rapid30
05-22-2009, 09:36 AM
Richie Sherrill wrote this story about his Dad and asked me to post it with his Dad's photos.
Bruce
“You are in a heap of trouble Boy”! How many Movies has there been a big bellied sheriff saying those words? Have you ever watched the History Channel regarding Junior Johnson escapades in his “moonshine days”? Remember the Hanging Judges Parker and Bean? There were also moonshine judges; these are true stories, folklore or a person’s recollection of the past?
I always heard the stories, read the books seen the movies, but I didn’t realize how true they really were. In January 2004, I had a brief moment in time to confirm or rebuff these stories of unspoken family lore were true, I asked the questions, and got the answers. Answers I did not expect, confirmation of the stories I heard growing up and I must say surprised in the forthright honesty that made the end bearable to me and my family.
This was the story Cal Sherrill told in the months prior to his death March 20, 2004. I knew it was the end, his end and I didn’t know how long I’d have so it began on a cold afternoon sorting out a batch of leftover pictures from days long gone and stories never told.
Just how in the hell did a Back Woods Alabama boy wind up in Denver Colorado? Easy, he said I had a choice. The Judge said “ya’ll are going to jail or get out of the State…Tonight.” When you are caught hauling liquor, specifically moonshine in a dry county and you are faced with a choice. I guess hauling *** straight north on State Road 43 out of Tuscaloosa Alabama 1954 seemed the best thing to do.
Cal ended up in Chicago Illinois, looking for work. Since there wasn’t much call for Moonshine haulers in the area, a stint in a slaughter house would have to do. After one shift he had two words; F!@# that and decided on the next job that he came across, Hard Rock Mining. In the early 1950’s Chicago was tunneling out 1500 feet below Lake Michigan for water tunnels to supply, and Dad took that job. The pay was good the work was hard, but he was starting to get ahead. As the project was coming near completion the miner’s heard of a new tunneling project near Colorado Springs, a small hole was needed in a mountain just a little southwest of the city, you might have heard of it Cheyenne Mountain; NORAD to be more specific.
Things started to become a little clearer now and all the stories were starting to make sense. Idaho Springs was the weekend hangout from the mining crews, and still an active mining town in that time. Call also figured out that there were more hot chicks in Idaho Springs than Colorado Springs. Where do hot chicks hang out? The bar! Cal took a job as a bartender at the Depot in downtown Idaho Springs. Don’t kid yourself, boys we didn’t invent the bar scene in the 1990’s, the old men had it figured out way before us. So I added it up, hot girls, check, cold beer, check what about race cars?
Idaho Springs had a race track in the 1950’s. It was located right where the ball fields on the south side of I-70 are located today. And so it started, more than likely at the bar, “none of you jack ***** could drive out of a parking lot with the signs pointing you in the right direction”. Now the Hillbilly from Alabama is giving us driving lessons; well, he did. Funny thing about mine tailing, they are as slippery as red Alabama clay.
The Idaho Springs group traveled to Englewood on Saturdays and visa versa on Sundays. Some of the old names in the posse were Clarence Bieckman, Jerry Wright and Marv Morgan. Marv ran a shop on west 32nd just east of Lowell Blvd. in the Highland District. Today the building is a book store painted as purple as any Denning fan could envision.
Marv Morgan had a partner, Mac Mc Laughlin. Mac built the cares for Marv, and ultimately for Cal; between Mac and Cal they built many cars that included the first figure 8 car in the history of Englewood Speedway, the story goes that Rich Codner bet Cal $500.00 to see who could build the first one. Cal’s favorite car was a cut down modified that eventually progressed the late model division out of the jalopy division. The car is pictured with Stroker the Clown in the photographs. Cal made his mark on the dirt at Englewood, but he truly loved pavement. He preferred to travel to Sportsman’s Park, just east of Colorado Springs on Highway 24. On occasion he would “tie em” up at Lakeside with the likes of Joe Lehman pictured in the attached photos.
After the Figure 8 days, the Calvinator hung up his helmet and spent the next 30 odd years in Autobody repair and painting business. He owned Westside Auto body and then Golden Autobody. In the twilight of life, he son picked up the racing bug and Cal enjoyed going to the USAC Races and WSMRA races with his son. In the end, he turned out to be one of the greatest Grandpa’s ever… He spent the last 3 years of his life with the apple of his eye, Maggie Rae. He passed away March 20, 2004 and missed the birth of his second granddaughter Mollie Kae R.I.P Dad “Calvinator”
Bruce
“You are in a heap of trouble Boy”! How many Movies has there been a big bellied sheriff saying those words? Have you ever watched the History Channel regarding Junior Johnson escapades in his “moonshine days”? Remember the Hanging Judges Parker and Bean? There were also moonshine judges; these are true stories, folklore or a person’s recollection of the past?
I always heard the stories, read the books seen the movies, but I didn’t realize how true they really were. In January 2004, I had a brief moment in time to confirm or rebuff these stories of unspoken family lore were true, I asked the questions, and got the answers. Answers I did not expect, confirmation of the stories I heard growing up and I must say surprised in the forthright honesty that made the end bearable to me and my family.
This was the story Cal Sherrill told in the months prior to his death March 20, 2004. I knew it was the end, his end and I didn’t know how long I’d have so it began on a cold afternoon sorting out a batch of leftover pictures from days long gone and stories never told.
Just how in the hell did a Back Woods Alabama boy wind up in Denver Colorado? Easy, he said I had a choice. The Judge said “ya’ll are going to jail or get out of the State…Tonight.” When you are caught hauling liquor, specifically moonshine in a dry county and you are faced with a choice. I guess hauling *** straight north on State Road 43 out of Tuscaloosa Alabama 1954 seemed the best thing to do.
Cal ended up in Chicago Illinois, looking for work. Since there wasn’t much call for Moonshine haulers in the area, a stint in a slaughter house would have to do. After one shift he had two words; F!@# that and decided on the next job that he came across, Hard Rock Mining. In the early 1950’s Chicago was tunneling out 1500 feet below Lake Michigan for water tunnels to supply, and Dad took that job. The pay was good the work was hard, but he was starting to get ahead. As the project was coming near completion the miner’s heard of a new tunneling project near Colorado Springs, a small hole was needed in a mountain just a little southwest of the city, you might have heard of it Cheyenne Mountain; NORAD to be more specific.
Things started to become a little clearer now and all the stories were starting to make sense. Idaho Springs was the weekend hangout from the mining crews, and still an active mining town in that time. Call also figured out that there were more hot chicks in Idaho Springs than Colorado Springs. Where do hot chicks hang out? The bar! Cal took a job as a bartender at the Depot in downtown Idaho Springs. Don’t kid yourself, boys we didn’t invent the bar scene in the 1990’s, the old men had it figured out way before us. So I added it up, hot girls, check, cold beer, check what about race cars?
Idaho Springs had a race track in the 1950’s. It was located right where the ball fields on the south side of I-70 are located today. And so it started, more than likely at the bar, “none of you jack ***** could drive out of a parking lot with the signs pointing you in the right direction”. Now the Hillbilly from Alabama is giving us driving lessons; well, he did. Funny thing about mine tailing, they are as slippery as red Alabama clay.
The Idaho Springs group traveled to Englewood on Saturdays and visa versa on Sundays. Some of the old names in the posse were Clarence Bieckman, Jerry Wright and Marv Morgan. Marv ran a shop on west 32nd just east of Lowell Blvd. in the Highland District. Today the building is a book store painted as purple as any Denning fan could envision.
Marv Morgan had a partner, Mac Mc Laughlin. Mac built the cares for Marv, and ultimately for Cal; between Mac and Cal they built many cars that included the first figure 8 car in the history of Englewood Speedway, the story goes that Rich Codner bet Cal $500.00 to see who could build the first one. Cal’s favorite car was a cut down modified that eventually progressed the late model division out of the jalopy division. The car is pictured with Stroker the Clown in the photographs. Cal made his mark on the dirt at Englewood, but he truly loved pavement. He preferred to travel to Sportsman’s Park, just east of Colorado Springs on Highway 24. On occasion he would “tie em” up at Lakeside with the likes of Joe Lehman pictured in the attached photos.
After the Figure 8 days, the Calvinator hung up his helmet and spent the next 30 odd years in Autobody repair and painting business. He owned Westside Auto body and then Golden Autobody. In the twilight of life, he son picked up the racing bug and Cal enjoyed going to the USAC Races and WSMRA races with his son. In the end, he turned out to be one of the greatest Grandpa’s ever… He spent the last 3 years of his life with the apple of his eye, Maggie Rae. He passed away March 20, 2004 and missed the birth of his second granddaughter Mollie Kae R.I.P Dad “Calvinator”