The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-06-06

as member of the Vine Street Reds, a
famous organization of 1O-year-Old boys
in LeavenwOrth. Kan. The Reds were
made up of many illustri0us players,
among them being Blubberheaded
Gueraughty, Pumpkinheaded Diamond,
Pussy Few, Corky Swift and Mike Wei
day One day the Vine Street Reds ar
ranged to play the Elephant Ears Of
Lansing, Kansas, five miles south of
Leavenworth The game took place in a
field on MoTgan's lane, south of the Sol
diers' Home. At the end of the first half
of the last inning it was declared that
the Elephant Ears had the Reds bested
by two ruEs. This could not be con
firmed as the scorekeeper said there
was no Official record. The Elephant
Ears had their gang with them, how
ever, to see fair play. so the score was
accepted at something like 81 to 50. But
the Reds had three outs still coming.
Mike Welday is known as a heavy hit
ter, but he isn't any more skilled with
the hickory nOw-than he was then. The
Elephant Ears knew of his hitting pow
ers and feared it. One of the Reds went
out on fly and then two of them hit
safely. Mike was next at the bat. The
Elephant Ears catcher saw that some
thing had 10 be done, so he quickly tip
ped one of the gang" off to steal the
bat (there was but one) and run. The
faithful rooter obeyed and when Mike
looked for the stick it was gone
''Whot youse goin' to do2" asked the
captain of the Elephant Ears. They
amt no bat. Somebody's swfped it,
Wen have to call the game off and
play it again" said the captain of the
Reds.
A howl went up from the Elephant
Ears camp Nav" said the captain.
we amt to blame for the loss of the
bat If youse fellers can't find no bat
we get the game-see''
A fight was imminent between the
two mines, when Mike Welday settled
the matter. Walking over to a little
fellow who had a crude wooden leg,
Mike said: Jimmie loan me your leg.
I gotta win this game"
Sure" said Jimmy. who was a real
I sport. Off came the leg and Mike took
1 his place at the plate.
Now, I'll bat" he said. And If
youse fellers start anything, I'll use his
/ legs on your heads
Mike was in earnest. so he was finally
/ permitted TO use Jimmys leg The
heavy hitter of the Reds smashed the
4 first ball up and made a home run.
/ bringing in the two Reds who were on
/ bases. That won the game and the
Elephant Ears skunk away disgruntled
/ and baffled.
When I'm trying to soak these pro
1 fessional curves nowadays, / often wish
I had that wooden leg said Mike yes
terday a the Slavery hotel. I believe
1 could bat about 500 per cent with it,
Topeka is home for II days to play
Oklahoma City. Wichita, Leavenworth
and St Joe June IS is an off or rest
day
The St. Joe Gazette has this to sa,
about the Hurlburt aggregation: Aftei
an absence of eleven days the Packer
returned to League park today The
Webb City team, which is now restins
on the bottom rung, are booked a.
their opponents for the next four DAYS
All things considered, the trip must b.
summed W as an unausDicious on,
but with any kind of encouragement
the team would have most certairl-
have made a much better record A
it was they managed to split even Oh
the twelve games played. For a tim,
1t was thought that the Des Doine
team Of the Western league would b,