The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-10-28

pack Island baseball fans of the
-.ueration which was in the hey
~ N youth in the period immed-
.s.tely following the Civil war often
-aeau the exploits of the first reg
-,,r,v organized ball team in this
,..s1itv--the famous WapeIlos, who
mo into being in 1856 and played
until 1873 or 4.
nf these redoubtable heroes of
So diamond only six survive, and of
hat number, four are still residents
N Rock Island.
the survivors are Charles and
Harry Platt, who moved TO the east
-nany years ago, and those who
ara still living here are c. r.
Gsanberlin. who conducts an in
snrance office I'M the State Bank
SniIding, NJ. NJ. Sturgeon. retired
sttorney. Phil Mitchell, president
~ the State Bank of Rock Island.
I'D Arthur Burial, who devotes
his time to the management of his
farming interests
The original team consisted of
N n Wiser, IF; w. Fl. Dart, CT I;
lanes Hodges, If; Edgar Glenn,
3b: NJ. M. Sturgeon, IS, and p;
George Solander, 1b; Harry Plat,
gb. c r Chamberlin, (captain) !;
charles Plat, p.
To this list should be added Phil
Mitchell, who frequently occupied
the pitchers box, and who won
many laurels in a memorable game
with a Davenport team which is
still the subject of gossip among
old timers. and Arthur Burial,
who is remembered as a good field
er and shortstop.
islanders who can recall those
days will tell with Zest the story
of the record made by the Wapellos
In 1868 when they won the cham
picnship of Illinois at Peoria as
well as 2 purse Of 5000 in a tourn-
anent in which many individual
prizes were carried away by the
victors,
On their arrival in Rock Island
the team was met at the depot
with band and high carnival was
held by the Rock Island fans, cul-
minating in a banquet in the old
Rodman house which stood on the
site Of the present New Harper.
One of the leading speakers was
the late Captain l. NJ. Haverstick.
After the state tournament a
number of teams which were not
privileged TO take part in that his
toric combat challenged the su-
premacy OF the Wapellos only to
meet with ingIorious defeat. No
hne. Davenport, GeneseO, in turn
were vanquished, Sturgeon and
Wiser Of the Wapellos distinguish
ing themselves upon the diamond,
especially in the game with Dav-
export
Cock %LiFely Turtles"
The Lively Turtles were organ
Ted for the express purpose OF
Wrestling victory from the Wapel-
los In Il game on the old Ninth
street diamond the Lively Turtles
lost their Iiyeliness, retiring from
the field in disgust at the end OF
the fourth inning.
II was in the early '70's when the
Wapellos at last bit the dust and
were retired. Surviving members
OF the team account for their I'M
doing by the claim that the mem
bers for some reason had ceased
70 practice regularly and had be-
emne more or less disorganiZed.
Davenport challenged them to a
game, and the foxy Iowans are said
to have run in a professional bat
terry which made sad havoc of the
Islanders, who famed out one
after the other. and who were so
affected by the awful slaughter
mat they never again appeared to-
gether as team.
One hastens over the account of
tins dire catastrophe to recount
1he glory which the Wapellos at
tanned in a wonderful series of
games with Moline. The late James
Peiie was captain OF the Moline or
sganlzation, and the late c. II. Deere
Was treasurer.
Three contests were held The
.nrst game was won by the Wapel-
los; the second by Moline.
Moline Slickered EN-.
The third and deciding game was
1eid on Big Island at Milan, e-sup-
per to be served in that village to
be the prize.
Moline appeared upon the scene
with a brass band. and with ban
ners waving in the breeze, but the
Napellos won easily, and partook
h.
Served at the Milan hotel, ostensibly
4 the expense of the Moline nine.
Their surprise can be imagined
When a month later the hotel rem