Guests at the Belvedere Series #1
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Samuel Simpson and Alice Shay
Samuel A. Simpson met and wooed his future bride Alice Shay in Minnesota, but was forced to endure a long year apart when he moved to Roseville to work at the PFE plant, the world's largest artificial ice plant. Sam and Alice were reunited in time for the holidays in 1928, when they tied the knot in a simple Christmas ceremony at home with Sam’s sister and family in attendance. The Press Tribune marks the occasion and shares details of “greenery intermingled with red” making a “festive appearance” for the joyous occasion.
In 1938, the marriage was tragically cut short when Alice passed from Tuberculosis, which Sam also ended up contracting and then surviving. In the early 50’s, Mr. Simpson made his home at the Hotel Belvedere as one of many single Railroad workers who occupied the hotel. He had switched his ice plant job for a machinist position at the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a member of the Machinist Union No. 1200, Roseville.
The Former paperboy, Norman Bohm, a Roseville Native
According to his great nephew Norm, he was a small, quiet man with a surprisingly deep and gravelly voice. "He was a really nice person-special nice to us kids. [He] loved to have my mom and dad over to visit and play pinochle," says Norm, who delivered the Press Tribune to the Belvedere lobby on his paperboy route. Sam's sister would often bring home-cooked meals to the Hotel Belvedere for him and together they would admire his extensive coin collection and enjoy each other’s company.
Samuel A. Simpson lived and made his home in the Belvedere for over 5 years. He spent the rest of his years enjoying a quiet life surrounded by his family and ended up working for the Southern Pacific Railroad for 30 years before his retirement. He was a simple man who lived a quiet life until he passed away of natural causes in 1973.
He never remarried.