Hi Steve, This web site gives some information on him. "Al Benton Society for American Baseball Research". Tells about baseball career, driving a stolen car, car salesman, bad check forgery charge, hotel manager and the fire. Leaves you wondering more about his life.
Hey Steve, I just found out that Pernell Roberts is currently interred at Ascension Catholic Cemetery in Lake Forest, California. I found it on his Find A Grave memorial. Check it out when you are at that cemetery. My mom’s first cousin is also buried there.
An explosion like that may have been from a boiler explosion where the relief valve did not open causing a tremendous amount of to build up or a gas explosion. Either way how sad.
This is totally off the topic,but did anyone else notice that when Steve panned the camera around to the rocks and the tree to the right of the tree that the rock behind the tree looks like a giant dog 🐕?
Its so sad that someone today in sports leaved the sport with millions if they don't throw it away and this guy had to work at a motel to make a living. totally not fair.
Did you try the archives of the LA Times or Herald Examiner? They used to keep all of their past publications on microfilm, but I'm sure they have been digitized. Since you have his date of death, it should be in the next day's edition. Who were you originally looking to find? Interestingly, the old archives are referred to as the "morgue," which seems very appropriate for your purposes!
Building explosions are often caused by leakage of natural gas, or propane, into the building. A spark, or a pilot light, can ignite an explosive mixture. While rare, they often occur on older gas distribution systems where the pipes may be over 100 years old and not adequately tested and maintained.
Benton was working as a motel manager at the Southern Motel in Lynwood, California, when an accidental explosion in a motel room burned him severely. He died in St. Francis Hospital of the “extensive thermal burns,” on April 14, 1968.14 He was survived by his wife, Moneta
Never heard of Al Benton. May he RIP. Just a side note, it's interesting that the house or apartment best seen at 1:30 has no rear facing windows facing the cemetery other than a couple bathroom windows.
Steve, I visited the cemetery where my parents are buried this week, to put a new flag on dad's grave. He was a veteran. I always laugh to myself when I go there, thinking, "I wonder if I'll run into Steve?" Just wanted to share a bit of humor. Enjoy your day, Steve!
I'm a huge baseball fan. (I written several books on baseball history.) I'd never heard of anything regarding Al Benton's peculiar death. Thanks for educating me!
If you can’t find online information about the inn explosion, try a library, academic or public. The reference staff and interlibrary loan staff are set up for that kind of help. Plus, some libraries probably still have microfilm. Sad but true that not everything is converted to digital form yet.
