Football
The sport in America known as football is more propertly called gridiron football, for the vertical yard lines that mark the field. The game is closely related to English rugby and soccer. Gridiron football originated at universities in America in the late 19th century. On November 6, 1869, players from Princeton and Rutgers held the first intercollegiate football game in New Jersey. A number of other elite Northeastern colleges took up the sport in the 1870s. Harvard and Yale played their first match in 1875. The man most responsible for the transition from a "rugby-like game" to the sport of football was Walter Camp, the "Father of American Football." Camp played halfback at Yale and served as team captain. He was the guiding force on the rules board of the newly formed intercollegiate Football Association.
Madison County, Illinois didn't officially take up the sport of football until 1892, when the young men of the Alton Y.M.C.A. formed a football club. The Alton Athletic Club organized a football team in 1893, and began playing games against other area teams. The city of Troy organized a team in 1895.
FOOTBALL CLUB TO FORM
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, November 14, 1892
The young men of the Y.M.C.A. are endeavoring to get up a football
club. It is a game that is fast becoming popular all over America,
and Alton boys don’t want to be behind the times. It is supplanting
baseball, and is much more exciting. A meeting is to be held in a
short time to consider the matter.
FOOTBALL BECOMING POPULAR
Source: Alton Telegraph, November 30, 1893
The game that is fast becoming popular among athletes, and is
perhaps the most exciting game, as well as beautiful, is football.
It is true that the sport is dangerous, but this only adds zest to
the players. It requires for good players the strongest athletes,
with nerves and muscles of iron, and barring being injured, it is
splendid exercise. The first team to organize in Alton is the
Y.M.C.A., and a match game has been arranged with the Shurtleff
College team of Upper Alton. Physical Director Zink has the Y.M.C.A.
and college teams in charge, and is coaching both to battle
Thanksgiving afternoon. Both teams are green at the work, and it is
hard to tell what the result will be. The Y.M.C.A. team will present
a strong rush line, as well as good tackles.
FOOTBALL TEAM TO BE ORGANIZED
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, December 02, 1893
Professor Anzo of the Alton Athletic Club is organizing a football
team among the members, and will coach them for a game with amateur
clubs in this vicinity. The material in the club is excellent. A
heavy rush line is the main feature, although some of the best
sprinters in town will do the tackling. Arrangements will soon be
made for several practice games, and then challenges will be issued
to other amateur teams. An effort will be made to have a game with
the Shurtleff College eleven, who are the winners of all games so
far played in the Altons.
FOOTBALL
Shurtleff College Eleven vs. Y.M.C.A.
Source: Alton Telegraph, December 7, 1893
The long-looked-for game of football between the Shurtleff College
Eleven and the Y.M.C.A. team took place at Washington Park Thursday.
The teams have been entirely ignorant of the strength of their
opponents, and when they met yesterday, both sides were confident
and determined. The attendance was large, and friends of both sides
were in abundance. From the start, it was clearly apparent that the
Y.M.C.A. eleven lacked weight and practice, and Shurtleff commenced
at once to make the game one-sided. The Shurtleff team gave good
interference, tackled fairly well, and showed tricks that were new
to the Y.M.C.A. team. The latter team did fairly good tackling. They
attempted wedge work and bucking the center, and at this showed some
success. They gave no interference whatever. The ball was rushed
down to the Y.M.C.A. goal constantly, and the Shurtleff eleven
scored touchdowns and goals at short intervals. The work of Cole and
Buckles was applauded. The Y.M.C.A.’s failed to score. At the close
of the first half, the score was 20-0 in favor of the red and
yellow. The second half was a repetition of the first, and the game
finally ended with a score of 46-0, in favor of Shurtleff. It is the
first attempt for the members of the Y.M.C.A., and considering this
fact, they made a plucky fight. No one was injured, other than
slight bruises, and the game was enjoyed by the spectators.
W.M.A. vs ST. LOUIS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAME
Source: Alton Telegraph, November 01, 1894
Western Military Academy cadets were overmatched not in courage, but
in weight, at the football game on the academy “grid-iron” Saturday
afternoon. The students from the St. Louis High School had a strong
team compared to the academy eleven, and in the warming up run
showed plainly they had the weight on their side. When the game
opened active work was done on both sides. Goals and touchdowns
followed at intervals, always scoring for the St. Louis team. The
academy boys scored a single touchdown. The game was won by the high
school boys, the score being 38 to 4. A large number of ladies and
gentlemen witnessed the contest, which was highly entertaining.
FOOTBALL TEAM ORGANIZED IN TROY
Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, November 01, 1895
The Academy boys have organized a football team, and a match is set
for Thanksgiving.
W.M.A. vs MEXICO, MO ACADEMY
Football Game
Source: Alton Telegraph, November 28, 1895
The football game Saturday afternoon between the Western Military
Academy and the Mexico, Missouri Academy, for the academical
championship of Illinois and Missouri, was a closely contested game,
and somewhat in the nature of a slugging match. The W.M.A. lined up
as follows: Webster, right end; Cooper, right tackle; Graham, right
guard; Witt, center; Cabanne, left guard; Scruggs, left tackle;
Dudley, left end; Brown, quarterback; Howe (Captain), left half
back; Turner, right half back; Hanna, full back.
The score at the end of the first half was 0 to 0, but in the
beginning of the second half a goal was kicked by the W.M.A. boys,
which made the score Alton, 6; Mexico, 0. Mexico made a touchdown,
but failed to kick goal, and the score was 6 to 4. Mexico made
another goal, and the score was 10 to 6, in vaor of Mexico, although
there was a dispute as to the result, some claiming that the time
for the game was up before the last goal was made by Mexico. Brown
and Turner of the W.M.A. team were hurt, but continued to play.
After the game, Captain Hutchinson stated if the W.M.A. boys were
dissatisfied with the game, another could be arranged for at any
time. The W.M.A. team claim that the game was given to them by a
score of 6 to 4, which was the standing of the score prior to the
dispute that occurred. Referee Thompson refused to decide the game
on Saturday afternoon.
ROUGH RIDERS TEAM
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 25, 1900
The Alton Rough Riders, a new football team, and the Carondelet
team, will play a game Sunday afternoon at Sportsman's Park.
CAPTAIN AND QUARTERBACK OF TEAM DIES
Son of Senator Coppinger
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 15, 1900
Will Coppinger died this morning at 8 o'clock, after an illness of
several weeks, aged 21. The young man had been attending the
University of Niagara, at Niagara Falls, N. Y., where he was
studying for the priesthood, graduating from the college last June.
This year he was in the seminary, where he would have continued his
studies had his life been spared. His last
illness
dated from last summer, when he contracted a severe cold while in a
baseball game with the Spaldings. He never recovered completely from
the cold, and later his condition was rendered worse by exposure
during a football game at his school. He was captain and quarterback
of his eleven, and was considered one of the hardiest and healthiest
boys at the school. His physique was perfect, and he had made good
records in athletic sports, being rated one of the best football and
baseball players in Alton. It was not known here that he was playing
football at the university this year, and his family was not aware
of his illness. When he received the message announcing the serious
illness of his father and summoning him home, he was on his way to
the hospital at Buffalo, where he was going for treatment. He
started for Alton, and learned of his father's death first when he
reached home Monday morning. The shock was so severe that the young
man fainted, and he did not rally. He was unable to attend the
funeral of his father, and from the beginning of his illness at home
his condition was considered dangerous. Death was due to uraemic
poisoning. His suffering until a few days ago was intense, when
unconsciousness mercifully relieved him of his pain. Will Coppinger
was a bright young man whose natural ability was plainly made
manifest in his school life, and he gave promise of being a
brilliant success in life. His character was unimpeachable, and he
looked forward to his life work in the church with great earnestness
of purpose. He has many friends in Alton and his death will strike
profound sorrow to the hearts of all who knew him. The family will
have a double portion of sympathy in their heavy affliction, having
been stricken twice within a week with death of members. One week
ago this evening the father passed away. The funeral will be Monday
morning at 10 o'clock and services will be in the Cathedral.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 17, 1900
The casket covered with beautiful flowers, suggestive of his own
innocence and purity, and moistened with the tears of sincere
sympathy and bruised love, the earthly part of the lamented Will
Coppinger was borne tenderly and reverently from the grief stricken
home this morning, to the Cathedral, where a requiem high mass was
celebrated by Rev. E. L. Spalding, assisted by Fathers Cusack and
O'Connor. The sad double bereavement had awakened sorrow and
sympathy all over the city, and the services were attended by a very
large number of people who desired thus to express in a small degree
at least, the esteem in which they held the deceased youth, and the
sorrow they felt for those "left behind." The taking away of Will
Coppinger is inexpressibly sad - so young, so bright, so manly, so
true a type of generous, loving, self-sacrificing man, and only
those who have suffered the pangs of sorrow, pain and disappointment
from a similar cause can realize approximately the grief which has
entered the home. To them now only the Lord Himself can be a
comforter, but the hearts of the people of Alton throb with pity for
the anguished mother and for the brothers. and sisters so suddenly
parted. The interment was in Greenwood beside the grave of the
father who was buried one week ago tomorrow. The pallbearers were:
C. D. Haagen, L. A. Schlafly, Charles Davis, Dennis Ryan, Allan
Challacombe and Charles Degenhardt. Among out of town folks who
attended the funeral were Rev. C. A. O'Reilley of Edwardsville, Rev.
James Howard of Springfield, Rev. Father Kane of St. Louis, and Rev.
Father Snyder of Carrollton.
NOTES:
William H. Coppinger was the son of John W. and Bridget (Biggins)
Coppinger of Alton. John W. Coppinger served as Alton mayor, and was
elected to the Illinois Senate in 1890. He served as President of
the 38th General Assembly. He was also the U. S. Consul to Toronto
under President Cleveland. Another son, Lucian Coppinger, who lived
at 903 State Street in Alton, served as the Alton City Attorney in
1916, and was a veteran of World War I. William’s mother, Bridget
Biggins Coppinger, died in 1901. They are all buried in the St.
Patrick’s (Greenwood) Cemetery in Godfrey.
SPALDING FOOTBALL TEAM ORGANIZED
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 4, 1901
A meeting was held last evening to organize the Spalding's football
eleven. Over twenty applications of persons desiring to join were
received, and it was decided to defer the formation of the eleven
until a test was made of the material that is on hand. The first
practice game will be played Sunday afternoon at Rock Spring park.
The average weight of the team will be over 140 pounds, and some of
the players are well experienced. If a southern Illinois league is
organized, the Spaldings will represent Alton. If no league is
formed, the Spaldings will bring teams to Alton to play here.
ON THE GRIDIRON
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 2, 1901
The first game for the Spalding Tigers in the Interstate League will
be played tomorrow afternoon at Sportsman Park [Alton], with the
Staunton team. The game will be called at 2:30. Following is the
line-up:
Staunton: Mise, right end; Valentine, right tackle; Snell, right
guard; Morrissey, center; A. Schmidt, left end; C. Snell, left
tackle; J. Smith, left guard; Sawyer, quarter; Pherego, r h back; G.
Smith, l h back; J. Schmidt, full back.
Spaldings: Derr, right end; Smith, right tackle; O. Smith, right
guard; Murphy, center; J. Crivello, left end; Garde, left tackle;
Burton, left guard; Hartmann, quarter; Jewett, r h back; Rice, l h
back; Hubburd, full back.
BLACKBURN UNIVERSITY vs SHURTLEFF COLLEGE
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 21, 1901
Upper Alton News - On Saturday afternoon at Sportsman's park, the
husky team from Blackburn University will line up against the
Shurtleff college eleven in the annual gridiron contest between
these two rival institutions. Blackburn has some old scores to
settle with Shurtleff, so that from the kickoff till the call of
time the fight promises to be a pretty one. Reports indicate that
the Carlinville boys are a heavy lot, but speed and training are
expected to win the day for Shurtleff. The Shurtleff team had its
last hard practice this afternoon and tomorrow will only run through
signals.
SHURTLEFF TEAM DEFEATED
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 29, 1901
In the game of football played in Springfield yesterday between the
High School team of that city and the Shurtleff College players of
Upper Alton, the latter were defeated by a score of 11 to 9, on the
field at Spring and Laurel streets. Large crowds attended the
contest and rooted enthusiastically for their favorites. The battle
was full of interest to the 500 people present. It was stubbornly
fought and it would have been a difficult matter at any time to
predict the outcome. Shurtleff's teamwork was superior to
Springfield's, and the visitors made repeated gains through the home
team's line. They were held only twice for downs and did little
fumbling. Melin, Seifert and Crowe for Springfield, and North, right
end for the Upper Alton men, were the stellar players. During the
progress of the second half, Seifert was laid out by a blow on the
head, and Funderburk was substituted.
FAME OF ALTON HIGH SPREADS IN RUGBY WORLD
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 27, 1905
The renown of Alton High school in the high school football world
has spread to such an extent that it seems impossible for the team
to get any games, except such as may be played for practice. The
unbroken series of victories the team has to its credit this year is
very disquieting to other football warriors who might have an
ambition to rank as the best Rugby players. The Alton high school
team cannot secure a game with any but the Shurtleff second team for
Saturday afternoon, so took on a game with that team. Shurtleff too
seems to be in a bad fix, through winning too many victories, and is
unable to find antagonists. The Alton and Shurtleff teams have not
been defeated a single time this year. They have not played each
other as that might create rivalry, and the boys desire that a very
cordial feeling exist between them and that they have an arrangement
for playing practice games with each other. Alton's football
enthusiasts have good reason to feel proud this year of the
achievements of Alton's warriors on the gridiron.
ALTON HIGH'S STAR FOOTBALL PLAYER DIES FROM INJURIES
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 6, 1905
James Squires, son of Frank Squires of Godfrey, died Monday morning
shortly after 9 o'clock at the home of C. F. Sparks on Prospect
street, from the effects of injuries he sustained in a football game
October 21, between Alton High School and East St. Louis High
school, at Sportsman's Park. Death was due to blood poisoning which
began with an injury to the left knee of the player, and progressed
until it caused a poisoned condition of
the
entire glandular system of the boy. The boy was 18 years of age last
July 8. He was a student at the High School, and one of the best
players in the team. He was a strong, active player and was ever in
the forefront of the battle when his team was at play. The sad
ending of the game of two weeks ago last Saturday was entirely
unexpected, and Squires was the last one to be looked for to suffer
such an injury. He played throughout the entire game and never once
complained of being hurt. He was a strong, robust young man and
seemed able to endure injuries incident to football playing without
complaint. He finished the game with East St. Louis, which was said
to have been an unnecessarily rough one of the part of the East St.
Louis players, and went home that night apparently in good
condition. He came to Alton Monday to attend school, and that day he
complained of being slightly lame, and he supposed he had injured
his knee in the football game, but was not certain. He remained in
school on Tuesday, but went home that night and did not come back.
The pains extended over his body and seemed to be worst wherever the
large glands were located. Last Tuesday he was brought to the home
of C. F. Sparks in Alton for treatment, as it was thought it would
be better to have him in Alton convenient to physicians who were
attending him. He was then in a delirious condition, and except at
brief intervals he did not regain his normal condition of mind. St.
Louis surgeons were finally called upon and an examination was made
which resulted in the malady being pronounced not typhoid malaria
but blood poisoning in the glands, due to an abscess which formed
under the knee cap of the injured leg. An operation was performed
and the abscess was relieved, but the poison had made fatal progress
and he showed but little improvement in condition. He continued
unconscious except at brief intervals. His condition became much
worse Sunday night, and he died at 9:12 o'clock Monday morning. He
was attended the last few days by his brother, Dr. John Squires of
Dubuque, Iowa. The body was sent to Godfrey this noon, where the
funeral services will be held. The funeral will be held Wednesday
afternoon at 2 o'clock from the family home in Godfrey to the
Congregational church. Burial will be in Godfrey. It is probable the
entire High school will be dismissed Wednesday afternoon to attend
the funeral, and that some of the members of the football team will
serve as pallbearers. A quartet of members of the High school
faculty will sing at the funeral. The young man was in the
graduating class of the High school, and at least the third- and
fourth-year classes will be dismissed on account of the funeral. The
death of James Squires will end the football team of the Alton High
school. In the same game in which Squires suffered his fatal injury,
Edward Enos was badly hurt, and has not been in the game. Supt.
Haight said today that last Monday the question of canceling the
schedule of games was submitted to the players, and the boys voted
as a unit to continue the schedule. The faculty believed that it
would be best to end the schedule for the reason forthwith. However,
one cancellation after another was received, and the boys were
without a game to play. Supt. Haight said that undoubtedly the death
of Squires would result in the closing of the football season, as
the faculty would refuse to lend any aid or support to the game
hereafter. Supt. Haight said that the reason for the school giving
support to the game was that the boys were playing as a High school
team several years ago, and the faculty felt it was necessary that
if the boys were determined to play, they should do so under the
direction of persons who could protect the interests of the school,
and maintain a good game. The football team continued to grow
stronger each year until this year, when it made the best record.
The team was not scored against, and Squires contributed much toward
its success. He was known as a star player and could always be
relied upon to uphold his part of the play. He was a bright,
intelligent boy, and exceedingly popular among his associates. In
his home he was the pride of his parents, being the youngest son,
and their hopes of a bright future for him seemed to be well
justified. His death has cast a gloom over the High school, and also
in Godfrey, where he was known and much admired. There is general
regret throughout Alton over the tragedy of the football game, and
on no one could the arrow of death have fallen leaving more regret
than it has done in taking the life of James Squires.
Expressions of Regret
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 7, 1905
There were expressions of sincere and deep regret in the Alton High
school today over the death of James Squires, the first victim of
the Rugy game in the Alton High school. The seat of their deceased
classmate was draped in mourning and it was covered with white
flowers by the pupils as an expression of the grief of the
classmates over the death of Squires. Supt. Haight said that the
mourning drapery would probably remain for some time in the seat as
a mark of remembrance. The feeling of horror which has been cast
upon the whole school, including teachers and pupils, is universal.
The regret that the tragedy should have occurred is voiced by all,
both pupils in the school and those out of it. The blow is a heavy
one, and today it almost rendered study useless in the High school
building. Supt. Haight said that it was definitely decided that the
entire school would be dismissed tomorrow afternoon on account of
the funeral, which will be held at 2 o'clock from the Godfrey
Congregational church. Rev. J. A. Scarritt of Alton will conduct the
services. Supt. Haight received a telephone message this morning
from Principal Manners of the East St. Louis High school, in which
he expressed the sincerest regret over the unfortunate ending of the
football game. He said that the horror of it had overwhelmed the
East St. Louis High school in such a manner as to be beyond
expression. The members of the football team from East St. Louis,
together with their physical instructor, will attend the funeral of
Squires at Godfrey tomorrow afternoon as an expression of their
regret and their willingness to do what they can to show their
sorrow over the tragedy. The pallbearers for young Squires will be
selected from the number of the members of the Alton High School
football team. Musical selections will be sung by a quartette
consisting of Supt. Haight, Messrs, B. C. Richardson, R. L. Bird,
and A. E. Barradell. There will be a large attendance of Alton
people at the funeral. Supt. Haight has informed the East St. Louis
High school principal that the Alton players do not make any
specific charges of undue roughness, but that the charge is a
general unnecessary roughness in the game. The principal objection
of the Alton boys was to the tackling, which was responsible for the
boys being injured.
Funderl of James Squires
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 8, 1905
The funeral of James Squires was held at 2 o'clock this afternoon
from the residence of the father, Frank Squires in Godfrey, to the
Godfrey Congregational church. The attendance at the funeral
included many hundreds of schoolmates, friends and relatives of the
young man. The funeral was probably the largest ever held in
Godfrey. The church was not large enough to accommodate the
assemblage. There was a large delegation of boys and girls and the
faculty of the Alton High school at the funeral. The pupils of the
High school esteemed highly their young classmate, and they
expressed their grief by contributing beautiful floral emblem. Among
those who attended the funeral were the members of the East St.
Louis High school football team, the team which opposed Alton High
in the game that caused Squire's death. The services at the church
were conducted by Rev. J. A. Scarritt of Alton. A quartet consisting
of Supt. R. A. Haight, Messrs. R. L. Bird, B. C. Richardson, A. E.
Barradell, sang three musical selections in the church. The songs by
the quartet were "Asleep in Jesus," "Sleep Thy Last Sleep," and "Go
to Thy Rest in Peace." The pallbearers were selected from the Alton
High school football team, and were Trueman Stelle, Olin Ellison,
Gershom Gillham, Ned Sparks, William Koehne and Percy Lewis. The
floral offerings sent for the funeral were rich and numerous.
Several carriage loads were sent out by friends early in the day,
and there was not room on the family lot to place all of them. The
members of the senior class gave a floral "Gates Ajar," and the
members of the football team lined the grave with evergreen and gave
a floral blanket. A party of fully 150 persons went from Alton at
noon to attend the funeral, and many others drove out in carriages
and other vehicles. Burial was in the Godfrey cemetery, just a short
distance from the Squires residence in Godfrey.
ELWELL, WILLIAM/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 20,
1908
Dies From Football Injuries
The death of William Elwell occurred Friday morning at an early hour
at the home of his parents in Upper Alton. He became very much worse
yesterday and last evening all hope of his recovery was given up.
The attending physician attributes his death to pneumonia, although
he was suffering from the effects of injuries he received in a
football game two weeks ago tomorrow. He was a member of the Alton
division of Naval militia and the funeral, which will be held
Sunday, will be attended by the members of that organization, and
they will show the honors of the naval militia to the dead. The
young man was very popular and had a large number of friends. In his
own home he was the idol of his parents and other members of his
family, and his death is a sad blow to them.
STAUFFER, DANIEL/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 19, 1914
Soldier Dies from Football Game Injuries
Daniel Stauffer, aged 28, discharged member of the United States
Army, died this morning at the home of his mother, Mrs. Mary
Stauffer, 1128 East Third Street. His death was due to injuries he
sustained in a football game while nearing the end of his third
three-year term of enlistment in the army. Stauffer had enlisted
first when nineteen years of age, in the Coast Artillery Service,
and he was at Ft. Monroe when closing his third term. He had seen
service in the Philippines and in Mexico. Large, powerful, and a
handsome looking young man, he was sought to fill a place in the
football team representing his company, Co. 35, Coast Artillery
Service. The team played a game last October, and in the game the
young man was badly injured. One side was crushed in and several
ribs broken. He continued in the service until the end of his
enlistment, when he was given his discharge, February 26, 1914.
Returning to Alton, he became an invalid at the home of his mother,
and never recovered. His death was the result of the football game
injuries he suffered last October. He leaves his mother, also one
brother, Ben, and one sister, Mrs. Hattie Blalock of Alton. He
leaves also six half-brothers. The body will be taken to Pearl,
Illinois, where services will be held at 9 o'clock Sunday morning
from the Christian Church.
NOTES:
Daniel Stauffer was born in April 1886, and was abt. 27-28 at the
time of his death. He was buried in the Green Pond Cemetery in
Pearl, Pike County, Illinois.
HANDICAPPED MEN IN FOOTBALL GAME BETWEEN ALTON AND STAUNTON
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 2, 1919
When the Alton and Staunton city football teams lined up at
Sportsman's Park yesterday, each team had a man whom nature probably
did not intend for a football player. But not withstanding this
fact, both men played in great fashion. On the Alton team was Irby
Winkler, proprietor of a garage at Fourth and Piasa street, who
plays left tackle. He has but one arm. He is one of the stars of the
Alton team, and played great football with the city team of a few
years ago. Yesterday he was one of the mainstays of the Alton line,
and secured many tackles with his one arm. On the Staunton team was
a deaf and dumb mute, Williams by name, who played left tackle.
Williams is known here, having lived here for a time. Though he
could not hear signals, Williams played a good game. He was playing
opposite one of the stars of the Alton team, Mayford, but did all
that could be expected of a man facing a player of Mayford's
ability. It took the crowd some time to discover that on one team
was a deaf and dumb player, but when it was discovered Williams was
cheered. Winkler has always been a favorite in games here because of
his great playing with but one arm.
