Post #470714 by allenroyboy on Tue, Jul 21, 2009 3:37 PM

This is a very irregular newsletter about my current research about Webley Edwards. Some of you may have already seen some of this info, so please forgive me.

The information basically consists of a few attachments, and I hope you'll treat the info with confidentiality. Tell your friends who are interested, but please don't publish without permission. :)

The first attachment is a copy of the passenger list of the Malolo on Sept. 27, 1928 with Webley's name. It is interesting to note that Webley got married on Sept. 19, in Corvallis, OR, then three days later he boarded the Malolo in San Francisco and arrived in Honolulu alone. The family says that Louise's father allowed them to get married, if she would stay and finish college.

Web, from Corvallis, OR, was a big sports jock at Oregon State College in Corvallis. Louise, from Albany, OR, attended the University of Oregon in Eugene and was a member of the women's fraternity Kappa Alpha Theta. The sports rivalry between the two school is legendary. If anyone knows or suspects how Web and Louise met, I'd sure like to know!

The second attachment is a newspaper photo of Web making a touchdown in Honolulu. He was hired by Schuman Carriage, Inc. to come play football on the senior league "Town Team" and to sell cars. Web played in the first two games of the season stomping the opposition 76-0 and 54-0. He tells of getting injured, (look at their uniforms!) and the papers show that He didn't play in the last 4 games of the season. They were soundly defeated each game, but for one they just barely won.

I am always looking for new stories about Webley and Louise and Hawaii Calls. It is the personal stories that really make a biography. Facts and photos alone just don't cut it. Here are some human interest stories that illustrate what I'm talking about.

"When my mom graduated from high school, she spent 5 weeks on Oahu with them at their house in Kahala. They had a wonderful time. Each morning they would sit down to papaya & guava juice; which Kai, their Japanese maid would serve. Web would ask what they planned on doing for the day. Occasionally, he would drive them to Waikiki beach on his way to work. He was always generous and would give them money for lunch.

"One morning, towards the end of mom's 5 weeks in Hawaii, my great Aunt Louise told my mom that it was probably time for them to return to Seattle. The day before, my mom and her girlfriend were bleaching their hair and bleach flew onto the wallpaper. Mom tried to wipe it off and the paper came with it! Needless to say, it was time to go!"

"When mom & dad were married they honeymooned on Oahu. They went to Web's
show at the Moana Hotel and Web introduced them to the crowd."

"It's been 36 years so I don't have a lot of detail. Webley was a patient at the Rehab Hospital of the Pacific when I first met him sometime in early 1972 [after his stroke]. K.M. was his therapist at that time. K. and I went into private practice together and Webley was one of our first patients. We both treated him for a number of months til we felt he could manage well enough from his wheelchair at home. During the time I knew him, he had a wonderful sense of humor, was mentally bright, intelligent and worked hard physically to improve his mobility.

"I have a story that I share about him from time to time because it still makes me smile today. The day we opened our therapy practice Web was there with us in his wheelchair, dressed well and looking spiffy as ever. A new patient had walked in the door and I was very nervous and wanted to make a good impression, so I said hello, looked at my partner and introduced her as myself. Web looked up at me and said, "and who might you be?" Of course, that broke the ice, made us laugh and made a potentially awkward situation not awkward.

"I still am thrilled (can't think of a better word) that I had an opportunity to know him. He was always interesting to talk to, and I think we got more from him than he did from us."

"When I first arrived in the Islands, my husband worked as an engineer for KPOA, doing the news for Lucky Luck. On Saturdays, they did the broadcast from the Moana Hotel...and I was pressed into service to hold the microphone by the surf....for that lead in wonderful sound of the "beach at Waikiki" Working for the old Trade Wind Tours, I and all my co-workers sold the buffet luncheon served prior to the broadcast (which assured one of a seat in the broadcast audience). I think the luncheon was awfully expensive, something like $2.00!"

Great stuff!

I have been able this summer to spend more time doing research. But, I'll be back in school at Montana State U. in Sept. trying to finish my BS in Paleontology in my middle ages (I'm 58). I've got about 2 years to go part time.... So, the research on Webley will again go on the back burner.

Sincerely:

Allen Roy
Bozeman, MT
4065798062 Verizon cell