The Minneapolis journal., 1905-11-26

The Commercial Bowling league Of
Minneapolis was organized in the fall
of 1908. It's origin was rather novel.
F. w. Frederickson and Mr.. Gilbert of
the Powers Mercantile company, four
years ago, arranged bowling matches
with teams representing the William
Donaldson company, the Plymouth
Clothing company and the Minneapolis
Dry Goods company. Mr.. Seavey of the
Minneapolis Dry Goods company and
William Ellington of the Glass Block,
with Mr.. Frederickson and Mr.. Gilbert
were the bowlers most interested in
securing these different games. AS it
furnished amusement as we'll as healthy
exercise, they, at the commencement Of
the bowling season in the fall Of 1908,
conceived the idea of organizing COM
mercial house league. They visited sew
eral mercantile houses and finally Sc
cured four new entries, making, with
their own teams, league representing
eight houses as follows: Powers Mer-
camille company, William Donaldson
company, Minneapolis Dry Goods com
pany, Wyman Partridge & Co., New
Store, T. M. Roberts Supply company,
Palace Clothing company and Janney,
Semple & Co.
Mr.. Seavey Of the Minneapolis Dry
Goods company was elected president,
William ELLINGTON of Donaldson s., Sec
retary, and Mr.. Gilbert of the Powers
Mercantile company treasurer.
Arranged Schedule.
A meeting was called to arrange for
the seasons schedule and to establish
bylaws governing the organization. 1t
was decided that all the money in the
treasury at the end of the season was
to be divided among the winning teams
and the high average Individual play
ers. While. the playing with but few
exceptions during this season was but
ordinary, the teams for the most part
were evenly matched and all the con-
tests played were spirited and greatly
enjoyed. The first season ended with
a victory for the Powers team.
In the. fall Of 1904, the president
called a meeting requesting the captains
Of the various teams to attend. F. w.
Frederickson Of the Powers team sue
ceeded Mr.. Seavey as president Of the
league, and Secretary ELLINGTON and
Treasurer Gilbert were reelected. 1t
was found that the Palace Clothing
company, the New Store and Janney,
Semple & Hill would not enter the
league owing to the loss Of players, and
the following commercial houses entered
teams in their stead: w. S. Mott Rub.
ber company, Kennedy, Suffel, Andrews
& Co. and the New England Furniture
company. The schedule during the
former year consisted Of three series
Of games. This was, raised to fou1
series for the season Of 1904 and 1905
Interest Increased.
While the interest in bowling had tt
great extent decreased in the various
leagues in Minneapolis, the interest il
the Commercial league grew greater an(
fact, the only real interest in bowling
was centered in this league during tht
entire season. The contests of tn
league were even more spirited thai
the year before, and as all Of the olde
teams had practically the same players
as in previous years, bowling was Of ,
higher standard, and some of the team
which had held bottom places during
the former seasons were holding posi-
tions at the top of the list.
It was continued see-saw betwee:
the T. M. Roberts Supply company an
the Powers teams, as to which woul
carry off the honors for the season
For several weeks the Powers compan
would hold the lead, and then it woul
be held for as many more weeks b
the Roberts team. No greater inter
est was ever taken in bowling mate
in the city of Minneapolis than at th
close of this season when the Power
Mercantile company was matche
against the Wyman-Partridge club an
the Roberts against Donaldsons. Th
Roberts team was in the lead by tw
games when the play started. The
lost two games to the Donaldsons an
Powers team took three from the W.
man-Partridge club, thus tieing th
Roberts and Powers teams for frs
place. At the close Of these thre
match games, one game was played
decide the championship honors. TT
game was won by the Powers Mercal
tile company and for the second tin
the pennant foated ,gayly over them.
The Present Season.
The present season opened with I
change in the clubs The Minneapol
Dry Goods, the New England Furn
ture company and the Kennedy-Suffe
. Andrews company have dropped fro
the league. In their places are playi1
the New Store and Janney, Semple
Hill, both members Of the first leagl
season, and the Plymouth Clothing col
pany. The following officers were cleo
: ed: VIM. Ellington, president; F.
Logan, secretary; K. Williams, trea
urer.
[ The Commercial league holds prac1
3 cally all Of the bowling interest in Mi
neapolis this season, the Minneapol
: league having disbanded and the pla
ing up to the present time is ev.
more spirited than during the two p1
! !, vious years. It would be difficult
: the present time to make any predi
!, tions as to how the teams will fnis
but it would seem that the honors W
!. rest with either Powers, Roberts
! Donaldsons, who have been playing t
strongest games SO far this season. Ho
ever, as but one-third Of the season
: over, the lineup may be changed, as t
!, other teams are keeping close behir
One Of the great features has be
. :. the large attendance of young ladi
y from the various mercantile houses re
n resented, to cheer their teams and ca
S successful play or winning, and t