The Washington herald., 1909-02-01
FANS DROP WEEPS
All Because of COllifoWer's
Good Luck.
GOOD FIRST sACKER IS LOST
oId-fime Pro. Receives Tempting
Offers 20 Umpire in Minor Leagues.
Responsible for Landing Bill RaDp
"ad Len Stanley in Fast Company.
Brief sketch of His Career.


Ing are bewailing the fact that their
team viii be deprived Of the services. both
as a coach and player. OF J. Harry Coli
mower 'CoilyF had been slated for cap
tain OF what has been designated as the
ail-star team representing the Municipal
Building and was also selected 70 do
stunts about the initial sack. IN which
position he has had big league experience.
Recently COllihower has received tvvo
tempting offers from minor Ieague. mag
mates 10 handle the Indicator. and is
now seriously considering the advisable
ity Of going out for the season. He has
been appointed assistant umpire In the
Departmental League, and should be de-
eide TO remain IN Washington this sum
mer. probably viii accept the proposition.
His work in Washington and vicinity has
been highly commended. and last fan.
when be applied for a position on Ban
JohnsOn's STAFF, received many fattering
letters Of recommendation from followers
Of the sport One qualification Coli
flower possesses over many who 20 into
the business Is his thorough knowledge OF
the mechanical features of the game. IN
addition 10 this, he understands the rules
OF the game perfectly. and has the nerve
and grit TO give a decision as he sees
it. and not as ne thinks the mob wants
him 20 see IL Colly Is a good fellow
among the boys. but when on the field
and directing a game OF ball is a strict
diseiplinarian IN every sense Of that term
he plays no favorites. and during the
summer OF E+i1, when he was urupiring
IN the New England League. had ordered
the great Jesse BUskett OF the field be-
cause Jesse dared 10 Intimate that his
lamps were defective by sweeping OF the
plate after Colly had called him out on
strikes.
Played with Georgetown.
CoHihower's career as bah player BE-
gan in 1882. when he played center field
for Georgetown IN the latter part OF
the same season ne was with the CoIum-
bia A. c In lSs3 be was with the Y.
n. c. a team, doing box work and play
ing IN the outfeld- During this season
ne beat Carr. OF Yale. on the old grounds.
then located at Seventeenth aud ) streets
northwest. In the spring Of 80 the team
took a trip 10 Virginia, playing semi
professional clubs in Roanoke, Stanton.
Richmond His work in the box attracted
considerable attention. and he started his
professional career with The Norfolk
team Of the Virginia League pitching anl
playing the 0utdeld The first year he
led the league n hitting In 1855 he
played with Ted SuIlivan.s Steers n tnz
Texas League, ard II the middle OF the
year went back 70 Norfolk, finishing the
season. In 1895 CoIly signed with Ted
Sullivan, playing with the New Haven
team OF the Atlantic League. and the
same year was sold 10 Texas. where lie
finished the season That year ne hit
sixth n the Texas League He signed
again in 1897 with the Texas Steers. II
was during this season that he had his
first experience as an umpire, handling
the indicator when one Of the regular
umpires failed 10 show I'D, as was fTe-
quently the case His work was favor
ably commented upon IN 1855 Colly
played with birmingham in the Southern
League. and about the middle Of July OF
the next year signed with the Cleveland
team OF the National League. playing
cushion No / and 7inging them across.
His slow break ball was a terror 10 the
big fellows.
One Of WHkeSbaFre'S stars.
This was the last year OF the twelve
club league. and CoIlfower connected
with the sphere for SIS He started with
the Wnkesbarre Pa club. OF the Allan
tic League in 1901. and when the league
disbanded held first batting hOnoTs. The
balance Of the season he played with
New Haven. Of the Connecticut League
He received a bad injury 10 his knee. and
during the last few weeks OF the season
umpired- His work was eminently salts
factory. and he more than made good
In 1891 he umpired the entire season in
the Connecticut League IN 1872 he re-
tired from professional baseball and
worked for the District CT Columbia gov
eminent, esP;sining ard playing first
base for the Commissioners team IN
1868 he again went back 20 umpiring in
the Connecticut League. and during the
latter part Of the season held the ildi-
Gator in the Eastern League He did not
go out during 1904. 1895 or 1915. and It Is
said that the charming girl who is now
Mrs. Collif0Wer had much 10 do with
keeping HIM in Washington In 1907 the
Old fever again struck him. and he had
no trouble in securing g job as umpire
in the Virginia League He remained In
in 1905. and during the spring
umpsred all the games played by the
in Annapolis.
COilihower has been instrumental n
landing several Washington youngsters
in fast company. among them being BIZ
Rapp. now member Of the Washington
American League team; Lem Stanley,
now claimed BY the Boston Americans
and with Montreal last season, and other