The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-06-22
HAND BALL.


OF
II is by no means improbable that hand-ball
Will become one OF the leading games patron
tied by the athletic fraternity OF this city Ia the
near future. Already challenges have been IS
sued by members Of the amateur athletic clubs
with the view of determining which OF the organ
izatlOns represents The most expert players.
The Olympic Club has at least half dozen
hand ball players who are ready 10 meet all
com els and as the Acme Club OF Oakland boasts
OF having three or four members who can walk
around the Olympians a match will be arranged
IN a few days 10 decide the mo0ted question of
supremacy. 1t is said that the University Of
Berkeley viii soon be heard from, as the stud
ents are TAXI ng great interest in the game,
which they believe 10 be far superior TO any
other branch Of athletic sport as health giving
paStllne.
grounds anu II is the Intention of the Athletic
Committee to have some OF the professional
players give an exhibition, so that the amateur
players can gather few points about the game.
Abraham Lincoln was very fond of hand ball.
Tue day before lie was nominated for the Presi-
dency lie aud a number OF friends were INDUCING
10 game against the side OF bIlck wall at the
Ball PARK at Springfield His. Edward w Cox
of the Dennison House, Chicago, says he recol-
leeis distinctly the Incident alluded 10. Ii was
TO Cincinnati Ilmes-Star reporter that he told
the story.
for oil house. During his tour he frequently
passenger on trains laden with people goiug and
coming from the Chicago Convention which had
been called to nominate President. Upon several
occasions Mr.. Cox and fellow drummer, who
employed ny ink house at GAINESVILLE, polied all
the travellers they could REACH and the greatest
thuSiasm vas found TO be for Mr.. Lincoln, the
Illinois lawyer.
Thoroughly convinced that Lincoln would be the
nominee The pair of drummers took run down to
Springfield to see the coming man. They found but
little excitement in that city. on asking to Mr..
Lincoln they were told he could be found the next
day, which wa9 the one before the convention,
down at the ball park playing hand-Dal which ap-
pears to have been his fayOrite pastme. They
visited the Dark the following udy and found the
of destiny busily engaged in striking ball
against blank brick wall, that 1t would rebound
out OF reach Of his opponent. There was quite a
crowd sitting around watching the game, and Mr..
Lincoln showed great proficiency at the game as It
was then played He contended that 1t was
healthy and invigoratinz paStlIne, and he saw no
reason why it should not become one OF the most
popular OF American sports.
Among other articles OF wearing apparel which
Mr. Lincoln had at the time were lOng-tailed
black atand old felt hat, which tended to mag
Nifty his tall and rather ungainly form and promi
as he danced about, hitting the sphere hard blow
and again babying' IL easily that it impos-
sible his antagonist to reach it. Mr. Lincoln
a tremendously hard server but 1t was in
cunning tactics that he probably displayed his best
form. After finishing an unusually spirited game
MT. Lincoln sat down upon the players Dench, and
it was there that Mr.. Cox introduced to the
next President OF the United States. Mr. Lincoln
received him cordially, asked him II he ever played
the game OF han-dball, commserated with him when
Mr.. Coz said he didn't understand 1t and otfe red to
teach him. Mr.. Cox, who was thinking more of the
Chicago Convention than playing hand bail, said:
'.Mr. Lincoln 1 believe You will be the nominee
Mr. Lincoln laughed and said: al think not. be-
lieve those Eastern chaps Will euchre out of 1t,
but you very kind to think will be nominated,
and am much obliged" After this brief interview
player happened to drop out OF the game, and Mr..
Cox was invited TO take hand" MIR. Cox did so,
for he was anxious to play with the man whom he
was sure would be nominated for President The
game lasted quite a while, aud Mr.. Lincoln dis
played great skill an strength. When the game
ended Mr Lincoln Kept tally Tor another SET OF
players by notchIng points a sticN, and calling
out the points made by each player IN loud voice.