LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA

Pg 17

BALL TEAM

Transcribed by Beverly Gerdts, submitted June 10, 2017

       In the year1908, Earl Bedwell owned the farm now owned by Mr. and Mrs. J. O. Hininger, and donated a plot of ground for the use of a ball diamond. The team was called “The Maroons.” The manager was Gus Williams, pitchers Gus Williams and Frank George, catcher Oliver Manley, outfielders, Max Mise, Roe Hankins and Lester Hafner, second base, Jess George, third base, Carl Shearer, short stops were Frank George and Gus Williams.

        Mr. Bond operated a cigar factory in Columbus Junction, and named them the Maroons. In the inside of the box lid was a picture of this ball team and they were called the Maroons.

        On July 4, 1908, a celebration was held on the grounds near the ball diamond, with all the trimmings that went to make one of those old time picnics. Basket dinners were enjoyed, lots of lemonade, races ad firecrackers, and the big attraction was the a ball game. As an added attraction, the school teams from Sandy grove and Indian creek played the first game. Everyone for miles around was there, and the visiting between old friends and neighbors, and the new friends made, was a pleasure that lasted for months.