room and board. Names other team players. SideB - The last year Si played professionally was for Blackie. Mentions the Molson Cup tournament. - Names Champion ball players. - Following the regular season Si and Slim would hire themselves out to other teams. - Son also played ball. Si passed away in February 1945. - In 1 968 Slim was inducted into the Alberta Amateur Sports Hall of Fame. She attended the ceremony. Slim's son coached the Calgary Stampeders. - Career information about Slim Hanes. - Bess's salt and pepper collection: donated to the Champion Libary. - Career information about Bess: telephone operator. Discusses the telephone system in the late 1 940's and the 1 950's. She also held the position of town Librarian (volunteer position). Discusses the library operation. - Handicrafts she does.

Access Restrictions

Public Access

Accession No.

19921008017

Collection

Archive

Less detail