The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-04-23

He used to go to school and secured
| his early education at the old country
school house by the creek. 1t was
| here he got his first baseball expert
ence. In most of the games a yarn ball
| was used. He was star, even at that
time. One Saturday afternoon while IN
town he got into game on the old
grounds back of the postoff1ce and
there he attracted the attention of the
| town boys. He went into the box one
day and his southpaw slants complete
ly mystified his opponents. From that
day he was famous and before coming
to Topeka his rrOwesS as a ball player
was known in several different coun-
ties. He can play in any position.
At the age Of Is he quit school and
went to work on the farm. He would
work five days ard a half In the sum-
mer time and play ball Saturday after
moons. In the winter time he shucks
corn and gets away with about 100
bushels a day.
Last fall he drifted into Topeka I'M
anncunced, but got into the game just
the same and he is there yet. He is 1
fast outfielder and his work, which is
always of the sensational order, has
earned the name of "Bill Lange." Dur
ing the coming season Captain Runkel
will exhibit him in left field every day
and he is we'll worth the price of ad-
mission.
A letter has been received by the
State Journal from H. T. Mote, who was
mentioned in the State Journal a few
days ago as the manager of the old To-
peka team who skipped out on July 4,
1895 with the gate receipts of a game
played on the old Athletic park grounds
at that time. In his letter Mr.. Mote
says that he did not skip out with any
money belonging to the players or the
people on that date and that everything
he took belonged to himself. He also
states that DR.. ]. c. Brownf1eId of To-
peka beat him out of $500 at that time
on a fake check and that he was put
on the pig at Leavenworth by the Con-
Wet manager escaping with all the gate
receipts which caused him to make his
abrupt departure. Mr.. Mote is now To-
Gated in Bartlesville and it is not un-
likely that he has hand In the Bar
tIesville baseball team as he cannot
leave the game alone.
Louisville Times: Dick Cooley re-
ported out of condition, but with
week or two to work should show his
old-time speed. Cooley is a fine hitter
and a fair fielder but it is a leader
that he is of most value to the team.
On opening day there was more ginger
in the coaching of Cooley and the others
than had been exhibited all of the latter
part of last season.
Joplin News-Herald: Baseball condi-r
lions in webb City have reached a stage
where T. C. Hayden, high muckalorem
of the aggregation, has to assure the
fans that there will really be a game
when advertised. Recently game was
scheduled, but owing to the failure Of
the team to get back from some point
in Kansas in time it was called off. Fri
day there was to have been a game be-
tween the Jiggerinos and the Navajo
Indians. At the last moment the In
dams demanded a guarantee. "Guaran-
tee?" laughed Hayden. Guarantee?
Well, well, we'll. Now wouldn't that jar
you?" But, really, what team is going
to make such a trip without some kind
of guarantee? From appearances there
may be other postponed or cancelled
games in the city where Hayden wields
the baseball gavel with his hand of
iron.