Sandy Koozell

Mike Stoller

Songwriter Mike Stoller, the co-writer of "Hound Dog", upon a return trip to New
York from Europe, survived the sinking of the ship Andrea Doria after it collided
with the MV Stockholm, near Nantucket, Massachusetts.

Stoller and his first wife Meryl had to finish the journey to New York aboard
another ship, the Cape Ann. After their rescue, Leiber greeted Stoller at the
dock with the news that their song "Hound Dog" had become a hit for Elvis
Presley.

From left: Jerry Leiber, Elvis Presley, and Mike Stoller in 1957

 
Ella Mae Morse

"Cow Cow Boogie” was written for the 1942 Abbott & Costello film Ride’ Em 
Cowboy, which included Ella Fitzgerald as a cast member. The song was
recorded by 17- year-old Ella Mae Morse with the music of Freddie Slack
& his Orchestra.  It was the first release by Capitol Records and their first
million seller. Ella never obtained a huge following, but continued to record
until 1957. She died of respiratory failure in 1999 at age 75.

 
A vintage Fire Alarm Pull Box

Lt. Chuck Moyer checks an address while other dispatchers man the phones
inside the old fire alarm center.

When you called Portland’s 911 in the past, they transferred you to the Portland Fire
Alarm Telegraph dispatch center on NE 21st Ave near the I-84 overpass. The building
(shown below) is now the sales office for Sunshine Dairy. 

 
Ed Donahue