The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-22

ers; Beemer, center; Kirk, cover point;
Shumack. half back, and Wachtel. goal At
that time six men were used on the floor
instead of five. Nearly all the players
were residents of Muncie The team made
phenomenal record during its first sea-
son, and never lost game. 1t scored four
Mascots of Lafayette. The next year the
players were separated, BeesOn and Kirk
playing in Indianapolis, Buchanan az An
derSon. and Beemer and Shumack retiring
from the game. Later Beeson, Buchanan
and Kirk went East, where they made en-
viable regulations. Kirk remained in the
East for several seasons, and was regarded
as the greatest player who ever wore
skates A few OF the old players now
side in Muncie, and they are regular at
tendants at the games in that city. The
Original Royals defeated the famous team
of Galesburg. Ill.
After the polo craze died out in Indiana
In those early days, practically no attempt
was made to resurrect the sport until
few years ago. In January of 1900 VI. G.
Henley. of Richmond. and Walter and
Alonzo Petty, of Muncie, opened Kinks and
organized polo teams. Games were played
between the two teams, and then an effort
was made to introduce the sport at Ander-
son. A small hall was rented in Hazel
wood, near Anderson, where games we're
played. the expenses and salaries being
paid by the Muncie and Richmond clubs.
Then Racine, Wis. was interested In the
sport, and later came the organization of
the Western Roller Polo League, with
Richmond, Muncie. Anderson. Elwood, Ra-
cine and Indianapolis as members. Racine
abandoned the league after the close of
last season, and Marion was taken In,
making a more compact circuit, and one
which should prove a winner in every city.
Club owners predict that this season will
be the best ever known in polo, IS the
game is now fully established. and with
every city having good rink, the sport
should be very popular
Referee Klobedanz declares that lie has
never seen a polo team play such rough
polo as the Richmond team. The referee is
probably right in that respect, but he should
show his nerve by calling fouls when they
are committed. 1t is believed that the
and eliminate the rough tactics by calling
fouls when fouls are made and finine play
ers if they indulge in glaring violations Of
the rules.
Such games as played by Indianapolis and
Muncie at Muncie last Thursday night will
make the game more popular than the
rough exhibitions played by Richmond
against indianapolis at Richmond last
Wednesday night The Muncie game was
spirited. but there was pleasing absence
OF that dirty. contemplate and rough man.
ner that has made certain teams so fniver-
sally despised throughout the circuit. The
Muncie team is fast one with two of the
fastest rushers and floor workers in the
league. Eddie Higgins was fast last year
but he is 80 per cent. better this season
and he has great partner in Hart. The
three defense men play brilliantly. 1t is
not strange that the Richmond team is re-
garded in all cities-with the exception Of
Richmond-as being the toughest lot of
players in the league, for patrons ;of the
game in other cities we'll remember the
many times the Quakers have resorted to
rough tactics to gain a point 1t, seems
odd that the partisan spirit of supposedly
fairminded citizens of Richmond should