Archive for October, 2011

 

Sheppard Trusty, Pitching Pioneer

Sheppard “Shep” Trusty (or perhaps Shepard)

A tall, slender hurler with bewildering curves and superb overall pitching skills, in 1886 the phenom was championed by many observers, including two different newspapers, as “unquestionably” the best colored pitcher in the country.

- James A. Riley

In baseball parlance in the 19^th century, if you came to prominence with say a Philadelphia team it was sometimes assumed that you hailed from Philadelphia. That’s the tag on Sheppard Trusty. He actually grew up not too far from there but it wasn’t Philadelphia and not even Pennsylvania for that matter.

Sheppard Trusty was born on May 10, 1860 in Hamilton in Atlantic County, New Jersey. The family moved around a little but they remained in Atlantic County:

• 1840 Censuses in Galloway
• 1850 Census in Hamilton
• 1860 Census in Hamilton
• 1870 Census in Egg Harbor
• 1880 Census in Atlantic City

(Trusty’s birth date of May 10 was taken from a preseason bio presented by the Trenton Evening Times on 13 May 1886. The date fits nicely with the 1860 U.S. Census, dated July 9, which shows him to be two months old. As the family was living in Hamilton in both the 1850 and 1860 Censuses, it’s assuredly his birthplace. The latter entry shows him with a middle initial of “B.”)

Trusty continued to live in New Jersey throughout his life. City directory listings provided by Cuban Giants researcher Tony Kissel:

• 1882 Atlantic City, occupation: mariner
• 1885 Atlantic City, athlete
• 1886-1889 Trenton, ball player

The “Trusty” surname is derived from slave holders who valued a particular slave for his loyalty and faithfulness. This may relate to Shep’s grandfather or perhaps an older ancestor.

Shep was born to Joseph (born circa 1806) and Ruth (circa 1824) Trusty, both natives of New Jersey. Ruth appears to be Joseph’s second wife. The Trusty family exploded in Southern New Jersey during the 19^th century. Joseph certainly did his part to that end; he fathered at least 9 boys and 7 girls plus at least three more children that died shortly after birth. Joseph and Ruth married no later than 1850.

In the Censuses, Joseph is listed as a laborer but more importantly he was a cog in the Underground Railroad system. He was a “superintendent” in Southern New Jersey and was aided in this by his brothers Job and Alexander.

[After traveling along the coast] the freedom seekers turned west to Batstso or Egg Harbor City. The key agent in this area was an African-American named Joseph Trusty. The next destination was Snow Hill and the Central Network of New Jersey’s Underground Railroad

- William J. Switala

Baseball

Trusty’s baseball career can be traced back to 1882 at age 22 with the Philadelphia Orions, a black club managed by John Lang. Obviously, he was playing before this, probably extensively during his childhood. He had many brothers to help him in this endeavor. A big guy, Trusty played in the crux of the game – at pitcher and catcher. Claims were made of his size being between 6’0” (Bridgeton Evening News, 4 August 1883) and 6’4” (New York Times, 6 October 1885).

Despite his overwhelming stature, Trusty was mainly known for his hard-breaking curves. He was the first big-name pitcher in black baseball history. He was most likely a righthanded pitcher as no mention was made otherwise and repeated references to George Stovey being lefthanded while they were teammates stood in contrast to no such acknowledgment about Trusty. Tony Kissel believes he may have been lefthanded because he held the ball in his left hand in two different photographs. Would love to find a specific reference that states one way or the other.

The first confirmed box score dates to September 12, 1882, a game at the Polo Grounds for the “Colored Championship” versus the Long Branch (NJ) Washingtons.

New York Sun 9/13/1882

Alternate Box Score, New York Herald 9/13/1882

Obviously, if Trusty was trusted with the mound duties in such an important game, the Orions were well acquainted with his skills. It wasn’t his first contest.

In 1883, Trusty also pitched for the Washington (DC) Manhattans, another top black club of the era. Note in the following article the pitcher “Tusby” who is in all liklihood Trusty. Notice the managers that year, John Lang and Charley Jones, both from the Orions. Lang actually managed both clubs and it was natural to move his best pitcher, Trusty, to benefit both his nines.

Washington D.C. Critic-Record 3/30/1883

Also note the reference to 6′ ballplayers which will be a holdover to the formation of the Cuban Giants in 1885 – giants because of their size.

He continued with the Orions through 1884, perhaps into 1885 as well. At what point he left the club is unclear as box scores are scarce. The Sporting Life does list the club playing at least into July 1885. The Bridgeton Evening News on July 30, 1885 lists him as a former member of the Orions.

On August 1, 1885, Trusty was brought in by a white club, Millville (NJ), as added talent against the Philadelphia Athletics of the major American Association. He played catcher.

Bridgeton Evening News 8/3/1885

The above reference to two years ago refers to the Orions taking on the Bridgeton club, white, on August 3, 1883 in Bridgeton, an 8-2 win by Trusty. Apparently there was some concern about playing a black club in Bridgeton but Trusty put them at ease:

Bridgeton Evening News 8/4/1883

Cuban Giants

In ’85 – probably August or September – he joined a new club the Cuban Giants. The moniker denoted the size of the players, particularly Trusty who seems to be the tallest on the nine.

Top row: Andrew Randolf, Harry Johnson, Ben Holmes, Trusty, Art Thomas, Guy Day

Middle row: Bill Whyte, Ben Boyd, George Parego, Clarence Williams

Bottom row: Shadney, Milton Dabney, Epps

Much of what we know about the birth of the Cuban Giants comes from Sol White in his landmark work:

It was at Babylon [Long Island] in 1885 that Frank P. Thompson, head-waiter of the Argyle Hotel, chose the best ball players from among his waiters, and organized a base ball club to play as an attraction for the guests of the hotel…

The caliber of ball displayed by the men, led Thompson to start them on the road as professionals. After the hotel season closed, which was about the middle of September, they left Babylon for Philadelphia.

At this time, there was a team of colored ball players in Philadelphia known as the “Orions” which had been beating every independent team in the vicinity. The boys from Babylon met them, and took them to camp by a score of 6 to 4.

At this time, the Babylon boys were under the management of John F. Lang (white) of Philadelphia. Mgr. Lang signed at once, three of the best players on the “Orion” team, Geo. Williams…Abe Harrison…and Shep Trusty.

An alternate time frame has also been introduced: (New York Age, 15 October 1887)

• May 1885: Keystone Athletics formed in Philadelphia
• July 1885: Keystone Athletics relocated to Babylon, Long Island
• August 1885: Keystone Athletics join the Washington (D.C.) Manhattans and Philadelphia Orions, creating the Cuban Giants

What is interesting is the fact that one of the Cuban Giants’ organizer, John Lang, was also the manager of the Philadelphia Orions, since at least 1882. Rather than White’s perspective that the Babylon boys absconded with the three best players of the Orions, perhaps it was the other way around; Lang of the Orions cherry-picked from his club, Babylon and the Manhattans.

It’s often noted that the Cuban Giants were formed by S.K. Govern, manager of the Manhattans from 1881-1884 (per Lomax though a search of the Washington Bee in 1884 yields no hits on the club as it does in 1883, Govern is also gone from the Bee in ‘84, living in Ithica, New York); however, the following early contemporary piece shows Lang forming the club – at the beginning of September (may be a delayed reference from the end of August) – before the “Cuban Giant” name was even agreed upon. The piece shows Lang to be the organizer of the club; it even bore his name.

Trenton Times, 9/2/1885

Negro league historian James A. Riley makes another assertion:

In 1885 [Trusty] was a member of the Argyle Hotel Athletics…After the end of the tourist season, the team added some more players from the Orions and the Manhattans of Washington D.C., to form the Cuban Giants, the first black professional team.

In reference to this, Trusty was at home in New Jersey at the beginning of August 1885, not working/playing 250+ miles away at a Long Island hotel. Perhaps it’s more likely that the Orions had already disbanded and Trusty returned home. When the Babylon squad ventured south, landing in Lang’s neck of the woods in Philadelphia, he took an interest.

Michael E. Lomax in his work, Black Baseball Entrepreneurs, states that Govern was the one with the experience to run a club, glossing over Lang as a mere financier. He implies that Govern and Thompson, already acquainted with each other through the hotel business, built the club that melded into the Cuban Giants in August 1885. This may be true, as the New York Age states in October 1887, “The proprietors were Messrs. F.P. Thompson…Govern and C.S. Massey.” Or perhaps that just goes to show that Lang was overlooked as early as 1887.

The question arises as to when, how and where both Govern and Lang became involved with the Babylon gang. Not sure this has been definitively answered to cite one without the other. One thing is for sure though, of all the sources on the subject, few actually date to 1885. As to Govern, no contemporary reference linking him to the Cuban Giants was found before February 1886.

Govern and Lang were well-acquainted, as their clubs, the Manhattans and Orions, respectively, had played each other in “championship” contests. It is also interesting that I found no evidence that the Manhattans operated in 1884, and the same for the Orions in 1885. Both men appear to have been idle in baseball and ready for a new opportunity to arise.

The now-named Cuban Giants played their first game at least by September 22, a game pitched by Trusty versus Williamsport. Trusty pitched two games against major leaguers in 1885 for the Cubans. At the Polo Grounds on October 5, he lost to the New York Metropolitans of the American Association, 11-3, ceding 9 runs in the first inning. He also lost to the Philadelphia Athletics of the American Association 13-7.

New York Herald 10/6/1885

In relation to the Metropolitan game, the New York Times described the Cubans as a club “who travel north in the summer and south in the winter. Their winter destination was St. Augustine, Florida where they would play ball and supplement their income as employees of a local hotel. In the 1890s and for the first few decades of the 20^th century, many black players would do the same, especially in Palm Beach where two hotels, the Royal Poinciana and the Breakers, formed a seasonal rivalry.

1886

In early 1886, the Cuban Giants reorganized under new management led by manager S.K. Govern, Walter I. Cook of Trenton and John M. Bright of New York. The Cubans in fact did play in St. Augustine during the early spring and landed in their new home, Trenton, in early May.

The club’s base of operations permanently switched to Trenton, New Jersey, a little farther from the Trusty home than Philadelphia. The Trenton Evening Times on May 27 even reported that the club officially changed its name to the Trentons. A preseason sketch:

Trenton Evening Times 5/13/1886

The other highlighted in the article include:

• B.F. Holmes, third base (former Manhattan)
• Arthur Thomas, catcher (former Manhattan)
• Ben Boyd, shortstop (former Manhattan)
• George Parego, right field
• Andrew Randolph, first base
• Clarence Williams, catcher
• William Whyte, left field
• Richmond Robinson, canter field
• Harry Johnson, second base

Before playing against African-Americans became a full-blown issue in mid-1887, the Cubans took on several major league clubs. Trusty led the charge on the mound in each:

May 28, 1886 – Trusty lost 9-3 to the St. Louis Browns at Trenton, 2000 in attendance (8 hits allowed, not surprisingly 5 to Tip O’Neill, 6K, 6 BB, 2 WP)

Trenton Evening Times 5/29/1886

A rival newspaper noted after the Browns’ game that Trusty “suffered every time he twirled the ball over the plate.” He had not pitched much in the last two weeks after sustaining an injury early in the month “which interferes with his full movement.” (Trenton Daily Rue Record, 29 May 1886 and 13 May 1886) The Trenton Evening Times on May 20 described his adjusted pitching motion due to the injury: “His delivery was very peculiar and quick.”

June 9, 1886 – Rain out versus the Philadelphia Athletics after 4 innings, Athletics leading 3-0, all unearned, despite a running no-hitter by Trusty

July 21, 1886 – Trusty defeated Cincinnati of the American Association 9-4, The Boston Journal said that the Cincinnatis were “outbatted and outfielded” (9H, 7K, 3BB)

Trenton Evening Times 7/22/1886

July 26, 1886 – Trusty defeated Kansas City of the National League 3-2 (7H, 3K, scored the winning run after singling)

Trenton Evening Times 7/27/1886

 

July 27, 1886 – Trusty knocked out of the box in the first inning versus Kansas City, Cubans lost 13-4

Trenton Evening Times 7/28/1886

April 11, 1887 – Trusty lost to the New York Metropolitans 19-7, ceding 17 hits (Opening Day)

May 3, 1887 – Trusty shut out an odd array of Philadelphia Athletics (6 pitchers and 3 catchers including Bobby Mathews and Gus Weyhing) 16-0 (Trusty had 12 strikeouts)

May 6, 1887 – Trusty defeated the New York Metropolitans 11-4.

Trenton Evening Times 5/7/1887

 

In total, Tony Kissel has Shep with a 4-6 overall record against major league competition.

The Gorhams, another top black club, popped up in 1886 to challenge the Giants. The Philadelphia Pythians were another challenger.

Trusty had a contentious relationship with the Cuban Giants. The first sign of this came in 1886 when he was released soon after the Philadelphia Athletics game. He did not return until July 21, the day of his victory over the Reds.

At the end of the season, Trusty took advance money from the Cubans and signed for 1887.

1887-1888

Tony Kissel has Shep playing at least 13 games with the Cuban Giants in 1887, beginning on Opening Day versus the major league Metropolitans on April 11. The Trenton Evening Times mention on May 7:

Apparently, his deliberateness on the mound, a cat-and-mouse game with the batter, irked the fans a little.

Despite his success, Trusty was released for “leaving the city without permission” at the end of May. In truth, he was not well, perhaps starting to feel the effects of the disease that would take his life at age 30.

In December, Trusty was among a group of black ballplayers selected for a barnstorming trip to California. Whether the trip took place is unclear.

He returned to the club to kick off the 1888 season, feeling better for the time being.

Trusty will again pitch for the club. He will do better work, as he has recovered his health and strength, now weighing 220 pounds.

- Trenton Evening Times 19 March 1888

The day after the announcement, March 20, Shep’s mother passed away in Atlantic City.

Shep didn’t play in the season opener but he picked up the victory in the second and third games, April 6 versus the Athletic Reserves and April 9 versus Amherst College (12-5), respectively. On the 13^th, Trusty played center field versus Princeton College. These appear to be his final games with the Cuban Giants.

He left the Cubans in mid-April amid a legal dispute. It seems he signed with another club as well, the Gorhams of Newburg, New York:

Trenton Evening Times 4/14/1888

Interestingly, in the announcement (Oswego Palladium 19 December 1887) of the California trip, Trusty was listed as a Gorham player. This leads to the possible conclusion that he played for the Gorhams in 1887 as well. However, Gorham box scores are rare during this time and none was found listing Trusty in 1887 or 1888.

1889-1890

Despite long-held beliefs, a listing at Baseball-reference.com and other assertions, under scrutiny it seems that Shep did not play for the Cubans after a brief stint in early 1888. He was too ill and would die of tuberculosis on October 25, 1890 in Atlantic City. The confusion is understandable given that another Trusty, Job, joined the Cubans in August 1889 and at times pitched for the club. Newsmen were confused as well, noticing the Trusty name and naturally assuming the great pitcher was at work once again.

For example, the Philadelphia Inquirer announced on 30 April 1890 that “Manager Bright expects to further strengthen the team by signing big Trusty to cover first base and pitch…” This is a reference to Shep but it never occurred. Noting the intended signing of the heralded pitcher, the same paper on May 19 declared, “Trusty, of the Cuban Giants, of Frankford, is no doubt the best pitcher in the colored ranks.” (The Giants represented Frankford, a section within Philadelphia, in 1890)

It’s clear though that Shep wanted to return to the diamond:

Trenton Evening Times 1/26/1890

(Shep’s listed occupation at death was laborer)

Job Trusty

Shep’s uncle Job Trusty had a son named Charles. Charles had twins, born circa 1868, Charles Henry and Job Wilkinson. (They are both listed as 12 years old in the 1880 U.S. Census so the assumption was made that they were twins)

Job Trusty first came to light at age 19 in 1888 with Quaker City, a Philadelphia club, according to the SABR Encyclopedia.

Job joined the Cuban Giants at the beginning of August 1889. The August 7 edition of the Trenton Evening Times noted, “Trusty, the new third baseman, will appear for the first time.” That must have been a reference to playing at home in Trenton because he appears in the box scores as early as August 4. He played with the club into September, showing his versatility with other appearances at pitcher, catcher, left field and right field. The Cuban Giants that year represented Trenton in the Middle States League in Organized Baseball.

The Cuban Giants represented Frankford, a neighborhood in Philadelphia, in 1890. Job joined the club in late June, playing with them into October. He pitched and played third base and even umpired in at least one contest. On August 28, he played third base for his hometown nine, Lambertville.

In 1891, Job, referred to as “Joby,” played third base for the Cuban Giants in June and July and again in September. In July and August, he caught for Lambertville. On August 13, Job caught for Lambertville and his brother Charles played right field.

The Cuban Giants plans for 1892 included using the Trusty brothers:

Philadelphia Inquirer 2/21/1892

They actually played together on May 31:

Philadelphia Inquirer 6/1/1892

Job played for Lambertville in 1894 and ’95.

Interestingly, John Holway in The Complete Book of Baseball’s Negro Leagues lists a “Joe Trusty” at third base for the Cuban Giants in 1895. However, no box scores were found to verify. This actually makes things a little murky concerning just who played for the Cuban Giants in 1896 and 1898, Job or Joe. (If in fact, there was a Joe and not just a slip of the pen making Job into Joe in the newspapers)

A “J. Trusty” played the whole season with the Cuban Giants in 1896. Entering the year, he was expected to cover third base and the catcher’s position. He did so plus fielded every outfield spot.

In 1898, April through July, a Trusty can be found playing catcher, shortstop, third base and left field. The Philadelphia Inquirer remarked on 13 August 1898 that, “Joe Trusty, late of the Cuban Giants, will catch for Richmond.”

A Trusty played for the Orient Giants, a Philadelphia club, in the early part of 1901.

It’s not exactly clear who Joe Trusty was but there were several Trustys playing ball in Philadelphia and New Jersey around the same time. In 1904 they started their own club, the Trusty Giants, representing Harrowgate, a Philadelphia neighborhood.

Philadelphia Inquirer 3/27/1904

Notice the distinction between “J.W. Trusty,” who was Job, and “J. Trusty.” Further muddying the waters here, Job and Charles had a brother named Jacob, born in 1873. It was probably the three brothers that formed the Trusty Giants.

The Trusty Giants continued through 1910. It included other Trustys as well:

• “Jae,” perhaps Jacob, 1905, (Philadelphia Inquirer 23 April 1905)
• E. Trusty, 1908
• O. Trusty, 1910

Job or Joe

Was there actually a Joe Trusty with the Cuban Giants? Perhaps, but considering the information I found – with the only one contemporary reference to Joe – I’d say that it was probably Job playing with the Cuban Giants in 1896 and ’98. No appropriate Joe Trusty could be located in the area in the Censuses, but that’s not strong evidence.

The “J. Trusty” with the Trusty Giants was in all likelihood the other brother Jacob.

Tony Kissel

Researcher Tony Kissel is putting together an extensive portrait of the Cuban Giants. He aided this look into the Trusty family a great deal, opening up his accumulated files and offering his insight into the maturation of the club and, of course, the involvement of the Trustys.

SOURCE LIST

• Ancestry.com
• Auburn Daily Bulletin, New York, May 1896
• Bridgeton Evening News, New Jersey, 4 August 1883, 1 September 1884, 30 July 1885, 3 August 1885
• Boston Globe, 24 April 1896
• Boston Herald, 4 May 1888
• Boston Journal, 23 July 1886
• Calarco, Tom and others. Places of the Underground Railroad: A Geographical Guide. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO, 2010.
• Cleveland Gazette, 4 October 1890, 14 February 1891
• Elmira Morning Telegram, New York, 1896
• Familysearch.com
• Harrisburg Patriot, Pennsylvania, 9 August 1889, 19 March 1896
• Holway, John. The Complete Book of Baseball’s Negro Leagues: The Other Half of Baseball History. Fern Park, Florida: Hastings House Publishers, 2001.
• Jersey Journal, 11 March 1882
• Kirwin, Bill. Out of the Shadows: African American Baseball from the Cuban Giants to Jackie Robinson. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2005.
• Lomax, Michael E. Black Baseball Entrepreneurs, 1860-1901: Operating by Any Means Necessary. Syracuse, New York: Syracuse University Press, 2003. 
• Malloy, Jerry. Sol White’s History of Colored Base Ball with Other Documents on the Early Black Game 1886-1936. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1995.
• New York Daily Graphic, 21 July 1882, 22 August 1882
• New York Daily Tribune, 6 October 1885
• New York Herald, 10 September 1882, 13 September 1882, 5 October 1885, 6 October 1885, 18 August 1890, 22 September 1890, 13 July 1891
• New York Sun, 13 September 1882
• New York Times, 21 July 1882, 13 September 1882, 23 June 1883, 1 October 1885, 6 August 1889, 13 July 1891, 1896
• New York Tribune, 5 August 1889, 6 August 1889
• New York Tribune-Herald, 18 August 1890
• New York World, 6 October 1885
• Philadelphia Inquirer, 1889-1898, 1901, 1904-1910
• Riley, James A. The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues. New York: Carroll and Graf Publishers, 1994.
• SABR Encyclopedia
• Sporting Life, 1885
• Switala, William J. Underground Railroad in New Jersey and New York. Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania: Stackpole Books, 2006.
• Trenton Daily True American, 12 May 1887, 28 May 1887
• Trenton Evening Times, 2 September 1885, 1886-1890, 27 September 1936
• Trenton Sentinel, 24 June 1882
• Washington D.C Critic-Record, 30 March 1883
• Williamsport Daily Gazette and Bulletin, Pennsylvania, 22 September 1885

 

Frank Wickware in 1913, An Interesting Season

Palm Beach

In pursuit of warmer weather to continue his baseball paycheck, Righthanded fireballer Frank Wickware traveled south with his Brooklyn Royal Giants’ teammates after the 1912 season, playing contests where feasible. After the turn of the calendar year, they landed in Palm Beach, Florida. Two local hotels there, the Royal Poinciana and the Breakers, had been hosting black clubs since the mid-1890s.

The men, pulled from several established black teams, worked for the establishments at various duties, drawing a salary and tips. To entertain the guests, the ballplayers were divvied up between the hotels and contests were arranged. They competed in a so-called Hotel League, typically from January into March. In early 1913, Wickware performed for the Breakers squad. (The previous year he had also hopped to Havana for some contests.)

Heading north for the approaching regular season, Wickware rejoined Nat Strong’s formal Royal Giants nine.

Mohawk Giants

In mid-May, Wickware, age 25, jumped the Royal Giants and headed to Schenectady, New York. Arriving there on May 20 on the 10:30 pm-train, he immediately signed with Bill Wernecke who backed the local Mohawk Giants, a black club. Wernecke also controlled the bookings at the city’s main ball field, Island Park. The park was physically located on the Mohawk River, requiring a visitor to traverse a small, dilapidated bride to gain access. (Island Park hosted one of the sport’s early night games, under portable lights on June 25, 1903)

The Mohawks had recently lost one of the dominant pitchers of the era, Smoky Joe Williams, who had rejoined the New York (Harlem) Lincoln Giants, a club he would pitch on and off for over a decade. The Mohawk rotation now included Wickware, Walter Ball and Ad Langford, making it one of the best in all black baseball. (Wickware, Williams and Ball were considered by many to be the top pitchers of the era.)

Wick pitched exceedingly well for the Mohawks, racking up the strikeouts, and wasn’t knocked out of the box for the first time until August 12.

Schenectady Gazette 7/14/1913

Colored Championship

Still a member of the Mohawks, Wickware accepted $100 cash from Lincoln Giants (eastern club) owner Jess McMahon to pitch in the upcoming “colored championship” against the Chicago American Giants (western club). The 5-game series was to commence on July 17. (McMahon had made a special trip to Schenectady during the week of July 6 to hand Wickware the money and gain his commitment.)

On the 17th however, Wickware appeared in an American Giants’ uniform. Naturally, a dispute erupted between McMahon, Wickware and Chicago captain Rube Foster. After arguing for an hour before a large crowd, no agreement was arrived at and the contest was cancelled. In the end Wickware played for neither club. Only three of the intended 5 games were actually played, as the final contest was also cancelled due to another dispute when Foster refused to allow the Lincoln Giants to sub for a sick player.

Wickware then rejoined the Mohawks:

Schenectady Gazette 7/19/1913

Arrested for Larceny

Only a few days later, a warrant was obtained for Wickware’s arrest on another matter. A free-spender and heavy-drinker, Wick had questionable ethics as exposed in the McMahon affair. He racked up more expenses than he could afford and was apparently often in debt to his teammates, club, friends and various creditors. (He also burned the wick at both ends with women as will soon be touched on.)

At 1:00 am on July 21, Wick was arrested at Union Station in Albany on a warrant sworn out by the proprietor of a Schenectady hotel. The pitcher owed the establishment $10, and had skipped out on the bill. He had also allegedly stolen a diamond ring from a teammate.

The arresting detective hauled Wickware back to Schenectady where he spent the morning in jail before William T. “Big Bill” Smith, the Mohawks’ booking agent, paid his $25 fine in the hotel bill matter. The disposition of the diamond ring theft was kept a private matter. (Smith was acting as an agent for Wernecke and had actually traveled with the detective in search of the pitcher. The chase included a stop in New York City as well (unknown to the police Wickware had returned to Schenectady and was pitching for the Mohawks again). Smith minced few words during the excursion, informing the police of Wickware’s many debts and questionable conduct.)

Both Smith and Wickware had the law on their tails in October:

Schenectady Gazette 10/8/1913

Banished by the Cubs

In mid-August, Bill Wernecke remitted $500 to Dave Driscoll, a booking agent of sorts for some major league clubs. The funds were guarantee money to lure the Chicago Cubs to Island Park in Schenectady. The engagement was set to take place on Sunday August 24.

The Cubs lost to the New York Giants on the 23^rd at the Polo Grounds. Due to the existing Blue Laws in New York City, Chicago’s 3-game series with Brooklyn could not begin until Monday. Like many clubs during the era, the Cubs made extra cash on their off-days playing in venues that permitted sports on Sunday. Cubs manager Johnny Evers even agreed to play his regular squad, thrilling Wernecke. The upcoming contest promised to be one of the biggest events in Schenectady baseball in years. It should be noted however that the Mohawks were not the intended opponent. The Rutland, Vermont club of the Tri-State League, a white team, was. However, Wernecke and Rutland intended to put the star black pitcher Wickware on the mound versus the major leaguers.

Schenectady Gazette 8/23/1913

 

The crowd topped 8000, ringing the outfield 10 deep. The Schenectady Gazette believed it to be the largest crowd in the

 city in a decade. The Cubs shut out the minor leaguers but that was a mere sideshow. Manager Johnny Evers and Heinie Zimmerman didn’t make the trip, but the lineup included many regulars:

• Frank Schulte
• Vic Saier
• Al Bridwell
• Roger Bresnahan
• Earl Moore, pitcher
• Ward Miller
• Art Phelan
• Red Corriden
• Tuffy Stewart
• Eddie Stack, pitcher

Schulte, the acting manager, and Bresnahan refused to allow Wickware to play. A black player was not suitable competition for a major league club.

Schenectady Journal 8/25/1913

Many major newspapers mentioned the incident, except notably the Chicago Tribune.

A Stabbing

On August 22, two nights before the Cubs game, Dottie Wickware, a woman identified as Frank’s wife, stabbed May Bradley, the wife of Mohawk teammate Phil Bradley. Bradley was the team captain and organizer.

The two ladies had a dispute “regarding the merits of some of the members of a colored baseball team,” during which Dottie stabbed May in the right arm with a penknife. (Schenectady Gazette 8/25/1913) Dottie was arrested the next morning and sent to trial on the 26^th. She pled guilty and was fined $50 or 30 days in jail. “In default of the fine she was committed to jail.” (Schenectady Gazette 8/27/1913)

Whether Frank and Dottie were actually married is questionable. If so, this leads to numerous questions because on May 18, 1915, Frank married Elizabeth McCann in Chicago. (Frank and Elizabeth retired to Schenectady where they divorced in 1964)

Since Dottie is not a nickname for Elizabeth, it’s assumed they were different women.

Dottie, a 25-year-old from Philadelphia, reappears in 1916 with Frank in Havana. She was with him on the island while Wick played ball there. She departed by herself, headed for New Orleans, on March 25. Frank played his final game in Cuba two days later and then headed for St. Louis.

The questions arise:

• Was Dottie a girlfriend or wife? She did use the Wickware name on official documents
• Was Frank married to both women at the same time?

Banished Again

Two days after the Cubs’ incident, Wickware was hired by the Bellow Falls (Vermont) club of the Twin States League to pitch against defending champs and rival Northampton (Massachusetts) on August 26. Northampton was managed by Jimmy Burns, a middle infielder with the club since 1909, who took over the managerial reigns early in 1913.

Burns, following the Cub’s lead, refused to play against a black player and pulled his men off the field, forfeiting. Burns’ stance stemmed from the fact that his club signed the National Agreement linking it with the majors and the majors obviously held a firm color line.

Springfield Union, Massachusetts, 8/27/1913

Frank Wickware over Walter Johnson

For the final game of the season in Schenectady on Sunday, October 5, Bill Wernecke landed a coup – bringing in a nine led by the great Walter Johnson. After Wickware was shunned twice by clubs in Organized Baseball, Johnson followed through, heading a cast of mainly minor leaguers to face the Mohawk Giants. Wickware took the mound for the home club.

As the Washington Senators’ season ended the day before, Johnson had just finished another outstanding season. (Johnson hadn’t started since September 29) He posted a stellar 36-7 record and his lowest-career ERA, 1.14, for the second-place club, a 90-game winner. Johnson won the American League Most Valuable Player Award that season and the accompanying automobile by the Chalmers Motor Car Company.

Before heading to the World Series to watch the Philadelphia Athletics and New York Giants, Johnson went to Schenectady for a $500 payday. (Johnson would rejoin the Senators on the 6^th in Hartford for another exhibition game.)

Johnson’s team that day in Schenectady was boasted to include American Leaguers, according to Gary Ashwill, but that may simply have come from Wernecke’s imagination to drum up interest. It was probably a hodgepodge group quickly assembled for the occasion. The All-American’s lineup included

• Former major leaguer Fred Jacklitsch, recently with Rochester
• Eibel, perhaps former major leaguer and New Yorker Hack Eibel
• Paul Dietz of Harrisburg

It was filled out with several unidentifiable names: Eshen; Hart’n; Harter; Bruggs; Craig. Presumably they were minor leaguers or perhaps semi-pro players. It can’t be totally ruled out that one or two were major leaguers playing under an assumed name, given the recent stigma of playing against a black player. (It’s even possible, perhaps, that “Bruggs” was the Mohawks’ Jesse Bragg, as he was not in the Mohawk’s lineup, which would be interesting indeed.)

The game was to commence at 3:30 pm but the Mohawks refused to take the field. They were owed six weeks of back pay, over $900, by Wernecke. This was their final opportunity to collect before the winter and they decided to use their power to force payment, holding up the contest against the great Senators’ pitcher.

Over 5000 fans put in an appearance. When the delay was announced a near-riot commenced with many storming the field. Given that Island Park was indeed on an island, a dangerous bottleneck occurred on the one shabby bridge as some fans headed for the box office to gain a refund. Fearful of a bridge collapse, the police finally restored order and demanded that the game commence. It did at 4:42. However, the volatile Wick was unhappy about the circumstances.

Wickware, in an ugly mood, used his tongue too freely as he strode about the crowd, swinging a bat dangerously near to the spectators and muttering threats against Wernecke

- Schenectady Union-Star 6 October 1913 -

He appears that he had just cause, as Wernecke snuck away during the contest with his pockets full. (Though a settlement must have eventually taken place as Wickware and others returned to the Mohawks in 1914)

The contest only lasted a short 45 minutes – six and a half innings, due to darkness. In stunning headlines, Wickware topped his major league counterpart 1-0.

Schenectady Gazette 10/6/1913

Johnson only ceded 2 hits (both ground-rule doubles into the overflow outfield crowd), while striking out 11. The winning run came off a sacrifice fly in the 4^th. Wick was shaky but effective under pressure. In six innings he allowed 5 hits (2 doubles to Johnson), 3 walks, a wild pitch and hit a batter. Still, no one scored.

(Elsewhere on October 5, Smoky Joe Williams topped Pete Alexander of the Phillies.)

Wickware and the Mohawk Giants continued to play on the road through at least mid-October. (They were in Brooklyn on the 12^th)

SOURCE LIST

• Agate Type website by Gary Ashwill
• Ancestry.com
• Baseball-reference.com
• Chicago Tribune, 25 August 1913
• Dallas Morning News, 25 August 1913
• Familysearch.com
• Fitchburg Daily Sentinel, Massachusetts, 6 October 1913
• Hudson Register, New York, 6 October 1913
• Keetz, Frank, “Baseball in Schenectady,” Schenectady County Historical Society Newsletter, September-October 2009
• Negro Leagues Database at Seamheads.com
• New York Age, 30 January 1913, 24 July 1913
• Newyorkgravestone.org
• New York Herald, 6 October 1913
• New York Times, 6 October 1913
• Northhampton.org
• Retrosheet.org
• Schenectady Gazette, New York, 1913, 4 March 1964
• Springfield Union, Massachusetts, 27 August 1913, 31 August 1913
• Springfield Daily Republican, Massachusetts, 29 September 1913
• Suburbanite Economist, Chicago, 25 July 1913
• Thomas, Henry W. Walter Johnson: Baseball’s Big Train. Washington D.C.: Phenom Press, 1995.
• Washington Post, 25 August 1913

 

Chicago Defender 2/20/1915

 

The Tom Foleys of Early Chicago Baseball

This is an effort to try and clear up the confusion surrounding the identity of the two Tom Foleys that were influential in early Chicago baseball – which I chronicled here.

Tom Foley – the Business Manager

Foley was a financial backer and business manager for the city’s first professional club, the White Stockings. He held a position with the club through at least 1872.

Excerpt from Professional Baseball in Chicago, A Shaky Start

Perhaps more important, Tom Foley was selected as the [White Stockings’] business manager overseeing day-to-day operations. Among his first efforts was to head east and sign players for the upcoming season, 1870. He went to Philadelphia and New York and did just that. He also placed an ad in the New York Clipper in hopes of attracting some top players.

Foley’s efforts proved fruitful and soon the new nine was announced. It proved to be expensive. Catcher Bill Craver was signed for $2500 (Craver was actually signed much later – well into 1870). Captain and second baseman Jimmy Wood was paid $2000. Most of the others were paid between $1500 and $2000. Many of the players were taken from the Eckfords of Brooklyn, Unions of Lansingburgh, New York (Troy Haymakers) and Athletics of Philadelphia:

• Pitcher – Ed Pinkham (Eckfords), Levi Meyerle (Athletics)
• Catcher – Craver, Charles Hodes (Eckfords)
• First base – Bub McAtee (Unions)
• Second base – Wood (Eckfords)
• Third base – Meyerle
• Shortstop – Ed Duffy
• Outfield – Ned Cuthbert (Athletics), Fred Treacey (Eckfords), Clipper Flynn (Unions)
• Utility – Mart King (Unions)

Thus the club became Chicago’s first professional nine.

Foley was born on August 16, 1842 in Cashel in County Tipperary, Ireland. He moved to New York City in the fall of 1849 (as usually reported) or perhaps 1850 (possible match in New York passenger lists from 20 November 1850). At age 11 or 12 in 1854, he moved to Chicago.

It’s been reported that he only had three months of formal education. By the summer of 1855, he lived and worked at the Tremont House, a famed local hotel, in their billiard room.  The sport, though in its infancy, was becoming hugely popular, especially in Chicago. Foley tended to the tables, brushing them for example, and other related jobs at the Tremont. The 1860 U.S. Census, dated July 11, finds him working there, at age 17, with a number of other young Irish men and women, among others.

The Tremont in 1860 housed the offices of the Illinois Republican Party which in May hosted the Republican National Convention at a nearby convention center. Both Presidential candidates, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, previously opened their Senate campaigns from a Tremont balcony. (Douglas died at the hotel in 1861.)

Within a few months of the 1860 Census, Foley moved on to the Briggs House, still working with billiards. Five years later, he relocated to the Newhall House in Milwaukee.

In June 1865, Foley won the first State of Illinois Billiard Tournament.

New York Times 6/23/1865

In May 1866, he returned to Chicago where he opened a succession of billiard rooms that he owned and operated over the next six decades:

• 1866: Corner of Dearborn and Monroe Streets
• Fall 1867: 152 Dearborn Street (which burned in the Chicago fire of October 1871)
• Circa October 1871: At the Barnes House
• Circa October 1871: Wabash Avenue
• January 1873: Foley’s Palace Billiard Hall on Clark Street

Though it appears that Foley operated the 152 Dearborn Street location until the fire of 1871, the 1870 U.S. Census lists him living with his wife and brother, James, employed as a “Clerk in Store.” Perhaps that was the billiard store.

The Palace opened to great fanfare and expense, $40,000. It contained 30 tables, making it the largest in the country. However, the Panic of 1873 wrought havoc with the billiard industry and by the middle of the decade Foley found employment elsewhere through the end of the decade. More billiard room locations:

• 1880: Lake and Clark Streets (small room)
• 1882: Collender Hall, 141 Madison Street
• 1887: Garden City Billiard Hall, 174-176 Madison Street
• Circa 1890: 146 Madison Street

Foley, a member of the People’s Party, also served as an alderman of the First Ward in Chicago.

In the early 1860s, Foley married Anastasia “Anna” F. Lacey, an Irish girl born in New York circa 1844. They had three children:

• Nellie, circa 1863
• Thomas Pelhan, July 28, 1871 (The “Phelan” appears to stem from billiard pioneer Michael Phelan)
• Nannie, February 26, 1874

Anna died on January 31, 1881. Within a year or so, Foley remarried to another Irish lady, Mary E. Moynihan, born in Rochester, New York circa 1850. They had no children together.

Foley became known as the “Dean of America’s Billiard Roomkeepers.” He was well-known in the industry throughout the country and would gain a great deal of interest as he traveled.

Sporting Life 7/7/1890

Thomas Foley died on November 3, 1926 in Chicago at age 84. He was interred at Calvary Cemetery, Evanston.

Tom Foley – the Ballplayer

Excerpt from Professional Baseball in Chicago, A Shaky Start

In 1866, Thomas James Foley joined the Excelsiors, captaining the club in 1867 and ’68. He officially turned professional in 1869 when he joined the Forest Citys of Rockford, though it wouldn’t be surprising to learn that he was previously compensated by the Excelsiors. He continued with Rockford until joining the Chicago White Stockings with the formation of the National Association in 1871. He died of a stroke in January 1896 as one of the oldest and most respected letter carriers in the city, a job he held since May 1874.

With Excelsiors:

• 1866: third base
• 1867: third base
• 1868: third base, catcher
• Vice president of Excelsiors in 1867

Foley remained in local baseball circles umpiring in the National Association in both 1874 and ’75.

Thomas James Foley was born in Chicago in 1844 or 1845 (according to the 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880 U.S. Censuses) or perhaps 1847 (according to the online encyclopedias). He was the son of Charles and Mary Foley, both born in England. Charles was an engineer. The family (Charles, Mary and 10-month-old daughter Mary) arrived in the United States on October 13, 1842 and settled in Chicago.

In the 1870 Census, Thomas, age 25, is listed as a book binder; specifically, he manufactured “blank books, ledgers and journals.” This was his occupation throughout his baseball career. He sold it when appointed a letter carrier on May 6, 1874, a job he maintained for two decades.

Foley and his wife Elizabeth E. “Libbie” had five children:

• Walter B., January 1874
• Thomas, April 1877
• Albert, circa 1878
• Charlotte, October 1886
• Charles, October 1891

Thomas J. Foley died of a stroke at home on January 4, 1896 in La Grange Park, a suburb of Chicago.

SOURCE LIST

The confusion with the two Tom Foleys was pointed out to me in email communications by Richard Smiley and Mark Braun.

• Ahern, M.L. The Great Revolution: A History of the Rise and Progress of the People’s Party in the City of Chicago and County of Cook. Chicago: Lakeside Publishing and Printing Company, 1874.
• Ancestry.com
• Baseballhistoryblog.com
• Chicagobilliardmuseum.org
• Chicago Tribune, 5 January 1896, 4 November 1926, 5 November 1926
• Familysearch.com
• McKenna, Brian, “Professional Baseball in Chicago, A Shaky Start,” Baseballhistoryblog.com, 20 July 2010
• New York Times, 23 June 1865
• Parker, Jim, “Intelligent People Say the Nicest Things,” Illinoisbilliardclub.com, August 2002.
• Retrosheet.org
• Sporting Life, 7 July 1890
• Wikipedia.org

 

The Buckner Brothers

William and Harry

William: Trainer of the Chicago White Sox

Harry: Longtime black baseball superstar

The first reference that could be located identifying William and Harry Buckner was the 1880 U.S. Census:

They lived with their mother, Eliza, in Hopkinsville, a town with an approximate population of 4200 in Christian County, Kentucky. Hopkinsville was the birthplace of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. The Buckner family appears to be one of the largest African-American families in the area, presumably obtaining the surname via earlier slave holders.

According to the Census, William was born circa 1867 in Tennessee. Hopkinsville is in southwest Kentucky, not that far from Tennessee. Harry, whose birthday was October 22, was born in 1873 in Kentucky. Eliza, a servant, worked in the household of Aleck Overshiner, who owned a tinsmith company with his brother. The boys’ father is unknown and it’s not apparent if the surname Buckner came from their father or mother, especially considering how young Eliza was when she had Willie.

It appears that Eliza lived out her life in Hopkinsville. She is still listed as a resident there when Harry filled out his World War I registration card in September 1918. (William, being born in the 1860s, did not have to fill out a WWI card)

While it’s not for sure that Harry was born in Hopkinsville, he grew up and went to school there with his brother. Unfortunately, little is known about their early life. William made his way to St. Louis in his early twenties, around 1890. It’s interesting to wonder how the great ballplayer Harry Buckner made his way to Chicago by 1896. Did he go through St. Louis as well? Where did he play ball in 1895 and earlier?

Harry’s Birth Year:

Harry Edward Buckner

Harry, of greater interest here due to his long and impressive career in black baseball, is listed as being born in varying years depending on the source. His birth date is listed as October 22 on his World War I registration card which presumably, but not definitively, answers that part of the equation. The rest show dates of:

• 1880 U.S. Census – 1873
• 1900 U.S. Census – August 1867 (listed as baseball player)
• November 1905 passenger manifest – circa 1878 (returning from Cuba)
• November 1906 passenger manifest – circa 1883 (returning from Cuba)
• April 1907 passenger manifest – circa 1876 (returning from Cuba)
• Marriage license – circa 1875
• World War I registration card – October 22, 1876 (see below)

 

Note the date from the 1900 U.S. Census. The month differs from the World War I registration card and the year is obviously way off. It almost seems that this is referring to William.

Given the discrepancy in dates this is not an exact science, but it seems likely that Harry was born between 1873 and 1876.

Harry Buckner in Black Baseball

Buckner has the reputation of being the best colored pitcher in the west today

- Rochester Democrat Chronicle 9 February 1902

Bats: right, Throws: right

AKA: Buck, Iron Man, Goat Head, Green River

Harry did it all on the diamond. He regularly pitched and caught and played the infield and outfield as well. He was a righthanded submarine pitcher, said to be among the finest of the first two decades of the 20^th century. Rob Neyer and Bill James in their Guide to Pitchers rated his fastball as among the best in all of baseball during the eras 1905-1909 and 1910-1914.

He was also a top hitter, a powerful one. Big and strong, Harry Buckner and Rube Foster were seen as the top hitting pitchers of the era. (They also rivaled each other on the mound.) For example, the heavy hitting Buckner smacked a tremendous home run off Eddie Plank on October 12, 1906 at Seaboard Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. Some claimed the shot made Plank look like a bush leaguer.

Philadelphia Inquirer 10/13/1906

Among baseball men and fans, Buck was known for his frivolity and fun-loving nature. The Schenectady Journal called him “the jovial comedian of the [Mohawk Giants].”

New York Age 1/11/1919 (excerpt of an article by Hugh Fullerton)

His on-the-field record can be traced from 1896 (age 19, 20, 21 or 22) to 1923. He seemed to play regularly through his early to mid-40s in 1918.

Chicago Defender 10/19/1918

All of the following have been confirmed from firsthand sources: (1 indicates first team that year, and so on. His time in Florida and Cuba will be listed later.)

• 1896 Chicago Unions
• 1897 Chicago Unions
• 1898 Chicago Unions
• 1899 Columbia Giants of Chicago
• 1900 Columbia Giants
• 1901 Chicago Unions (1), Columbia Giants (2)
• 1902 Cuban X-Giants (1), Chicago Union Giants (2)
• 1903 Philadelphia Giants
• 1904 Cuban X-Giants
• 1905 Cuban X-Giants
• 1906 Cuban X-Giants (1), Brooklyn Royal Giants (2), Philadelphia Quaker Giants of New York (3), Cuban X-Giants (4), Philadelphia Giants (5)
• 1907 Brooklyn Royal Giants
• 1908 Brooklyn Royal Giants
• 1909 Brooklyn Royal Giants
• 1910 Brooklyn Royal Giants
• 1911 Lincoln Giants
• 1912 Lincoln Giants (1), Smart Sets of Paterson, New Jersey (2), Lincoln Giants (3)
• 1913 Smart Sets (1), Mohawk Giants of Schenectady, New York (2), Smart Sets (3), Mohawk Giants (4)
• 1914 Mohawk Giants
• 1915 Chicago Giants
• 1916 Chicago Giants
• 1917 Chicago Giants
• 1918 Chicago Giants
• 1923 Mohawk Giants

Buckner appears with the Chicago Unions by June 1896. He played briefly with the Chicago Unions in April 1901. Only one box score was found in 1923.

The reason for his chaotic 1906 season is unclear. There were no contracts at this time; men typically jumped from club to club seeking extra or better cash. Sometimes the jaunts were brief by design and the player moved on or returned to his regular club. It wouldn’t be surprising to find Buckner or most any player with a club for a day or two for a big game or series and then be gone.

Palm Beach 

In the mid-1890s, the Royal Poinciana and Breaker Hotels in Palm Beach, Florida started sponsoring black baseball teams to entertain their guests. The men often played from January into March. The contests, as part of a circuit called the Hotel or Coconut League, were promoted by the headwaiters of each hotel. The ballplayers also worked at the hotels as waiters, busboys and porters.

Buckner played for: (perhaps an incomplete list)

• 1907 Royal Poinciana
• 1908 Breakers, Palm Beach
• 1910 Breakers
• 1911 Breakers
• 1912 Breakers
• 1913 Breakers

In 1908, the players of the Poinciana and Breaker clubs formed another nine called Palm Beach to play two local white clubs, Ormond and Seabreeze. Harry played for Palm Beach. Due to meager reporting, it’s not clear if Buckner played in Florida in 1909.

Havana 

Buck’s teams were among the first black baseball squads to travel to Cuba. They usually did so sometime during the latter three months of the year. He played there:

• 1904 with the Cuban X-Giants
• 1905 with the Cuban X-Giants
• 1906 with the Cuban X-Giants
• 1908 with the Brooklyn Royal Giants

He also played in the Cuban League:

• 1907 Almendares
• 1908-1909 Fe

In late 1906, he went to Havana with the Cuban X-Giants and returned to New York in November. He must have then headed for Havana again a couple of months later, as 1907 was the first year African-Americans joined the Cuban League. Buckner played for Almendares, the only American on the club. In three games on the mound he posted a 1-2 record. In a total of seven games, also playing in the outfield, he batted .263 in 19 at bats. The league ended on April 14 and Harry hopped on a ship headed for New York City two days later.

In late 1908, he went to Havana with the Brooklyn Royal Giants. They played 16 games versus Almendares and Habana, splitting the contests 8-8. Harry was 4-3 in seven starts but hit a weak .182 in 9 total games.

He also played with Fe, an overwhelmed club, in the 1908-1909 Cuban League season. The nine included Walter Ball, Bruce Petway, Nate Harris and Ashby Dunbar as well. Buck was 0-5 in 8 games pitched. In a total of 23 games he hit .257.

A Cincinnati Reds squad under the direction of Frank Bancroft was also in Cuba in 1908. The Royal Giants behind Harry defeated the Reds 9-1 on November 21.

William Buckner, Trainer

AKA: Doc, Bill, Willie, Buck, William Ananias Buckner

It appears that William had no middle name. He decided to dub himself William A. Buckner, choosing “A” because it was the first letter in the alphabet. The name “Ananias” was made up by a reporter who failed to reach William before publishing a story and took the liberty and made up a middle name. It stuck and William often was referred to as such.

(Be careful with identification of the Buckners since both brothers were commonly referred to as “Doc” and “Buck.” William gained more mainstream press as a trainer, being in the major leagues with the Chicago White Sox. William was not a baseball player but he was occasionally confused as Harry.)

In the late 1880s, William hooked up with the Barnum & Bailey Circus in Hopkinsville, working with the sideshow acts. He traveled with the circus, leaving when it hit St. Louis. There, he married Lucy Jones and began training at a bicycle athletic club. He quickly became known as one of the best in the cycling business.

(William and Lucy celebrated their 40^th anniversary shortly before her death in March 1931. They had no children but William had a daughter named Elsie from a prior (unknown) marriage or relationship, according to Lucy’s obituary in the Chicago Defender.)

He worked with the leading black cyclist of the era, Major Taylor of Louisville, among others. In 1901, Buckner attended to Taylor during a European tour when the cyclist won 40 of 57 races, topping the champions of Germany, England and France.

He also worked with boxers and Greyhound racing dogs. Around the turn of the century or perhaps a little later, William moved to Chicago and worked as a masseur at a bathhouse at Madison and Halstead Streets. Then, he secured employment at the Sherman Hotel. From there, he set his sights on joining the Chicago White Sox, on a suggestion by his clients at the Sherman.

Over the winter of 1907-1908, William relocated to Los Angeles intent on meeting up with the White Sox during the spring. Buck first secured employment with the Los Angeles Angels via manager Henry Berry. Within a short time of the White Sox arrival in the city for spring workouts, Bill endeared himself to some of the Chicago players. They petitioned owner Charles Comiskey on Buckner’s behalf and he was hired as the club’s new trainer.

(William and Lucy would spend many winters in California thereafter. In fact, they were listed as residents of Los Angeles in the 1910 U.S. Census.)

He was among the earliest of the African-American trainers in major league baseball. The early list also included Ed Mackal of the New York Giants and Ed LaForce of the Pirates.

Chicago Tribune 5/28/1908

Buck built a strong reputation in his field and was given ample credit for nursing the players through the championship 1917 season. However, that wasn’t enough to ward off the bigots on the club and he found himself terminated at the start of the next season. Eddie Collins and Dave Danforth are the two often cited as his opposition.

Chicago Tribune 3/23/1918

Washington Post 9/19/1923

The affable William and his wife focused on running their barber shop at 34^th and State Streets, which had opened in June 1916. He also worked with a military band and coached football at times:

Sporting Life, 11/28/1914

Buck re-joined the White Sox in 1922, mercifully missing the disgrace of 1919. He was “retired” in April 1933 after the season began by White Sox owner J. Louis Comiskey who had inherited the club after his father Charles Comiskey passed away in 1931.

Louis was sickly his entire life; he would pass away in 1939. At times, William had acted as his caretaker over the years. The job became permanent in April 1933. The Chicago Tribune identified William as Louis’ “valet.” Their relationship was contentious as described in a racially derogatory article by Edward Burns on February 7, 1937 which included a demeaning caricature. The employment relationship ended around that time.

Harry Buckner, Trainer

AKA: Doc, Buck, Doctah, William Jefferson Buckner, George Washington Buckner (the latter three nicknames are obviously racial connotations)

Here is a nice article about Harry the Trainer with photos and newspapers excerpts.

He worked as trainer for the Milwaukee Brewers of the American Association from 1920 until his death. Jovial and light-hearted, Harry was known as much for his training skills as his entertainment value playing the piano and guitar to the amusement of the players.

Harry’s Death

Harry suffered from heart trouble. En route to Hot Springs, Arizona to join the Brewers for a new season on March 26, 1938, he fell seriously ill. He was placed on a train headed back home to Chicago but died at 10 pm before its arrival.

The Sporting News, 3/31/1938

Harry married Dora Walden, born in Missouri in June 1879 (living in Chicago by 1900), in Chicago on April 9, 1903.

William’s Death

William died the same year as his brother. In late October 1938, he was committed to a hospital for the mentally incompetent, Elgin State Hospital. Ill, he apparently couldn’t care for himself. He died there on November 18, over 70 years old.

SOURCE LIST

• Amsterdam Evening Recorder and Daily Democrat, New York, 26 April 1902, 7 May 1907, 27 May 1914, 1 June 1914
• Ancestry.com
• Baltimore Afro-American
• Brooklyn Eagle
• Chicago Daily Inter Ocean
• Chicago Defender
• Chicago Herald, 28 March 1938 
• Chicago Tribune
• Cottrell, Robert Charles. The Best Pitcher in Baseball: The Life of Rube Foster, Negro League Giant. New York: New York University Press, 2001. 
• Dixon, Phil S. Andrew “Rube” Foster: A Harvest on Freedom’s Fields. Bloomington, Indiana: Xlibris Corporation, 2010. 
• Echevarria, Roberto Gonzalez. The Pride of Havana: A History of Cuban Baseball. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999. 
• Familysearch.com 
• Figueredo, Jorge S. Cuban Baseball: A Statistical History, 1878-1961. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland and Company, 2003. 
• Heritagequest.com 
• Hogan, Lawrence D. Shades of Glory: The Negro Leagues and the Story of African-American Baseball. Washington D.C.: National Geographic, 2006.
• Indianapolis Freeman
• James, Bill and Rob Neyer. The Neyer/James Guide to Pitchers: An Historical Compendium of Pitching, Pitchers, and Pitches. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2004. 
• Lanctot, Neil. Fair Dealing and Clean Playing: The Hilldale Club and the Development of Black Professional Baseball, 1910-1932. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, 1994.
• McNeil, William. Black Baseball Out of Season: Pay for Play Outside of the Negro Leagues. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, 2007.
• New York Age
• New York Sun
• New York Times, 1904-1905
• Philadelphia Inquirer, 13 October 1906
• Riley, James A. The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues. New York: Carroll and Graf Publishers, 1994.
• Rochester Democrat Chronicle, 9 February 1902
• Schenectady Gazette, New York, 1913-1914
• Sporting Life
• The Sporting News, March 1938
• Syracuse Post Standard, 10 June 1906
• Tenpenny, Paul, “Doc Buckner,” Borchetfield.com, 2 January 2010
• Utica Herald Dispatch, New York
• Washington Post, 19 September 1923
• Waverly Free Press and Tioga County Record, New York, 26 July 1907
• Wikipedia.org