The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-11-11
ABOVE The HERD
King Football Picks Four Best
Backfield Men.
EckersalI, HOstOn, Barrett and
Thorpe the Quartet. -
BY FRANK G. MENKE.

BY FRANK q. MEME.
Just when it seemed that the argu-
all time would end in bloodshed, the
door opened and or King Football
ambled in.
Hey, what's all this yellin' and
cussin' about?" he demanded -
The innocent bystander moved for-fs
ward and answered:
These here guys a been quarrelina
for three hours and half over who
was the four best backfielders.
Seems like they amt reached no
verdict commented or King dryly:
They amt. And unless they reach
one soon there's gonna be some work
for undertakers to do" said the by-1
stander. And then, sudden idea &C.
CURED to him.
Hey, you goofers." he yelled, jump
ing over at the still wrangling crowd
Here's OF King Football. He oughta
know about them best halfbackers-0
Why dontcha let him settle the argu-
ment?"
OF King Names Quartet. "a
Say, hold on there a minute-calm
your little self" beloved OF King
''whatcha tryin' to do? Get me into
a mess. Ell %
But the suggestion of the bystanders
, made a hit with the belligerents-and
they urged or King to name the inn
mortal four.
well, I'll do it," said or King re-
luctantly, but femme tell you. I amt
gonna stand for mona you blokes
starting an argument with me. L
amt in one of them fightin' moods to-
day. amt"
Shoot" commanded the gang.
We'll. for quarterback I'd name
Walter EckersaH, of Chicago. and"
Good boy. old Kid" chorused the
crowd. walt was wonder. Amt no
disputin' that
..And for fulIback." continued or
King. 'Id choose Willis Hoston OF
Michigan"
Once again the applause was gen.
eral.
LAS to halfbacks, I think Charlie
Barrett of Cornell, and Jim Thorpe Of
Carlisle were the best
And Yowis Go Up.
And then the storm broke loose. -
How about Eddie Mahan of Har--
ward? What's a matter with Ted Coy
of Yale? Whatcha overlookin'-'
But or King silenced them with a
wave of his paw.
Gents" he said, ''I know there's
room for argument every time any
guy tries to name the greatest team =
or the greatest group of players. Now
l promised I'd make my pick provided
/ there wasn't any argument. And there
amt gonna be no argument because
the very next time any of you guys
4 you for graveyard goal See %
Don't seem to be no real kick on
Eckersall and Hoston. So amt think
in it's necessary for me to explain
why I pick 'em two westerners. But
some you boobs are beefin' about
! Thorpe and Barrett" 80
.Whatcha putin Barrett at half >
| back for? He was a quarter, ats what
he was" peeped one of the audience. =
Barrett Selection.
4 hrrcf
for tryin' to commence an argument"
snorted OF King. ''but instead I'll tell
you why I'm maxim a halfback outa
Barrett. Because he was halfback=
that's why. oh, yes, Cornell played
him at quarter part of the time but
Chuck did halfbacking work. And it
seems to me there amt no guy risen
| up in modern times that was any bet
ternn him. -
How about Mahan?"
| well. Eddie was wonder but Bar
rett had it on him in plunging. Now
Eddie was "a deer at running them
ends, but no better than Barrett. When
1T came to punting an drop kickin' it
was $3.50 again. Chuck was as smart
player as Eddie and better'n Eddie
as defensive player. And SO I'm Civ
in Churck' Barrett the job.
Now soma you old-timers II think
that mebbe one a. your classmates
ought to have place in that quartet.
But them olden days-did they have
anybody better'n Jim Thorpe?"
Five or six started to reel off a list
but OF King halted them ~,
But you asked us to name 'em,"
objected one of the crowd.
"Yep-but do it when L amt here
that's ALL said OF King. I'm say
in that Jim Thorpe was better'n the
old-timers and I'll stick by it. There
wasn't anything Jim couldn't do-andf
| do in a remarkable way. And that's.
| why I'm pickiu' linn - -