Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-05
MIDST MANY F. F.'S OF JAWJA WE
DISCOVER A FINE G GARDEN-VARIETY
OF STAR "EX-OR-NOW-IS" ATHL LETES
Red Clay Belt Discloses Such Sport Favorites as
Tyrus the Peach Bobby Jones, Walthour the
Cyclist, and Score of Like Ilk
BY GRANTLAND RICE

TNHE wellknown State of Georgia may be
i as thickly populated as several other
commemorative. but it would be hard 10
land upon n locality which has produced
as many interesting varieties of athletes as
the Red Clay dominion wedged in between
Alabama and the Atlantic Ocean.
Almost everywhere one may light one hits
upon a famous character, either from the
present era or from other days. And these
are in no way confined TO one sport They
embrace almost every variety now grown
in Uncle Sans domain.
Leading Lights
It would be useless to mention Ty Cobb
first Ty ana Georgia are inseparable links.
He is Georgia's First Citizen, and Georgia
isn't any fonder of Ty than Ty is of Georgia
which happens to be 100 per cent each
way.
But Ty isn't the only ball player Georgia
has set adrift upon the major leagues. lust
above Atlanta the furrow is still extant
where Nap Rucker once ran his pow.
And just below Atlanta Red Smith and
Sherrod Smith have their homes. Further
south one runs across the vine-clad cottage
of Jimmy Lavender, the Montezuman
Marvel, while Frank Schulte's peach
orchard is a thing of beauty and Joy for
at least two months each summer.
And this list hasn't yet made mention Of
George Stallings, still known as the Miracle
Man Of the Mandarns Of play-the one
man who came nearer achieving the impos-
sible. or who achieved what was closer to
the impossible, than any other man when
he lugged a ball club from last place In
July to first place in September and then
beat a mighty machine four straight world
series games.
In Other Lines
Atlanta still boasts two famous entries
in sports One is Bobby Walthour, who has
ridden and won more bicycle races than
any other rider now living. Bobby was
messenger boy in Atlanta over twenty years
ago and yet he Is still up around the front.
He began his racing career In Georgias
capital, and has fine residence in that
city when he finds time to alight and take
a meal at home.
Bobby made a big part of his reputation
in Berlin. but 1t is rumored that he will
not ride in that city this season.
Another famous Bobby is Bobby Jones,
the Kid phenom at golf. who at the age of
fourteen was the sensation of a national
championship and who has since proved TO
be one of the great golfers of America.
Bobby is now playing fine golf around At
lanta courses and at fifteen is given by
many experts a fine chance to win a cham
pionship within the next two years.
Another golfing star among the cham
pions is Miss Alexa Stirling. who at eight
cen has won the womans golf champion
ship and is undoubtedly the finest woman
golfer in America. And to these might
be added Perry Adair who at fourteen
was runner-up In southern champion
ship.
In Football
Atlanta, in a football way. calls atten.
tion to Coach ]. w. Heisman. the old Penn
sylvania end from 1891. who Is one of the
greatest football instructors In the history
of the sport. Seven years before the for
ward pass was even discussed Heisman ad-
vocated it's adoption. only to be laughed at.
team for twelve years, and no later than
last season turned out championship
array. He has a fine eleven primed for