The Murden's Drug Store Gang
(Photos & text by Robert Newsome).
More Murden's photos generously provided by Robert Newsome!

The Ocean View Tour elicits heartfelt memories; e-mail  from all over pours in and sometimes, from old acquaintances not heard-from in years. We're so-o-o-o stoked on Robert Newsome's (Paul Newman of our 'hood) contributions:

Terry Tharp, Cappy Puma, Jerry Brannin, Britt Dinsmore
(note: Murden's sign seen partially, in upper right corner)

Subj: The Ocean View Nickel Tour & the Murden's Gang
From: RNews68717@aol.com   To: Rkpuma   

Hi RK!  I recognized your name from HS Alumni.Com - Granby year 1967. Your brother Tony, Cappy Puma and I were friends in the early 1960s, so I was curious. I clicked on your name and first thing you know I was taking the OV Nickel Tour. That was great. Brought back a lot of memories. I remember you and your sisters. I'll never forget it was your mother who first introduced me to lobster tails. I had never eaten them before and she insisted I try them! Anyway, I was surprised to see the picture of the "Murden's Gang" on the OV Tour Pt. IV. I also have that picture and the original negative. It was my girl friend at the time, I believe, who took the picture for us. I must have given Tony a copy. You have the names wrong! Going from L to R the names are: Tony Kiriluk (I know you cannot see his face but it is not Birdhead (Bobby Lassiter), it's Tony, Ronnie Sykes, Injun, Tommy Tharp (His name is Tharp but everybody called him Thorpe), Robert Newsome (that's ME), Richard Curry (you have Bennefield -not so!), and Cappy Puma. At the time this picture was taken, around the summer of 1962, Birdhead really didn't hang around with us yet. He was younger than most of us. Just thought you might like to know this. Best Regards, Robert Newsome
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Subj: Robert Newsome - pictures from 1962
From: RNews68717@aol.com    To: Rkpuma   

Hi RK,   Well, I finally got to where I can use this new scanner without something freezing up. I've been having configuration problems with the USB connections between the printer, scanner and e-drive photo reader. I only have a few pictures from Norfolk and found three extra pictures you might like to see. There all from around 1962. I'm sending you four pictures. First the Murden's gang, second a picture of Tony & Barbara Cobb, third a picture of Norfolk's Police coming out from behind Murden's, and fourth a picture of Tony & Me taken behind Murden's while fixing a flat tire... Let me know how they come out. Best Regards, Robert

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Subj:     Re: Robert?
From:    RNews68717@aol.com   To:    Rkpuma   

Hello RK,   Glad everybody liked the pictures. Feel free to do whatever you like with them. I found one more that may be of interest to you. It's from an old B&W negative I found and scanned on my scanner. I must have lost or given away the picture right after it was developed in 1962. The people in the picture are from left to right: Terry Tharp, Cappy Puma, and Jerry Brannin and Britt Dinsmore [referring to image, page top]. It is Brett's car they're standing up against. I'm sending you two separate copies of the picture from different scans. I really had to work with my scanner to bring out the faces of Cappy & Terry. Hope you enjoy! Robert

       
  Roger Comstock     Cops patrol behind Murden's   Johnny Yahn & Robert

The Murden's gang is legendary: remember also Cecil Bland, Frank Evans, Jimmy Cobb, David & Tommy Crump, Jackie Jones, "Big Vic" (Viccillio), "Long John" (Billy Rowe), "Injun" (Eugene Allard), Scott Lawrence, Donald Benfield, Robert Hollowell, Donald Hammond, Lance Wright, PeeWee Clavor, Bobby Cherry, Franz & Harry Lurch-- and does anybody remember the "Shamrocks" baseball team that practiced behind Ocean Air School back then? ---Someone decided the gang should do something besides dodgin' the "Dirty Mung", tossing pennies and 'bopping' cups and sponsored this crew... or when in the late 60's the guys had moved on to Mattie's Confectionary (next door to Harry's Grill) going from 'Suede-O' to 'OV Hippy'; playing chess, philosophizing with Mr. Ken? --RK

You hadta' be there...
More Murden's photos generously provided by dear Robert!

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©2003 R K Puma    rk@rkpuma.com
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