CALL OUT TO LOCALS - TEAM IN QUESTION

INDEPENDENTS TO BE RE-ORGANIZED AT MEET TUESDAY

Jack Roche Issues Call for Grid Candidates to Attend Revival Meeting at the Bijon Cigar store

September 9th - At last the call for a representative independent football team in 1916 Rock Island has taken up by Jack Roche, a veteran of the game and the man who made Independent football in Rock Island a success when he launched the first team here in 1912, has issued a call for a meeting to be held Tuesday night at the Bijon Cigar store at 7:30.

Call to Organize– Captain Jack Roche put the team on his shoulders and put the Independents existence on the line with these words to the Argus and the people of Rock Island. - “The time is growing late and no one has stepped to the front to organize the Independents this season. I have decided to do so, rather than have the game lost here for a year. Davenport and Moline are to have first rate Independent teams this season and a hot three-cornered fight will result. I am not going to stand idly by and see Rock Island football fans go to Moline or Davenport to see Sunday grid games. I have issued a call for a meeting Tuesday night at the Bijon. This will be the first and last call. If the local football stars wish to see Rock Island represented again this season they must turn out Tuesday, I will call no second meeting. If the attendance is poor at the session Tuesday and if the proper spirit is not shown I will drop the proposition at once. If well enough interest is shown I will book games with the strongest teams in Illinois and Iowa and play through the last Sunday in November. A little patriotism must be injected at this time; he who played on the team last season have been urged to attend and all fit football men with experience should be present. No matter how many candidates respond all will be given equal opportunity to show their worth”.  

September 14th - Independents to Play Here Again This Coming Year.. Thirty Candidates Respond to Call and Manager Jack Roche Decides to Re-Organize. The rock Island Independents will organize and once again play in the city of Rock Island this fall and maintain the team name of the Independents.
 After an enthusiastic meeting held last night at Bijon Cigar store Roche announced he would move forward with the organization of a team. Talk at the meeting also suggested the formation of an Athletic Club team to be formed to back the team as has been done in Davenport

September 14th – Rock Island May Have Two Teams - Rock Island Argus sports writer Carl Ed had spoke with Manager Flanigan two weeks prior reported that Flanigan was too busy to handle the squad this season. Now the very next day after the Argus reported the re-organization of the Independents under Captain John Roche, Flanigan had this to say, “I had intended all along to reorganize the old Independents squad; but did not know just when the initial meeting would be called.” The writer went on to talk about this turn of events… Herman Hanson who was chosen manager at the annual banquet last fall, also declined to take hold of the team. Jack Roche was in the impression that no team was to form this fall. Having two teams in Rock Island would surely weaken both squads and the matter must be settled immediately. Flanigan announced that Art Solamann will coach the line and Ted Davenport who has decided to retire, will be hired at back field coach.

Moline Indians on Taylorville's List September 15th - The Taylorville Independents have been reorganized for the coming season. Coach Noah Jones confirmed the Indians will play a game at Taylorville on November 12th.  

September 15th – Both Independents Teams Push Forward Twenty to 25 men are expected to report for practice tomorrow morning at Exposition park under the direction of Jack Roche. The Flanigan Independents are meeting tonight at the Rock Island house where steps will be made to officially reorganize. It is looking like the team that secures the rights to play at Island City park will be the team to represent the city of Rock Island.

September 18th – Roche Team Holds Initial Practice – Flanigan Still to Organize – Flanigan and Roche met Saturday night in an effort to form a junction with the two clubs without success. Flanigan proposed that the two squads meet for a game on Sunday October 1st with winning team remaining organized to represent the city and the losing team dropping out. Roche rejected the idea stating that it was not the wish of his players and it would not be fair to opposing teams that were scheduled by either Independents team. Roche then suggested calling all the players together and holding a vote on who they wanted as a manager. Flanigan rejected that idea because Roche already had 30 men lined up in his favor and he only had a few. The final option was that both men step aside and an independent party step in to run the team, neither approved of that.

September 20th Headed by Walter Flanigan, Second Squad Organizes in Meeting Held at Rock Island House – Initial Practice Next Friday – 17 men answer the call including Louis Kolls, Ted Davenport, Ed Swanson, Paddy Quinn, Charlie McGinnis, Des Greer, Roy Milstedt, Bert Spaulding, George Hughes, Rod Lawrence, H Gillman, Gail Philbrook, Richard Getthardt, Pat Sexton, Harry Olson and Lanigan. The initial practice will be held Friday night at an undetermined location. Flanigan wishes to select a site where arc lights can be erected for practices after dark.  The Roche eleven held a practice last night at Long View Park.