MYSTERIOUS STRANGER APPEARS WITH WAD TO PUT DOWN AGAINST CHANCES OF THE INDEPENDENTS

WEDNESDAY OCT. 8, 1919

ANOTHER IS ALLEGED TO HAVE TAKEN NOTES ON SUNDAY GAME

The supporters of the Hammond football team are evidently a confident group. Islander fans in various billiard emporiums around town are given something to ponder over. A stranger appeared yesterday and today with a wad of bills large enough to choke the proverbial horse. He is from Hammond alright. His first move was to offer $1,000 against the chances of the Independents next Sunday when they take on the famous team from Hammond at Douglas Park. Local rooters have always found the Independents a safe investment and from indications it is pretty certain this ham will be given opportunity to bet his last nickel before the game begins. From well informed sources, it is learned that a Hammond scout witnessed the game Sunday vs the Hamburg A.C. of Chicago with the idea of seeing a few of the secrets of Coach Ursella and his men. This bird is to have reportedly sat comfortably in the grandstand and at times to have furtively played with his pencil and paper. Luckily for the Independents, the Hamburgs were easily handled by straight football tactics. The scout no doubt, departed to report to his employers’ failure of his expedition. If he thinks he got a good line on the green jerseys someone is due to be sadly upset with a few surprises.

Big Game in Rock Island – Before we get back to the article, it should be noted that the Hammond team was one of the best known teams in the nation. For Rock Island, this was probably the biggest opponent to visit town and it appears there was quite a buzz in the city. This was a chance for Walter Flanigan to elevate his team to national recognition; it had been years in the making to get such a game in Rock Island.

Practice Tuesday Night – After resting on Monday, the players were out Tuesday night for the initial practice in preparation for Hammond. The practice lasted for an hour and a half as will the rest of the practices this week. The men were lined up slightly differently than Sunday. Jerry Mansfield was taken from end and placed at half back and Oak Smith went to end. Newcomer Fats Smith joined the team at practice after his long laid up spell with a case of blood poisoning in the hand. His hand is mostly healed and he displayed ability at wing especially at short and long forward passes. He is tall and rangy which is the ideal type for the position. Several players are suffering from charley horses or strained muscles. The only serious injury on Sunday was to Paddy Quinn’s knee. Quinn was ordered to bed for 48 hours by the doctors to ward off “water on the knee.”

Secret Practices  – Secret practice is to be the order each night from now thru Sunday at Douglas Park. The fans are asked to keep this in mind, or suffer the consequences of being excluded from the rehearsals should they make the trip to the park. There is reason enough to take this stand with so much at stake. The Hammond scout will no doubt seek a more thorough understanding of the Independents. Having an open practice would allow the scout to easily fit in among a large crown of onlookers. Management asks the fans to accept this decision in the right spirit. A couple of strong arm guys will be on hand to escort you to the gate if you succeed in running past the guards.

THURSDAY OCT 9, 1919

LARGE CROWD OF ROOTERS WILL ALSO MAKE THE JAUNT HERE IN TWO SPECIAL CARS WITH SQUAD

The Hammond team will come to Rock Island Sunday well prepared for a hard grueling battle at Douglas Park. Manager Flanigan and Manager J.P. Parduhn of the Hammonds spoke last evening via long distance telephone conversation. Parduhn informed Flanigan that his squad will number 23 players, every one of whom totes a prominent reputation in gridiron circles of the country. Not only that, about two hundred rooters or more will accompany the team to this city.

Practice Like a College Team – To the star players of the Hammond team, football has become a business each fall. They command high salaries because of their ability to play the game. The team practices seven days a week with no interference as a college or university team does. Every single afternoon the men are out under the coaching of King, the former Notre Dame star fullback. Parduhn promises that the Independents will find themselves opposed not only by superior individuals, but also a team trained to the minute as the best university teams. King has brought the Eastern style and system of football used at Notre Dame to his Hammond team. The game will match the Independents Western style of shift formation against the straight play of the East. Hammond is expected to make use of a few trick plays to confuse the Independents. At the same time, Ursella has promised to do a bit of confusing himself.

Greatest Game - Even the most rival opponents of the Independents cannot help but admit that the coming of Hammond will provide the greatest treat that has ever been offered to tri-city football fans. Admission prices were boosted to one dollar this year and the highest quality of play promised. So far, Manager Flanigan appears to be the only head of tri-city teams who is living up to the promise. Inter-city contests are great but they can be played almost anytime; whereas, it will be the one and only chance this season to see this widely famed $20,000 team in action. The excursion is to be made in a couple special coaches. The team will arrive at about 5:30 Sunday morning over the Rock Island railroad lines.

SATURDAY OCT 11, 1919

COSTLY AGGREGATION OF STARS FROM HAMMOND, GREATEST GRID EVEN OFFERED TO TRI-CITIES

Come out and see Ursella, Chicken and Buland stack against famed players. All roads lead to Douglas Park tomorrow afternoon. The biggest game of the year is will start promptly at 3 o’clock, the park is expected to be filled with a sea of cheering Independents fans long before this hour. Arrangements have been made to seat 5,000 people with the early arrivers getting the best seating. More than 5,000 are expected to pack the field hoping to get a good view of the game. This will mark the first time many local grid fans will be able to see the famed stars they have only read about in newspapers. Rock Island rooters have clamored for a game with such a prominent team. Now it is up to the fans to turn out and show whether it is feasible to bring other highly touted teams here the remainder of the season.