The summer ’05 show in Waukee I RCHS Iowa Antique Radio Club and Historical Society

IARCHS NEWS - Fall 2005

Usually by this time of year, I’d be remarking about “the frost on the pumpkin” and so on as I hunkered down to write the fall newsletter. But with the autumn we’ve had so far, I’ve been too busy soaking up rays while I finished cutting firewood – in a “T” shirt – to get serious about any indoor activities yet; including the newsletter. But, the tree color and the calendar finally convinced me that this can’t last, so it was time to pull together a quarterly report of club events….

We had another nice crowd for the show n conjunction with the Mid-Iowa Hawkeye antique power fair in Waukee again this I haven’t talked Dean into becoming a year. I didn’t manage to muster any other member just yet (he splits his time between members to help, but had a ball as usual Iowa & Colorado with frequent trips all over visiting with the crowd, young and old alike including a recent stint in Baghdad where he and on Saturday, to my surprise a friend was working to help restore their electrical from my high school days, a traveling grid), but he sure seemed to have fun talking engineer who is working in the Grimes area to the crowd and playing the old sets in the for the next year or so, wandered through display, so he’s still a potential member. and wound up taking a couple turns behind the display.

1 Also in this issue we have a BRIEF history held in conjunction with this exhibit of IARCHS complied by some of the long time members followed by a LARGE listing each year of Iowa based radio manufacturers that any collector in the state will find is a handy reference and finally yet another installment In 2003 and 2004 radio exhibits were set in Sherry Cowden’s excellent series on radio cowboy shows featuring . up and staffed at the Iowa State Fair. Dave Perkins The Waukee Antique Power Show in ======July of 2004 and 2005 has recently A Brief History of IARCHS become the public outreach for the club.

A variety of other outreach activities in In 1994, a small group of radio Dubuque, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids collectors headed by Gerald Lange and and elsewhere have hosted by club Dennis Hilberg organized and decided to members. form an Iowa club dedicated to old radio collecting and preserving Iowa radio A quarterly newsletter is published. The manufacturing and radio broadcast annual meeting is generally held in history. conjunction with the April radio auction

in Marshalltown and additional meetings An early project was to establish a whenever else they can be arranged. listing of Iowa radio manufacturers and Local meetings of enthusiasts have their history. recently become part of the club social

agenda. For four years in the late 90’s the club CHECK OUT THE CLUB WEB participated cooperatively in a radio SITE AT WWW.IARCHS.ORG swap/sales meet along with the local Ham club and PC club in Dubuque around Labor Day. An informative radio display for the public was part of the event.

In 1995 and 96 a radio exhibit was set up at the Maquoketa Historical Museum and ran for 45 days. A swap meet was

2 contest. He didn’t win, but as a result of that appearance he was asked to become a singer and guitarist for the Rocky Mountaineers band. Another vocalist, , was added to Remembering provide harmony. Nolan later left the group, with Tim Spencer replacing him. After leaving Broadcast the Mountaineers himself, Leonard sang with by Sherry Cowden of OKVRC several unsuccessful groups over the next few years. Vintage Radio Collectors Before giving up altogether, in 1933 he decided Hopalong Cassidy was a natty dresser and I liked to form a group consisting of himself, Bob his laugh. “Here Comes Santa Claus” and Nolan, and Tim Spencer. Originally called the “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” never sound Pioneer Trio, they developed a smooth style of as good sung by anyone other than . close harmony, including original songs written But of the three popular cowboys who rode by Nolan and Spencer. Their name became Sons across the range of movies, TV, and radio during of the Pioneers when a radio announcer decided the 1940’s and 1950’s, my six-year-old heart they weren’t old enough to be Pioneers. belonged to the – Roy Rogers.

Born in , on November 5, 1911, with the decidedly non-marquee name of Leonard Frank Slye, the future Roy Rogers was the only son (of four children) of Andrew and Mattie Slye. Andrew Slye had once worked for a carnival and as a musician on a riverboat, but to support his growing family he got a job in a Cincinnati shoe factory. Mattie, a homemaker, also loved music and played several stringed instruments. For awhile the family lived on a houseboat, but when Leonard was eight, Andrew moved them to a small farm in Duck Run, Ohio. It was there that Leonard learned outdoor skills that would later serve him well as a Hollywood cowboy hero. By his teens he was adept at singing, playing the guitar and mandolin, and They became popular on radio and in concerts in calling local square dances. Leonard’s mother Southern California and hired a fourth member, was crippled from childhood polio and his fiddler Hugh Farr. They would eventually father’s brother Will was blind. Perhaps this become a sextet with the addition of Lloyd prompted compassion in the young boy that led Perryman and Farr’s brother Karl. Radio station him to bring home and care for every stray KFWB in gave the Sons of the animal he came across. Once he even brought Pioneers their own program, and they were soon home an old man suffering from amnesia, and offered a contract with . Their another time a lost child. His dream was to original songs, now classics such as “Tumbling become a doctor or dentist. But when financial Tumbleweeds” (cut at their first recording hardships caused the family to move back to session) and “Cool Water,” made them among Cincinnati, Leonard quit school and went to the most popular of country recording artists. work with his father back at the shoe factory. They made appearances in film Westerns, even Early in the Depression the family visited one of in two Gene Autry movies. Leonard had also his sisters in California, and the balmy weather done some movie work as a bit player and extra and possibility of improving their lot prompted under the name Dick Weston. One day while the family to move there in 1930. Jobs were getting his hat cleaned in a hat shop, he heard hard to find, but the young man got work driving that was looking for a new a gravel truck and picking fruit. To earn a little . A successful screen test earned extra cash, he and his cousin Stanley sang at Leonard a spot at Republic. When Gene Autry, parties and square dances. At his sister’s urging, in a contract dispute, failed to show up for the Leonard tried out for a local radio amateur

3 shooting of his latest picture, he was replaced by “The Swiss Yodel” on the air. That’s how he Republic’s newest cowboy. met his first wife Arlene Wilkins. Her mother invited the band over for a fried chicken dinner. Leonard Slye sounds more like a villain than a Good food and Arlene’s good looks won Roy Hollywood hero, so the studio asked him to over. They were married June 14, 1936. They change his name. It was decided to borrow the adopted a four-month-old baby girl, Cheryl, in late ’ last name. Sol Siegel, a 1941. Happily, in 1943, they were able to have Republic executive, remembered that “Roy” their own biological child, Linda Lou. More joy meant “king.” The alliteration sounded good, entered their lives with the birth of a son, Roy and so a new star, Roy Rogers, was born. He Rogers, Jr., on October 28, 1946. Tragedy was 26. That first movie introduced another star, quickly followed when Arlene developed an Rogers’ horse, . “Under embolism and died while still in the hospital Stars” (1938) was an instant hit and after giving birth. Roy’s manager and best Rogers was signed to a long-term contract. With friend, Art Rush, recalls hurrying to the hospital plenty of experience singing, but no training as and finding Roy standing in the parking lot, tears an actor, he had to work at becoming the next big running down his face, signing autographs for cowboy star. Building on his farm background, some kids. he rented a horse and rode for hours until he became at ease in the saddle. He bought some It was the custom to have young contract starlets six-shooters and spent more hours practicing play “the girl” in the Westerns, and Roy’s drawing, twirling, and shooting. He was soon movies employed many of them. With the one of Republic’s top stars and, based on box filming of “The Cowboy and the Senorita” in office receipts, he was the number one cowboy 1944, Roy Rogers acquired a permanent leading star from 1943-1954. The studio wanted him to lady. use drops to widen his “squinty” eyes, but he refused and fans seemed to like his eyes just fine. When he was denied a salary increase by the notoriously tight studio in 1940, he settled for what would become a much more lucrative deal. He asked for and was given the rights to the name Roy Rogers and all merchandising under that name. His early films were set in the old West, but later, under director , they were moved into the modern West, providing more latitude for plot and dialogue. The films were rich in creative action sequences, with plenty of music, and just enough romance to satisfy female fans without alienating male ones. The scripts were well-written and the musical numbers skillfully produced. Rogers’ character was good-natured, with all the gentlemanly was born Frances Octavia Smith, characteristics of his rivals, Cassidy and Autry. October 31, 1912 in Uvalde, . At 14, she Although there were plenty of action and fight ran away to be married and by age 15 was a scenes, Rogers would shoot the gun out of an divorced single mother. She dreamed of a opponent’s hand rather than kill him. Perhaps singing career and became a band singer who because he was 1/32 Choctaw Indian, he was eventually made her way to Los Angeles to work always portrayed as a friend to the Indian. in radio and film musicals. By this time she had married again, to a musician. Dale and Roy got Just before forming the , along great and the on-screen chemistry was Rogers had gone on a road trip with one of his right, so the studio teamed them up again and earlier groups. They often dropped by local again. Their relationship was that of radio stations to get some free publicity, and professionals and friends for the first several since pickings were lean, they sometimes years. After making a series of Westerns with mentioned food on-air, hoping someone would Roy, Dale wanted to expand her career and so let come by the station with some cookies or other her Republic contract lapse. Not long after goodies. In Roswell, , the ploy Arlene’s death, Roy and his manager went to see brought a call from a young lady who said she Dale sing in Atlantic City, and Roy asked her to would bring by a lemon pie if Roy would sing return to his movies. She finally agreed.

4 Working daily on the set and making personal when he died, “You can stuff me and put me up appearances together, they grew closer (Dale had on Trigger.” divorced again in 1945). While waiting on horseback together backstage before an Every cowboy needs a sidekick and for awhile appearance at Chicago Stadium, Roy produced a was Roy’s, until he returned to ring and proposed. They were married New working for Gene Autry. George “Gabby” Year’s Eve, 1947, at the Flying L Ranch in Hayes had played Hopalong Cassidy’s pal, Davis, Oklahoma, where they had just finished Windy Holliday, in the Cassidy series. He then filming “.” They would appeared in a couple of Autry movies with ultimately make 28 motion pictures together, and Burnette, before completing the circle by Dale would become “Queen of the West.” becoming Roy Rogers’ enduring sidekick.

Roy’s other costar was Trigger. Roy said, “I rode him 100 yards and never looked at another horse.”

Hayes made a career out of playing grizzled, toothless, Western codgers. In real life he had been a vaudeville performer and was one of the best dressed actors in Hollywood. He and Roy became lifelong friends, and until his death at 84, he was a frequent visitor to the Rogers’ home. The Sons of the Pioneers sang in Rogers’ movies, with Roy’s friend (later to take on sidekick duties) filling his slot in the

The palomino was rented, but in 1938 Roy sextet. bought him for $2500. Smiley Burnette, who was playing Roy’s sidekick, gave the horse his Roy had been used to singing with the Pioneers screen name when he noted that he could turn on on radio, and he had done a few other programs. a dime and was “quick on the trigger.” He was But it wasn’t until November 21, 1944 that he billed as the “Smartest Horse in the Movies,” was given his own radio program on Mutual and indeed he was. He could sit down in a chair, network. followed the fire a gun, and untie a rope, among other tricks. Autry “Melody Ranch” format of music and He received his own fan mail, was given star Western adventure stories. The Sons of the billing, and had two movies named after him, Pioneers, Dale Evans, and Gabby Hayes all “” and “Trigger, Jr.” Trigger appeared. Singer Pat Friday helped with vocal loved to perform and got bored if he was inactive solos, Perry Botkin led the orchestra, and Verne too long. Although other look-alike horses Smith announced. The sponsor was Goodyear (namely Trigger, Jr., and Little Trigger) Tire and Rubber. In 1946 the show became a sometimes stood in for him, Trigger appeared in Saturday night feature on NBC, with Miles all Roy’s movies and TV shows, and most Laboratories sponsoring, returning to Mutual in personal appearances until his death in 1965, at 1948 for Quaker Oats (“Delicious, nutritious, age 33. Roy couldn’t bear to “put him in the makes you feel ambitious”). The theme was ground” and had him mounted in a rearing “Smiles Are Made Out of Sunshine.” It bounced position and displayed at the Roy Rogers back to NBC in 1951 for General Foods’ Post Museum, where he remains the most popular Sugar Crisps, first on Fridays and then on exhibit. Trigger, Jr., Dale’s horse Buttermilk, Thursdays. and the Riders of the and the German shepherd dog Bullet (who Purple Sage replaced the Sons of the Pioneers in appeared on TV) were also mounted and stand 1948, and Frank Worth took over the orchestra. near Trigger in the museum. Roy joked that Lou Crosby became the announcer. Gabby

5 Hayes was replaced by Pat Brady and the theme The Rogers became foster parents to another song became “It’s Roundup Time on the Double little girl, Marion, who had sung for them in an R Bar” (the name of Roy’s ranch on both radio orphanage in Scotland. Sadly, Debbie was killed and TV). The final sponsor (1953-1955) was in a church bus accident in 1964 when she was Dodge automobiles, and the theme song (written 12, and Sandy accidentally choked to death the by Dale Evans) was to become the Rogers’ following year while in the Army in Germany. signature song and the title of their 1979 Their surviving children eventually gifted them autobiography --“Happy Trails.” Roy and Dale, with 16 grandchildren and 33 great- along with Pat Brady, Trigger, and Bullett made grandchildren. They became public advocates of a highly successful leap to television on CBS in adoption and much of their philanthropy went to December, 1951. After 102 half-hour episodes, children. They endowed the Happy Trails that program ended in June, 1957. The show Children’s Foundation for severely abused and was action-adventure, and another character was neglected children. Roy made hundreds of added -- Brady’s temperamental Jeep Nellebelle. appearances at children’s hospitals and spent his own funds making individual visits and long distance calls to sick and dying children.

Like Hoppy and Autry, Roy made millions on product endorsements, everything from paper dolls and cap pistols to lunch boxes and bed sheets. His name and picture appeared on over 400 products (including 2.5 million Post cereal boxes), second only to ’s products. He appeared in over 100 movies (92 in the Roy Rogers series) and 102 television episodes. On personal appearance tours, he and Dale broke attendance records at every major arena in the world. As a father, he was exempt from serving The Rogers returned to television for one in World War II, but aided the war effort by season with a musical variety show in 1961. making USO appearances (also later in Vietnam) Over the years Roy Rogers made several guest and raising millions in war bonds. Roy was a appearances on other television programs, and successful rancher, horseman and horse trainer Dale Evans became a familiar face on Christian (he handled and trained Trigger himself), real TV. estate developer, and outdoorsman and sportsman. He was an accomplished marksman Like Bill Boyd (Hopalong Cassidy) and Gene (with guns, bow and arrow, even slingshot), and Autry, Roy Rogers’ real life reflected the image he hunted, fished, bowled, played golf, and loved he portrayed on the screen. He and Dale became riding motorcycles and speed boat racing. In staunch Christians who were not afraid to make 1968 the Roy Rogers restaurant franchise was their faith public. That faith never wavered, launched. He was a Master Mason of the even through the loss of three of their children. Masonic Fraternity. Among numerous awards, Like Boyd and Autry, Roy loved children. Roy he was inducted into the Hall of Great Western and Dale, who already had four children between Performers of the National Cowboy and Western them when they married, had only one biological Heritage Museum in in 1976, child. Robin Rogers was born in 1950, a and into the Hall of Fame as one Down’s syndrome child with congenital heart of the Sons of the Pioneers in 1980 and as an problems. The couple were advised to put her in individual in 1988. It is doubtful if he ever an institution but brought her home to love until really retired. He continued to sing into his 80s. her death from meningitis, secondary to mumps, The highly-rated 1991 “Roy Rogers Tribute” shortly after her second birthday. Dale album, on which he sang with country music memorialized Robin in her best-selling book, stars Emmylou Harris, , Travis “Angel Unaware,” one of 20 books she authored. Tritt, and , was a fitting cap to his The couple would adopt three more children. musical career. Despite failing health, he They found their second son, Sandy, in a continued to dress up in full cowboy regalia and Kentucky orphanage; he had been a battered make regular sojourns to the Roy Rogers-Dale child. Dodie was a little girl of Native Evans Museum in Victorville, California, near American heritage, and Debbie was a Korean his home. He liked to pose for pictures and talk War orphan whose father was an American G.I. with the visitors. The museum would later move

6 to Branson, Missouri, with their eldest son Roy UPCOMMING REGIONAL Rogers, Jr. (Dusty) as curator. MEETING SCHEDULE November 18, 2005 Walt Schlictmann 2470 Woodworth St. Dubuque, Iowa 52001 Phone 563-583-4875

January, 20, 2006 Jack Sweeney 321 Olympic Heights Road Dubuque, Iowa 52001 Phone 563-588-1831

March 17, 2006 Jerry Lange 790 Kane St Dubuque, Iowa 52001 Phone 563- 556-3050 Roy Rogers, age 86, died at home in Apple Valley, California on July 6, 1998. That great heart finally failed him. Dale followed on April ? 2006 the IARCHS Annual board February 7, 2001. We can only say, “Happy meeting. Will be on the Friday before the Trails to you, until we meet again…..” Harris spring auction ;exact date TBD Resources: Happy Trails, R. Rogers & D. Evans WATCH FOR IT IN THE NEXT ISSUE (with C. Stowers), 1979; Tune in Yesterday, J. Dave Perkins Dunning, 1976; The Big Broadcast, F. Buxton & 2608 C Reed Ave B. Owen, 1972. Websites – www.royrogers.com, Marshalltown, Iowa 50158 www.womacknet.net/features/royrogers/roy.htm, 641-752-3417 www.countrylinemagazine.com/roy.html, www.imdb.com/name/nm0001678/bio, May 12, 2006 www.roadsideamerica.com/pet/trigger.html, www.countrymusichalloffame.com/inductees/ro Jim Moran y_rogers.html, 3942 Aurora St. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Rogers, Dubuque, Iowa 52001 www.elvispelvis.com/royrogers.htm. Phone 563-556-1914 Amazon.com has a video of A&E’s Biography of Roy Rogers for $5.98.

Editors Note: I added the pictures from the official Roy Rogers web site to Sherry’s excellent report on this great (and much needed today) American icon. ======

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AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE: A IARCHS is a not for profit club whose purpose PHOTOCOPY OF THE SCHEMATIC DIAGRAMS statement (as given in the club by-laws) is: FOR YOUR ANTIQUE RADIO FROM THE OLD RIDER AND SAMS MANUALS, AVAILABLE TO 1) To provide an organization for collectors and IARCHS MEMBERS COURTESY OF JACK historians of wireless, radio, television and other SWEENEY, 321 OLYMPIC HEIGHTS, DUBUQUE similar items. IA 52001 . ENCLOSE MAKE AND MODEL 2) To promote acquisition and preservation of NUMBER AND A 4X10 SELF ADDRESSED biographical, technical and historical data, STAMPED ENVELOPE through the collecting of radios, stories, photographs, literature and other related items, #1 RARE ZRK POLISH RADIO FROM THE particularly with respect to the inventors and EARLY 60’S WORKS GREAT ON FM, NEEDS A early radio pioneers of Iowa. FERRITE ROD ANTENNA FOR AM AND 3) To educate and enrich the public knowledge SHORTWAVE about the historical and cultural significance of $65 radio by means of lectures, discussions, publications, workshops, displays and #2 1939 STEWART WARNER 7-514-H TOP OF presentations. THE LINE INGRAHAM CABINET, NEEDS 4) To encourage and assist individuals in their DECALS (AVIALABLE FROM A.E.S.) AND preservation and restoration of radio and ORIGINAL KNOBS. RESTORED VALUE $275 television related items to a condition consistent YOU CAN OWN IT FOR $95 with the original intent of their manufacturer. 5) To create and foster an interest in radio history. #3 FOR EITHER #1 OR #2 OR TO SELL WORKING SETS AND RELATED ITEMS IN A The IARCHS News newsletter is published and CASE I HAVE RESERVED AT THE BRASS (more or less) ARMADILLO IN DES MOINES (FOR A 10% distributed quarterly to all members COMMISSION FEE) CONTACT JOHN MOORE of record and to similar clubs and organizations TH 700 EAST 5 STREES, #11, DES MOINES, IOWA at their request. 50158 515-288-0612

Ad Policy: Ads up to 100 words in length may be submitted by IARCHS Members and are free of charge. You may re- quest your ad run up to 3 issues, if you don't specify it will Editors’ Column: Dave Perkins run one issue, you may resubmit your ad. Submit your ads by mail or e-mail to the editor. Issue Deadlines: March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1 As I launched into the time of year I find most conducive for restoration work, I was titillated by a request for IARCHS Contacts & Commitment help I received from a fellow in my old hometown of President Dave Perkins, 2608 C Reed Ave Muscatine. I’m not sure how Marshalltown, Ia 50158 he got my email, but Brian [email protected] Walter sure got my attention 641-752-3417 when he asked if I could help him locate a schematic and Treasurer Gene E. Dougherty 230 SE 16th Street Ste 101 help him sort out the battery PO Box 426 requirements for a TANGLEY Ames, Iowa 50010-0426 radio. The TANGLEY Company of [email protected] Muscatine was owned and 515-232-8066 operated by Norm Baker, one

Secretary Dwight Baker 2626 NW 17th st. of the more notorious and Ankeny, Ia 50021 bombastic characters in Iowa [email protected] radio history; or, indeed, 515-965-0999 the history of Iowa overall. Books have been written of Newsletter Dave Perkins, 2608 C Reed Ave his exploits in quack Marshalltown, Ia 50158 [email protected] medicine and border radio, 641-752-3417 but it turns out he also is

8 well known for his musical Roland, Iowa 50236 instruments, specifically air 515-294-4053 (days) operated calliopes, when is 515-290-9529 (cell) how Brian, who restores such instruments, came to know of [email protected] Mr. Baker. Anyway, from the NEXT, if the name Tangley pictures he sent to me, it didn’t immediately bring appears that the TANGLEY is a “Muscatine” to mind, maybe fairly typical mid to late you need a fresh, updated 20’s TRF battery set. Six copy of the Iowa radio type 01 tubes, transformer manufacturers list; well, coupled stages +135 and +90 your club is here to help you B+ on the final two stages with that too. On the next and a combination of grid several pages is a copy of leak and “C” battery bias are the up to date listing used. Brian has some sales compiled by three of the literature, but would like to founding members of the club locate at least a copy of any with contributions from technical literature if any several members over the exits. None of this, nor the years. This really is an radio itself lists any interesting reference. I specific model designation so always have a copy of it it may or may not be a “one available at the radio shows. of” design. If you have any It is safe to say that literature on TANGLEY, please members of the general public contact him at: are always amazed at the number of radio companies that once dotted the Iowa Brian Walter, Vintage Musicals, landscape. 3216 Mulberry Ave., Muscatine, Iowa 52761. And FINALLY, with the 563-264-1621 approach of yet another [email protected] holiday season are you concerned about (or maybe just resigned to the idea) A picture of the front panel that you’ll likely pack on a of Brian’s Tangley is shown few pounds you don’t need? on the mailing cover of this Well, here’s a thought: you issue. can’t be snacking if your hands are filled with a ANOTHER request for help comes soldering iron and a from new member Bob Elbert who receiving tube manual – it’s time to hit the workbench…. is looking for local contacts to learn troubleshooting and repair tips. Also resources for services and parts. Bob lives in Roland (a bit north of Ames)and works as a photographer at ISU.

Dave Bob Elbert 513 S Main

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