"Base Ball is the rage throughout the West, and match games are frequent."

Lake City Leader, 20 July 1867.

VBBA 2002 Annual Convention Presentation

Saturday, 6 April 2002

Marriott Residence Inn

London, Ontario

"An 1860s Newspaper Excursion: Early Minnesota Base Ball Research"

Dean "Deano" Thilgen

Saint Croix Base Ball Club
Washington County Historical Society
Stillwater, Minnesota

Introduction

I. Project description

a. Halsey Hall Chapter, SABR

b. Previous research

II. Availability of 1865-1869 Minnesota newspapers

a. Contemporary collecting and microfilming program

b. Official newspapers

III. Newspaper content

a. What can you find?

b. Exchanges

c. National "Base Ball"

d. Regional base ball

IV. The growth of intercity play in Minnesota, 1865-1869

a. Growth factors

i. Minnesota base ball prior to Civil War typically intra-city

ii. Young men no longer in the war

iii. Recently established railroads and railroad towns

iv. Newspapers

v. Increased leisure time and proponents of exercise

b. Establishment of MSABBP

i. State championship

V. What's next?

a. A case study: The game of Thursday, 18 May 1865 between the North Star Base Ball Club of St. Paul and the Excelsior Base Ball Club of Fort Snelling.

Conclusion

The Minnesota 19th Century Base Ball Research Project

(or what happens when vintage ballists' questions go unanswered.)

Halsey Hall Chapter, The Society for American Baseball Research

Rich "Aces" Arpi (focusing on the year 1877)

Dan "Basher" Cagley (focusing on early Minnesota African-American players)

Cary "Admiral" Smith (focusing on early professional clubs in Minnesota)

Dean "Deano" Thilgen (focusing on the year 1867)

Bob "Slow Trot" Tholkes (focusing on player biographies)

with contributions from Brent "Skinny" Peterson (history of St. Croix Base Ball Club) and Stew "Mule" Thornley (history of Minneapolis Millers)

All are participants of the SABR Quicksteps and St. Croix Base Ball Club.

Midwest and National Base Ball in Minnesota Newspapers.

From Hastings Conserver, 19 September 1865

To Base Ball Clubs.

The Dubuque County Agricultural Society has made arrangements for a base ball match at Dubuque on Friday, September 29, 1865 for the championship of the Northwest, and open to all clubs in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, and Iowa. The first prize is a heavy silver ball of regulation size; second prize a handsome silver-mounted rosewood ball club. The contest to be conducted under the rules and regulations promulgated for the government of the national game of base ball. Clubs desirous of competing in the game are requested to notify by letter as soon as possible.

Address¯Ben M. Harger,

Dubuque, Iowa.

From Winona Daily Republican, 17 July 1867

Posters are up for the grand inter-national base ball tournament to be held at Detroit, commencing on the 13th of August and continuing until all matches are played. Various prizes are offered, the highest of which is $300 in green-backs and a rosewood bat, handsomely mounted, valued at $75. It is probable that the Atlantics of Brooklyn and the Athletics of Philadelphia will be present, but not to complete for the prizes. The whole affair will un-doubtedly be one of the greatest international base ball matches ever held in this country. We learn that the citizens of St. Paul propose to defray the expenses of their club in order that they may attend the tournament. Minnesota should have a creditable rep-resentation.

[The North Stars did not go, claiming the trip would cost them about a thousand dollars and many said they could not be away from their businesses for that long. Some things never change.]

Excerpt from the Wabasha Herald, 30 May 1867 [From a correspondent in Boston] "BASE BALL playing has commenced here in good earnest. The Harvard club from Cambridge contended on the common last week, with the Lowell of this city, for the silver ball, which the latter, as champions of the State, have in their possession, and were defeated. These clubs play again at Cambridge this week, when, if the Harvard's win, there will be still another game to be played, as the ball falls to the victor in two games out of three. This Lowell is the richest club in the State, and own their fine clubhouse on West street. They are as ardently devoted to the science of base ball, as though their hopes of heaven depended on their proficiency therein, HORSE RACING has also dawned upon us."

The column at left is an aberration. Of the hundreds of Minnesota newspaper issues checked from the years 1865 to 1868, this is the only time a column of its kind appeared. Local base ball games were almost always reported on the first or last page of the paper, especially in a four-page folio. National accounts were typeset earlier and were almost always on the inside pages. It is rare to find more than two accounts in one news item. How did a column compiling six base ball games come to appear in an 1868 issue of The St. Charles Herald? A little detective work finds that the editor was out-of-town and the devils were left in charge. These young enterprising fellows clearly envisioned the day when all base ball accounts would be combined into one column.


Post-War Base Ball in Minnesota.

The system map of Minneapolis, St. Paul and Milwaukee R. R. published in the Minneapolis Tribune, 7 January 1868.

The railroad had just purchased the Minnesota Central Railway, which in 1867 completed the first all-rail route to the east. In 1874 the railroad's connection to Chicago was in place and the name was changed to the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul, commonly known as the Milwaukee Road. Virtually all the Minnesota stations shown did not exist two years earlier.

The base ball season in Minnesota during the late 1860s ran from June until November. Inter-city play began immediately following the Civil War (see the case study). Clubs from Fort Snelling, St. Paul and Hastings, Minnesota were playing each other in 1865, the latter two purchasing uniforms that year. The game exploded in popularity during the year 1867, with over 40 Minnesota clubs covered in the state's newspapers.

The state championship trophy, established at the St. Paul tournament in September 1867, was a silver base ball, seven ounces in weight. It bore the inscription: "Emblem of the Base Ball Championship of Minnesota." Opposite the inscription was engraved the State of Minnesota coat of arms. It was first won by the North Star Club of St. Paul. After an unsuccessful challenge by the junior Saxon Club of St. Paul, it then passed to the Minnehaha Club of Northfield in June 1868 following the second game. An item in the Farmington Telegraph indicates that "a considerable amount of money changed hands on the occasion." The Farmington writer closes with: "They have the champion ball, but it will cost more to feed the animal one year than the confounded thing is worth."

The North Star failed to re-capture the ball in August and then it was won by the St. Croix Club of Stillwater in October 1868 after three games. This club held the silver ball until July 1869 when the Lake City Union captured the title. Quickly, it was lost to the St. Paul Saxons, after which the controversial series with the Rochester Gopher States commenced. The Union Club of Minneapolis took the championship in 1870. Paid players are known to have been in Minneapolis in 1869. This, combined with the way the Saxons retained the championship in 1869, seems to have soured the game for many in the state. Friendly match games in small towns disappeared from the pages of Minnesota newspapers.

Extracts and excerpts from Minnesota newspapers which support the interpretation of late 1860s vintage base ball.

Organizing, Learning and Playing the Game.

From Hastings Conserver, 27 June 1865

Base Ball Club.¯Vermillion Base Ball Club organized at the office of The Conserver on Saturday evening, by the election of the following officers:

President,¯S. Mills, jr.

Vice President,¯W. C. Cowles.

Secretary,¯Irving Todd.

Treasurer,¯Dennis Follett,

A challenge for a match game has been received from North Star Club, St. Paul, which is accepted, to come off some time next month.

From Saint Paul Press, 26 May 1865

Base Ball. The North Star Base Ball Club continues in a flourishing condition. They have prepared sheltered seats for ladies or other visitors who may wish to witness the game. They design to make the Club a permanent institution and are about to obtain a neat uniform, and erect a building for meetings and as a depository of club property. Their regular days of playing are Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, from 4 to 6 p.m.

Excerpt from the Hastings Conserver, 26 September 1865

"...and resulted in a defeat of our boys by a score of forty-nine to sixteen. Considerable dissatisfaction exists as to the pitching of the opposing club, which was clearly in violation of the rules, and made material difference in the game. Be this as it may, no fault was found with the entertainment afterwards, which was one of the most open and hearty that could be afforded."

Excerpt from the Stillwater Republican, 27 October 1868 [This was the third and final game for the state championship, played on neutral ground at Hastings, Minnesota. The umpire at the first two games, Hastings sawmill man W. C. Cowles, was not asked to return. What follows is how they resolved this point.] "Both clubs met at Hastings the previous (Friday) evening and after some contention on the Umpire question finally decided on Saturday morning, that each club should select one and they two appoint a referee. Mr. E. M. Hersey, of Lake City, was selected on the part of the St. Croix club, and Capt. R. C. Olin, of Owatonna, in behalf of the Minnehahas. After consultation with each other these gentlemen concluded that they were able to "run the machine" and declined the appointment of a third party. This was satisfactory to both clubs and the game commenced at twelve o'clock."

From The Mankato Union, 12 July 1867

Base Ball Match."The North Star Club of St. Paul, to the number of fourteen members arrived per Mollie [Mohler, a steamboat on the Minnesota River], on Wednesday morning last, and were taken in charge by the Frontier club who assigned rooms for them at the Clinton and Mankato Hotels. The morning was spent in visiting the Minneinneopa falls, which our guests declare far surpass in beauty and romance any falls in the State. At two o'clock, a crowd in carriages and under awnings to the number of seven or eight hundred persons had gathered to witness the match game. The band under the direction of B. Sibley entertained the people with some excellent music, while Wallace had a large run on soda, lemonade, &c. Capt. Howe of Owatonna was chosen Umpire and Mssrs. John Wilson, and Ira S. Smith were the scorers. Frontier Club had the first innings and the result of the game we give in the subjoined table.

NORTH STAR, ST. PAUL. FRONTIER, MANKATO.

No.

Players.

O.

R.

Players.

O.

R.

1.

Olin, p. . . . . . . . . . .

5

5

Wm. Bradley, c. . . . . . . .

4

1

2.

W. Wilson, c. . . . . .

2

8

A. S. White, p. . . . . . . . .

1

3

3.

Paine, 1st b. . . . . . .

2

7

Dr. Stauffer, s. s. . . . . . .

4

0

4.

C. Wilson, s. s. . . . .

2

7

H. DeGroodt, 1st b. . . . .

6

6

5.

Tostevin, 2d b. . . . .

3

5

W. Fowler, 2d b. . . . . . .

2

1

6.

H. Wilson, c. t. . . . .

3

7

B. Comstock, 3d b. . . . .

4

1

7.

Spencer, l, f. . . . . . .

2

6

M. Wilkinson, r. f. . . . . .

1

3

8.

P. Wilson, 3d b. . . .

4

6

C. Pratt, l. f. . . . . . . . . .

2

3

9.

Oakes, r. f. . . . . . . .

4

6

Dr. Frisbie, c. f. . . . . . . .

3

2

Total. . . . . . . .

27

57

Total. . . . . . . .

27

14

INNINGS :

CLUBS.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Total.

North Star. . . . . . . . . . .

5

2

6

5

13

2

17

2

5

57

Frontier. . . . . . . . . . . . .

0

3

1

4

1

2

0

1

2

14

In this table the column marked "O" gives the number of times the person whose name is opposite the figure was caught out or put out. The column "R" denotes the number of rounds on the bases each individual made. The club making the greatest number of rounds is the winner. Each side has 9 innings, and the lower table gives the number of rounds in each inning of each club. It will be seen that the North Star Club made 57 rounds to 14 for the Frontier. It was expected that our Club would be severely beaten but it was hoped that our boys would at least play with their usual skill. The batting of our boys was unusually poor, so that but few rounds were made at each inning. The fielding was better but not in the aggregate as good as we have soon on other occasions. It was like raw recruits meeting war worn veterans, and they were not altogether at ease with their antagonists. We must mention that Walter Fowler on the 2d base, played both as a fielder and batter, with great skill and coolness. A. S. White the pitcher is a vigorous and skillful player and in his position did admirably well. He and Morton Wilkinson and C. Pratt made the greatest number of rounds, and Mr. Pratt made two very nice fly catches. DeGroodt caught the ball well but did not throw or bat well. Nothing worthy of special notice was observed by the other players ; in fact they fell below their usual skill.

Among the North Star Club were five brothers, one the scorer, and the other four in the game, named Wilson, the sons, we believe, of W. L. Wilson, Esq., late Assessor of the 2d Congressional District. The club are in splendid drill, and their experience has so far given them the position of the champions of the State. This game will be of benefit to our club, and we venture a year hence that they be nearly a match for them.

In the evening at Shoemaker's Hall a large party assembled in honor of our St. Paul friends, and with appropriate music the dance was extended far into the night. With the best of feeling the Clubs parted company yesterday morning and the North Star left on the Mollie for St. Paul.

[It should be noted that the North Star club did not complete the trip home without casualty. The Mollie Mohler made her usual stop at Le Sueur during the return trip to St. Paul. Several players "availed themselves of the opportunity to run up town and glance at Le Sueur. The boat sounded her whistle to recall the stragglers, who broke into a dead run to the levee." Harrison Wilson fell down over a bank and broke his left shoulder blade. "He came all the way home in this condition—some seven hours, and had the fracture dressed by Drs. Murphy & Wharton." It is believed that Harrison "Harry" H. Wilson died 4 September 1873 from consumption, aged 32 years.]

From Saint Cloud Times, 5 October 1867

[Following the first nine's return from the 1867 state tournament, their first-ever match games]

Base Ball.—The Arctics will participate in a game this afternoon at three o'clock, sharp. Come out, you second nine, and learn how to play a St. Paul game.

From Winona Daily Republican, 6 August 1867

The "Prairie City" boys had a fine game of ball yesterday. Capt. Sam. Hooker has returned from Milwaukee with some enlightenment on the game, from having seen the Cream City Club play, and he will put his nine through a course of drill which it is to be hoped will prove eminently beneficial. Capt. Hooker was elected Captain of the entire club last evening, with power to pick his men for the nines.

From Winona Daily Republican, 24 August 1867

The Fourth Nine.—A new nine has appeared on the field as competitors for the laurels of the manly, athletic and healthful game of base ball. The following is a list of the members:

A. J. Mead, M. Materick,

C. A. DeGraff, Geo. Kelley,

Geo. D. Shannon, E. R. Troost,

E. D. Ellsworth, H. Choate,

H. L. Blodgett.

Six of them are two-story men over six feet high; five weigh over 200 pounds each; and seven will require fifteen minutes to make the first base. They have never played any, and are at present standing on their dignity awaiting challenges. Draw them out."

Extract from St. Paul Pioneer, 28 September 1867 "Crozier came to the bat and sent a foul to right field among a crowd of small boys, one of whom he put entirely out of conceit with the "great national game" by sending him home crying; first blood for Crozier.

From the Stillwater Messenger, 10 July 1867

A Pleasant Visitation.

On Monday afternoon the Canada arrived with about three hundred excursionists from Red Wing. They were met at the levee by our Cornet Band and the Stillwater Base Ball Club. Carriages were provided and most of the party were shown around town. The Red Wing Base Ball Club were conducted to the grounds of the Stillwater Club, where an hour was spent with the bat and ball, to the mutual edification of the members of each and a large number of spectators. Near one hundred of the party took tea at the Sawyer [House], and at 9 o'clock the party left for St. Paul¯with mutual regrets that the visitation could not be prolonged. There is now established a social affinity between Red Wing and Stillwater, which we hope to see cultivated throughout the future.

From the Winnebago City The Free Homestead, 14 August 1867

The organization of the Base Ball club here last Saturday was a fizzle.¯This popular game may do for those who need exercise, or who love to catch hard balls ; but give us the good old fashioned "Barney" ball, with a small boy to catch, or a heavy game of pin, in which the pickings shall provide no "Pohs."

Sheer Dedication.

Excerpt from the Mankato Union, 6 September 1867 "Our Boys at Blue Earth City.—Last Friday morning at 2'clock [sic] [note the time], nine members of the Frontier Club, two of whom belong to the first nine, started for Blue Earth City to play a friendly game with the Club of that city. After a hard drive of 45 miles [by stage] they arrived there at 2 o'clock P. M. [note the time], and in a half hour were on the ball ground and at it."

Excerpt from the Mankato Union, 20 September 1867 "Base Ball Again.—The first nine of the Minneinneopa Base Ball Club, of Mankato, consisting of young lads between the ages of 14 and 20 years, have sent a challenge to the Young America Club of Owatonna, which has been accepted, the game taking place yesterday at Owatonna. The boys chartered the Blue Bird [believed to be an omnibus] and started for their destination early Wednesday morning. If they don't find themselves rowing up salt river on their return, we shall be highly gratified. It is certainly a marked feature in this Young American age to see a troupe of boys traveling a hundred miles by team to play a game of base ball. As they will doubtless return dead broke, we hope there will be no heads or fingers broke. In short we with them a jolly success or a 'happy new year' or 'any other man.'"

The follow-up, an excerpt from the Mankato Union, 27 September 1867 "All their expenses were paid, and the Young Americas presented them with railway tickets to Waseca, which saved the boys a hard trip of 20 miles by team. The Blue Bird was sent on early in the morning and met them at that point."

From the St. Peter Tribune, 24 July 1867

Accident at Mankato.—We regret to learn that a severe accident occurred to one of the 'heavy nine' of the Frontier Base Ball Club, at Mankato, on Saturday last. Major E. H. Smith, weighing 105 pounds [205?], struck the ball, 'let out' for the first base and reached it in safety. The Major feeling surprised and pleased thereat, celebrated by jumping up. On account of his weight, it is supposed, he put his ankle out of joint when he struck the ground.

The Major received the prompt assistance of the other members of the club in removing him from the grounds.

The 1867 Haney's was used by Minnesota association clubs in 1868 to resolve disputes but offered limited success.

Equipment.

Excerpt from Saint Paul Pioneer, 21 September 1865 "The ground had been carefully prepared by the North Star Club. The bases had been packed with sawdust, which made the footing pretty good, notwithstanding the rain in the forenoon."

From St. Paul Pioneer, Wednesday, 7 June 1865

Base Ball.—The North Star Club were out yesterday in force, trying their new bats and balls, just received from New York. We learn that a neat uniform for each member is in making, and will soon be donned, when everything will be complete.

Excerpt from St. Paul Pioneer, 19 May 1865 "The Club have erected a stand or awning overlooking the field, capable of accommodating from fifty to seventy-five persons, and we were gratified at seeing it nearly filled with ladies yesterday to witness the amusement."

The formal presentation of foul flags was sometimes quite grand, and in this case, even revealing. This excerpt comes from The Lake City Leader, 16 August 1867 "Just before the beginning of the game interest was added to the occasion by the presentation by Mrs. Thorne of a set of colors to the Union Club.

Rev. Mr. Fuller, on the part of Mrs. Thorne, made an appropriate presentation speech, and delivered the flags to President Hazeltine, who responded as follows:

"The members of the Lake City Union Base Ball Club return thanks for this tasty and acceptable present. The colors—Red, White and Blue—remind us of the flag of our beloved country. The word Union—(dear to every American heart)—teaches us that unity is necessary to success. While these emblematic flags serve as foul ball markers, let the remembrance of the fair donors be a decided check upon aught to[?] o[?] unmanly. Though we may be hard hitters,—make, hold, and even steal bases, we would perform no base or unworthy acts, but make such a record upon the Score Book of life that we shall not stop short of a safe home run.

"The Ladies—May their beautiful faces and cheering smiles ever be present to encourage and stimulate us to perfect ourselves in this healthful exercise, hoping that they shall never fail of success in all match games."

Uniform Descriptions.

Hastings

Vermillion

St. Paul Pioneer account of 20 September 1865: "The members of the Vermillion Club were dressed in a very neat uniform of flannel—pants blue, shirts white, belt and a white cap."

Mankato

Frontier

First game in new uniform, 4 August 1867. "consists of white caps, blue bands, and red buttons—cricket style and bent visor. Pants, blue flannel, with white cord down the scems [sic] White flannel sirts, with letter F on the breast, encircled in a shield; sleeve bands and collar bound with blue ribbons. White canvas shoes."

Mankato

Minneinneopa

They ordered a uniform at organization, 1867, "consisting of dark pants, white shirts with a shield in front marked with the letter 'M,' [dark] blue caps with white forepiece [ ] button on top." Another description in Weekly Record: "The caps of the Minneinneopa boys are of blue flannel, white button, and square visor, White flannel shirts, with letter M on breast; blue pants and white canvass shoes."

Minneapolis

Minneapolis

Minneapolis Tribune, 13 July 1867, "Base Ball Suits.—The Minneapolis Base Ball Club have received their full dress suits which they ordered from the East some time since. Their caps are red, something after the jockey style, the shirts blue and trimed [sic] with red, the pants blue and shoes white. Their belts are blue with the name of the Club in raised letters on the back side and the initials of the wearer in front. It is a beautiful suit and the boys will be apt to make fair hearts flutter while on their trips to Red Wing and Hastings."

Owatonna

Gopher

Upon arriving in Rochester for the 4th of July 1867 game: "The Owatonna Club came in town the the noon train from the west. They are a fine athletic set of young men, uniformed in zouavish suits of scarlet flannel and presented a manly and striking appearance."

Red Wing

Crescent

At the Rochester match game of 17 July 1867 they "appeared in a pretty uniform, of loose blue pantaloons, white linen shirts, red caps and canvass gaiters. They made a very favorable impression. They also had with them a pair of very elegant blue silk foul-flags."

Rochester

Gopher State

No uniform at the 4 July 1867 game, "save a belt." Funds were quickly raised for uniforms made by Blake and Leet. "It consists of pantaloons of army blue flannel with a narrow gold stripe on the outside seams." "The caps are of the jockey pattern, with white cords in the seams, centering at the top, and a wide gold band around the bottom. The shoes are to be white canvas gaiters, and the shirts of white linen."

Rochester

Rochester—

At 1867 formation "the first nine have adopted their uniform, now being made up, which consists of red flannel pants, striped with blue; gray caps and red canvass shoes."

Saint Paul

North Star (1865)

St. Paul Pioneer account of 20 September 1865: "The uniform of the North Star Club is blue flannel throughout, with white caps and black belt."

Saint Peter

St. Peter

At their first game they only had "blue caps, trimmed with red." At their 10 September 1867 game they "wore black pants, red flannel shirts, white leather belts, and blue caps with red bands."

Winona

Prairie City

1867: "It is to consist of blue pants, white shirt trimmed in blue, and a small blue cap. The shoes, we believe, have not been decided upon." Later: "An order has been sent to Chicago for specimens of caps and belts for the new uniform." 17 August 1867: The caps for the uniforms of the Prairie City B. B. C. arrived this morning. They are blue with a white band and a white star and blue button on the crown. The front piece is white and a good size for protecting the eyes from the sun. The balance of the uniform is to be a white shirt, trimmed with blue, blue pantaloons and red belt, on the whole a very tasty outfit." 19 August 1867: "Base Ball.—The Prairie City B. B. C. played a game at five o'clock this morning and appeared in uniform this afternoon—the object of pride and admiration of their many friends. May success perch upon your colors to-morrow boys. 'Bat to ball,' every time. Keep cool and rely upon your nerve to win."

Goodwill, Entertainment and Gratuities.

Excerpt from the Mankato Union, 13 September 1867 "After the playing was over the clubs with the band in front marched to town, first forming into line of two abreast, each couple composed of one of each club. The St. Peter [club] were entertained at the Mankato and Clifton houses, and in the evening a 'hop' took place at Shoemaker's Hall."

Excerpt from Saint Paul Pioneer, 21 September 1865 "In the evening, at 7½ o'clock, North Star Club entertained their guests at the International Hotel, with a fine banquet, got up in the usual elegant style of that House. We have never been at a more pleasant entertainment. The best feeling prevailed, and all enjoyed it greatly. Song and jest, speeches and champagne all circulated without limit."

Excerpt from Faribault Central Republican, 7 August 1867 "The Minnehaha Club were hospitably entertained by the Faribault Club, after the close of the game, at the Barron House. After supper they were escorted to the cars, (a special train having been run for the occasion) and after a mutual exchange of cheers, the two clubs parted with feelings of cordiality and respect."

Excerpt from Rochester Post, 17 August 1867 - Plainview at Wabasha. "Talk about being treated well! Money was no where¯we could not spend a cent. One of the boys sweat out his neck tie and went to a store to get a new one, but was told that all Plainview money was counterfeit in Wabasha that day. There was a free dance, also, at night, and everything went off lively and satisfactory. Hurrah for Wabasha."

Excerpt from Faribault Central Republican, 7 August 1867 "Match Games of Base Ball.—Faribault Club Twice Victorious.— Base ball has constituted the grand feature of interest and all absorbing topic of conversation the past week. Everybody is deep in the mysteries of this popular game, and in passing along the street, one's ear is saluted from the groups and [knots?] of excited colloquists, by a strange jumble of conversation, in which the novel terms "bats," "fouls," "innings," "flys," and "fielders," are constantly turning up. The turning shops are kept busy in producing what old-fashioned boys would call "clubs," but are only recognized as "bats" in the vernacular of the day, and every third person one meets wears buskins upon his feet. Well, this is all a good thing to prevent stagnation in this sultry dog-day weather, and the game is quite enjoyable for onlookers, especially when "our side" wins, as has happened to be the case in the last two contests, which we are about to note."

Excerpt from Mankato Union, 6 September 1867 "Though beaten at this game, they were more than compensated for the disaster by the lavish hospitalities of the Blue Earth City Club and the citizens generally. Every thing was free to the Mankato boys, and all tenders of Mankato money was answered by the phrase 'not current' as long as the boys are in town. Hotel bills, cotillion tickets, and all the 'sundries' were paid for by the Blue Earth boys, and our club on their return are almost wild in their phrase of Blue Earth hospitality. We should not forget to mention that on their way up to Winnebago City our host, D S Law, late of Mankato, who keeps a hotel at that place gave the entire club their dinner and cigars free of charge."

From Winona Daily Republican, 5 September 1867

Rochester, Sept. 10th, 1867.

To our Fellow Battsmen of Winona:

Whereas our recent visit to Winona was the occasion of a reception of unexpected kindness,

Resolved, That we shall ever hold in grateful remembrance the generous, hospitable treatment of our friends, the Prairie City Base Ball Club and the citizens of Winona, and hope that the acquaintances there made may ever continue, and that in all our contests we may cultivate that generous rivalry of which our friends of that city have given us so noble an example.

Resolved, That we cheerfully recognize and thankfully acknowledge the impartiality and courtesy of the Umpire, L. A. Hancock, Esq., of the Crescent Base Ball Club of Red Wing, and sincerely thank him for his services in that capacity.

H. H. Herring, H. M. Crocker,

W. Hurlbut, W. Medhurst, pr Elder,

J. W. Elder, Geo. W. Graves,

C. E. Smith, Mark Olin,

D. D. Smith,

From (Red Wing) Goodhue County Republican, 26 July 1867

Whereas the Crescent Base Ball Club, of Red Wing, Minnesota, has lately been made the recipient of the hospitality of the Gopher State Base Ball Club of Rochester, Minnesota and the citizens of that town and

Whereas the gentlemanly and courteous manner in which our members were received, cared for and entertained by said Club and citizens during their stay in Rochester demands some acknowledgement from us. Therefore be it

Resolved¯That we, members of the Crescent Base Ball Club hereby tender to the Gopher State Base Ball Club and to the citizens of Rochester generally, our sincere thanks for the many favors received at their hands.

Resolved¯That we highly commend the interest which the people of Rochester take in their club, and wish them success which such an interest merits.

Resolved¯That we are under especial obligations to Captain Shaw of the Gopher Club, of Owatonna, for the gentlemanly bearing and impartial manner in which he discharged the duties of Umpire.

C. H. Strobeck

L. A. Hancock Committee

O. Densmore, Jr.

Excerpt from St. Paul Pioneer, 7 July 1865 — St. Paul at Hastings, taken from the Hastings Conserver

"In the evening both clubs and visitors from St. Paul assembled at the Herndon House for supper prepared by the Vermillion club in honor of her guests. The best of feeling prevailed, and ample justice was done the viands of mine host. Not till the last bell was sounded did we reluctantly say goodbye to the gentlemanly members of North Star Club, who by the way are a set of as good fellows as ever swung a bat. We believe that this friendly meeting will long be remembered by victor and vanquished, and will mark an important era in the history of the game in the State."

Commonly Used Post-War Terms Found in Minnesota Newspapers.

Challenge - Typically used to capture a championship, a club would send a letter of challenge to another club. Many 1860s clubs in Minnesota did not challenge (see "friendly game").

Friendly game - as opposed to a match game. A friendly game was just that, friendly, and was often accompanied by other entertainment or amusements, most often a dinner and dance. The intent of the game was not to match skill, but enable an enjoyable afternoon. Several editors were strict in their use of these terms.

Heavy nine - A nine composed of big and tall players, generally those over six-feet in height and over 200 pounds in weight. On occasion an editor would take the opportunity to make up his own heavy nine in jest.

Innings - Often seen in the plural form, as in "Fifth Innings," meaning the innings for both sides, but this is not a universal usage.

Material - As in "right healthy material." The captain of a club would seek the best material for his first nine.

Old - Used in a variety of ways: "Doud opened with an old settler and made his third base." "Hooker entered with a loud old ball, making the first home run admidst applause." "solid old knocks" "Olin recorded a sound old bat and took his third."

Round - An synonym for tally, perhaps with an origin in the game "rounders."

Scooped - Badly beaten. One newspaper put it this way in an account: "The result was that our boys, to use a vulgar term, 'got scooped.'"

Whitewash - It "signifies that they did not make a single count or tally [in an inning]." In the first Minnesota tournament, in 1867, a whitewash brush was given to the club with the most whitewashes. At the tournament, when the St. Paul club would go to the field after a whitewash taunts from the crowd were: "How about that brush?" "When you going into the white lime base paths, etc. etc." [I think the editor may have got that last one wrong, but you get the picture.] When it was brought out with the other prizes and laid on a table, "Olin laid the latter [the whitewash brush] on the reporter's table with the request that they would handle it tenderly, as the North Stars doted on securing it." They did.

Post-war phrases and terms the editor put in quotes to illustrate the colorful language of players:

Business - Earnest looks. It was used this way: "The St. Croix boys went to bat on the eighth inning with 'business' stamped on the countenance of each and run up a score of seven tallies."

Do or die - An old familiar phrase applied to base ball.

Gobbled Up - A phrase I did not expect to see in 1867, but it was in quotes when describing fine fielding.

Hot Ball - Used this way: "—Captain Finch, who was badly disabled the day previous by one of Greiner's 'hot balls.'" Another quote from the 1867 tournament: "Someone remarked that 'any man who would take as hot a ball as that would carry off a red hot stove.'"

Old Oil - Used to describe the play of a "heavy nine" in 1867.

On their Muscle - Used to describe the effort in an intense inning.

Picked up - A nine formed shortly before the game, without prior practice.

Scrubs - The second nine in an intra-club match.

Scrunched - Used by a Chicago account when the Forest City Club beat the National Club: "Everybody wanted to see those Nationals get fairly 'scrunched.'"

Struck their game - A club that was playing well has struck their game.

That Brush - An allusion to a whitewash.

Up in the Game - A club that is experienced would be up in the game.

A couple familiar plays described in the original form:

"Doud out on foul, tick and catch."

"Hooker entered a tip-top rap, made 3d base and tallied on a thrown ball."

Players' Words.

Humor can be found in the accounts. This one, from the 1867 St. Paul tournament, probably has been heard at a vintage base ball game:

"At this time it looked as though the Vermillion boys had got into bad hands, and Kinzie made a touching remark about going 'back to Hastings,' as he wanted to see his mother, 'she didn't know where he was and would be anxious.'"

Sometimes the players' words took on a less-than-humorous tone.

From Winona Daily Republican, 5 September 1867

ABOUT BASE BALL PLAYING.

To the Editor of the Winona Republican.

Many are the disparaging remarks made by the citizens of Winona—and especially by those effeminate, tender-fingered and tender hearted, white-livered, little fellows, who cannot find time to take a little beneficial exercise at the healthful game of base ball, because it is too violent (?) exercise, and might soil their delicate hands or dirty their clothes, but whose time is not so fully taken up but they will sacrifice a portion of it to play at croquet—in regard to the defeat of the Prairie City Base Ball Club of Winona by the Gopher State Base Ball Club of Rochester on the 4th inst. The Prairie Club have been working hard all Summer to organize, which they have hard done as yet for the simple reason that these kid gloved gentry, (whose whole mind is taken up with schemes by which they can tickle the fancy of the ladies,) have been afraid of soiling their clothes or of taking the stiffening out of their collars. To such I would simply say that it comes with poor grace to be talking in any way discouragingly of the boys who have dared to make the effort, though they were defeated. We are not ashamed to be known as a member of the Prairie City Club, but we are ashamed to acknowledge that the citizens of Winona are composed of that class of men who think base ball most too violent exercise.

Rochester boasts of not having a croquet club in the city, consequently they have a base ball club of which they are justly proud, composed of men who acknowledge no exercise as being too violent, men who are men, and not toys for the ladies to make sport of when out of their sight. If Winona had encouraged the Prairie City Club as Rochester has encouraged theirs, we would have fewer croquet clubs, and would have had a base ball club that would have made the Gopher State feel somewhat uneasy for their laurels. They have been encouraged ; they have a Second Nine who are about equal to their First Nine, and their practice has been of some benefit to them. We have not had a Second Nine, and have not been encouraged, but on the contrary discouraged. Yesterday we procured the names of nine men who have promised to play twice a week, but whether they will or not is yet to be seen. We have had the same thing promised by these tender-fingered croquet men, (I beg pardon for using that term,) but they have never been on the grounds, and never intended to when they promised. As a consequence of this the First Nine have had to practice with any and every body, and with no one person twice, which of course gave them no benefit whatever. It was quite apparent that the Gopher State were the better players, and for the reason I have given. They have no better material to mould into good players than the Prairie City, but Rochester is composed of young men, while Winona is composed of young things who are almost afraid to go out doors on a windy day for fear of being blown away, or of getting most too violent exercise. They should tie down their mammas' apron strings, for they are not fit to associate with men.

A Base Ball Player.

In an Editor's Words.

From the St. Peter Tribune, 7 August 1867

Physical Improvement and Amusement.—In common with many others, we have taken part in the healthy and exhilarating game of base ball. With the organization of the St. Peter Club, appeared a hope that gentlemen of sedentary habits would improve their opportunities for developing muscle and imparting a more healthful and sprightly action to their limbs. We have tried it with a moderate degree of faith for three weeks, and a total loss of averdupois amounting to seventeen pounds. The muscles are much stiffer, but possibly, in other respects improved. The sprightliness of action acquired by our limbs is somewhat disagreeable to contemplate. Fingers shaped like young cucumbers, three of our revered and respected toes crushed to a jelly, and ankles graceful and symmetrical as steamboat capstans, attest to the severity of our faith, and the persistence of the effort to master the details of the game. Careless young men have snubbed ambition by catching our 'flies.' Treadwell has conspired against us on the first base by 'holding' the ball before the first mission was performed, and we look back upon our brief but brilliant experience more in pain and sorrow then anger.

We shall always give the game our moral support, but an occasional pang in different portions of joins and limbs, admonish us to withdraw our bodily presence from the field. To the good fellows who possess stronger stomachs for grief, we bid affectionate adieu, with the assurance of our best wishes for their success, in the search for after enjoyment.

At present, we are disposed to find a safer and more positive 'enjoyment' by boarding a railroad train just before a collision. This is indefinitely cheaper, and more certain to give a man 'all the wants' of such fun in a shorter time and at a single shot.

P. S. We have no desire to engage in a match game!

Base Ball Humor.

From the Mantorville Express, 16 August 1867

Base Ball.

The following, which we find in an ex change [possibly The Saint Cloud Times], illustrates aptly the mania for base ball playing which is so prevalent in our midst:

[The opening paragraph in the Times version of the 3d inst. was excised; it begins: Base Ball.¯It is a glorious game! At least we thought so after hearing the following on a street corner the other day ; One of the "small" nine and an outsider had been discussing the merits of the game of Saturday last :]

"What is the matter with your finger?"

"Struck with a ball and drove up, but it is a noble game," was the reply.

"Precisely¯and your thumb is useless, is it not?"

"Yes, struck with a ball and broken."

"That finger joint?"

"A ball struck it. No better game to improve a man's physical condition¯strenthens one's sinews."

"You walk lame; that foot, isn't it?"

"No. It's the¯the¯the¯well, a bat flew out of a player's hand and hit my knee-pan. He had the innings."

"One of your front teeth is gone?"

"Knocked out by a ball¯an accident."

"Your right hand and your nose has been peeled¯how's that?"

"Slipped down at a second base¯only a mere scratch."

"And you like this fun?"

"Glory in it, sir. It is the healthiest game in the world, sir."

A Case Study.

The game of Thursday, 18 May 1865 between the North Star Base Ball Club of St. Paul and the Excelsior Base Ball Club of Fort Snelling.

This particular game has only recently become a subject of intense study. Presented here is preliminary research and undoubtedly will become more complete over time.

The Military Connection.

Healy, Thomas Cantwell (1820-1889). "Henry Hastings Sibley," oil on canvas, 1860.
Minnesota Historical Society collection. Location No. AV1999.191, Negative No. 85306.
(This painting is now on display through 15 June 2002 at the James J. Hill House art gallery, St. Paul, Minnesota.)

Governor Henry Hastings Sibley (1811-1891), Minnesota's first governor, sat for this portrait in 1860 after his term ended. In 1862 Sibley would lead volunteers during the U.S.-Dakota War (historically known as the "Sioux Uprising"). He eventually attained the brevetted rank of Major General of Volunteers. Serving under him in 1863 is 23-year-old Captain Rollin C. Olin and Captain Douglas Pope. Olin was assistant adjutant general, District of Minnesota and Pope Sibley's aide-de-camp. All three, along with countless other military men, played a role in the establishment of base ball in Minnesota after the wars.

Captain Olin was attending college at Winona, Minnesota when the Civil War broke out. He was mustered in as a 2nd Lieutenant and served in the 3rd Minnesota Infantry. Taken prisoner by the Confederates at Murfreesboro, 19 July 1862, he was released the following month as part of a prisoner exchange and returned home in time to join the Dakota War. He was appointed judge advocate of the military commission Sibley established to try the Dakota prisoners. In May 1863 Olin was promoted to Captain and re-assigned to the Sibley Expedition. Sibley wrote of Olin and Pope in a dispatch dated 7 August 1863 at Camp Carter, Bank of James River, Dakota Territory:

Of the members of my own staff, I can affirm that they have been equal to the discharge of the arduous duties imposed on them. Captain [Rollin C.] Olin, my assistant adjutant-general, has afforded me great assistance; and for their equal gallantry and zeal may be mentioned Captains Pope and Atchison, Lieutenants Pratt and Hawthorne, and Captain Cox, temporarily attached to my staff, his company having been left at Camp Atchison.

The International Hotel, Seventh and Jackson streets,

St. Paul, Minnesota. Carte-de-visite, 1865. From the Minnesota Historical Society Visual Resources Database. Location No. MR2.9 SP3.1F r16, Negative No. 6551.

Not only did North Star Base Ball Club players live here at the time this photo was taken, but a number of club events and sessions of the 1867 MSABBP convention took place here. Coincidentally, 1869 marked both the demise of the St. Paul North Stars and the International Hotel. It was the victim of a great conflagration. Little was left standing after the fire.

In 1865, Captains Pope and Olin boarded at the International Hotel. One other military man was there at the time of the state census enumeration, 1 June, Adjutant General John Peller. The paymaster is also known to have worked out of this building, having paid soldiers recently mustered out days before the big base ball game.

It is Olin, a crack pitcher with the post-war North Star and Olympic clubs of St. Paul, who takes a lead in the development of intercity base ball in Minnesota and the formation of the Minnesota State Association of Base Ball Players (MSABBP) in 1867. Sibley is elected the MSABBP's first president and Olin vice president. Sibley's election appears to be honorary, and he admitted that he was going to take a non-active role.

The St. Paul Daily Press of 5 September 1867 presents a detailed report on the MSABBP organization meeting. The editor wrote this of Sibley's acceptance speech:

[Sibley] stated that he believed Base Ball [is] destined to become emphatically a National Game, and that the best thing that the community can do will be to encourage its development. It not only developes [sic] the muscels [sic] and conduces to the general health of the devotee, but that it also begets a general acquaintance by bringing men together from a distance, and it also occupies their time and prevents them from visiting places and indulging in habits which are improper and to be avoided. He said that seeing their elders engaged in this amusement encouraged young boys to engage in it and had a tendency to keep them out of bad company.

Sibley did hand out the prizes at the first state tournament that fall and Olin was awarded the best pitcher silver medal. "After the distribution of prizes, three hearty cheers were given for Gen. Sibley, the umpire and everything and everybody else, and the clubs formed into a procession, and marched down town bearing their prizes. Three cheers were given in front of the Press and Pioneer, and so closed the Base Ball Tournament."

Captain Douglas Pope married Gen. Sibley's daughter Augusta in 1868. Olin would go on to operate businesses in St. Paul and Owatonna, becoming the mayor of the latter city in 1871. After the bank he owned failed, he left for Illinois, winding up as a long and successful homeopath in Detroit, Michigan. He died there in 1910.

The Clubs.

The North Star club formed 1 April 1865. This item appeared in the St. Paul Pioneer the following day:

"Base Ball. Quite a number of our young men met according to a notice in the Pioneer on the square in front of St.Paul's Church yesterday afternoon and took initiatory steps towards forming a Base Ball Club. We trust the matter will not be dropped but that a Club will be formed for the practice of this exciting and healthy amusement. We have young men in plenty whose sedentary employment requires just such exercise, and we hope that a good club will be formed."

Fort Snelling and the Valley of the Minnesota. Carte-de-visite, 1865. Location No. MH5.9 F1.2 r4, Negative No. 25790. From the Minnesota Historical Society Visual Resources Database.

The railroad to Milwaukee and Chicago can be seen in the foreground below Fort Snelling, the grade carved into the bluff. The photo was taken near General Sibley's home at Mendota, Minnesota, which today is a state historic site.

Beyond the two newspaper accounts of this game, no other known documents provide additional details on the Excelsior Club (although the search is invigorating). Fort Snelling is one of the oldest military outposts in the west, strategically situated at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers upon completion of the Louisiana Purchase. A National Historic Landmark, the fort has been rebuilt by the Minnesota Historical Society and today offers living history programs of military life in the 1820s frontier. One weekend each summer the camp moves forward in time to the Civil War era and a vintage base ball game is played.

The Game.

There are two known newspaper accounts of the base ball match game played 18 May 1865. One appeared in The Saint Paul Press, the other in the St. Paul Pioneer, both the following day. Each gives different details, that, when combined, gives us a good picture of the event the previous day. This the account found in the Pioneer:

local affairs.

Match Game of Base Ball.¯The match game of Base Ball between the North Star Club of St. Paul, and Excelsior Club of Fort Snelling, which was set for Wednesday, but postponed on account of the weather, came off yesterday on the play grounds of the North Star Club, and drew together quite a large concourse of our citizens, both ladies and gentlemen. The Club have erected a stand or awning overlooking the field, capable of accommodating from fifty to seventy-five persons, and we were gratified at seeing it nearly filled with ladies yesterday to witness the amusement.

It is due to the Excelsior Club to state that in the game played the members that took part in it, had practiced together but once before and were therefore almost entirely lacking in that concert of action so necessary, and which in no small degree contributed to the success of the North Star Club in the contest yesterday. The consciousness of being deficient in this respect, and the consequent seeming certainty of defeat, had its effect in rendering the Excelsior boys careless of the result, and they accordingly did not play with that enthusiasm which is no small part towards ensuring success.

The interest in the game however did not flag until its close, and the crowd of spectators present remained until the final inning was scored. The following is the cast of the players and the score of the game:

Umpire¯Capt. Telford.

Scorer for North Star¯Dr. Potts.

Scorer for Excelsior¯F.S. McDonald.

First Nine North Star¯Capt. R. C. Olin, Pitcher; W. Wilson, Catcher; C. Wilson, shortstop; J.A. Spencer, first base; T. Bromley, second do.; B. Lampher, third do.; ___McConnell, centre field; Capt. D. Pope, right field; Lieut. T. Lark, left field.

First Nine Excelsior¯Chas. H. Cortelyon, catcher; Wm. O'Gorman, pitcher; C.G. Irvine, shortstop; J.A. Ames, first base; C.A. Cavender, second do.; Albert Allen, third do.; Charles Weed, centre field; W.B. Leaman, left field; Geo. W. Raymond, right field.

Score:

North Star Innings

4 6 3 1 10 6 2 6 0 = 38

Score:

Excelsior Innings

1 2 2 1 0 1 1 0 3 = 11

The game throughout was played with the utmost good humor on both sides, and at its conclusion the members of the Excelsior Club expressed themselves highly gratified with the afternoon's amusement, and thus ended the first match game of base ball in St. Paul.

The North Star Club will play again on Saturday afternoon, weather permitting, and a cordial invitation is extended to all to be present, both ladies and gentlemen, and especially the ladies.

The account in the Press:

Base Ball. The match game of base ball between the North Star Club of this city and the Excelsior Club of Fort Snelling took place on the common below Broadway yesterday afternoon. A large crowd assembled to witness the game which lasted two hours and resulted in the defeat of the Excelsior Club, their total tally being but fourteen against thirty-eight by the North Star boys. The following is the score of the nine innings:

North Stars 4 6 3 1 10 6 2 6 0 = 38

Excelsiors 1 2 2 1 0 4 1 0 3 = 14

The following shows the tally made by each player:

North Stars Excelsiors

R. C. Olin 6 Chas. H. Cortelyon 2

W. Wilson 6 Wm. O'Gorman 1

C. Wilson 1 C.G. Irvine 1

Spencer 6 C.A. Cavender 1

Bromley 6 Ames 2

Lampher 3 Albert Allen 1

McConnell 2 Charles Weed 3

D. Pope 3 M.R. Seaman 3

T. Larke 5 Geo. W. Raymond 0

----------- --------

38 14

The Excelsior boys took their defeat good humoredly. It is due them to state that they labored under the disadvantage of having lost some of their best players by the recent mustering out, and also that the ground was that which their opponents had been accustomed to play upon.

Of course we feel certain that if they had had these advantages and more too, the St. Paul Club would have won the day but the odds might not have been so great in their favor.

A preliminary search of each player and official has resulted in the following information:

First Nine, North Stars of St. Paul

T. Bromley, second base

Believed to be Towner H. Bromley.

B. Lampher, third base

No further information.

Lieut. T. Lark/T. Larke, left field

Believed to be 2nd Lieut. Thomas Larke, born in England, Co. K, 2nd Minn. Cavalry. A March 1865 dispatch, written from Headquarters District of Minnesota, Dept. of the Northwest, St. Paul, indicates he was Gen. Sibley's Aide-de-Camp. Mustered out 21 March 1866. He would have been about 27 years old at the time of the game.

McConnell, centre field

Possibly Henry August McConnell, born upstate New York 1830, came to Minn. 1861, enlisted Co. D, 10th Minn. Vol. Inf. 17 August 1862, commissioned 1st Lt. to Co. G 31 March 1864 and was acting adjutant of the regiment, mustered out 19 August 1865. Died St. Paul, Minn. 7 March 1901. He would have been aged 35 years at game time.

Capt. R. C. Olin, pitcher

Believed to be Capt. Rollin Carolus Olin, Ass't Adj. General, District of Minnesota. He would have been 25-26 years of age at time of game. He died 8 March 1910, Detroit, Michigan.

Capt. D. Pope, right field

Believed to be Capt. Douglas Pope, Gen. Sibley's Aide-de-Camp in 1863, U. S. Vols. He died in the 1880s.

J. A. Spencer, first base

Poss. James A. Spencer. No further information.

W. Wilson, catcher

Believed to be Wilford C. Wilson, hospital steward, 11th Minn. Reg't. Mustered out 26 June 1865. He would aged been aged 18-19 years at the time of the game.

C. Wilson, shortstop

Believed to be C. Stewart/Stuart Wilson, brother of Wilford. Other brothers were active with North Star club.

First Nine, Excelsiors of Ft. Snelling

Albert Allen - third base.

Believed to be Albert W. Allen who served in the First Battery, Light Artillery. Mustered out 3 June 1865. He would have been 19-20 years old at game time. He died 6 September 1908, presumably at Hiawatha, Kansas.

J. A. Ames - first base.

Poss. James A. Ames or John A. Ames. No further information.

C. A. Cavender - second base

Believed to be Charles Cavender, Company I, 6th Minn. Regiment. Mustered out 11 May 1865. He would have been 19 years old at game time.

Charles H. Cortelyon - catcher

No further information. Very unusual name in Minnesota, but rather common in New Jersey and New York.

C. G. Irvine - shortsop

Believed to be Clover G. Irvine, musician, Co. H, 10th Minn. Regiment. Mustered out 10 July 1865. He would have been 22 years old at game time.

William O'Gorman - pitcher

Believed to be the William O'Gorman in Co. K, 10th Minn. Regiment. Mustered out 10 July 1865. He would have been 21 years old at game time.

George W. Raymond - right field

Believed to be the George W. Raymond in Co. B, 7th Minn. Regiment. Mustered out 29 August 1865. Died March 1885, Chicago, Illinois. He would have been 36 years old at game time.

M. R. Seaman (W. B. Leaman) - left field

Believed to be Milton R. Seaman, principal musician, Co. A, 6th Minn. Reg't; reduced in ranks, 1 March 1865 to Co. I, 6 th Minn. Reg't. Mustered out 1 August 1865. He would have been 24 years old at game time. He died 1890, Washington County, Minnesota.

Charles Weed - centre field

Believed to be Charles L. Weed, Jr., Co. A, 6th Minn. Regiment. Mustered out 19 August 1865. He would have been 24 years old at game time. Died 20 May 1901; buried St. Paul, Minnesota.

Game officials

Umpire - Capt. Telford.

Possibly Capt. John G. Telford, assistant adjutant-general, U.S. Volunteers. He is known to be at Headquarters District of Minnesota, Dept. of the Northwest at St. Paul in December 1864.

Scorer for North Star - Dr. Potts.

Known to be Dr. Thomas Reed Potts, physician at Fort Snelling. The doctor did promote physical activity for good health and further study is needed to learn if he encouraged the game of base ball at the fort. There is one documented case where Dr. Potts' medical exam of one volunteer failed to discover her sex. He is also credited to be the first mayor of St. Paul. Dr. Potts is also known to have consumed distilled liquors, presumably for medicinal purposes. Died 6 October 1874, aged 64 years.

Scorer for Excelsior - F. S. McDonald.

Possibly Lieut. Francis "Frank" S. McDonald. Born in Maine 1835, came to Minn. in 1843. Mustered in 24 October 1861, Co. H, 3 rd Reg't Minn. Vols., promoted, took command during Indian campaign; promoted to 2nd Lt.; re-enlisted and stationed at Fort Snelling, mustered out there 1 June 1866. Fort Snelling postmaster 1866-1868. Worked for Milwaukee Road, died 17 July 1896.

The microfilmed newspapers used in this research are from the collections of the Minnesota Historical Society, Minnesota History Center Library, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Other sources include: