The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1914-10-13
Spectacular Career
Of Billy Sunday
Baseball Evangelist
Graphic, Thrilling Life Story of Man Who Is
Stirring Millions of People Every Year
By THEODORE
Authors Of Essntal Of ouna Esnn'
Baseball Euangelist
Continued from last week)

young Sunday came to Nevada, Iowa,
where he was given a home with
Colonel John Scott, veteran of the
Union army, who at one time served
his state as lieutenant governor.
Colonel Scott was breeder of Shet-
land ponies. and the boy helped to
care for them in return for his boara
and clothes.
Charles H. Hall, mayor of Nevada,
and one Of the many loyal supporters
of the evangelist in that town, Is
always glad to talk of the man who
has brought fame to their little place.
In a letter he says:
''Bill Sunday in boyhood days was no
angel, but was a good, average, ener-
getic boy. He was fond of all kinds of
sports. He had a record of running loo
yards in 10 seconds. A fine swimmer,
and could out jump any Of the other boys
Many people here insist that the world
has never produced as good a ball play
er. His position was center field. He
was sure batter and a good base run
ner. What was a one base hit for 9TH
ers, was q two Dagger for him. In a
game at Marshalltown, Iowa, Captain
Arson from Chicago saw him work and
took him back with him to Chicago,
where he played on the Chicago team
BILLY liked the girls and was a favor
lite among them. He was popular also
with his boy associates. He was fair
minded, and never stirred up strife. He
was never looking for trouble, but would
fight at the drop of the hat If imposed
upon. He displayed no traits in youth of
becoming the preacher he now is"
Finally there is the judgment of his
mother. After more than 80 years
acquaintance with the man who Is
mystery to so many thousands. Mrs.
w. ]. Stowe gives vivid word pic
ture of the boyhood days of the evan
gelist, coupled invariably with the
loving comments of fond mother.
Whenever one speaks of her evan
gelist son her face lights up with a
smile and she invariably remarks:
willie Is a good boy. He was always
80. If one continues to discuss the evan
gelist his mother is sure to tell of some
of the amusing incidents that happened
during 'Willie's' boyhood, when but a lit
tie lad he ran free over his grandfather's
farm in Story county, Iowa The farm
was located near Ames, not far from the
agricultural school of that name, and
was owned by the evangelist's grand
father, Squire ]. E. Cory. who was q
typical pioneer Of the middle west.
Squire Cory. until a year before his
death at the age of seventy-two. never
thought of climbing to the back of one of
his horses from block, but instead he
would grasp the pommel and leap into
the saddle in true western fashion with
put touching the stirrup. According to
His Riliv was the pride of. hfq
grandfather's heart and was taught many
Of his boyish athletic tricks by him.
When but mere baby the Squire would
place the boy upon his outstretched hand
and raise him high in the air. Willie
would just stand there as straight as an
arrow and never make a whimper.' says
his mother with just touch of pride in
her voice when she tells about it. He
was a great favorite with his grandpa
because he was such an active little
chap. Since the time the evangelist has
been old enough to walk he has been
fond of dogs. His mother tells of his
savorite childhood pet, big shepherd
name Watch
st can remember when Willie used to
go to the pasture every evening for me
and bring home the cows. Seems that
can almost see him now, coming down
the lane astride of the cows, whistling
Or singing while Watch took care to see
herd. He surely loved that dog and I
hardly think that he has forgotten his
Did playmate yet, although he has had
several such pets since.
Eyes. Willie was always a good boy to
work. Did you ask IL he has always
worked like he does now? guess he has.
When just boy he would go after things
oell-mell and 1t seemed that he always
1ad an extra supply of energy. Some
might call his methods nervousness, but
t appears to me just the way he is made
because he has been the same ever since
| can remember.
1T don't think Willie shall ever have
what you call q nervous breakdown Even
though he works ever 50 hard 1t Is just
his fashion and guess he can stand 1t.
He Is built peculiarly, that is why so
many people do not understand him when
they meet or watch him. At times. I
Know he seems to be snappy. but II Is his
style when he Is busy and he has no idea
he is hurting the feelings of any one. He
was just the same when he was a boy.
He always put his whole soul into every
thing that he did. whether 1t was work
Or play. guess that Is what has helped
10 make him the man he Is.
willie always liked to play games
where he could show his strength for he
was a strong little lad 1 can remember
that many times before he was ten years
where the boys were playing ball and get
In the game with them. I guess he was
pretty good at baseball even then. After
ais grandfather died he and Ed-Ed is his
brother who lives out in North Dakota
went to school at Marshalltown. My but
I missed my children so much.
Their father had died during the Civil
war while serving In the I'D Iowa down
south, and he never got to see Willie.
His name was Willie too. and we named
The baby for him. His father had always
liked the name Ashley. so that is where
Willie got his middle name"
No greatness which ever comes to
q man ever prevents his being other
than boy in the sight of his mother.
Learned dissertations on the value Of
Mr.. Sundays work; arguments about
his theology; questions about his
methods fail to cast the light upon his
work and his character as thoroughly
as the simple details from the lips Of
bis mother uttered when she was well
past seventy.