Marty Robbins in Portal

Residents who lived in our town in the 1950s and 60s and before will recall that many celebrities passed through Portal on their way to Canada. The likes of King Edward VIII and his wife, Wallis Simpson, passed through Portal on the Soo Line passenger train. They were on their way to his ranch in Alberta sometime after 1936 which was the year he abdicated the British throne. I distinctly recall Hazel Kjelson telling us kids about the day Babe Ruth passed through Portal on the train. He graciously stepped out of the car and waved to the crowd. Many music entertainers departed and entered the country at Portal on their way to perform in Canada and the US. Three country singers I recall were Kitty Wells, Wanda Jackson and Marty Robbins.

In the late 50s, Keith Kjelson, my brother Chis, Terry Hoel and I were sitting in a booth in the Gateway Café, owned by my parents, Albert and Mary Sjue. We were probably bored but paid little attention to a large tour bus that pulled up outside the restaurant. It was a common occurrence in Portal, especially in the summer months. They entered the restaurant, but we did not immediately recognize anyone in the group. We were seated in the booth closest to the door, so they had to pass by us to sit down. A man stopped at our table and casually flipped 50 cents on our table and said, “here boys, have yourself a Coke”. We looked up and to our astonishment stood Marty Robbins. We were all fans of his music but became much more so after that day. I still listen to Marty Robbins and tell that tale often to my friends who enjoy good stories and country music.