GREAT STORY: These are the kinds of stories, we admit, that make
our day.[neWLine]
John McCoy writes to us about H.K. “”Crum”” Robarts whose name
came up in a recent column about erstwhile Main Street fixture
Jalopy Suppa. In it, “”Crum”” had been singled out as an
outstanding pool player.[neWLine]
Here’s what John has to say: “”Although I never saw H.K. ‘Crum’
Robarts shoot pool, I and anyone else who caddied at the Penn Hills
Club can attest that he was an excellent golfer.””[neWLine]
“”If you were competent enough to avoid rattling clubs or making
other noises that might break his concentration, he was an ideal
person to caddy for. Straight down the middle of the fairway is the
shortest route around the course and you’re unlikely to lose a
ball.[neWLine]
“”However, if you did make a noise, he was capable of stopping
in his downswing to reprimand you.'[neWLine]
“”My father (J. Christy McCoy) told me that one day he and his
friend Mack Healy decided to pay Crum a visit.[neWLine]
“”However, when they presented themselves at the County Jail,
where Crum was serving a sentence for bootlegging, the sheriff said
that Crum was in solitaire and couldn’t have visitors.[neWLine]
“”The sheriff then offered to show them around the Court House.
During the tour, after he had asked enough questions to determine
who they were and that he knew their parents, the sheriff said,
‘Crum’s over at the golf course, but he should be back in about an
hour if you want to wait.'[neWLine]
“”My father went on to say that, while serving his sentence as
Crum Robarts, Mr. Robarts had won the Smethport Country Club
championship as H.K. Robarts.[neWLine]
“”I suppose one could, as Casey Stengel use to say, look it up,
but why bother? At best, doing so would confirm a good story – and
it might ruin one.””[neWLine]
[neWLine]
BILL MOORE: We need to thank Bill Moore for putting together the
information of the outstanding Bradford High football teams in the
1930s, information we used last week in Round the
Square.[neWLine]
It obviously took quite a bit of research, and we appreciate his
efforts. We’re certain that our readers, too, are grateful for all
the memories he brought back.[neWLine]
More such stories are always welcome.
