South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-11-27

ever TncelinE OF genuine StOEC 1
south Bend has its own stove lea
que II you creep in quietly through
the side door. do nothing 20 break
the tranquility Of the occasion but
~ the speaker YOU can find out more
81 the South Bend OF yesterday than
the history itself could ever contain.
When the Greeks even the Egyp-
tians were unable 20 preserve docu-
ments concerning their activities all
was not lost. II was the passing Of
stories from mouth 10 mouth that
led % final accumulation OF much
OF todays good reading
A historian would be in paradise
II he should travel with us when we
invade the sanctity Of a stove league
meeting 10 gather data on things
that happened long before our time.
When the present day ball clubs
have been racked and hacked by t1e
various members OF the organization
and the smoke from the pipes has
become 80 thick that only the out
lines OF the attendants can be seen
the old timer takes the floor
With an introduction that would
have done credit 90 the orators OF
old he recites with a silver tongue
Of those memories that Will ever be
dear to the hearts of the men who
will never again be filed with glee
and dash that only boyhOOd brings
"Old Timers Turn"
With a smile that lights w. every
wrinkle OF the time worn brow he
delights the audience as ne says.
Our town is a great old town
yes men and a baseball town To-
day our mines bring as honor and
fame and Outclass any semblance OF
second raters. The best players in
the Hoosier state have some time or
other been one OF as. talked with
us and provided for us the thrills
that only a genuine fan enjoys
But of all the teams that has won
VA fame enc stands out pre-eminent-
Is above all others. Memories OF it
sends a thrill drought the heart OF
its contemporaries and i'm the his
tory Of this city the men that form
erly formed the nucleOus of power
fuI aggregation now rule our city
municipality just as they formerly
governed the sport world Some Of
the members or that great team arc
no longer among US. The years have
marked and placed the stamp of
"Cld-Timers' upon their brow. but
they are not old, my friends THEY
ARE NOT OLD. such men are
never aged, THEY ARE ALWAYS
ROYS.
What was the best team that ever
renrespnted South Bend Ask Mike
CaInon ne watched them play when
decked I'm Knockers and buster
brown collar ne purchased two loiy-
pops from the vendor whose little
wagon stood at the corner of Mlchl-
gan and Washington street. for a
penny. and then journed 20 the ball
field where the best teams in the
middle west We're defeated 10y that
g'oveless. maskless. and sometimes
suItless organization.
First Curve Displayed.
Ask Harry Crockett now owner of
the Ideal Laundry When the Green
stockings. YES that was the name or
the team. first organized, Harry was
sitting I'm an executives chair. and
later when experience had made MIN
n star he Joined the roster of the
cub
Ask Henry Peak. the best known
resident OF River Park. He was the
premier catcher of all those who
ever STAYED behind the bat for that
club I'm TIE city He was one of the
fixtures that helped make the Green
stocking bali team Of 1875 the great
est ball team that ever represented
south Bend
Talk about your pitchers. Del
Kurtz. the first hurler that ever
tossed a curve ball IN Indiana had
everything IN these parts stopped
before they started Kurtz had a
record OF consecutive wins that
would make some Of the twirlers OF
today gasp az II awakened from an
extra long sleep"
The "Old-Timer' was rather tired
after his long recital and ne took a
moments rest while the audience
r11sed over what he had related
Buck staples. who today holds the
record for remaining IN the employ
ment the longest time Of the Durand
and Rasper wholesale grocery firm
OF Chicago held the record as first
"a senan OF the Green stockings for
a considerable number of years
With pep and dash that would make
some present day ball players appear
4s turtles he was easily the most
popular bali player on the emerald
hued teams roster for many sea-
sons
HIS brother Ralph Staples. a re-
tired business man took care OF the
dizzy corner for the sox. With
whip that would do credit 20 bona
fde big Lacquer. he was one or the
reasons why bunting was unpopular.
Fred Rockstroh. now deceased
was the middle sack protector foT
he team. and Johnny Deacon, etiil
+, resident Of south Bend, and head
OF the Skein Works at Racine. Mich
.gan was the left fielder OF The as-
creation. A bother Harvey pea
con. now deceased took care OF the
other corner OF the outfeld.
Boots" Johnson and Charlie
Campsau were members OF the
Green Stocking team. Both these
former diamond stars died recently
n this city
Played At River Park.
You Of the younger generation,
your fathers have IN all probability
told you OF the scene where the
.Greau Stock n go fDuvh4 unnrw I,