Historic Pelham

For many years I have researched the history of baseball in the Town of Pelham. At the close of today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog I have posted an extensive list of articles and postings I have written regarding 19th century baseball in the Town of Pelham.

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog transcribes articles that briefly reference baseball games played (or scheduled to be played) in the Town of Pelham in the late 19th century.

A 19th Century Baseball Game as It Likely

Was Played in Pelham.

Immediately below is the text of each article including the brief reference, in each instance, to the baseball game. Of course, there are many other historically-significant, non-baseball references contained in each article. For that reason, in each instance, I have transcribed the entirety of each article rather than merely quoting the portion relating to the baseball game. By way of examples . . .

Together the various baseball references show that: (1) on Sunday, April 28, 1895, the Elmhursts of Yonkers defeated the Pelhamville baseball team 12-7 in a nine-inning game; (2) a game between the Staten Islanders of New Brighton and the Oak Hills of Mt. Vernon was scheduled on the "Pelhamville Base Ball grounds' (likely Brickner's Grounds) on Sunday, June 23, 1895, at 3:00 p.m. with an admission charge of fifteen cents; (3) on Sunday, June 9, 1895, the Gorham Base Ball Club defeated a Staten Island team 6 to 2 in a game witnessed by "a large number of people" at the Pelhamville Base Ball grounds"; (4) on Wednesday, August 26, 1896, the final youth baseball game in a series between the Pelham Manor Baseball Team and the "Juveniles of Pelham" was played on the "latter's grounds" with the Pelham Manor team winning the game and the series and thus receiving a "breast protector" (catcher's chest protector) donated by "Mr. Webster"; (5) a baseball game was scheduled to be played on Sunday, June 16, 1895, at 3:00 p.m. at the "Pelhamville Base Ball grounds" between the Gorham Base Ball Club and the Elmhursts of Yonkers; (6) a baseball game was scheduled to be played between a Pelhamville team and an Eastchester team at "Brickner's grounds" on Sunday, October 7, 1894; and (7) two baseball games were scheduled to be played "at the grounds in Pelham" on Sunday, June 25, 1899 with the B. and O. Tips playing the Healy Base Ball Club at 9:30 a.m. and the Pastime Athletic Club playing the Pelham Base Ball Club at "about" 3:00 p.m.

From such disparate clues we can tease some interesting information. During the spring, summer and fall of 1895, a wide variety of baseball teams traveled to the "Pelhamville Base Ball grounds" (likely Brickner's Grounds) to play ball on Sunday afternoons at 3:00 p.m. The games served as local entertainment and could attract a "large number" of spectators. On occasion, an admission of fifteen cents per person was charged. The baseball grounds attracted clubs that traveled to play there even though they were not playing the Pelhamville team.

The articles quoted below, in addition to their relevance to baseball history, indicate: (1) when the two stairwells that give pedestrian access to the railroad bridge over Fifth Avenue were being built; (2) that there was a nasty dispute between Pelham Manor and Pelham over gas line improvements that one company wanted to offer to Pelham Manor but not to Pelham; and (3) when the special election was held regarding whether to incorporate the Village of North Pelham.

"PELHAM.

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THE MOUNT VERNON NEWS is on sale at Lyman's Drug Store, Pelham.

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David Lyon, Jr., spent Sunday with friends at Delaware Water Gap, Pa.

James Reilley has moved into the house recently vacated by John Lourey on Fifth avenue.

The Rev. C. Winter Bolton and wife have returned from a short outing, spent near Philadelphia.

Miss Harper of New York city, formerly of this place, is visiting at the home of Miss Fern Lyon.

A foreclosure sale of three of Mr. Bard's cottages on Third avenue took place last Tuesday at noon. They were bought in at $3,100 and $3,200.

A. G. C. Fletcher of Pelhamdale avenue has gone to the Maine woods for a few days. His family, who have been summering there, will accompany him on his return.

George Pierson has been lying ill at his home since Wednesday when he was stricken with paralysis. At latest report he was resting easy. But his advanced age makes his entire recovery doubtful.

Philip Stead of Fourth avenue has received a patent on a double action screw propeller. It will be given a trial shortly on one of the Trans Atlantic greyhounds. It is claimed by experts that the trial trip is bound to be a record breaker.

The story, which was extensively circulated that the house of Mr. Bienz was entered by sneak thieves last Saturday and a large amount of clothing stolen, was learned to be a fabrication, and Hoosier, who was interviewed on the subject, wishes it denied.

The final game in the series between the Pelham Manor baseball team and the Juveniles of Pelham was played at the latter's grounds last Wednesday [i.e., Wednesday, August 26, 1896] and resulted in a victory for the Pelham Manors who also win the series and the breast protector offered by Mr. Webster. Score, 6 to 5. The Pelhams will challenge again.

Mrs. John Dillon, formerly of this town, died at her home in Mount Vernon Sunday last after a lingering illness. Mrs. Dillon was for many years a resident of Pelhamville. She was respected by all her acquaintances and on her removal to Mount Vernon left many warm friends behind who will learn of her death with regret.

The Hobo club was camping at Huckleberry Island Saturday and Sunday, and report a great time. Sunday some of them went fishing. Mattie Hermann said that blackfishing was too 'dead slow' for him, so he took a shark-hook along and was rewarded by catching a young shark, which gave him all the sport he wanted before he got it landed. It weighed about twenty-five pounds and was exhibited about town Sunday night. Next time they go they will all take shark hooks, and at their next regular meeting will likely change the name of their organization to the Shark club.

Tomorrow (Saturday) is to be held the special election, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., to decide whether that portion of the Town of Pelham which lies north of the New Haven railroad tracks, shall be incorporated as the Village of North Pelham and as such assume the modern improvements obtainable, and advance to a place with, and be recognized by the other thriving modern towns and villages in this vicinity, or reject incorporation and its advantages and remain as it has been for the last forty years, a missing link between Mount Vernon and New Rochelle, and rightly dubbed 'No Man's Land.' Its an issue between the 'modern hustlers' and the 'old settlers.' The majority will win and it will be mighty small which ever way it goes."

Source: PELHAM, Mount Vernon News [Mount Vernon, NY], Aug. 28, 1896, Vol. IV, No. 187, p. 4, col. 4.

"BASE BALL.

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--A fine game of base ball will be played to-morrow [i.e., Sunday, June 23, 1895] on the Pelhamville Base Ball grounds, when the Staten Islanders, of New Brighton, and the Oak Hills of Mt. Vernon, will cross bats. The game will be called at 3 p.m. Admission to the grounds will be fifteen cents.

--The Park Side A. C. team will play the Lexow Base Ball team of New York this Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock on lower Church street."

Source: BASE BALL, New Rochelle Pioneer, Jun. 22, 1895, Vol. XXXV, No 13, p. 8, col. 3.

"SPORTING NOTES.
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--A game of ball was played Sunday last [i.e., Sunday, June 9, 1895] on the Pelhamville Base Ball grounds between the Gorham B. B. C. and a club from Staten Island. The game was a very exciting and interesting one throughout, and was witnessed by a large number of people. The score at the finish stood six to two in favor of the Gorhams.

--A game will be played to-morrow [i.e., Sunday, June 16, 1895] on the Pelhamville Base Ball grounds between the Gorhams and the Elmhursts, of Yonkers. Game will be called at 3 p.m.

--An interesting game of base ball will be played at Van Nest on the Protectory grounds, to-morrow, when the renowned Cuban Giants will meet the Emeralds. This will be the only chance this season to see the colored champions in this vicinity, and a large number of our base ball enthusiasts will undoubtedly take advantage of the opportunity. Game called at 3:30 p.m."

Source: SPORTING NOTES, New Rochelle Pioneer, Jun. 15, 1895, Vol. XXXV, No. 12, p. 8, col. 3.

"Pelhamville.

The Chronicle may be obtained in Pelhamville and vicinity from Master Fred L. Anderson who will deliver it at residence.

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The following persons from the Town of Pelham have been drawn by the Commissioner of Jurors, to serve as petit jurors for the May term of the County Court and Court of Sessions, which commences Monday the 6th inst. Mr. John Case, Mr. Mosses [sic] C. Bell, Mr. Joseph May, Mr. Osman Reynolds, and Mr. Martin Stephenhoffer.

The entertainment given last Thursday evening at the Court House by the Church of the Covenant, was fairly attended. The musical part of the program consisted of two excellently rendered piano duets by Miss Ida Berlet and Miss Tompkins, and two violin solos by Mr. Griffith which were heartily applauded. The literary part of it comprised a lecture by Mr. Arthur H. Eyles on 'Which is the Better; a Ton of Gold or a Ton of Coal? or Seeing is not always Believing.' Although this was Mr. Eyles' first appearance on an eastern platform, his lecture was an enteresting [sic] one, being illustrated with some chemical experiments. The proceeds are to be added to the fund for the renovating of the church edifice.

The ladies of the Church of the Redeemer held a missionary meeting on Thursday afternoon last at the rectory. Miss Ford of First avenue, a returned missionary from Syria, made a very pleasing address in which she told of her work in the above country.

The Juvenile Hose Company are having their hose cart made by Gleason & Bailey. It will be completed on or about the 15th inst.

Mr. J. Dillon and family of Third avenue are now esconsed [sic] in their new residence in East Mount Vernon.

Mr. William Dillon has recovered from a recent illness.

Mr. Benjamin Harwood of Pelham Heights rendered two beautiful tenor solos at the services of the First Methodist Church of Mount Vernon, last Sunday.

Mr. Charles H. Merritt is slowly recovering from the effects of a recent accident.

On Sunday, June 23rd Bishop Henry C. Potter will visit the Church of the Redeemer. The rite of confirmation will be administered at this time.

The Alpha Social Club holds its regular meeting to-morrow evening at the residence of the Misses Berlet.

Mr. John Henderson and family are soon to remove to New York City.

The Pelhamville Whist Club met last Friday at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Servass Gregoor, Second avenue. A number of the members were present and all spent a delightful evening in playing whist. Later a bounteous supper was served by the charming hostess.

Mr. James Reilly has leased the house on First avenue formerly occupied by Mr. A. L. White.

The railroad authorities are building two flights of stairs one on each side of the Fifth avenue bridge. This will afford much better access to the depot.

Mrs. Whitely and family have left Pelhamville and have gone to New York to live.

Mr. John Conlon will soon reside in Mr. August Godfrey's house on Second avenue.

Mr. Kennedy is now residing in his house on Fourth avenue.

Mr. George W. Bard has rented two of his cottages on Fourth avenue near Fourth street.

The trolley on the Pelhamville division of the Union Eelectric [sic] Railroad is now compelled to stop at Columbus avenue on account of the macadamizing and grading of East Third street through which it runs.

A team belonging to Walsh Bros. and attached to one of their milk wagons ran away one day last week in New Rochelle. They were stopped however before any serious damage was done.

Three new houses are soon to be erected on Fourth avenue between Second and Third streets by George W. Bard. They are to cost $3,000 each.

The Elmhursts of Yonkers defeated the Pelhamville base-ball team in a game played last Sunday [i.e., Sunday, April 28, 1895] on Brickner's grounds. Nine innings were played, the score at the conclusion of the last being 12 to 7.

Every year the public school pupils observe Arbor Day by rendering an appropriate program and by planting small trees and shrubs, thus making an enteresting [sic] study in agriculture, which is witnessed by a large gathering of the parents and friends of the scholars. The program which has been arranged for to-morrow by Principal Hill and his corps of assistants is as follows:

Salute to the flag......The School

'The Red, White and Blue'...Chorus

Address...James Conklin

Arbor Day Poem...W.J. Evert

Coming of Spring...Elmer Anderson

The Bright May Month...Chorus

The Petrified Fern...Fred L. Anderson

Lessons from the Flowers...Mabel Wright

Flowers of Nations...Fern Lyon

Nature's Awakening...Fritz Ernst

Lovely May...Chorus

Were I the Sun...Willie Ernst

Somebody's Knocking...Essie McGalliard

The Little Cricket...Martha Theirfelder

The Lilac...Ethel Jones

Merry Spring Time...Chorus

Look Up...May Harrington

Maze Ferns...Josie Gregoor

Little Wild Flower...Sadie Van Buskirk

Flower Dance...Chorus

Off to the Woods...Roy Johnson

Spring Morning...Agnes Ernst

Daffy Down Dilly...Annie Fountain

Summer Time...Chorus

Two Little Buds...H. Van Buskirk

Recitation...Lulu Young

Cunning Crow...Willie Penny

Two Roses...Vida Barker

The Birdies' Ball...Chorus

Quotations

'America'...The School

Planting of Trees

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That Gas Question.

Editor Chronicle:

It would probably be well if the residents of Pelhamville understood the true inwardness of this question.

A proposition was recently made by an outside gas company to establish a plant lay mains &c., and supply Pelham with a superior quality of gas at rates very much below that offered by a local company. The former company would expend between fifty and sixty thousand dollars within our territory, this being liable to taxation, would be beneficial to our town in that respect, besides giving employment to a number of our citizens. The local company above referred to, then lowered its bid a trifle, but would not agree to include Pelhamville within the territory to be supplied.

At a meeting of the Board of Village Trustees of Pelham Manor, recently held to consider the matter, a suggestion was made that no contract be made with any gas company that would exclude any portion of the town from its benefits. A member of the Board, in the spirit, of not the exact language of a certain magnite [sic] exclaimed: 'The public (Pelhamville) be d------.' The short-sightedness on the part of this large land-owner is to be lamented. Can he not perceive that improvements made to any part of his adjacent territory also tends to improve his holdings?

Why should this company object to include Pelhamville, unless they see in the near future, larger rates than agreed to under the proposed contract with Pelham Manor. Pelhamville to-day would have fifty per cent more consumers of gas than Pelham Manor, and taking into consideration our rapid growth, in less than three years would have three to one.

The solution of this whole matter lies wholly under the control of the Road Commissioners. Will they also in defiance of the wishes of a large majority of their constituents say 'The public be d----'?

Let us hope that they are more public spirited, and will utterly decline to permit any gas company to get a foothold in our town without binding them to treat all sections fairly.

Would it not be better for all concerned to bury any prejudices or jealousies that may have existed? Our rapid growing community must, in the nature of things improve, not retrograde. Pelham Heights and Pelhamville are a unit on this important matter. Will Pelham Manor unite with us?

PRO BONO PUBLICO."

Source: Pelhamville, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], May 2, 1895, p. 4, cols. 1-2.

"OUR NEARBY NEIGHBORS.

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Pelhamville.

The Chronicle may be obtained in Pelhamville and vicinity from Master Fred L. Anderson who will deliver it at residence.

Mr. and Mrs. Marion Pierson have returned from their Washington wedding tour and received the usual serenade from the Pelhamville band, who were as untiring as ever.

Mr. Augustus Barker has recently become a benedict; last week he was married to Miss Nellie Gleason of this village, Rev. C. W. Bolton [Cornelius Winter Bolton] officiating. A reception was given on Monday evening at the residence of Mr. L. Brotherton [Loftus Brotherton].

The Pelhamville nine will play the Eastchester's [sic] next Sunday [i.e., Oct. 7, 1894] at Brickner's grounds.

Mr. William Cockroft is making preparations to open a grocery store in one of the offices in the Pelham Building. Mr. Cockcroft has been connected for some months past with the grocery business of Mr. Baker at Mount Vernon."

Source: OUR NEARBY NEIGHBORS -- Pelhamville, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Oct. 4, 1894, p. 4, col. 1.

"BASE BALL AT PELHAM.
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Two Games A. M. and P. M.
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There will be two games of baseball played at the grounds in Pelham tomorrow.

In the morning at about 9:30 o'clock the B. and O. Tips will lock horns with the Healy B. B. C. and from all accounts the game will be for blood.

Every player on each side is a crack-a-jack at getting his eye on the ball, especially when he has the cue and some wonderful batting is expected. It is to be hoped [that] the fielders will be able to catch the balls, as in this game pockets will not be allowed.

Mr. Otis Odell is manager of the B. and O. Tips and Mr. Matthews Duke occupies the same position for the Healys.

The B. and O. Tips are composed of Messrs. Odell, B. Ballon, Duffy, Magee, Hendrickson, Collins, Sillery, F. Fallon and Sharkey.

Messrs. Duffy and Fallon will be the battery for the B and O. Tips, and Messrs. Farrington and Malone will fill the same positions on the Healys.

In the afternoon the Pastime Athletic Clubs' nine, of this city, will meet the Pelham Base Ball Club at about 3:00 o'clock [sic].

Lots of sport is promised at both games especially in the morning when the two teams, composed of 'knights of the cue,' will battle for supremacy."

Source: BASE BALL AT PELHAM -- Two Games A. M. and P. M., Mount Vernon Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jun. 24, 1899, Vol. XXIX, No. 2,221, p. 1, col. 3.

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Below is a listing, with links, of my previous postings and a published article on the topic of 19th century baseball in Pelham.

Tue., Apr. 08, 2014: More 19th Century References to Baseball in the Town of Pelham.

Fri., Mar. 28, 2014: Earliest Evidence Yet! Baseball Was Played in Pelham Only Months After the Civil War Ended.

Thu., Mar. 20, 2014: 19th Century Baseball in Pelham - Newly-Discovered References.

Tue., Feb. 16, 2010: Photograph of Only Known 19th Century Women's Baseball Team in Pelham, New York.Fri., Apr. 16, 2010: Formation of the City Island Beldonites Baseball Club in June 1884