History of the A's

Lacrosse, A City, And A Good Cause

The game of lacrosse was very much the focal point of a strong sense of community in the St. Catharines of a hundred years ago. Their own Athletics were a source of considerable pride and the game itself brought people from all walks of life together in a shared purpose.

Examples of the game being used for some greater good were common place and often games would be organized to raise money and awareness for a good cause. Such was the case for the annual "Factory Lacrosse Day", which raised money for the city's orphanage.

This event would feature many of the Athletics; past, present and even the near future, and a list of the players on the factory teams would be a veritable who's who of St. Catharines lacrosse of 1908.

SPORTS AND PASTIMES

The Daily Standard

Thursday September 24, 1908

Saturday's doings on the Lacrosse Grounds is anxiously looked forward to by all interested in lacrosse and sport and also to all those interested in the Orphan's Home. The factory boys are devoting a whole afternoon to a worthy cause and all they ask is the co-operation of the general public to turn out and patronize the games.

The draw for the lacrosse matches are as follows:

1st Game

Welland Vale vs. McKinnon Dash

2nd Game

Jenckes vs. R. H. Smith Co.

3rd Game

Between the winners of 1st and 2nd

The following players will compete in the matches:

JENCKES ARE CHAMPIONS

FACTORY LACROSSE DAY FOR THE ORPHAN'S HOME WAS A GREAT SUCCESS

The Daily Standard

Monday September 28, 1908

Never before was there a bigger crowd at the Factory Day Sports as there was on Saturday afternoon, and never before did they pass off with such good will on the part of contestants and spectators - all bent on doing a little for the Orphan's Home.

It was a little after the time announced, 1:30, when the procession left Montebello Park. In the van was a wagon load of children. Marshal Burch led with the flag, followed by the Nineteenth Regimental Band, in the rear of which was displayed the Championship Banner. To the music of the band marched the representatives of the different factories, each headed by its lacrosse team, and each wearing its distinctive colors. First came about sixty from the Welland Vale Works, red and white; then about seventy from McKinnon Dash works, light and dark blue; about forty from the Jenckes factory, blue and white; and about forty from the Smith Saw Works, green and white.

The parade passed along Ontario street to St. Paul street, to Court street, and to the lacrosse grounds, where its component parts went to swell the crowds that congregated in the grand stand, on the bleachers, and in the corners and at the sides of the field.

The races followed the cheering reception of the parade. For the 100-yard dash there were 15 entries. It was won by E. Barrett; C. Richards, second; and E. England, third.

The first-prize for the quarter mile race went to W. Glintz; P. Overholt being a puzzling second; H. Marriott, third and A. Brown, fourth. Brown led out, but at the finish was so used up that he was not able to play lacrosse with the Welland Vale team, as was expected of him. He insisted on running the race. The day was very sultry, and severe upon the runners and the lacrosse players.

The race prizes were given in the evening at Tim & Mac's, Barrett got a fancy vest donated by Bissonette & Case; Richards, a carving knife and fork from Coy Bros.; England, a pipe from J. McHugh; Glintz, a pair of shoes from Wood Bros.; Overholt, a carving set from Watts & Bate; Marriott, a pair of slippers from Burleigh & Donnelly; and Brown, a box of cigars from F. Kimberly.

Three lacrosse matches had principally induced the hundreds assembled to pay their quarters at the gate, and everyone, including the players, paid his or her 25 cents. There were a number of ladies in the grand stand and they enjoyed the many good plays as well as did the "mug-wumps" on the fence in front of them. There was very little rough play, not half a dozen players being penalized during all three games. J. M. Cameron was referee; Charles Lowe, judge of play; and W. J. Lee and H. O' Loughlin timers.

It was decided that there should be two periods of fifteen minutes each to each game, quite enough considering the weather. In spite of the heat, the play was good and fast.

The first game was between The Welland Vale and McKinnon Dash teams. For the loss of Brown to the Welland Vales, the McKinnons laid off  T. Cunningham; so that the game was played with eleven on a side.

In the first period things looked pretty even for a time, as the ball was passed from end to end of the field. G. Collins scored for the McKinnons in 7 1/2 minutes. Just as the quarter hour was about up the Welland Vales were pressing, and it appeared that the whistle call prevented them from scoring. Again in seven and a half minutes the McKinnons scored. Ripley passing to Barnett, who threw in. The third goal was served for the McKinnons in one minute. A little later there was a struggle in the north-west corner of the field, and a man was laid off each side. The play went on with varying fortune until just ten seconds before the call of time, Barnett scoring again for the McKinnons side, making the total four to nothing. The victors cheered the vanquished. The Welland Vales played an all shop team.

In the second game between the Jenckes and Smith factories, B. Gadsby of the Jenckes failed to appear and his place was taken by a mere boy, who played a rattling good game. After a few interchanges a shot on the Smith goal shook the nets and led to a change of goal umpires there. Another shot went high. The ball was passed along to the Jenckes goal and Fitzgerald scored for the Smith factory; time seven minutes. A minute and a half later the Smiths scored another goal. The Jenckes put on steam, got several throws which went wide, but a fourth found the net; time four minutes, making the score two to one. The Smiths got the ball on the face-off, but the man fell in front of the goal and lost it. A shot on the Smith goal was stopped by Dixon, and one on the Jenckes goal went wide. After a few exchanges in the field the ball was passed for a goal for the Jenckes; time, two minutes. Score, two all at the end of the first period.

In the second period, the Jenckes scored in two minutes and again in half a minute. Several ineffectual shots were made at each end, but by clever passing the Smiths secured another goal. Time, four minutes. Score, 4 to 3 in favor of Jenckes. The Jenckes got the ball but lost it, and the Smiths shot was stopped. To the other end went the ball and the Jenckes scored; time, one minute. Score, 5 to 3. There was now some close checking, a mix-up in the south-west corner of the field, and several facings of the ball. The Smiths had three throws on goal, but all missed, and the game saw them defeated 5 to 3.

Now the Jenckes had to play the McKinnons, who had secured a rest, but that seemed to have only stiffened them. T. Cunningham played his position. In a half a minute Parke scored for the Jenckes. There were some sharp exchanges, and Neil Bradt received a cut on the forehead, which accident stopped play for four minutes. McSloy scored for the Jenckes. Time, five minutes of play. Two minutes later Sullivan added a third. Though the play was fast, no more goals were made in the first period. The ball had to be faced in the field because a player caught it in his hand.

Passages were brisk in the second period, with some brilliant play and several shots at each end; but no goals were scored and the game ended three to nothing in favor of the Jenckes factory team, which was cheered by the spectators.

The championship banner was presented to the victors by Mr. George Burch, assistant manager for Whitman & Barnes, who said he was glad that he did not represent either of the teams. On behalf of the Orphan's Home he thanked all; also in his own behalf. The Jenckes team had won the banner, which he had much pleasure in presenting.

Joe Blais, foreman, received the banner and exclaimed, "Boys, come down to-night. I'll give you all a good cigar."

There was some money lost and won on the result of the lacrosse games.

Mr. George Summers, he of the Summers Stock Company, which played at the Opera House all last week, won some $35 betting on the Jenckes factory team. He treated the team and gave money to the "kids" to buy candy, fruit and nuts.

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