Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 268, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 November 1918 — CELEBRITIES ARE TO MEET [ARTICLE]

CELEBRITIES ARE TO MEET

HARRY PARKER AND WALTER ECKERSALLTO MATCH FOOTBALL WITS THANKSGIVING. ’Way back about the time <Noaih was slipping ibis first nail into the ark and Big Ed Deihanty was ■discarding his swaddling clothes and hoc started to fatten his batting average in a Boot and Shoe outfit on the Atlantic coast and Belshazzar was ■reading the hand-writing on the wall, a Monon train might have been seen wending its way cautiously across a thin pair of nails which stood boldly out on the landscape. The rails extended from the northward and the little decrepit looking, antique engine was puffing and wheezing, pulling and jerking with starts in a vain effort .to make the time that the railroad authorities had decided it moist do. In due course of time the engine with its precious cargo drew up in front of a small alleged railway station, which had been an eye-sore to the general public since the beginning of time. The station was located at Rensselaer, Indiana. Had one been at the station , that day be might have seen a sight that would have lingered with him during the entire period of ibis sojourn on this planet. Swinging from the car scarcely before the train had 'been brought to a standstill in a graceful, athletic manner was a big, clear-eyed,

broad shouldered youth who sniffed the ozone for a moment of two, gave iis troupers a tug and then grunted a single word —“Hutmph. “ That marked the start of the career of H. F. Parker in the town where he was to win renown in has chosen fieldHarry hadn’t been in town fifteen minutes bes ore he knew practically everyone worth knowing, including the small kids and the town dog. Months slipped by and finally the football season was ushered in. That was Harry’s hour. Donning a pair of moleskin trousers and his good natured smile he made his way to the old high school playgrounds to show the youngsters the gentle art of how to riddle tiie opposing wall of tap enemy football team. And he did it to a niicety. And then and there the old vanguard decided that he should be the thigh school football mentor. From the day that the now grizzled old veteran of the chalk fined field first took charge of the hopefuls on that cpld October day he has turned out championship football teams with a regularity that mokes Ty Cobb’s record in the big time circuit, look like -the 'battered crown of one William Hotoenzollem. He has so many medals and trophies hanging on the wall at his home on Park avenue that his wife has never 'had to worry about having the walls papered in the springtime. Time has dealt kindly with the “Old Man,” and except for the feiw gray hairs that are sprinkled over his bead one would sea no change in the youth that came to Rensselaer these many years ago. Ha has the

same old smile, the same rough and ready way, and still has as much use for a hard boiled shirt as Peary has for a tennis raquet when exploring Arctic regions or a gold fidh has for court plasters. He’s just a big jovial, overgrown boy with a 'boy’s fancies and whatever success he has gained on the chalk lined field has not Changed him in the least. 'For twen-ty-five years Harry Parker 'has dreamed of footballs and chalk fines and has had goal posts for breakfast. But I am afraid I am destroying a lot of space without reaching my primary object, so to make a long story longer, will*tell you thfft despite the war and the “flu,” Renseellaer is not

to do without her annual Thanksgiving classic, all due to ’the fame that aged mentor has gained at the gridiron game. Just across the Newton county line is a pair of football teams that are straining at. the leash and waiting uritil the Call of the timekeeper’s whistle to throw themselves at the opposing forces. These teems 'hail from Morocco and Kentland. Over Kentland way they are stark, staining, raving mad and are thirsting for the blood of their enemy. Their enrthus■aism has reached such a pitch that they have gone to the extent of securing Wallie Eckersall, famous in the early pant of the present century as the greatest quarterback that ever stepped into a pair of spiked dboes. Walter Eckersajl could boot the pigskin through the goal posts from the 45 and 50 yard marks with a regularity that made his admirers tired .o, watch him. Never was there a greater football artist than the Chicago quarterback, apd At is probable that his deeds will never 'be Shattered and probably not even equalled. Needless for me to say EckeraaH

knows football from A to Izzard and any fine part of the game has at much chance of escaping, him as the forces of the Germans have of remaining out of the clutches of the Allied armies. But Waiter Eckeesall has met his match—-Harry Parker. Morocco, not to be out-distanced by her rivals, has 'secured the services of the veteran Rensselaer coach and already has his signature to a contract by which be is to whip them into shape for the Thanksgiving classic. It will be a battle of football .waits between, these two celebrities and the entire countryside has drawn a sigh of satisfaction with the announcing of the impending struggle, and no doubt several thousand will he on hand to witness the contest, which will be staged in the Newton county capital. Does Harry view the ■tie with alarm? Not he, for if fIR is anything the veteran mentor ‘likes it is a fight, and you will stee him on Turkey Day out there beseeching, encouraging and driving his charges, putting fight and energy into them that will not be denied. We feel sorry for Eckersall's reputation, as we like the former Chicago star, but ive must turn to our first love in a case like this and will be forced to place our money on the ability of the local offspring of Walter Camp. Excitement as intense alt both Kentland and Morocco and the followers of both schools assert that everything as over but the shouting.

Rensselaer fans, those that are nqt in the melee across the way, will be there pulling for the Morocco contingent, not because they dislike the Kenitiand crew hut because they like Harry Parker 'better. Now that the war is over, give yourself a little enjoyment and relaxation and Harry 'Parker your undivided support when he meets the enemy on his own orchard. Well, so long, see you Saturday; if not then when the war is over. “LEFTY.” , •' •••' * Anyone wishing to see me will And me at the Trust & Savings bank on Saturday afternoons. H. O. Harris. Phone 124.