Theatre renovation/Seminole 1940/Orval Irwin..page6

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Seminole Theatre

The 1940 Story

..The spring of '40, they led away *Big Shorty*..

writer/SOUTH DADE NEWS LEADER\retired..page6

*...I tried to warn *Big Shorty*...

Most of the laborers that worked there were good, however they were farm oriented and could not seem to grasp the seriousness of the potential saftey accident. One day we were building a wall up high over the screen opening. At this time Frank Klick was laying blocks on the right end of the scaffold. I was working on the left. *Big Shorty*, was on the ground hoisting up the mortor when a bucket was called for with a continous rope through the pully. The bucket was an extra heavy duty attached by a rope with a heavy snap hook. Big Shorty was strong as they come, a big man but short and he had a square iron jaw. He would easily pull the heavy bucket up the great height and the man at the top, James, would empty the concrete and drop the bucket to the floor. I constantly cautioned James not to send the bucket sailing down in such a fast pase unless Big Shorty knew it was coming. I cautioned Big Shorty to always be on the look out for the falling bucket. I was busy working when I happened to look down and saw Big Shorty flat on the ground, desperately pawing the dirt with both hands-with a crease in his skull made by the rim of the bucket. It had happened! Two of the men working near by came over quickly. They each took his hand, with Big Shorty walking, all bent over and lead him outside enroute to a doctor. I never saw Big Shorty again.

Over the years, I have often thought of this morbid verse;

It was the spring of 1940,
when they led away
Big Shorty.
A victim of a falling pail.
He left us,
never again to be seen.
With a head wound so mean,
He left us,
without even a wail!

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Seminole Theatre

The 1940 Story

..The spring of '40, they led away Big Shorty..

...I tried to warn Big Shorty*...