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MEMOIRES OF ROSS A. BLILEY--AN INTERVIEW BY FRANK ANDERSON BLILEY

Ross was Frank's younger brother, Ross A. Bliley (70). In this recording they discuss Ross' life and adventure with gamblers on the train east. Ross appears not to be much interested in the recording and at one point says, "That is enough.", but Frank (75) pleasantly continues to ask questions and ignore Ross’ protest. The recording was made just a seven months before Ross' death on October 12, 1941. Recorded: February 25, 1941.

Voices of: Ross A. Bliley Interviewee Frank Anderson Bliley Interviewer

Audio: MP4 / 4.3 Mb / Length 08:45 Click Here if a control panel does not appear above this line in a minute.

Summary of Discussion

• Was in Colorado until the late 1890s until the disease of “home sickness” seemed to overcome his interests in staying in Colorado.
• Took train from Denver east and observed the flooding of the Mississippi River.
• Two men offered to show him a card trick--“three card monte”. The asked him to bet five dollars that he could not find one card of the three that was different. Ross knew the game from Cripple Creek, CO and was able to beat the gamblers at their won game by marking the desired card. He fooled them and they were angry.
• Moved to Charleroi, Pennsylvania and went into the furniture and undertaking business with his brother-in-law, John Lambing, "for four or five years". Business was poor due to a recession. Sold company and “returned” to Oil City, Pennsylvania.
• Became friends with John K. Tener in Charleroi, who later became governor of Pennsylvania, 1911–1915.
• In Oil City, started out working in the furniture business and then into the oil supply business.
• Applied for work at Standard Oil in Oil City. Fred Bates, treasurer, called him and offered him a job at a higher salary than the supply business. Served as in the account department friend “accounting work”. A year later moved the department to Findley, Ohio. Company paid of all moving expenses.

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