Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-06-20
Dan Whitehouse
a Long Sucker
in the Old DAYS


There never was any one around
these diggings that could lambaste a
ball like Dan Whitehouse," said one
of the old diamond enthusiasts the
other day. Daniel Whitehouse of -
! Pleasant street. who will be So in
October. still retains his love for the
sport and goes to a game whenever
he can.
Mr. Whitehouse is pointed out as
one of the greatest batsmen in lS6o,
when the Cushnocs were organized.
Mr.. Whitehouse played several sea-
sons, was regarded as a clever CEN
ter fielder and backstop. But 1T was
his work with the willow that at
tracted special attention. He is said
to have to his credit the longest
drives and the greatest number of
hits in a single game ever made by
a local player, and eXcelled by few
in the State.
He used a bat that was ~ inches
long and very heavy. His notable
home runs are still achievements
talked over by some of the older
residents. The Cushnocs was the
first organized team in this city and
the second or third in the State.
Among their favorite opponents were
the Androscoggins of Lewiston, and
in two successive games Mr.. White
house was 16 times at bat and made
ii runs. 1t was in the days when
scores ran high, and in the first con-
test here the score was - to - in
favor of the Cushnocs, and the re-
turn game in Lewiston came to d
close with the score a tie, 26 to 70.
DeIbert w. Adams house at the
corner of Green and Sewall streets
occupies a portion of the old origi-
nal diamond, and it is said that Mr..
Whitehouse drove the ball into the
frog pond in what is now the j.
Manchester Haynes estate. rms was
way beyond the range of the out
felders and is said TO be the longest
hit ever made in this part of Maine.
Twice hot drives from his bat
knocked pitchers senseless. once IN
this city and once while playing IN
Lewiston.
Mr. Whitehouse is one of three
members Of the team living IN TINS
CITY. the others being Greenwood {.
;.lage who was in left and who stu
is much interested in the game ana
George Hunt. J. Frank Pierce played
occasionally at short, but was not
regular on the first team.
+, 4. Rachelder, who enlisted IN
the Sd Maine Regiment, was at one
time captain of the team. Wliilam
ho lot DAYS of the
team took command of the players.
Charles Delano now living in Fay
cite. was the favorite pitcher. and
other players. were Charles White
house. who played first; Eugene
Smith, second; Charles Ladd and
Charles Alden, who covered third
and who is now living in Cleveland
Commandant Michaelis at one time
in charge of the United States Ar
senal on the Kennebec river, was
also a member.
Other competitors were the Ath-
letics and the Eons of Portland and
the Pine Tree Nine at kents Hill.
The last was particularly strong and
the Cushnocs suffered defeat by the
kent's Hill boys. When the Cush-
noes ended as a club MIR. White
house gave the celebrated bat with
which he had so often sent the ball
into the clouds to Ben Deering of the
Dirigo club. Deering was a large
muscular fellow and was able to
swing the bat vigorously.
Mr.. Whitehouse is one Of the old
est alumni Of the Maine Wesleyan
seminary and it was at this institu-
ton that he first began to take an
interest in the sport. This was in
the old days when runner was out
by being hit with a ball, the sphere
being thrown at him while running
between bases There are a few liv-
ing who remember Mr.. Whitehouses
prowess during the early seminary
games and the incidents often form
"A topic of conversation during re-
unions.