Volume 9 , Issue 23

100 years Ago Today

This Day in History 100 years ago, where were your grandparents on June 9, 1907?

Our grandpa Wm. J. McGill was playing baseball in the minor leagues around 1906 as a lefthanded, fast pitcher for the Austin Senators in the Texas League. It was later on in the Fall of 1907 (September 16, 1907) that grandpa McGill was traded up to the Major league when the St. Louis Browns were trying grandpa out for their 1907 season. The score of that St. Louis Browns vs. Cleveland was 2-2. I have always wondered if June, 1907 found grandpa McGill in St. Louis, Mssouri while thousands of Oklahoma, Kansas citizens were flocking to Oklahoma City by excursion trains to see the second game of the series between Oklahoma City and Wichita Western Association baseball teams play, June 9, 1907. OR... was grandpa one of those making the excursion train trek to Oklahoma City?

Anyway! Here's The Daily Oklahoman, article, dated June 9, 1907, Sunday, that made me think of my grandpa's baseball career of the early 1900's. It had the following headlines on the front page of The Daily Oklahoman read: "Five Thousand Visitors To See Ball Game Here Today."

"With favorable weather today, one of the largest crowds ever seen in Oklahoma City will be brought to this city on nine excursion trains over the four railroads entering here. The railroad officials say that 5,000 is a conservative estimate of the number of persons who will be brought here, and if it is an exceptionally fine day, the number may easily go to 8,000.

"The second game of the series between the Oklahoma City and and the Wichita Western association base ball teams, is the attraction that is bringing most of the visitors, and the baseball management is figuring on having one of the largest crowds ever seen on the local grounds.

"It is expected that the loyal fans of Wichita, to the number of at least 1,000 will attend the game, and the Rock Island is planning, if necessary, to run its excursion train from that point in two sections.

"One of the Santa Fe excursion trains comes all the way from Winfield, Kansas and the other from Harper. These trains, and all of the others, will pick up passengers at all intermediate points and by the time they reach Oklahoma City, it is expeced that they will be loaded.

"The Katy will bring four trains to the city; two from the north and east and two from the south and west. These trains are scheduled to reach Oklahoma City at noon, and will leave on the return trip at 7 o'clock in the evening.

"The Santa Fe will run a special from Harper, Kan., reaching here at 11:45 a.m. and leaving at 10:15 p.m. The other Santa Fe special will run from Winfield, Kan., arriving in Oklahoma City at 11:50 a.m. and also leaving at 10:15 p.m.

"The Frisco will run one special in from Tulsa, reaching here at noon and leaving at 7:00 p.m. The other Frisco train will come from Lawton, arriving here at 9:20 in the morning and leaving at 8:10 p.m.

"The Rock Island's train will probably be in two sections. The first will arrive at 10:40 a.m. and leave at 9 p.m. and the second section will run a half hour behind the first, both ways."

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3,000 Farmers Will Meet Here -
President Stahl Says convention Will Have Excellent Program (The Daily Oklahoman, article, dated June 9, 1907, Sunday) -- The Farmers' National Congress was planning on an October, 1907 convention in Oklahoma City with at least 3,000 delegates and purporting to be the most widely advertised session that body has ever had, according to a statement made by John M. Stahl, of Chicago, president of the congress, the afternoon of June 9, 1907.

"The program has not been arranged," said Mr. Stahl, "but it will include many noted speakers. Gov. A. B. Cummins of Iowa, will speak on Public Questions of Interest to the Farmers'. J. A. Fitcher, secretary of the California state board of agriculture will have as his subject, 'Foreign Markets for Home Products.' Ex-Governor W. B. Heard, of Wisconsin, one of the leading farmers and the leading dairyman of the west, will discuss the teaching of agriculture in public school. Other speakers will be Ex-Governor Van Sant, of Minnesota, Senator A. J. Beveridge of Indiana and Governor N. B. Broward of Florida."

The article also mentioned that Oklahoma will be represented in the congress by 1,000 delegates who will be appointed by the governor and secretary NcNabb of the territorial board of agriculture.

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Corner Stone Laid 1907 --
Cornerstone is Laid With Masonic Ceremonies by the Nation's President Washington, June 8, 1907, (The Daily Oklahoman, article, dated June 9, 1907, Sunday.) -- "President Roosevelt, as a member of the blue lodge of the Masonic fraternity, made an address at the laying of the corner stone this afternoon of the Masonic temple, which is to be erected here at Thirteenth street and New York Avenue. A large crowd was present, including many prominent Masons.

The gavel and trowel used were the same as those used by President Washington in laying the corner stone of the United States capitol, September 18, 1703, and the Bible was used by Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4 of Virginia, when President Washington became a member of the fraternity. The president spread some cement under the corner stone with the trowel, afterward shaking the hands of the mechanics superintending the work, and later was handed the gavel and also the Bible, which he examined closely as he turned the pages of the sacred book. Deposited in the corner stone are steel portraits of President Washington and President Roosevelt, facsimile copies of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. Jamestown exposition medals and a newspaper account of the death of President Garfield. Music was furnished by the Marine band. President Roosevelt spoke."

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Returns Come Slowly: Results Not Certain -
Light Vote Cast But Count Is Slow - Cast Nearly a Full allot -- Hoffman and Gore Are leaders in the Senatorial Race.

Incomplete returns from the democratic primaries received by The Oklahoman up to 4 o'clock this morning indicate that Lee Cruce of Ardmore has been chosen the party nominee for governor by a plurality of at least 15,000. C. N. Haskell claims to have won by 10,000. Doyle displayed unexpected strength.

The race for United States senator on the Oklahoma side is believed to be between T. P. Gore of Lawton and Roy Hoffman of Chandler, although M. L. Turner, the Oklahoma City candidate, was unwilling to admit defeat when he left democratic headquarters at a late hour last night.

It is generally conceded that Robert L. Owen, of Muskogee, will be the nominee on the Indian Terriotry side.

Charles West, of Enid, and S. P. Freeling of Shawnee, are believed to be the leaders in the contest for the attorney generalship.

It is impossible to give any county. It will take amny hours. The unseasonable weather of he early spring is believed to be responsible for the curtailed number of ballots cast. The farmers are busy in their fields and the day having been one generally free from rain, throughout the two territories, they were little inclined to desert their labors to go to the polls.

Nevertheless, the election was not robbed of a most intense interest in some of the counties. Money changed hands rapidly in several instances. Word was received by Paul Nesbit at Cruce headquarters in Oklahoma City Friday night that $10,000 was offered on the success of Mr. Haskell at the polls. Mr. Nesbit conveyed the information to Cruce at Ardmore, where Mr. Cruce lives ....."
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