Early Day Legacy...

Baseball Legacy...

A Grandfather's Legacy

This is my Grandpa (William Jacob McGill) on my father's side of the family.  Before he and my Grandmother got married, he 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).

My Grandpa Will's favorite song was a song sang by Doris Day in 1956,  (Click here for the words to the song.)  "Que Sera Sera, Whatever Will Be, Will Be". 

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). 

It has been told within the family that when the World Series would come around, the McGill Brothers Furniture Store would bring out their radio and a electronic board that they had fixed up in shape of a baseball diamond.  They would invite the whole town in to keep tabs on the World Series game.  Everyone shoved into the store during the World Series.

My Father (Gene "Merle") and his younger brother (Robert Lee) did a lot of swimming and diving off of the buildings into the McGill Bros. Swimming Pool. The Pool was located just west and behind the Bros. Furniture store.   They could be seen late at night doing a little bit of "skinny diving" & "dipping" and sometime with suits on.  I've been told by some that some of the town girls would sneak in and watch thoseyoung boys at night. 

Gene and Bob's Dad was a perfectionist when it came to anything.   Maybe too much so that he over did and over powered his sons' achievements and making it hard to live-up to the "Old Man's" record. 

Vital Statistics Taken From Grandpa's Li'l Notebook --

He (WJ) was born 29 June 1880. His second wife (Blanche) was born Jan 21, 1896 in Beloit, Kansas. There was 15 1/2 years difference between WJ and Blanche. They were married Nov. 18, 1946 in Medicine Lodge, Kansas. WJ played ball at 198lbs; waist 34 and his last year to play baseball was 1909 -- but he played some in 1912.

27 & 29 March 1931 -- That night there was snow in and around Alva, Oklahoma. Altogether there was 12 inches of snow that year.

Oct. 26th, 1932 -- 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.

The Austin Senators baseball team -- Grandpa Will (no. 4 on back row). Photo dated 25 April 1906.

Backrow left to right: George Felter, Harry Short, Happy Fields, W. J. "Will" McGill (pitcher), Richardson, Stevenson, Carter, McCall. Front left to right: Suitor, Hartman, Capt. Gill (1st base), Red Gordon (catcher), Hutchcroft (center-field). My Grandpa Will McGill (4) is standing on backrow, fourth from the left, top of head is cropped in photo. 

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