The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-05-20

MoNMoUTH's FIRST MGR.

for the president of the league, M. E.
Justice, as we'll as for many players
and fans, was received here late yes
terday, telling of the death of Jack
Corbett umpire, at his homeHsin
Shelly, Nebr. Mr.. Justice showed
grave concern over the news today
as he had hoped that Corbett would
recover from an extended illness N
time to take the field this season.
The umpire took sick a week before
the season commenced. and suffered
/, for some time an attack of pneumo-
| MA. He recovered but soon after
pleurisy attacked his system and that
was instrumental in bringing about
his death.
The Burlington Hawk-Eye OF today
contains ali excellent biography of
/ Mr.. Corbett's base ball life which viii
! be of interest to the fans:
| Jack Corbett was brought to Bur-
lington from villisca. Iowa, by Man
ager Sullivan, who had the honor to
| launch Burlington on the sea OF pro,
fessional base ball in the old Iowa
t State league. Corbett was touted as
a Woodworking catcher The estimate
of his ability in that line was not
overdrawn. He worked hard all sea
son In 1904 to keep the Burlington
j team from going to the bad, but the
best he could do did not save it. 1t
was in those days that the catcher
ca ohn %u-a live I,
bat and let all the hard ones go
through to the backstop against the
4 grandstand fence. Only at the third
strike or when man was on base
did the catchers don the mask and
4 chest protector and get up behind the
batter
1 One of Corbett's teammates was
George Stovall, who played first base
. that season. Next year Corbett went
to Ottumwa and played a steady, con.
scientious game, doing much to assist
in the winning of the pennant The
manager of the Ottumwa team that
year was Snapper Kennedy.
Managed ottunwa In 1907.
! Corbett was not in this league in
] 1906, but was called back by Ottumws
!. in 1907 and made manager. Later he
went to Monmouth where he became
3 manager Of the team there In the 7
. and NJ. league, winning the pennan
$ In 1910. When Monmouth entered thu
r Central Association the directors o
! that city endeavored to secure Cor
e belts services as manager for an
r other year. But Corbett's fatal iii
ness was already upon him and krtow
ing that he had need of rest and re
cuperation. Corbett declined to under
, take the responsibility. He gave a.
base ball for the time and was a yer,
Ill man during the summer and wiz
ter of f911-f2. He improved Il
d health, however, and engaged in has
ball last season.
Last winter President Justice mad
contract with him as an umpire I
!. this league for this season. AS tn
opening of the season drew on Coz
,, bett sent word that he would not b
f. able to open the season on account G
setback In his health. He said i
hoped to take up the work In wee
lie or two and Justice put on subst
II tute in his place. Instead of CROWN
better Corbett became worse and fl
Z ally passed to his reward yesterda.
$. A Gentleman In Every Way.
ID Jack Corbett was a gentleman {
all times and in every sense of tn
word He was modest, consideration
good natured and always reliable H
hadn't an enemy in the world simpl
"a because he could not quarrel with an
d. one and no one wanted to quar-
X. with Jack. He possessed many friend
nj everywhere he went and will l
:, mourned by multitude of fans
this circuit. Rest to his ashes ar
% peace and comfort to him in the my
ls terious beyond
te --------------------------