The Washington times., 1934-02-15
By GINO SINH

He started his bowling career
when the Hyattsville Arcade
Alleys came into existence in
1914 and, except for two years
when he served as one Of Uncle
Eam's ioughboys somewhere in
France" and again when an
automobile accident put him hors
de combat for a season, he has
been massaging the naples for
excellent averages ever since.
However, baseball holds as much
room in his heart as duckpinS.
At one time he looked forward
TO becoming a big Lacquer. but
his family needed his support
and he had to forego this ambi-
tion.
This did not deter him from
becoming q Sandlot luminary in
and around Washington for q
generation. At the height Of his
career, he had rep as a Smacker
Of home runs. He played center
field and sometimes held down
first base.
Pulls Fred Merkle
Henry is chiefly remembered
through q Fred Merkle stunt he
pulled during the annual Masonic
baseball classic between the Blue
Lodge and the Grotto at Griffith
Stadium in 1928, attended by
$4,000, the largest crowd ever in
the park up to then.
Bre'r Henry, batting cleanup
for the Blue Lodge, came to bat
with the bases loaded. Wham!
He drove the first ball into the
stands for a homer. But when
he headed for home plate, Fritz
Jaeski, a well-known umpire Of
the day, waved him out.
"What's the big idea?"
cracked Henry.
"You forgot to touch first
basel" the umpire grOwled.
The "boner" didn't make any
difference, as Henry's team won,
8 to 2, but he has yet to live 1t
down.
The future duckpin and sandlot
king was ushered unto this "mor-
tai coil" on March 30. 1897, in a
house near Union Station. He at
tended Blake School up to the
fifth grade, and then, when his
family moved to Hyattsville, he
completed the rest Of his ele-
mentary schooling there in 1912.
Ten years later he took two-year
course at the Y. M. c. A. to round
out his education.
Largest Route
Prior to going to Hyattsville, he
served the largest Times route in
the city, having built it UP him
self, as newsboys had to do in
those days. His next job was
water boy with the D. C. Water
Department, and there he pro-
gressed to foreman.
In 1915 he joined the Army
And served on the Mexican bor-
der. On his return he became an
apprentice moulder at the Navy
Yard. In June, 1917, he was again
n the Army, at Camp Mcclellan,
Ma, training for overseas. He
= reached France in June, 1918, and
vas there until the following
une. He was at the front in the
Alsace-Lorraine sector and also
took part in the Meuse-Argonne
battle. On his discharge he re-
Sumed his work at the Navy Yard
in the Ordnance Drawing and
Radio Test Shop and continued
there until october, 1928, when he
opened Bethesda Alleys and State
Theater. In 1924 he had taken
over the Hyattsville Alleys.
Henry also played football,
both here and in France. He
was a halfback on the famous
Navy Yard team Of 1920 which in.
eluded in it's backfield, Josh Ii
carione, Johnny Bleier and Red
Schofield.
He is a great Joiner, being a
member of the Rotary Club,
Washington Board of Trade, Ex-
change Club, Masons, Grotto,
v. F. w., Chamber of Commerce
and American Legion. He is q
Past Legion Commander.
He was one Of the chief spon,
Sors of the Bladensburg Memo
risl Cross, heading the committee
in charge.
In June, 1882, he married Char
1otte A. Davis, HyattSville belle,
and is now the proud papa of
Seven-months girl.
Organizes AlI-Stars
Though Henry began his bowl
ing career in 1914, it wasn't until
several years after the war that
he began to attract wide atten.
ton.
During the 1857 season he
came in for some notice when
he organized the HyattSville ALL
Stars who defeated the Grand
CentralS, famed team Of the time,
by one pin in q home and home
match.
In 1924 he flashed into promi-
nence when he finished third in
the w. C. D. A. individual cham
pionships in a field OF $50, with
Sos.
In 1890 he set a record for the
i District League with an average
of 1916. That year ne was rated
No. 4 in the city and No. 2 ma
ttonaHy. Next year he held q 121