A compilation of the history of one of Tennessee's most successful Semi-Pro Baseball Teams from 1930-31
The Camden Vols – Benton County’s Original “Boys of Summer”!
By Brett W. Lashlee, Grandson of John W. Lashlee, coach/general manager of the team
Last edit: 6-1-2015
Prelude to the inaugural season and formation of a new team:
During the early days of organized sports in Benton County, Tennessee (prior to the 1940’s), baseball was the premier sport known throughout America. Although football was a long played sport beginning to rise with the emerging influence of the NFL in the 1930’s, baseball was still the preeminent fan followed sport. Since Little League and Babe Ruth were not in existence, baseball outside of the high school level had to be organized via wealthy individuals, business or community organizations and the funding of such relied on nonsubsidized funds in most cases. These ball clubs were classified as “Semi-Professional” teams and there were numerous levels of classifications and leagues. You never knew if or when a town would field a competitive level team so following them historically can be a challenge. One year they are in existence and then dormant several years after and then they spring up again years later! For a county as rural and less economically wealthy as Benton County, a semi-professional team was never of great interest prior to 1930.
Comparing baseball as we know it today, the Semi-Pro athletic level would more than likely be the equivalent of Senior Babe Ruth or Single A level professional baseball. Due to many of these players being “home-grown” and having to help on the family farm or possibly still in their senior year of high school, seasons did not usually began until early May and went into late September and early October if the teams were playing into the championship level timeframe. In the rural areas where agriculture was king as well as being in the beginnings of The Great Depression, farm work was more important than baseball so local players constantly had to quit usually at the behest of their parents’ demands. Other players were interchanged from team to team, dropped or added multiple times over a season playing week to week depending on what team would employ them. It was not uncommon to play a team who on that particular day may not have enough players to compile a 9 man line-up. In such cases players were loaned out from their opponent’s roster just so they could play the game without forfeiting. A forfeit would mean no gate revenue and ultimately, profit was a primary motive in fielding a team for these were business ventures to a great degree. The more successful teams were from the urban areas simply because they had the means to conduct a well-funded, stable player roster, availability of a municipal ballfield and consistent team organization. Benton County had never seemed to be able to provide such a successful endeavor and no post high school baseball team was ever found to exist until 1930.
In the early Spring of 1930 a most unusual event happened which would turn out to possibly be the creation of one of the most successful baseball teams in Tennessee history of any level! This semi-professional team would have a two year successful run unprecedented for an organization originating from, of all things, a Sunday School Class! Referencing the April 26, 1930 Camden Chronicle, the Camden First United Methodist Church’s “Volunteer Sunday School Class” decided to embark on an endeavor “to create a team that would make money for the church or for some interest of the church, and to promote good clean sportsmanship”. This team would be named after the Sunday School Class itself and shortened to “Vols”! Local merchants who attended the Methodist Church pitched in to buy uniforms while individual donations from area fans of the game went to procure new equipment. Participation was high on members willing to play and so possibly through Divine happenstance the Camden Vols were born!
Although the naming of the team as the “Camden Vols” can be made in actual reference to the Camden First Methodist Church “Volunteer” Sunday School Class, the name fit perfectly in that it would stand out and grab attention so as to emulate an instant household connection to the Nashville Vols, who were a successful Southern League Minor League baseball team as well as for the famed University of Tennessee Vols.
For the Camden Vols, most players started out entirely as “Benton County players” and members of the Methodist Church “Volunteer” Sunday School Class. Some of the team members names would first be learned per a May 9, 1930 Camden Chronicle article, the names of Fry, Wyatt and Bowles were highlighted for outstanding play as well as the article complimented the Big Sandy team for their clean manners and sportsmanship. Although in mere infancy of the season, the article reports that the best Semi-professional teams in that area of the country were being scheduled for future games. This was the only article that ever referenced an author or writer of the referenced Camden Chronicle research articles and was written by “Squatt” Bowles. All other articles published in The Camden Chronicle never stated who the article writer was. A later June 6, 1930 news article mentions more local boys playing on the team (listed later in this story on the 1930 team roster).
A significant organizational changing must have event happened in early June and is very apparent from a subsequent June 20, 1930 news article. Names reported on this article compared to those from the aforementioned article reveals that the team had rapidly “farmed out”, or rather recruited players from outside the borders of Benton County and, in other cases, possibly outside the state of Tennessee. Local Benton County names would be replaced with the exception of a few choice players. The news names were definitely of a higher experience level. In most cases of rural area Semi-Pro teams, players just wanted to play and continue their post high school glory days. These players really weren’t worried about money as much as playing the sport. However, for those who came to the team from Nashville, Memphis or outside the Benton County area, they held bigger ambitions of entering the “Big Leagues” and came to the Camden Vols on a temporary basis. Some ended up playing an entire season, always anticipating a sudden call up to the larger Minor and Major League levels while others played week to week. From the talent level the archived Camden Chronicle news articles described, it is quite possible the Camden Vols could have played against any Minor and Major League teams of their day and been successful. By the late 1930 season and by the start of the 1931 season, the success of the Camden Vols was known well outside the immediate area and into several surrounding states!
Although there were the typical area rivalries (Columbia, Huntingdon, Trenton, Gleason, Paris and Murray), the articles mention trips into Kentucky, Arkansas, Illinois, Mississippi, Alabama, Missouri, Memphis, and Nashville and playing against the best competition that could be found. The better the competition, the better the gate revenue would be. To be formidable and profitable, extensive travel and playing as much as possible over the summer season wound be a must! In studying the known playing dates of the 1930 and 1931 season, the Camden Vols were literally playing 3 to 5 games a week for 4 months. Rained out games would add to the weekly total in some instances. A late August 1931 article reported Camden as literally playing every day that month! The travel and time involved was very difficult on players, but more challenging to the ownership or management of the team. The time involved to schedule games was trying itself, especially during a time when telephones were a luxury and correspondence via mail would be time constraining. Finding someone to devote the time to managing a team could also be financially detrimental to one’s personal business or employment as well. Not just anyone could in the community would, or could take such risk.
A Volunteer Steps Forward to Oversee the Team!
To recruit and sign players beyond the high school level meant lots of funding during economic hard times for this was the beginning era of The Great Depression. Although the county and citizens would “pitch in” where they could (usually in the form of admission at the games), money was very difficult to come by due to the early stages of The Great Depression beginning to push its wrath into the rural areas of the South. Benton County was no exception to economic hard times, so money was scarce for a rural farming county. To put forth a quality Semi-professional team, funds were needed to house and feed players as well as provide for equipment and travel costs. A subsidy (or pocket money) would also be needed to pay the players. Desire and enthusiasm among the citizens of Benton County for a successful endeavor was high, but outside financial participation was low as no one had the means to sustain such financial investment for the course of an entire season. Not only was it financially trying, but one also had to be especially astute in managing schedules, as well as personalities. A manager had to not only sign a player, but find them as well. During times when party line telephones and maybe even more reliable word of mouth was how managers communicated and learned about available players, a managers duties really never ceased. The best recruitment tool was simply to play another team and attempt to acquire their better players before the team bus had left the parking lot after the game! The Camden Vols had multiple instances of signing opposing talent during the 1930 season, but as research was conducting for the 1931 season it was evident several rivals had pulled Camden players to their teams for the 1931 season. Lastly, a manager had to and keep a cohesive collection of talent in order to have a successful team. One such individual stepped forward and fronted his own money and time and for a two year stretch would lead a Benton County baseball team to the county’s first known “State Championship” title in 1930 and compete for the 1931 state title. The particular individual who stepped forward was John Wyly Lashlee of Camden, also a member of the First Methodist Church Volunteer Sunday School Class. Under his financial backing and general managing talents, he would literally put Benton County on the map in the baseball world not only in Tennessee, but also across the nation!
Born in 1898, John Lashlee was the son of a prominent and wealthy local farmer and basically was using his father’s wealth to fund his ambitious endeavors of providing Semi-Pro baseball entertainment to the people of Benton County. Most people will recognize John Wyly Lashlee from his political endeavors, having served Benton County in numerous civic and county positions, but also as a State Representative and Senator. Prior to his untimely death in 1944, he had been planning a run for the Governor’s office for 1946 or 1948.
What people didn’t know about John Lashlee is that he had a deep love of following sports and attending athletic events. Growing up and being schooled in the Morris Chapel (Benton County) area, organized sports of any kind was limited to the backyards and farm fields back in the early 1900’s. John Lashlee followed baseball via the newspapers and would travel often to Nashville in order to watch the Nashville Vols play at Sulphur Dell where currently the Nashville Sounds play their AAA Minor League professional baseball. Having traveled and witnessed such play, this led John Lashlee to his endeavor of bringing a first class, Minor League team to Camden.
Where will The Camden Vols Play?
The various articles reveal that the games were played at “Dobson Field” in Camden and made several references to the constant remodeling, upgrading and addition of grandstands that would hold up to 3,000 fans and a first-class playing field and dugouts. Research of the actual location is limited for the articles never state an address of where Dobson Field stood. Research thus far has not been able to determine if Dobson Field was named after a person who fielded the money to upkeep and provide an area to play or whether Dobson Field was land that was given by a family to accommodate a ballfield. It could be presumed an existing field would possibly be available that was utilized by the county or city school baseball team. Discussions with local historians conclude that it is possible the ballfield was on the Dobson property just down the hill from the First United Methodist Church on the right side of Eva Road toward the Cypress Bottoms and Memphis Stone Gravel Pits. This was a “church team” originally and a close location to the church would be logical to assume. As to naming it Dobson Field; O.P. Dobson was a highly respected citizen with moderate wealth and land holdings near the court square area of town and in particular where this ballfield is thought to have been. It was also learned thru research interviews that the County Fair had been held in the area off Eva Road couple of times in the mid-later 1930’s just before it moved to the court square. This would mean the land would possibly be suitable for large events, flat layouts, contain grandstands and adequate parking and spectator areas. Many articles mentioned playing in front of a “packed house” so the attendance and support of the community was no doubt enthusiastic and well into the thousands as reported in later articles as the team grew in success. Benton County had a population of just over 11,000 citizens around 1930. As a result of the increased success of the team and fan attendance, financial investment in the playing field and spectator bleachers increased and the field became “Dobson Park” at the beginning of the 1931 season. In later years when the Camden Vols were still playing (until the later 1950’s), games were played at the current Camden City Park ballfield.
Inaugural Season! Meet the 1930 Camden Vols:
The 1930 Camden Vols really got the attention of the region’s baseball world as well as defined itself in regards to ownership, talent level, and role to the community.
The first article of record was the formation of the team per the April 26, 1930 Camden Chronicle as noted above. This article notes that E.J. Clement would be manager while Reverend J.N. Wilford would be the coach. Businesses who would donate funds to buy uniforms were J.C. Durdin & Son, Commerce Union Bank, People’s Union Bank & Trust, E.S. Byrd & Co., Jordan’s Cash Grocery, U-Tote-Em Grocery Co., Fry Drug Co., O’Guinn Barber Shop, Crawford-Gatlin Co., E.D. Davidson, Melton-Bowles Co., Lashlee’s Trotters Landing Ferry, and Bivens & Lindsey.
The second article of record, May 9, 1930 reported the team’s first win against the Big Sandy Nine by a score of 7-6. Players Fry & Wyatt had an impressive hitting day while Bowles stole 3 bases.
Per a June 6, 1930 article which was the third article of record, the team had a record of 6 wins against 2 losses. Wins against Big Sandy (TN), Dickson (TN) and a loss to Huntingdon (TN) were included in the 6-2 record.
Initially, the team was made up of “locals”: Ross Bates (catcher), Henry Hollingsworth (pitcher), Tuffy Fry (1st baseman & assistant manager), Grady Gowan and Homer Baird (2nd basemen), Chigger Bowles (shortstop and team captain), Marley White (3rd baseman), Bud O’Guinn, W.T. Gibson, Henry Hale, Lebo Lebteuw, David Byrd and Woodrow Coleman made up the outfielders. These names were obtained from the first June 6, 1930 article.
Referencing a later June 20, 1930 Camden Chronicle news article, the Camden Vols beat Gleason by a score of 8-6 in front of a hometown crowd of more than 500 people. This was quite an exciting feat for Gleason was the reigning 1929 Semi-Professional Champions of The South! What this June 20th article hiddenly revealed was more profound as to the formation of this team going forward.
The June 20, 1930 article reported the win against Gleason and at the same time provided an entirely different team and ownership/management! It stated the team “has been under the management of John W. Lashlee for the past two weeks”. The article references what seems like a slew of new names on the field, which meant something of a dramatic nature had taken place shortly after that June 6, 1930 article. There was no mention of what happened, but none of the former names are mentioned other than Hollingsworth and Bowles in subsequent articles. No mention in other Camden Chronicle articles references anything to a dramatic event where players may have been cut loose from the team. However, the new names seem to have been an upgrade in talent. The June 20, 1930 article highlighting the win over Gleason revealed the following “new team members” not reported in the earlier June 6th article: Semmes, Jolly (Jack), Stoker, Jones (Guy), Newport, Brashier, and Ferrell. In the “Vol Romps on Gleason 8-6” article, Semmes was a “heavy slugging catcher who hit the longest home run ever seen on Dobson Field!”
From reading this June 20, 1930 article one player stood out above the others and could provide the following assumption: (John) Jolly was the brother-in-law to the owner/manager John W. Lashlee who married his sister Mildred Jolly of Huntingdon. John Jolly had played on the Minor League level with the Waterloo Hawks of the Mississippi Valley League prior to 1930, but also had played college baseball at Bethel with “Long Tom” Winsett, both whom would play valuable roles in the success of the Camden Vols inaugural season. It is possible John Jolly assisted in the management and coaching of this team for John Lashlee had very limited knowledge of the game. He had a pocket book and could wheel and deal when it came to obtaining players and operating the administrative aspects of a Semi-professional team, but John Jolly would have been the mastermind of how the team played and how it would be comprised.
This same June 20, 1930 article brings a bit of mystery. Initially E.J. Clement was manager and Reverend J.N. Wilford was listed as coach, but presumably a change was made in early June that brought forth John Lashlee as the General Manager and Coach. John Lashlee was a member of the Methodist Church’s Volunteer Sunday School Class and later became a deacon, but there has never been any explanation of the change. Noting John Lashlee’s love of the sport and having a notorious brother-in-law as a standout baseball player with Minor League experience, it could be assumed he possibly persuaded the membership to allow his takeover of the team.
As the season progressed the later articles would reveal additional talent! Such names as “Sausage” McEwen (catcher), Thomas “Shaky” Kain (see bio), Hugh Stark, and “Lefty” Taylor (pitchers), Jakie Hurt, Caldwell and Mike Ciresi (see bio) as infielders, and lastly Thomas “Long Tom” Winsett in the outfield (see bio) would be signed by such teams as the Boston Red Sox, Brooklyn Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates of the Major League as well as the San Francisco Seals, Buffalo Bisons, Louisville Colonels and others of the Minor League so the level of play was not too shabby! Only two batters had lower than a .340 hitting percentage!
As stated earlier, this team had an extensive schedule of opponents and the July 4, 1930 article reveals a schedule of away games against the Cairo Purities (Illinois) July 6; Wickliffe (Kentucky) July 7; Fulton (Kentucky) July 8-9-10; Mayfield (Kentucky) July 11-12-13; Pontotoc (Mississippi) July 15-16-17; and wrapping up against Lexington (Tennessee) July 18th. Calculating this 2 week road trip via Yahoo Maps shows an approximate total of 600 miles of minimal travel, and 13 nights of lodging would be required! A July 20, 1930 article reveals a split with Pontotoc (MS) and mentions, among others, the names of pitcher Hollingsworth and Bowles as well as a new name, Jack Reed, concluding that there were still a few holdovers from the original team members in Hollingsworth and Bowles.
A July 8, 1930 article from The Mayfield (KY) Messenger stated a July 11, 12, 13th games would be played against a Camden aggregation team comprised of the best talent from Waverly, Camden and Ripley. Their July 9, 1930 article stated a cancellation of the games due to misunderstanding of the management of the clubs over the financial arrangements. The financial benefits reaped from the gate receipts were a great challenge to teams of the Semi-pro levels during those days, especially for the rural teams. However, this is the only occasion found during the two seasons researched for the Camden Vols. A later article would reveal these teams rescheduled the cancelled games for August.
A July 18, 1930 article showed how the team had distinguished itself into upper tier status by playing the strongest teams in three states (mentioned in the July 4th article above) and won 12 of 17 games! The July 25,, 1930 article highlighting a big win over Bruceton (TN) clearly showed the Camden Vols team had an “Ace” pitcher in a player named McAuley who had already won his 14th game of the season out of 21 games played. It does not mention if these were outright wins or saves.
An August 8, 1930 article highlights a 13 inning win over Houston (Mississippi). An August 22, 1930 article states a win over Paragould (AR) followed by a win against Mayfield (KY). This article also provides some motivating talk to the fans in stating “Camden is making arrangements to play Springfield (TN) at Sulphur Dell in Nashville as soon as the Nashville Vols are not using the park” as well as “Next week will see the Nashville City League in Camden playing the Vols. This club will have a (picked) team out of the Nashville City League’s Model Laundry and Phil Davis club’s”.
The August 16 thru August 26th articles of The Mayfield (KY) Messenger reported on a series of six games played between the Mayfield Independents. Although Camden won five of the six, there were extra-inning games and very competitive pitching by both teams.
The August 30, 1930 Paducah Sun-Democrat reported an August 31st - September 1st Labor Day weekend series between the Kentucky Utilities Orioles and Camden Vols that would see a pitching scout (Frank Rickey from the National League contending St. Louis Cardinals) on hand to watch Camden Vol pitcher Lefty Taylor. The games would be played at Hook Park in Paducah. “Bubba” Mason would be on the mound for the opposition (Kentucky Utilities) for the Monday game. Mason would be signed to the Vol squad for multiple games in the 1931 season! Another interesting item of note was presented in the following August 31 article and noted that Paducah had secured the services of Mike Cirisi (Ceresi) to play third base. Ceresi had started the season with the Camden Vols and is pictured in their 1930 team photo! Ceresi would play the Monday (Aug 31) game with Camden as noted in the box score of the September 2, 1930 article so this deal must have taken effect at a later time for Ceresi is mentioned in other articles later as playing for Camden. As noted earlier this was a common practice to sign players away from other teams and indicative of the hardships teams faced with talented players as well as the challenges managers had in keeping a team intact. The September 2, 1930 PS-D article reported an Orioles (Paducah) 8-3 victory over Camden for the Monday game (September 1). The September 5, 1930 Camden Chronicle mentioned a Sunday game (August 31) loss to Paducah by a score of 3-2.
The September 5, 1930 Camden Chronicle article states a split with the Nashville Club Model Laundry and finishes announcing an upcoming scheduled game against Staf-o-Life of Memphis. The following September 12, 1930 article reveals that the Camden Vols routed the Memphis Staf-o-Life team by a score of 16-1. We learned in this article as we have many others in prior articles that a nickname was revealed for Mike “Spaghetti” Ceresi! An oddity you don’t normally see is the next game was played against the Nashville Club Phil Davis team in which Camden Vol manager John Lashlee had to loan his three best players to the Nashville club! Automobile trouble had prevented three Nashville players from making it to Camden so Lashlee capitalized on this situation. In loaning them three players, he was able to get playing time for others on his team. It noted that “Tuffy” Fry was one of those players and his name had not been mentioned since the very first article so it is possible some of the initial local players are beginning to emerge on this talented team.
The following week’s September 19, 1930 article clearly reveals the Camden Vols are on a roll and an unstoppable force. They took a 3-game series against Clarksville and then went head-to-head against the powerful Pap Malone’s All Stars of Nashville and came out on top 10-8. A following advertisement in the same paper edition highlighted another September 21, 1930 match-up against the Nashville All Stars (Pap Malone’s) team which would determine the State Champions of Tennessee!
The climatic highlight to the 1930 season was reported in the September 26, 1930 Camden Chronicle edition and was headlined “State Champions Take Another”. Before the largest crowd ever to attend a sporting event in Benton County, The Camden Volunteers went up against an ace pitcher with Major League professional experience and defeated the powerful Nashville All-Stars club by a score of 13-6 and thereby claimed the title of State Champions! The reader can clearly feel the enthusiasm of the article’s writer in which he wrote “Old Sausage McEwen had on his batting cloths and in the fifth inning he drove one for a free trip around the bases just merely to please the ladies, as you all know that he is the shiek of the ball club and his hitting is just to satisfy them”!
Another article in this same edition is a heartfelt plea from Owner/Manager John W. Lashlee to garner community support for his team. In previous articles nothing was ever revealed as to how the county and its citizens financially supported the team (outside of simple attendance to the games), but Manager Lashlee seems to plea to the local populous in supporting his team financially so as to continue into a 1931 season. He states how “Camden was on the map” as a result of the notoriety of the Camden Vols and that the team had become a big tourist draw throughout the season as people passing thru on trains and in automobiles made a direct effort to catch the baseball games when they were in town. He closes by stating a team worthy of being called State Champions should garner additional support in continuing into the following 1931 season.
The final October 17, 1930 article shows the team’s season came to a close on October 13, 1930. Highlighting their Tennessee State Championship status, it reported the team played 56 games, winning 47 and losing only 8 with a 13 inning game tie. (An additional 2 wins would be added per 1931 opening article). It highlighted that its three star pitchers (Shaky Kain, Lefty Taylor, and Hugh Stark) would be signing contracts with Class A Minor League teams for the following season. Guy Jones would report to Cleveland and Caldwell would report to San Francisco, while the outfielder Winsett would report to the Boston Red Sox.
2nd Season – The 1931 Camden Vols:
The 1931 Camden Vols began organizing their following season on June 8, 1931 with a “townhall meeting” at the Courthouse per a June 12, 1931 Camden Chronicle article. This article reveals a much different formation compared to the 1930 year. In 1930 the First Methodist Church was the sponsor and organizer of the team whereas it seems the 1931 season was dependent upon getting the County or City’s financial backing. John Wyly Lashlee retained the position of General Manager and assumed the financial burdens of carrying the team. The article highlights the 1930 team played 58 games (whereas it had previously been reported as 56) and that admission to the games would start off at $1 to help defray the expense of getting the team started. Manager Lashlee states in the article that he has players in waiting, but can’t hold them long so organizing the team immediately is encouraged. Another oddity is that Dobson Field was now being referred to as Dobson Park with additions of grandstands, improvement of dugouts and the playing surfaces.
There were no game reporting articles found from the initial June 12, 1931 article up until a July 3, 1931 article surfaced which showed the Camden Vols got off to a hot start for the season. Games against Gleason, Huntingdon, Selmer, Memphis and Lexington had the Camden record at 7-2. Familiar names from the 1930 team were mentioned such as Taylor, McEwen, Simmons, Jones, Hurt and Dean. Sausage McEwen was now pitching! Previously he had been referred to as a catcher. The new names were pitching aces “Knotty” Porter, Cannon, “Bubba” Mason and another player named Hudgins. The July 3rd Camden Chronicle article also highlighted an advertisement with the Vols taking on Helena, Arkansas Seaporters for a July 6-7-8 series. The article also noted that former 1930 Camden Vol pitching ace Hugh Stark was now playing for the Seaporters! Admission was priced at 25-35 cents and Ladies free on July 6th (Monday). This is a large decrease from the $1 admission stated at the first of the season.
A July 3rd Paris PI article highlights a win over the home team Paris Apex Grease Monkeys! From the July 1st Paris PI article, Camden seemed to have become the main rival to the Paris team in reading the article.
The next July 10, 1931 Camden Chronicle article reveals a an exciting story in that the Camden Vols are one of 16 teams in America that have been invited to the Little World Series to be played in Denver, CO., July 23-August 4. According to the article, it is the first time a Tennessee team has been invited to participate and is attended by more than 32,000 fans and will pay out more than $10,000 in prize money (more information on this in a below paragraph). Additionally, the same article states wins over Paris and Columbia the week prior and mentions new names such as Anderson, Hackman, and Davis. It stated that ace pitcher Knotty Porter has pitched 27 innings thus far allowing only 1 run and 13 hits total!
A July 17, 1931 article highlights a 2 game series road win over powerhouse Florence-Wilson Dam (AL) who had previously only lost 1 game all season. The article was written locally in Florence and stated “The Camden nine is one of the strongest ever brought to the district and put up one of the classiest exhibitions yesterday ever seen on a local field”!
The Helena, Arkansas newspaper; The Helena Daily World provided a series of articles on the Helena Seaporters vs Camden Vols match-ups occurring July 9-15th. There must have been a schedule change from an earlier noted Camden Chronicle mention of this series. A July 9-10th series was played in Camden seeing the Seaporters take two of the three games. The Seaporters manager reported to their local paper the “Camden Nine was definitely the best they had seen and competed against in the season”!
The July 12-14th series was played in Helena in which the Seaporters took all three games. The July 13th edition reported the largest crowd to see a game at the Fairgrounds in which 750 fans attended. The July 12th edition mentioned the Camden team as being one of the top 16 teams in the country and noted their invitation to the Little World Series in Denver, Colorado later that month.
A July 16, 1931 Paducah Sun-Democrat story couldn’t say enough when it came to praising the 1930 Vols squad. In a write-up announcing a July 19 game in Paducah, the PS-D noted how the Camden team was loaded with talent from their successful 1930 season and featured star players Hackman and McEwen who had torn the Paducah club apart the previous year. It stated these players were standout football players for the University of Tennessee and were known in the baseball world as “Hack and Mack”! The article also noted Jakie Hurt as being a player with Cotton States, Kitty, and Southern Associations league experience. The July 20, 1931 PS-D article reported a 2-0 Paducah win over Camden.
The July 24 Camden Chronicle edition noted a loss to Paducah (KY) and a win against Springfield. The Vols were scheduled to be in Denver, Colorado for the Little World Series July 24-August 4, 1931. The lack of Camden Chronicle news articles from the July 24 edition to the September 4, 1931 edition is disheartening for during this timeframe the Vols were to attend the Little World Series in Denver, Colorado and no explanation would be revealed as to why they opted out of the series. The Denver Post tournament was played from 1915-1947. It began as a statewide competition and developed into America's premier baseball event outside of the major leagues." It was sometimes called "The Little World Series" or "The Western World Series." In a review of the participants of the Little World Series from an August 4, 1931 Denver Post article, the Camden Vols were not listed and it appeared that most teams were from western states other than the exception of an Iowa team. One could presume the expense of travel and scheduling would have been possibly more than the Camden team could afford or logistically pull off when there were scheduled games already immediately before and after the July 20-August 4 timeframe the Little World Series was played. Nothing more is ever found of this period’s results from subsequent Camden Chronicle reports.
However, The Paris PI did report on the Camden Vols. In an August 6, 1930 article a make-up game of Paris-Camden is reported to be held August 6th only to be cancelled yet again due to weather. Subsequently, an August 27, 1931 article reveals the make-up game to be played in Paris at Barton Field on the same day (Aug 27). The August 28, 1931 Paris PI paper reports a Paris loss to Camden of the score of 5-1.
August 30-31, 1931 Paducah Sun-Democrat articles reveal Paducah had won two previous engagements against the Vols earlier in the season, but that Camden was victorious in the third and final game by a score of 5-2. Camden had signed a former Paducah Blue Sox “local” star hitter in Fred West. However the tables were turned in that Paducah had signed a pitcher that formerly played for the Vol team in Doc “Lucky” Greer and several articles highlight the fact that he was looking forward to taking the mound in revenge and pitching his best game!
Of all the teams Camden had played in two seasons it seemed the Paducah Blue Sox would have been their biggest nemesis. Camden had an easy time defeating most every team and handily defeated teams the Blue Sox had lost to in their 1930-31 comparable schedules. However, it seemed the Blue Sox really wanted to beat the Camden Vols the most. In reading the Paducah Sun-Democrat, most every article is filled with enthusiasm and vigor in the writing. An August 26, 1931 article highlights the point that the Paducah teams success over the Vols was quite puzzling and that an extra game was scheduled between management simply to provide an opportunity for redemption for the Vols. The Camden Vols would win that game 5-2.
Due to election news there is a large break in coverage from the July 24, 1931 edition up to the September 4, 1931 edition, but the September 4th edition brings the Vols to playing the third game of a five game Labor Day series being played at Sulphur Dell, home of the Nashville Vols Southern Association team. The Camden Vols would play the War Horse Rogers All Star team of which both teams had become rivals to one another. Such implication leads the reader to believe these teams had played before, yet nothing has been previously found in the news articles researched. This same September 4th article also mentions that the Vols would play in a Dyersburg Tournament against Obion as well as the Coca-Cola team of Montgomery (AL) will be playing in Camden September 8, 1931. The Alabama team had been invited to the Tournament of Atlantic States in Cleveland, Ohio. This team is the Alabama State Champions and scheduled the game since they would be passing thru Camden on their way to the tournament. Admission would be 25 cents. The article also notes a 5-2 win against Paducah (KY)-see below.
After a 2 week gap in coverage, the September 18, 1931 edition highlights a two game series against the Memphis Chicks on September 22-23, 1931 in Paris, TN. It also states another trip to Helena (AR) for a three game series against the Memphis Chicks. It is possible this series would determine the 1931 Tri-States Association Championship. Manager Lashlee was able to add to his playing roster, gaining back former 1930 team member Hugh Stark as well as new player Hugh Holladay from the Helena team. It doesn’t stop there. Lashlee acquired New York Yankees player Floyd Van Pelt as a pitcher in his stable.
A September 21, 1931 Paris PI article reports a nice rivalry Paris win over the Camden Vols by a score of 2-1 before the largest crowd of the season in Paris. In reading this article a reader could easily sense the tension between these two teams and their fan base. This same edition then announces in another section the marquee matchup ever to be presented in Paris where the Memphis Chicks will play the Camden Vols and gives the projected line-up for the two game series. The September 22, 1931 Paris PI reported a 17-2 Paris loss to Camden and again mentions the Memphis Chicks vs. Camden Vols game. Chicks pitching ace Harry Kelley would face Camden ace Joe VanPelt in the first game. The paper reported they were expecting a record attendance. Charlie Neese, Jr. was referenced as the PI sports section reporter.
The September 23, 1931 Paris PI article reports the first game as a 9-4 Camden loss to the Memphis team. The following days Paris PI reported a game two result and 6-4 Memphis win, holding Memphis to the lowest score they had in their season tour.
Missing Camden Chronicle editions and gaps in coverage does not allow for one to determine the outcomes of these games aforementioned by the Paris PI (it is possible additional research could determine such), but the last article found is one dated October 23, 1931. This article is announcing the close of another successful season stating the Camden Vols winning over 75% of their games while star player Sausage McEwen having 19 home runs!
The October 23rd article highlights the 1931 Camden team had a player from the New York Yankees system named Floyd Van Pelt as its star pitcher (see bio). Dick Anderson (3rd baseman) who would go on to the St. Louis Cardinals system; Hugh Holladay (centerfield) would play for the Toledo Mud Hens. “Chigger” Bowles (see bio) and “Old Lady” Simmons would play for the Chicago White Sox of the Major League and Tulsa of the Western Association. “Knotty” Porter, Dick Stewart, Hugh Stark and “Mule” Dean would play in the Southern League. Jack Reid played 1st base (see article below by Paul Redick).
Epilogue:
Only having the archived articles of the Camden Chronicle and other papers mentioned above in which to research statistics, John Lashlee’s Camden Vols achieved win-loss records of 49-8-1 in 1930 (.845 winning percentage); won 75% of their games in 1931, and won the Tennessee Semi-Professional State Championship in 1930 (and possibly 1931), bringing national attention to the small county of Benton.
The 1930 team may have been one of the best ever in Tennessee Semi-Professional history. This team had the challenges of organizing its first ever team, recruit players and build team cohesion. Combine the administrative challenges of scheduling, funding, and coaching was a feat to itself for manager John Lashlee had never embarked nor experienced such responsibility of a sports organization in his life to that point. Highways were still being developed; phone and telegrams were still extremely limited in rural areas; postal mail as not built to be time sensitive; advertising was basically limited to the local newspaper only: For the Camden Vols to experience the success they were able to was an amazing achievement considering those challenges.
The 1930 team had literally begun its season with a win over the 1929 Semi-Professional Champions of the South in Gleason. The 1930 team beat the Alabama, Kentucky, and Mississippi state champions and several former state champions. The 1930 team was the team that caught the attention of the area rivals and built a highly respected reputation in the surrounding states that would gain them the invite to the 1931 Little World Series. Several of the star players on the 1930 team would leave for higher level teams the following year or be signed to play for other Camden rivals.
The 1931 season, although extremely successful, also showed the rigors and challenges of managing a season while also competing against a high level of expectations. Due to the successful reputation of the 1930 team, it is evident from the opponent’s newspapers reporting that there was definitely a heightened level of intensity in playing the Camden Vols. As research was conducted one could also recognize that the schedule must have been demanding for it seemed the Vols played almost daily during the June, July and August timeframe which may have attributed a reason for their losses during that season. However, the 1931 season culminated with a September 22nd - 23rd two-game featured series against the Memphis Chicks that was played in Paris, Tennessee! The Chicks were affiliated with the Southern Association and had finished their league season. Additionally, the 1931 team was invited to be one of 16 teams across the nation to be invited to the “Little World Series” hosted in Denver, Colorado July 23rd - August 4th. The July 10, 1931 Camden Chronicle article stated this was the first team in Tennessee history to receive such an invite! Many of the players off the 1930 and 1931 teams would go on to play for higher level Semi-Professional and Professional teams in subsequent years with Tom Winsett and Thomas “Shaky” Kain having distinguished professional careers.
Due to the death of his father, O.P. Lashlee, in February 1932 as well as the wrath of The Great Depression detrimentally affecting his business and farming operations, John Lashlee would cease operating the team prior to the 1932 season and pursue his career in politics (the team would reform in 1933 and other seasons sparingly up to 1959). If only for a brief period of time during a trying period of economic hard times, the citizens of Benton County were on top of the baseball world in their support and enthusiasm for their Camden Vols. Those Glory Days may have faded later with the continuance of The Great Depression and World War 2; however, Benton County would still continue its success in the sport of baseball afterwards. To this very day, Little League, High School and Babe Ruth championships of many categories and many levels continue in Benton County, but for the original tradition to successful baseball in Benton County, it originated way back to 1930 & 1931 and the team known as the “Camden Vols”!
Items for additional research:
For 1930 & 1931 games showing an opponent, but no score, research could be done to locate those teams local newspapers via their local library and archived editions of newspapers.
(Sept 25, Oct 2, Oct 9, Oct 16, Oct 23) 1931 Camden Chronicle editions (to see if other articles can be found reporting baseball team results)
1929-31 high school football and spring high school baseball articles – does it mention “Dobson Field”? 1929-35 Benton County Fair articles – does it validate location of the fair being at Dobson Field a couple of years?
1930 (July 23-Aug 4) find more articles from the Denver Post reporting on the Little World Series
1931 (July 23-August 12) Various surrounding newspapers which may have reported scores of Camden Vols (This is a missing link of important information – if team did not play in Little World Series, were other games scheduled against nearby teams that would have reported a score?
References:
Info from various archived articles from The Camden Chronicle (Benton County Library), The Paris Post-Intelligencer (Paris Library), The Helena (Arkansas) Daily World (provided by Phillips County Library), The Paducah Sun-Democrat (provided by McCracken County Library), The Mayfield (KY) Messenger, The Denver Post (Denver Public Library), various baseball research websites, local historians Dickie Bivens and Tim Pafford and lastly handed down information from family stories provided from a 50 year Major League scout, Coach, and Umpire Jack “Bubba” Jolly, III, whose father John Frank Jolly, Jr. was a player for the Camden Vols in 1930. “Bubba” Jolly was also the nephew of the owner/general manager John Wyly Lashlee.
The Camden Chronicle archived editions May-October 1930, June-October 1931
The Paris Post-Intelligencer archived editions July, August, September 1931
The Helena Arkansas Daily World archived editions July-September 1931
The Paducah Sun-Democrat archived editions July, August-September 1930 & 1931
The Mayfield (KY) Messenger archived editions July, August-September 1930
The Denver Post archived editions July 24-August 4, 1931
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/league.cgi?year=1931
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=ciresi001mik (Mike Ciresi)
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/winseto01.shtml (Tom Winsett)
http://tshf.net/halloffame/kain-thomas-shaky/ (Shaky Kain)
http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/c41f48c9 (Shaky Kain)
https://www.google.com/#q=floyd+van+pelt+baseball+ (Floyd Van Pelt)
1930 Tennessee State Champs (Semi-Pro) - The 1930 Camden Vols (Pictured):
L-R, seated are “Old Lady” Simmons (LF); Hugh Stark (P); Jakie Hurt (SS); "Sausage" McEwen (C); “Lefty” Taylor (P); A.Vernon “Chiggar” Bowles (OF); "Little Jakie" Hurt, Jr. (Mascot). Standing is Wayne Cobb (Umpire); Miller (Umpire); Davis (2B); Guy Jones (1B); Thomas “Shaky” Kain (P): “Mule” Dean (RF); Mike Ciresi (3B); Roy Melton (Secretary/Coach); John W Lashlee (Owner/Manager/Coach). The team would play their games on “Dobson Field”. (Picture taken at Benton County Courthouse in June 1930)
1930 Team Players referenced from Camden Chronicle articles:
NAME HOMETOWN LATER AFFILIATED
(“Keystoner”) – denotes a Second Baseman
Armstrong – shortstop, third baseman
Baird (Homer) – second baseman (“Keystoner”) Camden, TN
Bates (Ross) – catcher Camden, TN
Bowles (A.Vernon “Chigger”) – shortstop & captain Camden, TN Tulsa (Western Association)
Brashier – pitcher
Byrd (David) – outfielder Camden, TN
Caldwell – pitcher, second baseman (“Keystoner”) Nashville, TN San Francisco
Ceresi (Mike “Spaghetti”) – third baseman Louisville, KY Kentucky Utilities Orioles
Coleman (Woodrow) – outfielder Camden, TN
Davis – second baseman (“Keystoner”) McKenzie, TN Bethel College
Dean (“Mule”) – right fielder Dickson, TN St Louis Browns
Ferrell – pitcher
Fry (Tuffy) – first baseman & assistant manager Camden, TN
Gowan (Grady) – second baseman (“Keystoner”) Camden, TN
Gibson (W.T.) – outfielder Camden, TN
Hale (Henry) – outfielder Camden, TN
Herndon – first baseman Camden, TN
Hollingsworth (Henry) – pitcher Camden, TN
Hurt (Jakie) – shortstop Martin, TN St Joseph (Western Association)
Hurt (“Little” Jakie Jr.) – mascot Martin, TN
Jolly (John F) – second baseman, pitcher Huntingdon, TN Waterloo (Western Association)
Jones (Guy “Jew”) – first baseman, catcher Jackson, TN Cleveland
Kain (Thomas “Shaky”) – pitcher Nashville, TN New York Yankees
Lebteuw (Lebo) – outfielder Camden, TN
Mason (“Bubba”) - pitcher
McAuley – pitcher Camden, TN
McEwen (Sausage) – catcher Camden, TN Nashville Vols
Newport – pitcher
O’Guinn (Bud) – outfielder Camden, TN
Parks – shortstop
Reed (Jack) – first baseman Gleason, TN acquired from Gleason’s team
Sanders - shortstop
Semmes – catcher
Simmons (Old Lady) – left fielder McKenzie, TN Tulsa (Western Association)
Stark (Hugh “Hughie”) – pitcher Somerville, TN Birmingham (Southern League)
Stoker –
Taylor (Lefty) – pitcher Luray, TN Pittsburgh Pirates
White (Marley) – third baseman Camden, TN
Winsett (Thomas “Long Tom”) – outfielder McKenzie, TN Boston, St Louis, Brooklyn
Wyatt Camden, TN
Lashlee (John W) – coach/general manager Camden, TN
Melton (Roy) – secretary Camden, TN
Clement (E.J.) – manager Camden, TN
Wilford, Reverend J.N. – coach Camden, TN
Record on:
June 6, 1930 6 wins 2 losses
July 18, 1930 12 wins 5 losses
July 25, 1930 17 wins 5 losses
October 13, 1930 49 wins 8 losses 1 tie TENNESSEE STATE CHAMPIONS
1930 Results as per newspaper articles: Result Camden Chronicle Edition (other)
May 8 at Big Sandy Camden 7-6 May 9, 1930
June 4 at Huntingdon Huntingdon 8-6 June 6, 1930
June 6 vs Dickson Camden June 6, 1930
June 16 vs Pontotoc, MS Camden 5-4 June 20, 1930
June 16 vs Pontotoc, MS Pontotoc June 20, 1930
June 24 vs Gleason Camden 8-6 June 27, 1930
July 6 at Cairo, IL July 4, 1930
July 7 at Wickliffe, KY July 4, 1930
July 8 at Fulton, KY July 4, 1930
July 9 at Fulton, KY July 4, 1930
July 10 at Fulton, KY July 4, 1930
July 15 at Pontotoc, MS July 4, 1930
July 16 at Pontotoc, MS July 4, 1930
July 17 at Pontotoc, MS July 4, 1930
July 18 at Lexington, TN Camden July 4, 1930
July 20 vs Trenton Camden July 18, 1930
July 24 vs Bruceton Camden 7-1 July 25, 1930
July 25 vs Pontotoc, MS Camden July 25, 1930
July 26 vs Pontotoc, MS Camden July 25, 1930
Aug 4 vs Houston, MS Camden 6-5 August 8, 1930
Aug 14 vs Paragould, AR Camden 18-3 August 22, 1930
Aug 16 at Mayfield, KY Independents Camden 5-3 August 22, 1930
Aug 17 at Mayfield, KY Independents Camden 1-0 August 22, 1930
Aug 20 vs Mayfield, KY Independents Mayfield 5-4 August 21, 1930 (Mayfield)
Aug 21 vs Mayfield, KY Independents Camden 15-9 August 23, 1930 (Mayfield)
Aug 23 at Mayfield, KY Independents Camden 13-10 August 26, 1930 (Mayfield)
Aug 24 at Mayfield, KY Independents Camden August 22, 1930
Aug 28 vs Nashville Model Laundry Nashville September 5, 1930
Aug 29 vs Nashville Model Laundry Camden 9-5 September 5, 1930
Aug 31 at Paducah, KY Orioles Paducah 3-2 September 5, 1930
Sept 1 at Paducah, KY Orioles Paducah 8-3 September 5, 1930
Sept 5 vs Memphis Staf-O-Life Camden September 12, 1930
Sept 7 vs Nashville Phil Davis Camden 16-1 September 12, 1930
Sept 8 vs Nashville Phil Davis Camden 1-0 September 12, 1930
Sept 11 vs Clarksville Camden 9-1 September 19, 1930
Sept 12 vs Clarksville Camden 6-1 September 19, 1930
Sept 12 vs Clarksville Camden September 19, 1930
*Sept 14 at Nashville All-Stars Camden 10-8 September 19, 1930
*Sept 21 vs Nashville All-Stars Camden 13-6 September 26, 1930
* Tennessee State Championship
1931 Team Players referenced from Camden Chronicle and other newspaper articles:
(* denotes 1930 team member) (+ denotes players that partially played for Helena Seaporters)
NAME HOMETOWN LATER AFFILIATED
Anderson (“Andy”, “Dick”) – third baseman St. Louis or Detroit
*Bowles (A.Vernon “Chigger”) – shortstop, centerfield Camden, TN Tulsa (Western Association)
Cannon – pitcher
Clement (B.F.) – shortstop Camden, TN Little Rock
Davis (Davie) – second baseman (“Keystoner”)
*Dean (“Mule”) – right & center fielder Dickson, TN St Louis Browns
Greer (Doc “Lucky”) - pitcher
Hackman – pitcher
+Holladay (Hugh) – centerfielder Toledo Mud Hens
Hudgins (“Squarehead”)
*Hurt (Jakie) – shortstop, second baseman (“Keystoner”)Martin, TN St Joseph (Western Association)
*Jones (Guy “Buttermilk”) – first baseman, catcher Jackson, TN
*Mason (“Bubba”) - pitcher
*McEwen (Sausage) – catcher, first basement, pitcher Camden, TN Nashville Vols
Porter (“Knotty”) – pitcher Rochester NY
*Reid / Reed (Jack) – first baseman Univ of Florida
*Simmons (Old Lady) – left & right fielder McKenzie, TN Tulsa (Western Association)
+*Stark (Hugh “Hughie”) – pitcher Somerville, TN Birmingham (Southern League)
Stewart (Dick) Memphis Chicks
*Taylor (Lefty) – pitcher Luray, TN Pittsburgh Pirates
Van Pelt (Floyd) – pitcher Westport, TN New York Yankees
West (Fred “Red”) – first baseman Paducah, KY Indianapolis
*Lashlee (John W) – coach/general manager Camden, TN
*Melton (Roy) – secretary Camden, TN
1931 Results as per newspaper articles: Result Camden Chronicle Edition (other)
June 18 vs Gleason Camden 7-0 July 3, 1931
June 19 at Gleason Gleason 14-? July 3, 1931
June 21 vs Gleason Camden 1-0 July 3, 1931
vs Huntingdon Camden 9-3 July 3, 1931
vs Selmer Camden 7-5 July 3, 1931
vs Gleason (at Paris) Gleason 6-2 July 3, 1931
vs Gleason (at Paris) Camden 2-1 July 3, 1931
June 28 vs Memphis Jolly Cabs Camden 11-3 July 3, 1931
vs Lexington Camden 11-5 July 3, 1931
July 2 at Paris Apex Grease Monkeys Camden 8-6 July 3, 1931 (Paris PI)
July 3 at Paris Apex Grease Monkeys Cancelled due to rain July 3, 1931 (Paris PI)
July 4 at Nashville Red Sox
July 5 at Columbia Mules Camden 6-1 July 10, 1931
July 9 vs Helena, AR Seaporters Camden 5-4 July 9, 1931 (Helena news)
July 9 vs Helena, AR Seaporters Helena 6-0 July 9, 1931 (Helena news)
July 10 vs Helena, AR Seaporters Helena 8-1 July 10, 1931 (Helena news)
July 12 at Helena, AR Seaporters Helena 7-0 July 13, 1931 (Helena news)
July 13 at Helena, AR Seaporters Helena 9-1 July 14, 1931 (Helena news)
July 14 at Helena, AR Seaporters Helena 3-1 July 15, 1931 (Helena news)
July 15 at Florence-Wilson Dam AL Camden 6-2 July 17, 1931
July 16 at Florence-Wilson Dam AL Camden 3-2 July 17, 1931
July 19 at Paducah, KY Blue Sox Paducah 2-0 July 20, 1931 (PS-D)
July 22 vs Springfield (TN) Camden 17-0 July 24, 1931
Jul 23-Aug 4 at Little World Series (Denver CO) Did not play July 17, 1931
Jul 23-Aug 12 No information found
August 13 at Murray, KY Camden 6-1 August 16, 1931 (PS-D)
August 16 vs Paducah, KY Blue Sox Paducah 13-8 August 30, 1931 (PS-D)
August 25 at Huntingdon
August 27 at Paris Apex Grease Monkeys Camden 5-1 August 28, 1931 (Paris PI)
August 30 at Paducah, KY Blue Sox Camden 5-2 September 4, 1931
*Sept 4 at War Horse Roger All Stars (Sulphur Dell, Nashville) September 4, 1931
Sept 8 vs Alabama All-Stars September 4, 1931
Sept 9 at Obion (at Dyersburg) September 4, 1931
Sept 20 at Paris Apex Monkeymen Paris 2-1 September 21, 1931 (Paris PI)
Sept 21 vs Paris Apex Monkeymen Camden 17-2 September 22, 1931 (Paris PI)
Sept 22 vs Memphis Chicks (at Paris, TN) Memphis 9-4 September 23, 1931 (Paris PI)
Sept 23 vs Memphis Chicks (at Paris, TN) Memphis 6-4 September 24, 1931 (Paris PI)
Sept ?? at at Helena, AR September 18, 1931
* possible Tennessee State Championship?
"HOMEGROWN: The Making of the 1972-73 Providence College Friars" is a retrospective of that remarkable season as well as a history of the school's basketball program, which was responsible for drawing the local talent that propelled that team to succ
"HOMEGROWN: The Making of the 1972-73 Providence College Friars" is a retrospective of that remarkable season as well as a history of the school's basketball program, which was responsible for drawing the local talent that propelled that team to succ
"HOMEGROWN: The Making of the 1972-73 Providence College Friars" is a retrospective of that remarkable season as well as a history of the school's basketball program, which was responsible for drawing the local talent that propelled that team to succ
