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| In no particular order --Edgar Pharo, Arthur Pharo, Stanley Pharo, Matt McMorrow (piano player), Emma Pharo McMorrow, Stanley Pharo, and Aloysius Pharo 1937    The predecessor to Pharo's Cafe -- Chris Pharo's Place. Note the water trough in the foreground for the horses.  Scene from Pharo's Cafe.  
Les Meldon and Ray Pharo
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| Mary Pharo Meldon and Les Meldon |
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Doc Prinzbach's Drug Store after Car Crashed into Store Front |
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| Lou Guntzelman |
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| Photo Credit: Shelly Kneupper Tucker This Eclectic Life Used with Permission
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| Dixon and Shinzo are the two men pictured on the right. Photo Credit: Mark Pharo From the Collection of Mary Pharo Meldon |
Shinzo Heing was held up and his paper money taken away from him the other week on his way down Torrence Road. Some 8-ball got him in broad daylight.
Doc Prinzbach said he is going to take a vacation for about three months whenever Jule gets home. Mr. Prinzbach is only working 12 hours a day.
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| Flood Levels painted on the back of St. Rose Church Note the 1945 Flood Stage Photo Credit: Bryan Phillips |
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| "Tiger" Joe Wellendorf |
But the two that stand out the clearest in the mind, is the arrival of S-Sgt. Joe Wellendorf and W. T. 1-C Edward J. Boland, Tiger Joe arrived on a Sunday evening just as it was getting dark, and as he stepped out of his cab and before paying the driver, he let out one of his famous WA-HOO's.
Everything in the neighborhood vibrated, buildings and all. Then he damn near took the door off the hinges getting into the Blue Room and first thing he said was, "Give 'em all a beer."
If Uncle Sam had any intentions of changing the "Floogie Man" he failed miserably. He hasn't changed a bit. Joe Rechtin said he may have lost some weight but otherwise he hasn't lost an ounce. Incidentally, the "Floogie" came home with a black eye. He said he stepped off his train in Texas, fell over his own grips and hit his eye on a mail box. See what I mean?
After missing one or two trains back to camp at the end of his leave, he finally left. Then after a breather of a few days, Dice Boland hit the Blue Room. All I can say now is that the "Red Neck Irishman" took up where the "Floogie Man" left off.
After a few rounds of beer with the gang, he took Miles Egan in tow for a whirl. Then after a day or two of plain and fancy drinking, Miles passed out. The last seen of him was when Dice poured him in the front door of his home.
W. T. 1-C Boland was still looking for new fields to conquer. The last your editor seen of him, he was still on his feet and going strong.
For your information, Dice is now a free man. He was given an Honorable Discharge on the West Coast and sent home. The old boy soon will be 46 and as most of you know, this was his second hitch. He did a stretch in the last war and volunteered for service the day after Pearl Harbor. And I feel confident that all of you join me in wishing him our best regards for a job well done.
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| Photo Credit: River Downs.com |
There is no sense in me going out on a day like this when there is no bang tails to make a wager on. Who knows but that Mr. Byrnes had me in mind when he called a national holiday on all horse racing. Any of you birds who ever made a trip to River Downs or old Latonia with me know that I couldn't pick out Man 'O War out of a bunch of selling platers. Well, I'm still just as good. How some people like Simon and Andy McGimsey could go to the track and come home with the sheckles is beyond me. I remember well one trip I made to Latonia with Andy. When the day was over they didn't have enough money to pay him off so they gave him a few pailings off the fence and a couple of flower pots. You just can't beat some people.
I hear over the grapevine that Andy would give his interest in hell for a few good cigars. Well, we can't have everything. After all we gave Andy to the Air Corps, so what more does our nation expect?
Things along the avenue have been so-so. Many plans are being laid for the coming spring and summer and the anticipated activities in the victory gardens. Right now the river is a little past the 55-ft mark and where it will stop is something else. Our local papers tell us there is considerable snow and ice upstream that still has to pass us. Our garden plots are now situated under quite a bit of water at the present time.
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| The East End has garden plots honoring all veterans from the East End (2012) Photo Credit: Bryan Phillips |
Say, by the way, we sent all you fellows an invitation to join us in an old-fashioned mulligan served at our gardens with the ingredients taken from our Victory Gardens. Well, where the hell were you? Now as Jimmy Durante would say, "I'll tell you what I'm going to do." Right here and now, I'm going to extend to you that same invitation for this fall. How about it, can we count on you? Can't you birds get together and end this whole mess before winter rolls around? There should be some of you guys who rate a trip home due to 24 months away, even if you can't end it. But get on the ball. Lets wipe the whole damn bunch of rats off the face of the earth and get back where you belong. If this keeps up, Benton and I are going to enlist and then watch what takes place.
But all joking aside, keep punching gang, and God grant that you all get back safe and sound. We miss every one of you.
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| Joe Pharo |
Hello, gang. I'll try to tell you a little bit about my trip back to the Old Blue Room. The Old Dog is still waiting.
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| 1943 |
Joe Pharo came all the way from the South Pacific to the Blue Room to see what I meant by the regular Sunday night floor show. The first Sunday night he was in the place, along about midnight, the juke box was giving or sending to its utmost. The number was one of the local favorites. Mr. and Mrs. "B" were doing the neatest piece of rug cutting that ever hit the place. Joe remarked that the Dog was listing a little on the port side. I told him not to worry, the old Pup would settle at a pretty even keel. (And he did). But all through the dance the Bee was keeping right in step and singing the number to the Dog, "Straighten Up and Fly Right." Joe said, "who ever picked that number for them to dance to sure had something on the ball."
Then Kroner came in, and in keeping with that old Blue Room custom, he and Joe ordered "one more beer" then they took off. When I saw Joe Monday morn, his "sinus" was bothering him a little, and the only thing that bothered the Dog was his conscience.
There was a hell of a swell party at Butlers the night I was there.
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| Joe Pharo |
Mary Ellen had a party while Joe Fischer and Joe Pharo were still here. But I was kidnapped and taken from the party and left out in the cold while lunch was served.
It was brought to my attention earlier that a move like that was to be made but I passed on it lightly, in fact too damn lightly. Along about 11:30 AM, Bob Meldon, Frank Benton, and Bill Buerk suggested that we "GO OUT" for a shot. We did, but they left me and WE DID NOT come back together. By the time I got back all the dishes were clean as a whistle. You know I am NOT much of an eater so I figured that someone over estimated my capacity. Anyhow, I did not get a bite to eat. What a hell of a party that was, as far as I was concerned. Oh yes, I did get something to drink.
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| Richard Powell, Age 16, living at 2466 Eastern Ave. in the 1940 Census |
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| Credit: Wikipedia |
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| Sanctuary of St. Rose Church Photo Credit: Kathy Reed |
Kroner and Benton sent me to St. Rose Church on Tuesday morning
November 28th so that you GI's might know what's what and how.
When it comes to covering a wedding, I'm just about as useful as a glass knob on a country out-house, but here is the score.
Miss Edith Oberjohn and Cpl. Thomas Higgins were joined in holy wedlock with Rev. John F. Dillon officiating. The bride was attended by the sister of the groom, Miss Rose Mary Higgins, while the Corporal had Joe Pharo in tow as best man. And I must admit that the best man held up swell.
Your editor, a veteran of almost 15 years service under one flag, expresses the best wishes of himself and every header of this sheet.
I'm sure I don't stand alone when I say, "May all the good things in married life be yours."
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| Main Altar of St. Rose Church Photo Credit: Kathy Reed |
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| Photo Credit: History of St. Rose of Lima Church (1867-2002) |
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| Island Queen |
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| Marie and Ray Pharo |
At about 2:30 AM. the screams of Mrs. Ray Pharo were heard from across the street, just as Norb pulled up in front of the place. Norb says he never heard Mrs. Pharo calling when he pulled up, but looked in the Blue Room and found it a mass of flames. It was then he heard her calling for Mary and Mary's mother. Norb told her to call the local fire department, which she had done, but always at a time like that they seem to never come. Norb then proceeded to get out those upstairs, Mrs. Pharo, Mary, and next-door neighbors Mr. and Mrs. Prinzbach. By the time that everyone had evacuated the building, three companies of the fire department were on the scene and busy at work.
Now get this straight -- your editor was not there when all this happened and only found out about it when I was on my way to work. Standing in front of the place was the new electric bottle beer cooler and a pile of debris that is usually thrown out after a fire. When I investigated further, I found the front door wide open and the old faithful Dog Benton on guard. Naturally, my first thoughts were of those upstairs. Benton assured me that everyone was OK, but what I saw in the old place left me spellbound. Back in the corner where the bottled goods case had formerly set, was a large hole burned through the floor. Every bit of surface of the woodwork such as the bar, side board, doors and other furnishings was blistered by the intense heat. Part of the plaster on the ceiling had pulled lose, but did not fall. Here is where the hand of God was VERY evident. Had the plaster fallen and the ceiling took fire, this article would have had a different ending.
There would have been nothing to stop the flames from getting to the second floor, and the stairway to the third floor was just overhead from the fire. A catastrophe was prevented because Mrs. Ray Pharo was awake, and Norb came home at just the right time. Had no one been awake or noticed what was taking place, I can't help but believe it would have been fatal.
The fire was thought to have started in or near the motor for the electric refrigerator and the damage was placed at $600 by the attending fire marshal. But those who have seen the damage think it will exceed that amount. No damage was done to the drug store.
At the present time the Blue Room is closed, but Mr. Prinzbach has promised us quick action within his means, and hopes to have us back on the track soon.
So your editor takes great pleasure in saluting Mrs. Ray Pharo and Norb for their part in preventing what we all hate to think of. And to Frank Benton, an orchid for his faithfulness for returning and keeping a watch so there could be no recurrence of what had already happened. And to all others who were so considerate of the well-being of Mrs. Pharo and Mary who were marooned in the back yard while all the excitement was going on, we say thanks a million.
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| Mary Pharo Meldon and Les Meldon |
The last thing we heard from Lt. Wolff, he was somewhere in China . . . Lt. Frank Dorr of the Navy is still on the east coast, though he had made several moves . . . Joe Pharo is still somewhere in the Pacific and hopes to get home soon due to two years of overseas service. He missed the first shipment home by a small margin . . . Ray Pharo is in England with a medical unit. Incidentally, it is T-4 Ray Pharo now . . . The last we heard from Dave Gruber was some time ago, and his mail came from an FPO out of Seattle . . . Les Meldon is with an Aircraft Assembly Unit out in the Pacific. We hear from him now and then but his wife (Mary Pharo) hears every day and keeps us posted.
Chas. Herking is still out among the Oriental dancers of the South Seas . . . Jule Prinzbach is also out in the Pacific and judging from his letters and pictures he sends home of all the WHITE USO gals, the old Doc isn't doing bad for himself. . . Buck Marpert and Don Reinhardt still write us from Florida . . . Cliff Marpert, Frank Kruse, Ray (Ink) Kroner are all in the Pacific with the Navy . . . Al Kroner is in San Diego, California, going to school . . . Harry Geiger and Tom Higgins are now in Texas. Watch out, Texas, if those two get together.
Listen, gang, our mailing list contains about 64 names, so we can't go on and mention all of the outfit or we will run out of space. Let's use this as a starter and if you have anyone else in mind that you would like to hear about just drop us a line. Thanks.
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| From the 1948 Cincinnati City Directory |
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| Ray Pharo and Bob Herking |
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| Picture of East End children in front of a stern wheeler on the banks of the Ohio River Photo Credit: From the collection of Mary Pharo Meldon, pictured on the right Joe Pharo pictured in the middle |
Hi, Gang! Well, your editor and partners in publication hope you're still on the beam and raring to go.
Fennessy has let us down brutally, but promises to do better. He is still confined to the rails, but has made numerous requests to the railway officials for a transfer to a bus that he may broaden his efforts of destruction. It is rather tough on Uncle Bulgey to go from day to day without making the headlines of our local press, but give him time.
As far as the Kentucky Derby was concerned, Pensive won it in good style. He then went on to win the Preakness the same way. Your editor had a "slight bet" on a fugitive from a soap factory. The nag I bet on must have been part of the Light Brigade for I heard later that the jockey carried a lantern to find his way in should darkness overtake him, (and it did).
The Cincinnati Reds are playing ball with about two old-time stars and twenty-three 4-Fs. You can imagine what a struggle it is for the local fans to keep them up in contention. Andy and Wayne better get back here pronto for Burlap isn't doing them any good.
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| Jimmy Pharo Ohio River Beach on Kentucky side |
The temperature hangs around 88 or 90 but the beach across the river is covered with water due to a 28-ft. stage. If you birds don't come back soon and get things back to normal, the country will go to hell.
And now, my good friend, brace yourself for the blow. Doggie Benton has really gone patriotic. Besides buying bonds till it hurts he now works a victory garden that does hurt (every bone in his body). Picture the Old Dog, if you can, on a massive tract of land (10 x 20 ft.) with a banjo (spade) in his hand tilling the turf. Ah, it does my heart good to see the Old Purp in the middle of his tomatoes, radishes, and beets with a bottle of beer in one hand and chinning himself on a hoe with the other. But hold up, I better not go so fast-- my garden adjoins his. Imagine me with the overstuffed appearance of grounded blimp wrestling with the home grown produce. But as I go about my work among the bean beetles and potato bugs, I wonder why I should have such a large tract of earth to till (20 x 50 ft.) while the Dog has so little. But fate has always dealt thusly with me, so this one more time, I suppose, will not hurt. Our garden plot is at the foot of Lumber Street (next to St. Rose) and our gardening group consists of Fr. Dillon, Fr. Jacquemin, Bud Smith, John Boots, Bob Herking, Al Wellendorf, the Dog, Hody Williams and Joe Rechtin and myself. Oh yes, I almost forgot Chas. Ross.
It is the aim of this group to hold a harvest festival this Fall on the grounds where it is grown. We wish to use this means of extending an invitation to be with us. An old-fashioned Mulligan stew made with the vegetables from our gardens will be served.
If we can lay our hands on some chickens or ration points, we'll have meat. Of course, there will be beer. So, if any or all of you birds can finish your business at hand, you are welcome.
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| Betz Flats on Eastern Ave. Photo Credit: Bryan Phillips |
