The Horse Show, College Football, Chess, and more.

A Mather In-Law’s Diary from the 1880s: Part Two

Although James Floy was opposed to betting on the ponies, he did attend the National Horse Show in Madison Square Garden.  His diary also includes commentary on a professional chess match, a college football doubleheader, and a base ball game. (Yes, as two words)

Frederic Remington, 1896 A Loser at the Horse Show and a Winner at the Horse Show

The National Horse Show.  “This afternoon was spent by Mrs. S and myself at the Horse Show, Madison Square Garden, City.  It was very interesting from its novelty, but Oh so horsey, the men and women being the most horsey part.”  [November 6, 1888]    

An International Chess Match.  “I stopped in at Sixth American Chess Congress, East side 4^th Ave bet 14 & 15 Streets, became much interested in game between Blackburne of London and Delmar of New York.  Saw Steinitz, the champion of the world.  There are twenty players…”. [April 13, 1889]

Joseph Blackburne, Eugene Delmar, & Wilhelm Steinitz

A Saturday Base Ball Game.  “Base Ball at Bergen Point.  Wife and I, Jeanie, Grace…there, but not withstanding our enthusiastic support the N.J.A.C. were too much for the Wesleyan Boys—First ball game wife ever saw…” [May 4, 1889]

From its first references, the game was spelled as two words.  In 1870 the Times switched to hyphenating and in 1884 eliminated the hyphen.  The Boston Globe went from two words to one in 1893.

An 1888 Football Game.  “…to Football game at Polo Grounds, City. Wesleyan vs. Pennsylvania.  Hal [older son] was one of the players.  Victory perched on…the Penns…Hal came in tired and disgusted with his defeat…Wife and I satisfied that he escaped injury, for it is so rough a game that they have a Surgeon on the ground to attend promptly to the wounded.

[November 29, 1888]

From the New York Times Nov. 30, 1888: WESLEYAN IN THE REAR  VICTORY

FOR THE QUAKERS, WITH A SCORE OF 18 TO 6. NOT A MAN KILLED

IN THE PENNSYLVANIA-WESLEYAN FOOTBALL CONTEST AT THE POLO

GROUNDS.  Not a man was killed and a cursory examination of several

writhing cripples indicated that death would not necessarily result immediately.

There was a chilling lack of the sort of wounds that make tender-hearted

young women scream or faint.

And two 1889 Football Games.  “Thanksgiving Day-Fred, Jeanie, and Miss Stevens all day to Berkeley Oval. 2 football games, Yale & Princeton-Princeton won. Wesleyan & Penn-Wesleyan won.  [November 28, 1889]

Princeton vs. Yale, 1889. The Intercollegiate Championship Game between Princeton and Yale held at Berkeley Oval, New York, on Thanksgiving Day, 1889. Won by Princeton 10 to 0. Wood engraving from a contemporary newspaper.