'A CENTURY OF MEMORIES'
OF VAN WERT, DECATUR COUNTY, IOWA

1880 - 1980

BALL TEAMS
 
From time to time through the years, Van Wert has had several ball teams, all of them being fairly good.

The first ball team on record was that in 1909 under the management of G.W. Johnson and C.L. Belding. (It may have been possible that each of these men managed a team, but for simplicity's sake, we are assuming that there was only one team.) Not much information is available about the earlier teams. They did, however, play the following teams in 1909:
Grand River, Town vs. FarmersDecatur City Burchett Brothers (they lived in the Tennessee Church
neighborhood near Grand River)
LeRoyWeldonHumeston
Sunflower bloomers (they may have been from Decatur)Hopkins Brother (a professional
team from Des Moines)		Leon
KellertonGarden Grove Tennessee Rats (a colored team -
we don't know where they came from)
Cornbelt Whirlwinds (or businessmen)LucasLamoni
WoodburnBuxton Toughs
 It is believed that the name of the Van Wert team then was the "Pickups".

The July 1, 1909 issue of the Van Wert Record said this of the new amphitheater at the ball park: "Some of our enterprising citizens of the booster kind have erected a grand stand at the ball park which will add materially to the accommodations and convenience of our visitors on celebration days. It has already been used twice and found very satisfactory. When you attend the ball games at any time, you will find it more pleasant and satisfactory if you sit in the amphitheater."

Later on, in about the 1950s, Worth Jones, John Jackson, Walter Jones, Wendell Jones, Warren Jones, Gene Jackson, etc., had a ball team.

Around 1967, baseball uniforms of red and white were purchased for the Van Wert "Wildcats". Players changed so often that uniforms were eventually discarded and street clothes were worn instead. Some of the following people played around this time:
Dave Redman, center; Marvin Snell, left field; Steve Smith, center;
Dennis Fierce, 2nd base; Gary Fierce, shortstop and left field; Willard Parmer, catcher and pitcher;
Garry Fry, 1st, 2nd and 3rd base; Ron Fry, 2nd and 3rd base; Bob Hatfield, pitcher and right field;
Jerry Jones, left field and center; Martin South, 3rd and shortstop; Richard Kernen, centerfield;
Duane Otto, shortstop; Rev. Tom Helmick, Shortstop.
Terry Hainline and Dennis Houck were the managers.

For a short time, during the summer of 1978, the Assembly of God Church had a ball team which played other church teams including towns like Afton, Grand River, Davis City and Kellerton. Some of the players, both male and female, were:
Dorothy Parmer, Duane Otto, Rev. Steve Eastman, Elwin Gere,
Julie Parmer, Chuck Reed, Perry Parmer, Deanie Parmer,
Steve Tiller, Debbie Eastman, Cherri Hainline, Maelene Otto,
Zona Tiller, Everett Parmer, Brenda Reed, LaRisa Houck,
and Renee South.
For a short time, Terry Hainline managed the team until his schedule as Deputy Sheriff caused him to resign as manager.

Although we have no town ball teams today, a great many of our "little guys" belong to the various little league teams from surrounding larger towns. Then, of course, a few play on the school ball teams as well.
 
DANCES
Dancing has been a part of America's pastime for decades, so it was not unusual for Van Wert to join in this tradition. Street dances and barn dances were often held throughout the community with round and square dancing done as well as waltzes, polkas, etc.

For a time after the Van Wert School was closed, several dances were held on Saturday night in the old gym. A good turnout from miles around always attended.

In the early 1970s, KIOA radio station disc jockeys contacted bands for rock and roll dances on Saturday nights as well. In 1970, a benefit dance was held in the old schoolhouse and the proceeds of $1,000 went to the fund for a new Decatur County Hospital.

Pages 134 - 135
  
Century of Memories Index   ***   History Index   ***   Decatur County IAGenWeb