PERFORMED BY: Philip Tomczak
Copyright 1984 by the Author
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| With the announcement of the Armistice, ending the Great War in Europe, T. Q. Gildersleeves jubilantly returned to Tonawanda, New York. In 1918, his train rode into the city's depot and Corporal Gildersleeves stepped out, his heart and mind set on two things: visiting the grave of his dearly departed Mother; and drinking his first several bottles of freshly made Gildersleeves Ale in over three years. He triumphantly strode into the brewery, and was delighted at how the business had fared during his tour of duty. In the above photograph, the Brewmaster himself is shown hosing down the interior of one of the massive wort kettles. Still clean-shaven and noticeably aged from his ordeal on the combat field, Gildersleeves agreed to pose for this picture, after having leapt bodily into the kettle, thinking that it was full of wort. He was not seriously injured. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| He was delighted to find that, in his absence, brand new, gleaming copper fermentation vats had been installed, and were all busy bubbling away the early stages of the wonderful brew. Legend has it that, upon first seeing the new vats, Gildersleeves broke down in a silent sob of joy, and kissed the nearest vat, passionately, with full tongue. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Gildersleeves was euphoric upon returning home. With the victory over the Germans, and the sight of his beloved brewery, the Master was in a partying mood. At left is a photo of the famed Warchansky Brothers, who posed for this photo during a Grand Soiree that Gildersleeves hosted at his Tonawanda home. The Warchanskys were famous up and down the east coast for their touring act which featured Marvin, seated at bottom right, and Cal, standing upper left, balancing the others on their shoulders while perched on a high wire. Operatic arias would flow from each of the brothers' mouths as they teetered and tottered, and Seth, second row, fourth from right, would juggle live wombats. Crowds were wowed, and the Brewmaster was their most ardent fan. Unfortunately for all in attendance, their act ended tragically when a drunken spectator tried to climb the scaffolding, pulling the entire structure to the ground. All but two of the Warchansky Brothers were killed instantly. The surviving two would continue their careers in faraway Pakistan. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| The Brewery's popularity around 1920 was so high, a contest was held to determine which was the best of the Gildersleeves beer styles.Western New York women were enraged that they were deemed ineligible to participate in the surveys, prompting public demonstrations, such as the one at left. Many uninformed sources beleived that this was the beginning of the nationwide Women's Suffrage movement. Irma Hurlworthy, far left, was the champion of the cause in Tonawanda. The child in the stroller is MaryLou Wattle, who would grow up to be a successful businesswoman in the fields of astrophysics and crocheting. Note: Gildersleeves Amber Ale was the winner of the popular vote. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Back to the History Page | |
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| Gildersleeves Home | Click for Pain and Downfall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MUSIC CREDIT: Reunion by Philip Tomczak PERFORMED BY: Philip Tomczak Copyright 1984 by the Author |
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