The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-10-16

at that it was a most irauspcious
opening, for the weather was wretch
edly bad and kept away the crowd that
was expected and which would I'M
doubtedly have been there but for the
disagreeable day. But the weather was
SO bad that people pocketed their pa
triotism and neither their love for foot
ball nor the good cause to which the
bulk Of the receipts are devoted could
draw them out. The result was that
not more than 200 people saw the in
itial game of the football season. Those
who did brave the elements, however,
saw one of the best games ever wit
messed on the Athletic park gridiron-
that is, from the spectators stand
point. Better football has often been
played here, but never has a closer CT
more interesting game been seen.
The Anaconda team did much the bet
ter work, and the score of to in
favor of Butte was due to Butte's pro-
verbal good luck and to Mahoney's
kicking in very large part. Butte's
line was weak in spots, particularly the
left guard and tackle, and the visitors
found little difficulty in breaking
das confined themselves to line bucking
almost exclusively and at these tactics
were able to forge their way ahead
whenever they had the ball. 1t seemed
that Butte could not stay them, and it
was only few times that they sue
cessfully held the onward rush of the
big smelter men, and got the ball OH
downs. Repeatedly Butte's goal was
threatened and then it was that Ma
honey's kicking saved the day. He
would signal for the ball and it would
be passed to him. Then he would send
it sailing down the field and the visi-
tors had it all to do lover again.
Throughout the offensive work of the
Anaconda team was good Butte was
also good on the offensive, though not
as strong as their opponents. They
made fair gains but the defense of the
home team was ragged, to say the best
of 1t, and that of the visitors was
faulty in numerous places.
The condition of the ground, which
was covered by an inch and half or
two inches Of snow, had much to DO
with the faulty playing, and much ex-
cuse is to be made for both sides on
that account. 1t had nothing to do,
however, with Butte's manner of play
ing high or the failure of the players
to get down on the tackles. With all
the weak points Butte displayed, it is
won. even with Mahoney's excellent
management, had the ground been dry.
Butte won on touchdown made by
Brown, the quarter in the first half,
and kick by Mahoney in the second,
which scored safety.
A good deal of the fluke figured in
both plays, as fiukes are considered,
still the glory of winning cannot be
wholly taken from the home team on
that claim, for all such chances are
taken in football. and the side which
has the ability to take advantage of
them must be accorded the credit. An
aconda's score, too, may be considered
as much of a fluke. for it was clearly
made on an accidental play, but like
in the case of Butte, there was a man
there who had wit quick enough to
profit by it. Altogether it was a
splendid game to watch, and this small
crowd INDUCED itself in ecstacies Of
enthusiasm.
Mahoney at the Helm.
The greatest individual credit was
due on Butte's side to Mahoney, who
captained the team, first: then Grif-
tiths, Brown, McHollister. Herbcld and
Purcell in the order named. Mahoney
was the life and spirit of the team, and
managed well, besides kicking SPLEEN
didly, and he was in every play and
the line like battering ram, and al
ways for gain. McHollister was al
ways safe man to send at the line,
and outside of Mahoney, did the best
tackl1ng of any man on Butte's side.
Brown played good quarter, tackled
Well and his quick wit in swapping
up the ball when there was an oppor-
tunity for touchdown was a most
creditable achievement Herbold made
some excellent tackles and Purcell fig
ured prominently in all the plays. The
other men won credit for themselves
when opportunity offered.
Wilson Giant.
For Anaconda, Captain Wilson was
to his men like Mahoney was to his.
He was the embodiment Of the football
giant. He bucked the line ferociously
and time after time went through as
though propelled by a cannon He
aged his team with rare good judg-
ment. Inman was easily next to Will
son in point of credit won. He was
very little, if any. behind Wilson in
his line bucking, and throughout played
a splendid offensive game. Sam EN-
mons came next as a gamer of ground
He was strong with the ball, and, like
Wilson and Inman, tackled hard. KEEL
lar played his usual strong game, both
extensively and defensively. Kilroy
shone in his tackles and end work, and
Snelson was in on some of the best
tackles of the day The other play
ers figured less conspicuously, but
their work was strong at all times.
The most pleasing feature of the game
was the good nature that prevailed
throughout the game. There was no
wranglng and no smuggling, and while
two men We're injured and were obliged
TO retire, it was done in legitimate
play.
James Arlett of the Reliance team of
Oakland, Cal, officiated as referee, and
j. A. Schroter of the Denver Athletic
club as umpire. Both gave the best of
satisfaction. The timekeepers and line
men We're: For Butte. D'Gay Stivers;
Tor Anaconda, Rod Williams.
Anaconda won the toss and selected
the north goal The teams then lined
up at exactly o'clock as follows:
Butte Position. Anaconda
Davis ........... Center. ....... REM
Langley ..........R c.. Emmons, b.
Clements ........L. Co.,. Livingston