Everyone loves an interesting story and Bryan County history is filled with them. Each month we'll share one from our newspaper archives. Remember to check your family tree and see if your ancestor  might have read about or participated in the event, trial, or tragedy reported. 

       

                   

                            

Indian Territory Baseball

            Baseball, popular during the Civil War because of the portability of its simple equipment, became widespread as soldiers returned to their homes. It isn’t difficult to image the lads at Ft. Washita enjoying a game, and we know from the newspapers that many of Blue (Bryan) County’s small communities organized baseball teams as soon as they located a flat parcel of ground for a game.

            Although popular, baseball was never without controversy. Games were played on Sunday afternoon when the largest crowds were available. As early as the 1850s local churches condemned “sinful pleasures” and required members to confess to attending “ball plays” on Sunday.

            Baseball was also dangerous. Playing fields were makeshift.  Balls were caught without the benefit of gloves. Players were often injured and sometimes killed by flying balls or bats. Games erupted in violent arguments between players or umpires or both.

            By the 1880s the coal miners of Krebs were playing to large, rowdy crowds who often gambled on the outcome of the game. Soon Joe "Iron Man" McGinnity arrived to work in the coal mines and became one of the leading promotors and players of the game. When he pitched for South McAlester in 1905 a special train carried fans from the Durant area to the game. In 1906 he played for the New York Giants and the newspaper reported that he earned a whopping $11,000 to do so. During the off season he managed his manufacturing plant in South McAlester.

            By the 1890s there were “town ball” teams in Hartshorne, Alderson, Tahlequah, Checotah, Eufaula, Muskogee, Vinita, Wagoner, Lehigh, Coalgate, and Wilburton. More were added every spring. In 1895 the Caddo Banner announced a game between the Caddo and Durant teams at the “baseball grounds located in Mr. Semple’s pasture”.

            In 1899 Caddo had three ball teams: First Nine, Second Nine, and a “colored” team. Ira Smith often served as umpire. Photographer W. W. Clinkscales took team pictures.

            In the years leading to statehood baseball became even more vital to local entertainment. Teams traveled as far north as Shawnee and as far south as Denison to find worthy opponents. They sometimes played as many as three games in a day. And fans had no trouble finding an exciting game to watch. During one week in 1902 Caddo lost a ten-inning game to the Elm Peelers, Durant played Cale until a fight broke out, Caddo started a game with Caney that was stopped due to “difficulties”, and the “Overalls” and the “Mother Hubbards” provided a little amusing distraction.

            The Durant Turks, were organized by W. A. Hoffman in 1906 and consisted of: Peck Hardy, Will Sparger, W. W. Washington, Sam Fuller, __Paxton, and __Flinchum. The “baseball grounds” were located on First Street. Other local teams were eager to test their skills against them.

            Oklahoma’s love of the sport continues to this day and many great players have called our state home. Kreb’s “Iron Man” was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946. Our ancestors must have delighted in exchanging memories of those first games they witnessed.

Our Collections page will tell you about the many newspapers that are available for your research. You might be surprised by the stories YOU find.