Madigan HallManhattan, NYJuly 29th, 1904 At ten o clock this morning, in the midst of a lively Legacy Cup series currently headed to Minneapolis, Commissioner Alexander Madigan took to the east garden of the lavish Madigan Hall to announce the formation of a provisional committee tasked with locating and incorporating twenty-four negro universities into an…
by John Momberg The words that struck terror into 11-year-old Joe Benson’s heart: “All right, now, Joseph… Time for you to come up to the board and recite your Latin translation.” As he moved to the front of the classroom, he felt the usual flush of redness creeping up from his collar to his cheeks….
By Steve Meyers Julien Henri (GM): That is about the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard, Thaddeus.Thaddeus Wolcraft (Owner): Look, here, Julien you work for me. Don’t you forget it.Henri: I’m aware of that Mr. Wolcraft.Wolcraft: That’s better.Henri: But it is still the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.Wolcraft: It’s your job not to think. Your job…
By Drew Visscher RICHMOND RIFLES: 1903 SEASON REVIEW Following a dramatic nine-game series against the Saint Louis Beavers, the Rifles of Richmond secured their first Legacy Cup at home with an excellent Game 9 performance from hometown hero Ivy “Iron Horse” Maw. A surprise contender for the 1903 title, the seasoned Richmond roster enjoyed an…
Jericho Downing, Richmond Daily NewsDECEMBER 15, 1902 After a great deal of activity in the grandstand offices above Libby Hill, General Manager Preston Kirby spoke with the Daily News this afternoon to confirm that longtime Oiler hurler Donald Henwood will join the Rifles arsenal for the 1903 campaign. Donnie is a 9-year veteran of the…
“When rich villains have need of poor ones, poor ones may make what price they will.” –William Shakespeare, “Much Ado About Nothing” (Scene 3, lines 112-114) GUNS OF AUTUMN, PART IIThe Richmond Saga, 2.2 Manhattan, New York September 15th, 1902 The corpse was covered with a tattered blanket. Removed with little decorum from the alleyway…
The Richmond Saga, 2.1 Near Wakefield, VirginiaSeptember 8th, 1861 In the morning light of a dew-laden clearing, barefoot boys with baggy suspenders and sun-stained cheeks emerged from the wood like acolytes to play the game of base ball. They hooted and whistled with the cardinals, darting at the crack of the worn-down ball, yarn bursting…
Jericho Downing, Richmond Daily News 14 August, 1902 Insiders at Libby Hill report that Frank Selee, one of the few Managers left from the National League era, was fired by Rifles owner and tobacco magnate Michael Monroe this morning. Selee managed the Boston Beaneaters of the National League from 1890-1894. He led the Richmond Rifles…
Libby HillRichmond, VAJuly 30th, 1901 Preston Kirby knocked softly on the door to Michael Monroe’s office, answered by a gruff and distracted “Enter.” Monroe’s gaunt clerk followed Kirby with a withering squint as the General Manager opened the oak door and proceeded into the suite of the illustrious tobacco magnate. “Ah, Mister Kirby.” Monroe sat…
The Richmond Saga, 1.05: Chapter Conclusion Jerusalem Plank Road Near Petersburg, Virginia July 6th, 1901 The heavy heat of the Appomattox fell upon the old plank road like a guilty memory, green and still on this Virginian summer afternoon. Heavy rains had washed away more of the old rail lines—once stewards of incalculable industry that…