The times., 1897-05-24
TESTIMONIAL TO NcPHEE
Admirers in Cincinnati Will Give
Him a House and Lot.
He Is Now Serving His Twentieth
Year on the Diamond-With
the Reds Since 1880.

Chicago baseball cranks presented Capt.
Anson with beautiful silver service some
time ago, now the Cincinnati enthusiasts
are about TO give ''Biddy' McP hee a sub
stantial testimonial in recognition of his
long and faithful service with the Cincin-
natl team.
Kumor has it that it win be a house and
lot in he Metropolis of ONO. Subscriptions
for the testimonial are pouring in. The
Chamber Of Commerce has taken the initia
tory steps, and among the prominent people
VINO are active in the movement are Samuel
Bailey, former United States subtreasurer.
and Vice President w. w. Peabody, OF the
ID. O. s. S. w. R. r.
"Biddys" name is John Alexander Nc
Phee, and SO far as tenure in service on
the diamond is concerned, be is a record
breaker, for this season makes twenty years
that he has been regularly engaged in the
sport. He has outseryed several genera
tons of players, and has played With all
OF the leading baseballists of his time.
He was born in Massena, n. Y, Nov.
/, 1859 His father was Scotchman,
and his mother came from a prominent
Yankee family of Puritan stock. john
7. Brush, president OF the Cincinnati club,
was also born In Massena, n. Y. Although
about the same age, Brush and McPhee
never knew each other until Brush became
the owner OF the Cincinnati club.
When Mcphee was seven years cid his
family moved to Kaithsburg, small
hamlet Of 1,700 Inhabitants in Western
Illinois, where Park Wilson, the back
stop Of the New York club, was born and
reared. Wilson's father was running a
dry goods store in the town, and McPhee
was for some time clerk and an all
round helper in the store. Both Wilson
and McPhee played with a local team
called the Ictorias. They were called by
the fans the "ny-ca tchers
He WAS the youngesG player in the team.
being only sixteen years of age. IN 1877
he and Elmer Rockwell were signed by the
club at davenport, Iowa, and they Con-
stituted what was then known as a crack
battery
n the Davenport club McPhee also
played second base and in the right field
in 1873. In 1879 McPhee did not play
ball, but secured a position as clerk in a
commission house in Davenport. In the
spring of 1880 he went to Akron, Ohio
club which played the Cleveland club on
off days.
In the autumn of 1880 P Cayior form
ed the American Association, and sent
Charlie Jones, the old left fielder of the
Reds, TO Akron to sign Mcphee, Sam Wise
and Kenmler, the two latter being now
out OF tie business.
McPhee lives in Cincinnati with his pa
rents. who have resided there since 1881
He is a man OF excellent habits always
takes good care of himself, smokes and
drinks very little. aud spends much Of his
time at home.
When asked how 10 play second base,
McPhee said he played it no different
than any one else He said that u good
shortstop is a great help 10 the second
basenan, and when the two understand
each other weil they can cover much
more ground and do it safely.
McPbee has held the second-base rec
ord off and ON for many years, and is
without doubt at the mead of the list
ON the average While be is considered
one of the best men that ever covered
second base, he also stands high as
good batter and ar-man who attends
strictly to his business In the general
interest of his team.
McPhee ir bright and a good talker
He stands well In his own community
He has mad many chances TO go TO other
clubs, but his many friends in Cincin
natl and his great liking for the city of
his adoption keep him there. He is a
great home fayorite, and has been the
recipient OF many presents from admir-
ing friends