Daily British Whig (1850), 1 Aug 1925, p. 32

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Ee SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 1025. Hockey Heroes Of Former Days . Made Game Famous In Kingston First Game of Hockey Was Played in Kingston And Since Then Many Stars Have Been Produced Here--Mea Now Famous Played on Kingston Hockey Team. Written excldsively fdr the Whig by Capt. Jas. T. Sutherland Past president, Canadian Amateur Hockey Association; Past president, Ontario Hockey Association. Writirig about hockey in July is a different proposition altogether from tackling the same subject "in the good old winter time'? when the thermome- ter is around the zero mark and one is in that enthusiastic state of mind con- cerning Canada's great winter sport, that inspftes one to do justice to such an important subject. 'Imagine if you can the feelings of the writer, who had just returned irom a fairly successful summer day's chase after the elusive black bass, only to receive a polite in- vitation from the "Whig" to contri- bute an article on hockey that might "in some measure recall pleasant -mem= oties of that great sport, to the minds of the old boys and old girls whom Kingston honors during the home- comers' celebration in the Limestone city during the first week in August. 1t is hardly necessary to remind the visitors of the enviable position that this city occupies in relation to the great game of hockey, for it was in the City of Kingston that organized hockey had its birthplace, the first lea- gue that we have any record of being the Kingston Hockey League, com- osed of clubs representing Queen's Tniversity, Royal Military College, The Kingstons, and The Athletics, Col. Arthur Cunningham, K-C,, Hon. Wm. Nickle, Sanford Fleming and Billy Waldron were amongst those who re- 4 presented the Queen's University sev- f ¥ ¥ en. Charles Gay Shapuon, Francis MacNee, Courtney Strange and Billy Kent were connected with 'The King- stons." The Athletics had the fotfowing personnel: Jack Elliott, goal; Frank Raney and the writer, defense; Wickey Wilson, Fredie Rockwell Tommy Parkins, Jack Renton, 4 ick" and Dave McRae, forwards. Tags rement: ber what an unfortunate habit Jack Elliot's spring skates had of falling off his boots whenever a particularly hardd shot was stopped by the eagle eyed John. } } Queen's won the championships in the final with the Athletics, the score being 3 to'0 in their favor. Principal Grant was an interested spectator. Did final was played in the old Dix rink which was situated directly in front jof the present Hotel Dieu Hospital: at that time this was a large vacant field which was used in the summer time \ for baseball, etc., and in the winter for skating. Hockey had been played be- tween teams representing Queen's and R.M.C., for one or two seasons pfev- {ous to the organization of the League mentioned. Queen's players at that time wore long white trousers, but these did not prevent them from play- 'ing with the same spirit and dash that has ever been the habit of Queen's athletic teams, in all lined of sport: Many of the old boys and girls recall the truly wonderful games that were played in the old covered rink, which was erected by the Richardson interests, and which some few years ago made way for the magnificent Jock Harty Arena, This, unfortunately becoming a prey to the flames, was re- placed in 1024 by the present fine arena, and very fittingly again bears the name of one who as an athlete and citizen had endeared himself to all Kingstonians. The artifical plant in connection with the present arena, is a most welcome invitation and estab- lishes the old Limestone City in the - front ranks of high class winter-sport centres. will Kingston's Fine Record. Kingston has turned out many fam- ous hockey players who have stood out prominently in this line of sport in competition with teams from all spoints in Canada. Even as the proud boast of the citizens of the great Ro- Enipire, in the early ages, was & wont to be "I am a Roman Citizen," nu ~ in likemanner the hockeyists that have gone forward from Kingston to other parts to play the game, have been Joie to state that they were "King- ston hockeyists," and judging by the records they established, this was no idle boast. ~~ + Growth of Hockey Although hockey had its birth in Canada less than 40 years ago its has been nothing short of mar velous. In that space of time the game has gained such headway that it is now played in even the most remote ts in Canada and has even crossed the line into the United States, being now played in many of the larger cities d Dawversities in the home of 'Old lory. . In the early days the names of such iant local players as the following were wont to create great enthusiasm when matters pertaining to hockey were mentioned. Guy Curtis, Ward Merrill, Bob Hiscock, Arthur Cun- 1 th, "Jock" Harty, Bunty Dalton, Fen Taylor, "Skelly" Walkem, Cyril Knight, Fossie Weatherhead, George McKay, "Larry" Newlands, Carmi. chae, and many others whose names the writer regrets he cannot recall at this moment: There were "Queen's men" and they leit behind them megp- ories of wonderful battles and memor- able victories, won for the old Tri- The old Frontenac stars who upheld || the honor and dignity of the city of Kingston will be recalled by many whose heroes they were, in the din and distant past. Many of their' names occur to the writer but alas here again it will' be found that some names are overlooked--for which the writer must again 'ask indulgence Here isa list that should recall many pleasant me- mories of sterling battles on the steel blades for the honor and glory of the old Limestone City: Eddie Hiscock, "Chick" McRae, Dr. Jack McDowell, "Mac." Murray, Hertie Reyner, Chas, Clark, Jim Rigney, Earnie Cunning- ham, Billy Harty, Hallowall Waddell, Stanley Wilson, Earl Wilson, Bill Potter, "Jigger" Robinson," Billy His- cock, Reg, Crawford, Glad Murphy, Audley Murphy, Ross Murphy, "Bike Young, Jack Powell, Chris. Robinson, Geo. VanHorne, Jack Williams, Leo. Williams, Max, Rogers, Harold and Herbie Walsh, "Shawnee" Reid, "Abey bie" Mahood and Dick Wilson, Norm Mitchell, Geo. McBride, Bob Gaskin, Hugh Walkem, Eddie O'Donnell, Doc Irwin, George/ Ton, Bob and Stuart Sutherland, Ned Sears, G. and N. Gunn Then later on we had such great play. ers as Ray Marchand, Melville Hyland, Scotty Davidson, (who only last win- ter was selected as one of the six greatest players of all time by sporting writers throughout Canada), "Bill" McCammon, Leo Millar, "Bert", Hunt, "Bouncer" Brouse, Reg Boyer, Jack Goddard, "Punch" Derry, Rubie Mil- lan, Norman Millan, Peenie Rae, Johnnie and Mike Gratton, Mike Mor- an, "Flat" Walsh, "Red" Campbell, Bob Stanton, "Jungle" Gunn, Arthur Cook, Bill Cook, "Wally" Elmer, Jack Mills, Dick Mills, Harold Nicholson and Bill Hazlett. Many of these have passed on to the great beyond, but their 'memories will even be cherished by alliwho knew them--and by none, Mpte go than by the writer to whom they: were "His Boys." High Schools Help. Many sterling hockeyists were deve- loped at the K.C.I. under Principal Sliter, amongst the number being Dr. Jimmie Stewart, Dr. Bell Campbell, Dr. Charlie Stewart, (considered one of the best goal tenders in the game), Dr. Jack Evans, Dr. Will Gratton, Georgie Stewart, Dr. Bob Ferguson, "Toland Brothers, Earnie Sliter and others. 'Regiopolis College has always been 4 prominent factor in the development of young hockey players also and it is a well known fact that Prof. Quinn of that institution of learning, has on all occasions, and at all times, given most wonderful assistarice to the city club, thereby endearing himself to the great army of enthusiasts who followed the local club in the good go times, that we are referring to in this article. Recent hockey history is still fresh in the minds of the readers of this arti- cle so that it is perhaps unnecessary to mention to names of players who are still in active commission, but for the 'benefit.of our home coming visi- tors we might mention some of those who are still in the game, to uphold the great name of the city that it is their proud privilege to battle for: Joe. Smith, Eddie Watts, Lloyd Brown, Clare Devlin, Art. Purdy, Tommy Kirby, "Buster" Hartley, "Chippy" Rogers, Travers Rooney, "Chummy"' Lawlor, "Babbler" Brooks, Clarence Gibson, "Terry" Millan, Harry Me- Neill, Vern Johnston and others. In conclusion the writer trusts that those whom he has unintentionally ov- erlooked naming in this article, will pardon the oversight as it has been utterly impossible to, do full justice to this great subject from memory in July at a time when the black bass con- tinue to call one to come out on the blué waters that abound in the neigh- borhood of "Amherst Island." the fam our "Brother Islands, and other places the writer knows of and which you, my readers whether you be old boy, old girl, or just a regular every day in- habitant of this the finest summer city in the Dominion of Canada--will want to visit before the summer goes by. Oil refining employs more than one-sixth of all persons engaged in industrial pursuits in Oklahoma. The map that Columbus used on his voyage to America Is held by the National Library in "Paris. a ho = I'o make things pleasant tor the old boys who will be here next week, the committee in connection with base- ball for the week has arranged a splen- did programme which will no doubt draw many of the old boys to see the games but more than this it will recall old times when the game in Kingston was played much on a different scale than it is today. There were no such lavish equipments for teams in the early days of the game as there are today, no "pillow" mitts, as some of the old timers are wont to call the catcher's glove, no fancy priced 'bats, pads, uni- forms or anything of the sort. These came with the advancement of time and 'of the game¢ until today we see baseball teams decked out with the best that there is. ou Recalling early history of baseball in Kingston, takes us back about the time' of 1868 or 1869. Up to that time, cric- ket was the popular gamé in vogue in the city then but baseball did not have a hard time being introduced. The game was taken up eagerly by King- ston folk and it proved to be, later on, that Kingston turned out some of the finest baseball players of the day. Kifigston can point back to some great players awvith the old St. Lawrences, the Earls, the Park Nines and other teams. Some of these veterans, Jeff Lovett, Michael Dolan and others are still able to tell about those games with 'pride and are of the opinion still, that the ball played in those times was far more exciting and interesting than the games played here in the present day- As there are few left here to dispute them, their words must go. However, these old timers must have played great ball and had many an exciting game for tGday former players of days gone by look back with pride on the teams of years ago and declare that this man or that man, was a wonder. What they would do in a present-day team would be interesting to see in- deed. Cricket was going at a strong gait when baseball first made its entry in- to the sport.calendar and the fact that the game of cricket was threatened, did not please the cricketers themsel- ves any too well. There was some squabbling at first but the cricketers were drowned out in the popular de- mand for baseball but the name al- ways stuck to the cricket field. The First Diamond. The first baseball diamond in King- ston was laid out along the corner of Park Avenue and Barrie street. The diamond was green in those days and skinned diamonds were unknown. A small grandstand, about the size of the store-house on Park avenue was erect- ed and here the enthusiastic crowds enjoyed' the games to their hearts' content. Kingston was not long in tak- ing to the game of baseball and some of the old-time games played were "red hot affairs." ' } Kingston had a team known as the St. Lawrence team for which Raiferty and Dygred, two imports were used as the battery, Rafferty being the pitcher and Dygred the catcher. They were here for about two years and played for the local club- The cricketers be- came quite incensed at the way thei grounds were being taken over by the baseballers and entered such protests that the baseball outfit were moved down to the far end of the field near West street where a new diamond was laid out and a much better grand-stand erected. Here the St. Lawrence team played their games and one of the greatest games in the history of baseball in Kingston was the one which took place between the locals and the Guelph Maple Leafs about 1876 or 1877. The Guelph team were composed of ama- teurs and pros. Two of the local mem- bers of the team were Jim Hermiston and Tack McCammon, That game stood out for a long time atterwards and was talked of for months and months. The.game went to twelve inn- ings. The score was tied 2-2 at the end of the ninth, tenth and eleventh inn- ings but in their half of the twelfth frame, Kingston pushed over the win- ning run ending with a score of 3-2. "Paddy" Nolan Umpire. © The system of umpiring then was much different than it is to-day. In the early times of baseball here, "Paddy" Nolan was the official umpire. He was a cripple and used to sit on a chair be- hind the pitcher and give his judicial decisions frem there. He always sat] on the off side of the batter and was in | less danger of being struck by a bat-| ted ball He made a thorough study of | the game and was well versed in the rules as they were then and was con- sidered an authority on the subject. It is doubtful if he was a paid official at any time but is certain that he was not when he started in. An amusing fea- ture of "Paddy" Nolan's umpiring lay in the fact that he always kept an um- brella over him to keep off the hot rays of the sun. When he officiated at a game he appeared all dressed up, wearing a black long-tail coat. Style of Play. ; The St. Lawrence uniform was | white shirt and pants and blue stock- ings with a blue and white cap. The people backed up the St. Lawrence team to the limit and there was great excitement in baseball circles at that time. There was more sport to the game then than there is to-day and the players went™into the game for the sport that was in it and they played the game without the idéa of winning at any costs. The games played in those times were all challenge games as no organized league had been form- ed then. The style of pitching then was much different than it is to-day and for a long time a pitcher was required to throw the ball underhand. Tom Parkin was one of the great under-arm pit- chers at one time here. The next change was that pitchers were allowed to "throw from below the knee and then they were allowed to extend\this to below the shoulder. Later on, how- ever, they were allowed to throw any style they chose. It was the custom in the earlier days of the game, to have baseball tournaments amd much interest was shown in these games and excitement often ran very high. The Young Earls. . The Young Earls club was of the best in the city at one time. This team operated in the 70's. It was compos- ed of young men living in the vicinity of St. Vincent's Academy. They were often opposed by another club known as the Beavers. The rivalry between the two teams, representing opposite factions, was very high and when the two met, there was enough excitement to last for some days, The Earls often met the St. Lawrence team in practice games and though they never defeated them, they gave them some pretty stiff arguments. "Paddy" Moran, Gallivan, Conway and many others were con- nected with the Earls Club The Park Nine Club. The Park Nine Club operated about the 30's. They were the successors of the Earls and they hung up a record that was one to be proud of. One of the best known players on that club was T. J. (Jeff) Lovett, who was one of the best catchers ever turned out here. R. J. Eilveck was trainer for the team, and acted as sort of manager also, having had experience in earlier times with the St. Lawrence team. This team played most of its games on a field up where Aberdeen street now is. One of the most amusing games played was that between the lawyers and the doctors in 1889. The doctors unmercifully walloped the lawyers to the score of 68-27. Dr- Anglin was one of the prime movers in arranging that game and the late Charles Smith, Donald McIntyre, William Mundell and others took part in that contest. Remarkable progress has been made in the game of baseball from its first play in Kingston ir regard to the play- ing, It is much speedier and more scien tific now but it is doubtful if there is the same spirit of sport in the game today as there was in those times. In those times a player went in the game for the love of it and 'put his heart and soul into it but he played with the idea of doing his best win or lose but one is inclined to think that players today are, for the most part, inclined to win at any cost although there are exceptions to every rule. Natives of New Guinea use nets spun by large spiders to catch fish weighing as much as one pound. Twelve states still allow children under 16 to work more than eight hours a day. : ; THE DAILY BRITISH WHIG (reat Difference In Baseball Of ToDay And That Of Years Ago teresting History of Baseball In Kingston Reviewed--00d Timers Declare Their Teams Were Wonders---Great Advances | 7 Made In the Gane: -- axvzd inn Ya ld VACUUM (AIR-TIGHT) TINS J OLD GHUM The Tobacco of Quality 5 Just around the bend See the great picture gallery of Ontario's natural beauty Just around the bend of the road, a land of rolling hills, sapphire lakes and silver streams awaits you; a land of orchards and grain fields--of trim villages and beautiful cities and towns. It's a great picture it's yours, because it's in your own Province. ere"s a masterpiece at every turn. See this gallery from the highways of Ontario. Take the family with you. Drive moderately, and you will enjoy all the more the constant panorama which breaks on your view. The law of Ontario sets a maximum spe. of 25 miles an hour to preserve you and other users of the road fidm accident and to prevent needless damage to road surfaces by reckless driving. ? Let the "speed hound" pass, if he insists. Don't be one yourself. Remember, the road is yours to use, not to abuse-- yours to enjoy, not to destroy. The Thames--where good roads meet beautiful river scen- ery. A familiar spot in western Ontario. Sketchedby the well known Canadian artist, C.W. Jefferys, O0.5.A, ARC.A. An advertisement isuled by the Ontario Department of Highways to secure the cooper ation of Ee OE Ca ars Set the foopen all other public spirited bodies, in abating the abuse of the roads of the Province. S. L Squire, Depury Minister J ¢

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