Page 5

"CAP" ANSON'S

FORTY YEARS IN BASEBALL

Dedicated to all my old comrade* and lovera of the iport, who have made the same what it

gilUflifHlffliUfWUflffW'WW'J NEW. GARAGEI

As a starter the Chicago management signed the big four who had iinade It possible for the Boston club to win the pennant so many times in jauccession—Cal McVey, first base 'James White, catcher Ross Barnes, second base, and Albert G. Spalding, pitcher. It was a coup that fairly took the breath of the sporting fraternity all over the country. Nothing so enterprising in the way of baseball tactlcs had ever before been pulled off in America.

When Spalding landed In Chicago about the first thing he did was to propose to the Chicago management 'to send for me. He told the Chicago folks that the new organisation was looking only in one point—that with A. 0. Anson to play thlife base they |Bight expect to float the pennant ifrom their clubhouse. So It eeemed that the good impression I had made :eo A1 at oar first meeting In Marshalltown had been confirmby subsequent records, I rather think it had jmyBelf.

Not at all discouraged by my unI willingness to make a change, Wll|liam A. Hulbert, president of the Chicago Baseball club and shortly after-

f~rard

founder of the National league, ooompanled by All Spalding, came on to Philadelphia to present their case [in person. At our first meeting I was [meat favorably Impressed by Mr. Hulbert, although 1 learned afterward that he didn't take a violent fancy to me. He was a fine looking man, standing In the neighborhood of six feet and weighing about 215 pounds. With rather a stern expression of oountenianoe. he made It evident right from

COL. PURINA

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Saves Baby Chleka

(Alwaya In Chaeksrbaard Baga) fr" FOR SALE BY

We have .just opened up an Automobile Garage and General Repair Shop in the East Livery Barn where we shall be pleased to have you call when in need of any repairs. We also carry a full supply of Oils, Batteries and Automobile Supplies. Call and inspect them and get our prices. We are also prepared to do Plumbing, Gas Engine

B. D. Cotton

Repairing and all other work in that line. SH

J. C. OOE

Phone 77 S- Exira, Iowa

AAkik*tiLkLiilkLiiikkLiikkk*ilkLiiiLkLi

it

today,

and to all those who will continue to "play ball" after we oldtimers have struck out for the last time.

ADRIAN C. ANSON.

CHAPTER X.

h*:

I Sign With Chloago.

In the fall of 1875, juet before the National league came Into existence, I received an offer to Blgn a contract with the Chicago club. Four years earlier I would have jumped at the .ohfcnce, but now that I had the prom1m of a Philadelphia girl to become Mrs. Adrian C. Anson as soon as ,fr»rythlng could be arranged satla!4ustorlly, the Quaker burg seemed food enough for me. So I didn't even 'nibble at the Windy City bait, but went right along with my self-appoints ed job of getting the Athletics to do better team work.

The Chicago folks were In dead earnest, and my fondness f»r Philadelphia and a portion of Its contents cut no figure In their calculations. For one thing, they had made up their minds to organize a championship team before the opening of the seaeon of 1876. They had got weary of seeing Boston walk off with the honors and were lying awake nights to 'invent some scheme to circumvent the bean eaters, and were willing to part with a lot of rhino if it could be done.

the start that he was aTmsiness man and would tolerate no foolishness. After we were better acquainted I found that he was big hearted and convivial after business was over, and that he was the soul of honor and wouldn't stand for crookedness in any form. I want to say, too, that as an executive he had few equals and no superiors. He was mighty quick te get on to a situation, and when he had made up his mind to act it took a whole lot to prevent him.

At that visit I was so moved by Spalding's entreaties and Mr. Hulbert's arguments that I agreed to play with the Chicago team at a salary of IB ,000, an advance of $200 over what I was getting with the Athletics. 1 hardly know how I happened to sign the contract without consulting the little woman who was about to go into partnership with me but when I told her what I had done I realized that I had made the blunder of my life. She simply stood up very straight In her small shoes and declared that it shouldn't be.

Of course I wilted and promised to reoall my hasty agreement I had an idea that it would be a comparatively easy job to get my release from Chicago and I was willing to do almost anything to fix it up with my sweetheart. When 1 tried It out I discovered that I had never been more mistaken in my life. In answer to the letter 1 wrote to Mr. Hulbert asking him to release me I received an answer which made not the slightest mention of my request—It was only a curt order lo report In Chicago on April 1.

I made two trip3 to Chicago that winter in my attempt to beg oft from Mr. Hulbert, but all in vain. The more I uVged and threatened the more determined he got, and when, finally, 1 made an offer of $1,000 to obtain my release he all but ordered me out of hie office. I was so huffy over my failure that I went away vowing that I would break the contraot anyhow. 1 don't remember that I had the slightest idea of doing as I threatened, but I was made enough to eay anything.

Nothing further passed between us until April 1. On that day I walked into Mr. Hulbert's office and greeted him as cheerfully as if nothing had ever happened. It was a cool, windy day and I was wearing a big striped

Pircw A COUPLE It) ME., AL, JUST FOR. FUAi.

ulster and carried a grip large enough to hold my entire wardrobe. "I thought you weren't going to show up," saM Mr. Hulbert, looking mighty severe. "I've come to get that release," I Bald confidently. "You've come to the wrong shop. You won't get It," ho declared. "How about that thousand plunks?" I asked. "Not for a hundred thousand," he retorted promptly. "All right," I said, moving off. "1 won't play with your team anyhow."

An hour later 1 stood on the opposite side of the street and saw Mr. Hulbert leaving his office for luncheon. "Goodby, old man! I'm off for Philamardinck!" I yelled across at him. "Go and be d—d!" returned the president, with a scowl that made me shiver in my big ulster. "Do I get that release T" I piped.

He didn't even deign to reply, but passed on rapidly without further notice of me. "I didn't go to the railroad station just then, however. Later in the afternoon I strolled out to the ball grounds just to have a look at the boys, who were having their first practice under their new captain, A1 Spalding, Alwas pitching to the men in turns, while the rest alternated In the field, and everybody was doing a lot of talking. About

F01EYJ KIDNEY PILLS

VOII BAOKAOHK KlONCYS AND BLAODBIt

tne nrst man struck as I entered the grounds was Mr. Hulbert "I thought you were on your way to Philadelphia," he observed grimly when his eyes fell on me and my ulster.

Mr. Hulbert said no more and I soon became so interested in the practice that I forgot all about him. Spalding was sending them so nattily that I was seized with a terrible Itch to get hold of a bat. It seemed to me that I'd Just have to have a hand in the business in spite of myself. Finally I picked up a bat and, Btepplng up to the plate, called out to Spalding: "Pitch a couple to me, Al, just for fun I" "Not until you get out of that big ulster and take your place with the other men of my team," said the captain, stiffly.

I

vated

to do It. I even threw down

the bat and pretended to be going. I knew I was beaten, and it was like pulling teeth to give in. However, there didn't seem to be anything else to do,

BO

I threw off my overcoat,

picked up the bat, took my position at the plate and shouted out: "All right, sonny! Now let her go!"

And I want to remark right here that she did go—precisely where nobody knew at last accounts.

CHAPTER XI.

I Help Win Ihe Pennant. Neither the president nor the captain of the Chlcagos had worried a little bit over my threat to break my oontraot. Spalding certainly knew me well enough to recognize my Wg bluS as the final kick of a man who wouldn't go back on his word no matter what his personal likes and dislikes might be. When it came to the scratch there was nothing to do but fix It up the best I oould with the prospective Mrs. Anson and turn my face toward the setting sun.

So I submitted meekly, put en the Chicago uniform and started In to do my best to help win the coveted penpennant for the Lake Michigan metropolis. During the winter of 187676 the National league was formed. Morgan G. Bulkeley of Hartford, Conn., afterward governor and now United States senator from that state, was its first president and filled the position one season, being succeeded by Mr. Hulbert. The eight clubs that wet-© members of the new league were the Athletics of Philadelphia, the Bostons, the Hartfords, the Chlcagos, the St. Louis, the Louisville, the Mutuals of New York and the Clncinnatis.

By the constitution of the new league no city of less than 75,000 inhabitants could become a member, and no city could be represented by more than one club. If that had been the rule when I was with the Athletics we would have been spared the humiliating experience with the Philadelphlas—beaten by our own townsmen! Another reform brought about by the league was the adoption of a player's contract. With that In force the Chlcagos could not have taken the "big four" away from Boston. The new rules also provided for the expulsion of members guilty of breaking their contracts or for dishonesty, and for a penalty such men were debarred forever from playing in league clubs. Gambling and liquor selling on club grounds were prohibited and any player interested In a bet on the result of a game was liable to get the grand bounce.

I guess I could remember the makeup of the Chicago team in the first season of the National league without consulting my diary, but to make sure I see that It was as follows: A. G. Spalding, pitcher, captain and manager James White, catcher A. C. Anson, third base Ross Barnes, second base Cal McVey, flret base J. P. Peters, shortstop J. W. Glenn, left field Paul A. Hlnes, center field Robert Addy, right field. As I have said already, four of these were coaxed away from the pennant-winning Bostons and a fifth—who was myself—was snatched bodily from the Philadelphia Athletics. For five men who had been treated in such a highhanded manner, I want to remark, we were a tolerably cheerful bunch of ball merchants.

Just at first the Boston folks were so crushed by their loss that they hardly knew which way to turn. The blow was a tough one, but the management gathered up the fragments and went to make their organization as formidable as possible. From that time on Boston's sole ambition was to beat Chicago, but it so happened that we bested them in nine straight games before they got their hearts' desire.

I shall never forget the first game we played on the Boston grounds that season. It was Memorial day and a record crowd turned out to witness the event. Long before the hour named to call the game the lnclosure was packed too full for comfort, and a vast crowd of disappointed fans, some of them from long distances, was making a big hullabaloo outside. On account of the holiday no one was working and apparently everybody was wild to see the "Stolen Big Four" in their new uniforms. The mob was so dense

That

at one time

It

looked as

though there would not be room enough In the grounds to play the game. When the gates were closed the orowd swarmed over the fences and the force of special policemen had more than It could do to preserve order.

I wish you could have seen and heard the ovation the "Big Four" received when they put In an appearanoe. The orowd was so tickled to Bee the old favorites that the fact that the players were now members of a hostile team was lost eight of for the time being. The game that followed was played under considerable difficulty, bnt It was one of the most enjoyable I erar took part in.

Han-r

Wright, the Boston manager, made a heroic attempt to run up a score, but Spalding's excellent pitching made It Impossible for the Beaneaters to win. As a result, we beat them, and this made them sorer than ever over the purloining of the "Big Four." I don't remember that I did anything sensational on that occasion. If I did it failed to get Into my diary.

On September 23 we met Boston for the tenth and last time that sea/, eon. We were mighty anxiouB to make our account against the club ten straight viotorles, but we were doomed to disappointment. I suppose that our nine previous Bucoesses had made us over-confident, or perhaps it was our anxiety that made us shaky, for we failed to win, being beaten by a score of 10 to 9. But, say, it was worth being licked that day to see how happy it made Harry Wright to save just one little game out of the ten we had pulled oft. He was so tickled that he had at last downed his hated rivals in a single game that he positively hugged O'Rourke. when he orossed the home plate and soored the winning run.

I've got to tell you, though, that 1S76 was a mighty poor season for the business end of the game. Although we carried off the champion-

ME POSITIVELY KUGGEP

O'fcOURKE.

ship, we quit loser, and not a single club in the new league made a cent. That first year of the league was far from being a financial Buccess. Some of the clubs got into serious trouble. My old friends, the Athletics, and tha New York Mutuals failed to play out their scheduled games In the west that year, and at the next annual meeting of the league—held in Cleveland the following December—they were expelled. That left only six clubs to enter the arena for championship honors in 1877. The men who oi ganlzed the league must have felt a little shaky as to the outcome of their experiment, but there wasn't anything that could chill the pedal extremities of ^William a. Hulbert when once he had undertaken to see a thing through. The organization of the league had been a hobby with him for years, and he declared that the new venture was going even better than he had expected. I am glad that he lived to see his scheme in successful operation.

That fall I signed again with tha White Stockings, as did Spalding, Mo Vey, Barnes, Peters, Andrus and Glenn of the old team. Jim White repented of his desertion of the Hub and went back to his first love. Our newcomers were Bradley, who had done soma wonderful pitching for the St. Louis club that season, and H. W. Smith, a promising catcher and outfielder.

Then, after I had completed my business arrangements for the next season, I returned to Philadelphia and put the finishing touoh to the most important and profitable transaction in which I have ever taken part. I don't mind telling you, though, that whea I faced the dominie on that occasion I was more rattled than ever I have been when, bat In hand, I have stood before the most puzzling twirler in the league.

We went out to Marshalltown on our wedding journey, putting up for a few days at the Anson house, whose proprietor was tickled to death to see us. It was our first meeting since I had become a full-fledged professional ball player, and the old gentleman had entirely recovered from his attack of spleen due to my refusal to become a scholar. As for his new daughter-ln law—well, I don't mind telling you that she made a big hit right at tha start. (To be Continued.)

Sam Dutler's lost a tine horse last week.

Eva Egan was on the sick list the past week. Myra Ball was a caller at Sam Dutler's Friday.

Sam Dutler's family spent Sunday at Geo. Bull's. Bert Bailey spent Sunday with his Uncle Yarn at Bear Grove.

Bonnie Eagan spent Sunday with her cousins Eva and Julia Eagan. Allen Ditto spent Wednesday evening with his friend John Feltner.

James Bgan and wife spent Sunday afternoon at Charlie Covault's. Rosa Dutler spent Tuesday afternoon with her friend, Lottie Barns.

THf

Children's Exercises were fine at the Baptist Church Sunday evening.

Mrs. Charley LaFoy spent Tuesday with her daughter, Mrs. John Blake.

Loftie Burns and Miss Vickland were guests at the James Campbell home Wednesday.

August Johnson and family went to Minnesota for a short visit with relatives and friends.

Sam Dutler, wife and daughter spent last Wednesday with his sister, Mrs. Schwarting.

Orn Colee gave a dance Saturday evening. A large crowd attended and all had a line time.

JUNE CLEARANCE SALE

Of Summer Dress (roods, beginning Saturday Morning at 9 o'clock. They are all beautiful patterns and .v will go at once. Come early to avoid the rush. 25c Organda Persianna, per yard 19c 15c Victoria Batiste, per yard i2^c 12£c Collindo Batiste, per yard I0c 10c Princess Batiste, per yard 8c

Oxfords $3.00

We have just received two dozen neat and nobby Oxfords. Just the Oxford young men are looking for. Saturday Special

$3.00

NEW

Everything for Everybody

Hesdames Sam Datler and Tom Campbell and children visited at Hermie Hakill's Tuesday.

Tom Campbell and family, Art Camerfgt and family, Clint Rucker and ft&ily, August Dutler, Allen Ditto and Kathryn Dutler Sundayed at Geo. Eagan's.

Get Next to Good Thing!

Are you in need of Harvesting Machinery? If so we can fit you out satisfactorily and for a big figure. Our "Flying Dutchman" Hay Loaders are great time savers as well as being constructed on sound principles, and sold at prices that defy competition. Or perhaps you are in need of a good Mower, if so we have just what you want either in the Standard or Walter A. Wood make which never fail to do the work and to do it well. Call and be convinced that we have the machinery you want.

John Nelsen, Exira, Iowa

STORF

verybody L*

Henry Loyd and James Goodwill have had three houses painted which look like new again.

Ben Black went to Omaha Sunday to meet nis mother who is coming from Oklahoma to spend the summer here.

Edith Findell came home last Saturday from Wm. Peppers where she had to quit work on account of a bad thnmb. ,*

Viola Mitchell closed her term of school at Rose Valley last Friday and returned to her home in Coon Rapids Saturday.

The McCormick, Deering and Dain Mowers are simply perect.

In Hay Loaders, we have the Dain, New Deere, Gearless and Hawkeye. These machines are the best on the market and when you purchase either one, you will have the satisfaction of knowing there is nothing better.

A Leading California Druggist Pasadena, Cal., March 9, 1911, Foley A,Co., Gentlemen:—We have sold and recommended Foley's Honey and Tar Compound for years. We believe it to be one of the most efficient expectorants on the market. Containing no opiates oi narcotics it can be given freely to ohildreh. Enough of the remedy can be tdken to relieve a cold as it has no nauseating results and does not interfere with digestion. Yours very truly, C. H. Ward Drug Co., C. L. Parsons, 8ec'y and Treas. Get the original Foley's Honey & Tar Compound in the yellow package. Sold by all druggists.

ONCE MORE

We-desire to call your attention to some of the good things for the farm.

Haying Time Will Soon Be Here

To handle the crop with ease we have the best Haying Tools on the market. The Dain, McCormick Common and Osborn Side Rakes have no equal.

A fine line of Manure Spreaders always on hand.

Binding Twine and Machine Oils and everything in season.

H. A. Nelson & Co,

EXIRA, IOWA