Early Day Legacy...

Baseball Legacy...

A Grandfather's Legacy

Grandpa Will's Oklahoma Baseball Days
1909, Guthrie, Oklahoma

I found a great photo of Grandpa Will "Bill" McGill that was taken June 15, 1909 in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Will sent it from Guthrie, Oklahoma, July 26, 1909 to Miss Constance Warwick who was staying in Colorado Springs, Colorado during this time.

I assume, Constance and Bill were courting around that time while he was off playing baseball in an Oklahoma League. I believe it was between 1906 and 1907 that Grandpa McGill also pitched for a Texas League (called the Austin Senators).

Grandpa was a striking figure in his suit, bow tie, white hat and seated on a chair reading a letter with another fellow behind him reading over his shoulder. I have no clue of what or who the letter was from and can only speculate. It was either a letter from a baseball fan; an acceptance letter from a minor/major baseball league or a love letter from Constance. Being the romantic that I am - I assume the latter. Sometimes I wish that I could go back - Talk with him - Ask him a few questions to fill in some answers. Don't we all?

If this postcard rings a bell with anyone out there, please connect with me at McGill@wwwpubco.com. Did Guthrie have a baseball team back in 1909? What teams were playing back then? What Oklahoma Leagues were there back in the 1908 and 1910 era?

Postcards Backside --
This is the backside of the postcard that Bill sent Miss Constance Warwick, 829 Lincoln Ave., Colorado Springs, Colorado, July 26, 1909, 5p.m.

The message says, "Lost my game yesterday 4-1. Will pitch against Enid about the 29th if I don't come out to Colorado."

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