The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-07-18
Ralph 3. JOY Of This City and Edgar
Musselman Of Quincy, Origin.
ated l-M-l Association Of
Tennis Players.
IT WAS STARTED IN 1911
keokuk Courts Used Two Years and
Then Burlington Got Matches
Some Glass Is Expected
This Year.

Four years ago a tennis tourna-
ment was staged at Keokuk with for
ty-two entries. The idea originated
with two tennis experts in this sec
ton of the country, Ralph B. Joy of
this city, and Edgar Musselman Of
Quincy. Ill. They promoted the tourn-|
ament entirely ION their nerve" The
proceeds, however, were sufficient to
pay for the trophies, and the matches
attracted the cream of the community.
This was the humble beginning OF
the Iowa MissouriIllinois association
which viii begin play in its fifth touru.
ament at Burlington. Iowa, July IS.
The match will last the entire week.
Over 700 invitations have been sent
out. Entries are being received daily,
and among those who will be seen on
the Burlington courts will be Jack
Cannon OF Kansas City. state chamr-
ion and runner up In the Missouri va!.
ley; Dawson Obear, Of st. Louis, who
was in the semi-fnals of the Central
States tourney at St Louis two weeks
ago; Roland Hoerr has been invited,
as has also Harry A. Koch, though
neither may be able to come as they
have titles to defend elsewhere on
the same dates. Fred Bradley Of Das
Moines, state champion, has been in.
vited, and is expected to accept. The
cream of the players in GalesburS,
Galva and other Illinois points will De
at Burlington, it is expected. The
Musselman brothers Of Quincy, viii
be at Burlington and there will De
players from scores OF towns who win
go for the pleasure of watching the
big ones" perform.
In keokuk Two Years.
The tournament was held in KeokuE
FOR the first two years. It was play.
ed on the couBts in the Joy Athlete
field. and at the Keokuk Country club.
In 1911 when Mr.. Musselman and Mr.
Joy started the tournament they went
entirely on their nerve, so to speak.
By hard work they brought splendid
talent to the courts, and the result
has been the organization which IS
behind the tournament this year.
The winners of the first tournament
in Keokuk were Edgar Musselman in
singles, and Musselman and w. s.
Warfeld, III, of Chicago, in the doub-
les. This year the play was only for
the men. The following year the
same rules prevailed. and 1t was not
until 1913 that the "suffragette" In
admitted.
The second tournament was held 10
Keokuk in 1912, on the same courts.
There were thirty.eight entries, rep.
lresenting the cream OF the tennis men
in this vicinity. J. Tying Of Keokuk.
won the singles, and Musselman broth.
lers OF Quincy. carried of honors IN
the doubles.
Lose Local Courts.
The tournament next year was lost
for Keokuk because OF the loss Of TIL,
JOY field courts. 1t was taken to Bur
Ilington then. and was played in the
second week in September. This was
the first tournament in which the
ladies' events were introduced. In thu
mixed doubles, Prosser Of Warsaw.
ILL.,, and Miss Ferris, OF Carthage,
were the winners. Stewart OF Nepon-
set, won the mems singles.
Stewart and Gould won the mems
doubles, and Miss Hedge Of Burling-
ton, won the women's singles. There
were thirty entries this year.
Last year the entries numbered
iseventy-two, and there were repre-
sentatives from FIVE states. many of
which were champions Of differe at
communities The tourney was again
at Burlington. The singles were won
bv DR.. NJ n. Smith Of Fayette. The
doubles were won by Vernon OF
rrairie Du Chen, and Ralph B. JOY
/ Of Keokuk. Miss Hedge won the WON.
ems singles and Miss Hedge and Cat
low OF Burlington, won the mixed
! doubles.
keokuk had runners up in the tourn.
lament last year in H. T. Orsborne an l
Miss Anna Wolfe in the mixed doubles.
and Tying and Dewitt in the secoad
tournament.
Big List Of Prizes.
| The total number of cups offered
this year is twelve. besides the hand
come champ ionship cup which is offer
| ed by Musselman brothers. This cup
will be played for until won three
times by the same person.
The tournament will be played IA
the courts at Burlington under the
auspices of the Burlington Tennis
club. There are eight courts, two at
THE golf club and the other six at the
f.ono;a ,J,h All of fheSa courts are